Dear friends,

Once a month, newcomers, members, and friends of the congregation are invited to join our “Exploring Unitarian Universalism” class series. I enjoy teaching these small-group classes, despite the early start time of 9:30am. Each time, we talk about a rotating topic, such as Social Justice, Values & Beliefs, History & Theology, and Faith, and people show up with authenticity, travel mugs of coffee, and questions. For the 45 minutes of the conversation, we dive into Unitarian Universalism through one of these lenses, and explore how this faith tradition with deep roots can enrich and ground our lives today. Something I love is noting the changes to our living tradition over time--how our institutions, shared agreements, and norms have shifted through challenge and the work of brave people. 

Our Soul Matters theme this month is transformation. I am grateful to be a part of a faith which has the strength to transform. The new Article II Values put forward transformation as one of our shared values: “We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.” From my role as your ministerial intern, I am grateful to witness the transformations in our congregation and in many of you as we explore our faith and grow together. 

With joy,

Rosemary

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 March Soul Matters Theme is



Transformation

Here's the link to the Soul Matters materials

Sunday Morning Programs

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

1st Sunday - Labyrinth meditation in the meadow (April 7)

2nd Sunday - Note new time: Justice & Equity conversation is after church (April 14 @11:45)!

3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi (April 21)

4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism (March 24) with Rosemary Dodd in the Fahs Room.

Sunday, March 24, 10:30AM: 

A Faith Worth Living For:

Inspirations from Our Polish Forbears

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones preaching, with Patty Budding and Jan Fleming. Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd, Worship Associate Courtney O’Neill, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

On sabbatical, Roger co-led a pilgrimage to the land of the Polish Brethren, a radical Unitarian movement. They were pacifists who preached human kinship, practiced social equality, shared possessions, and used dialogue rather than dogma to seek the truth about the Divine. Pictured is leader Faustus Socinus. Their movement flourished from 1565 to 1658. It was crushed, yet their ideas kept spreading.

• Exploring UUism at 9:30 am in the Fahs Classroom with Rosemary—all welcome

Sunday, March 31, 10:30AM:

Rolling Away The Stone

Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Andy Cramer, UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

Experiences of transforming mystery and wonder are primary sources of Unitarian Universalist inspiration and grounding. This Easter Sunday, join Rosemary Dodd as she explores the curiosity and imagination which we can cultivate in ourselves and our communities.

Special Offering: All of our Easter offering will support an effort by the Nevada City Nisenan tribe to purchase and reclaim 232 acres of a historic Nisenan Village in Nevada City.  

Members and friends who attend a service by Zoom may enjoy the chance to get acquainted after the service concludes, and may reflect on a question related to the service theme-- for 22 minutes. Please speak briefly and listen so that all may be included.

      Committed, Loving, Generous – Our 2024-2025 Pledge Drive Begins April 7 and Ends April 21

Committed, Loving, Generous—that is what we strive to be as a congregation. The annual pledges of financial support by our committed, generous members make that a reality. Each year, we spend several Sundays reminding you what’s great about UUSS and why we depend on your commitment of financial support to fund our budget over a 12-month period. During the pledge drive, we ask each household to make a written pledge of the financial support you plan to give for the coming year.

We ask that you submit a new pledge each year, even if you have an automatic withdrawal for your current pledge.



This year we have a special request. Our goal is to raise wages and salaries for all UUSS staff and ministers to meet the current minimum compensation levels recommended by the UUA. Our staff and ministers deserve fair and equitable compensation for their hard work. We need to increase our annual budget by 15% to meet !this goal. To this end, we will be asking each of you to increase your pledge this year.

Thank you for your commitment, love, and generosity - Your Stewardship Team

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. Make sure to tell us you do not want us to mention it aloud, or if you would like a phone call from one of the ministers. Come early this Sunday and light a candle up front and fill out a prayer card for the ministers.

Childcare--The Nursery (Rm. 11) welcomes infants 6m+ through age 5. Staff supervise child-led play in a fun and friendly nursery filled with toys and games. Snacks are offered. Access through the main entrance. Please contact Crystal with questions.

Soul Kids -- K-5th grade. Join DJ this Sunday, Mar. 24 to light the chalice, check in with our friends--older and new--and share a story and a craft project related to the Gift of Transformation: our Soul Matters theme!

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8.

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month during service. Our next meeting is this Sunday, Mar. 24. Youth are invited to join Alicia for a check-in and activities that spark conversation and connection.

Other engaging activities for children, youth and families are available and information can be found in the email linked above!

There's always a lot happening in RE!

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

Whether by the cup after service or by the bag in your own home, you can enjoy coffee created just for UUSS:

Chalice Blend! Its beans are grown by women-owned cooperatives in Latin America and roasted and blended by a family-run café in Oakland. Fresh beans are sold for $15 a bag in the Sunday Bookstore -- or stop in at the Office any weekday. Enjoy!

Ostara Celebration with CUUPs

Sunday, March 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fahs Room

Everyone is welcome at the Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) Ostara Celebration. Come celebrate the returning light, and the Goddess bringing new life and awakenings!

Bring a potluck dish to share. Contact Laurie Jones or Leanna Pierson at cuups@uuss.org

People of Color Caucus at UUSS

2nd & 4th THURSDAYS THIS SPRING:

April 11, May 9 - 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Zoom

March 28, April 25, May 23 - 11:00 am to 12:30 pm in person @UUSS (Fahs Room)

Do you self-identify as a person of color, or of mixed racial heritage? Join us on the patio for conversation, connection, and food 15 minutes after the service on March 24. Questions? Contact multi@uuss.org

On Sunday, March 31:

UUSS Community Support

for Homeland Return

The Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe has a time-limited opportunity to purchase 232 acres located on a historic Nisenan Village site called Yulića near Nevada City, CA. As with many Indigenous traditions, the Tribe’s health and its culture are symbiotic with the Land - neither People nor Land can thrive without relationship to the other. As such, the purchase and re. matriation of Yulića provides a tremendous potential for stability and healing for the Tribe, the environment, and the fabric of the Sierra Nevada foothills community.

The Tribe’s non-profit California Heritage Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) has a fundraising goal of $2.4 million including the purchase price, government-mandated improvements, and an operating endowment. Phase 1 fundraising goal is $1.5 million by April 4, 2024. CHIRP reached out to UUSS directly as allies after finding our land acknowledgement online. Since March has five Sundays, our leadership approved dedicating a March 31 special offering to this project. You can find out more, watch videos, and learn about the project at chirpca.org/homelandreturn.

Registration for Regional Assembly is open! April 19-20 online and in Denver.

Elevate your Unitarian Universalist experience by immersing yourself in the Pacific Western Regional Assembly. This is a community of individuals like you, from dozens of UU congregations--online or in person!

The Closer: Celebrating More Access at UUSS!

We have new automatic openers and closers at our main entrance doors and the doors between the Welcome Hall and Covered Patio! They were installed by an electrical contractor this week for approximately $6,000. (Several years ago we added electronic openers/closers on our larger restrooms.) Easier access at the press of a button! 

Thanks to all who contributed toward this project through Fund a Need in the fall service auction and additional donors afterwards. Thanks to these improvements, it will be easier to get through our doors for services, coffee hour, and Religious Education, making us a more welcoming congregation. Now let's endeavor to greet one another and introduce ourselves to someone we don't know whenever we are here. Thank you all!