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Our Weekly Message
News, Invitations, and Ministerial Reflections
November 17, 2023
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Dear Ones-
Each Sunday when we announce the offering we say “Generosity is a Spiritual Practice.” Of course we say that to encourage you to be generous in the amount of money you put in the basket to support our congregation and our community partner. But we also say it because it is true. Generosity is a spiritual practice, but it is not just about money. We can be generous with our time, our skills, our love. Generosity is a spiritual practice because by being generous we deepen our connections and feed our soul. The Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield said “ We all have, without exception, a very deep longing to give – to give to the earth, to give to others, to give to the society, to work, to love… And so there’s a tremendous sorrow for a human being who doesn’t find a way to give. One of the worst of human sufferings is not to find a way to love, or a place to work and give of your heart and your being.”
Generosity of course is paired with gratitude – both are enriching. When I am generous with you and you express gratitude, a beautiful connection is created. This Sunday our Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd will lead us in a ritual to explore both generosity and gratitude using the symbolism of tree roots and branches. Our Soul matters small groups are exploring these themes as well. You can find some materials for individual reflection in the link below. Or ask yourself the question “who has been generous with me in my lifetime, and have I expressed gratitude to them?”
I am grateful to all of you for the generosity of your presence, time, talents and financial contributions. Together we make this community welcoming, loving, justice-seeking, transformational, and sometimes just fun. And that is something to be grateful for.
Sending love to all,
Rev. Lucy
P.S. Don't forget to bring your contributions to the Loaves and Fishes Thanksgiving Drive this Sunday. Scroll down to our Justice words section to see the list of needed items.
PP.SS Its not too late to sign up to join the UUSS team for Race to Feed the Hungry, this Thanksgiving morning. More information below.
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Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Face masks are available but not required.
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
(Closed Captioning available on Zoom)
Service time 10:30 a.m.
Did you miss a service? You can find links to past services here
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Sunday Morning Programs
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
1st Sunday - Labyrinth meditation in the meadow (Dec. 3)
2nd Sunday - Justice & Equity Conversation (Dec. 10)
3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi (Nov. 19)
4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism - Faith (Nov.26)
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Join us for a Newcomer Orientation and Tour the second Sunday of every month,
right after church, in the Welcome Hall. Next one is December 10.
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Sunday, November 19, 10:30:
Circle Service: Roots and Branches of Gratitude
Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associates Dawn Huebner and Karen Sparrow, UUSS choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Flautist Erin Byerly
Join us for an intergenerational circle service where we explore the connections between generosity and gratitude through ritual and song. With trees guiding us, how can we create sustainable practices of sharing, receiving, and giving thanks?
*9:30 a.m.: Introduction to Tai Chi and Qi Gong on the Patio or in the Fahs Classroom
Stay for soup after the service
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Sunday, November 26, 10:30:
Moving at the Speed of Trust
Rev. Lucy Bunch preaching, with Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd, Worship Associate Andy Cramer, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Courtney O'Neill
Living in challenging times requires developing the tools not only to cope, but to be resilience. And one of our most important tools is trusting: learning how to trust, who to trust and how to build trust in our lives. Come, let us move together at the speed of trust.
*Exploring UU 9:30 in the Fahs Classroom. Rosemary Dodd leading a session on what Faith means to a UU.
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Joys, Sorrows, and Caring | |
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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.
If you know of someone in the congregation facing surgery, dealing with loss, coping with a new and serious diagnosis, etc., please encourage them to inform one of our ministers and/or to reach out to the Caring Committee at caring@uuss.org.
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Bobbie Stewart, longtime UUSS member has passed away at age 92. She moved to New Jersey several years ago to be near her daughter. Bobby was a member of the UUSS since at least the early 1960s. She was particularly active in our theatre group, Theater One, so much so that they named an award after her. We send our condolences to her family and friends.
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Connie Buckley, UUSS member died on September 23rd at the age of 76. Please join her family in a Celebration of Life tomorrow, November 18 at 2:00pm in the Main Hall.
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Join us in Religious Education! | |
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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.
All ages of children and youth are invited to join the Circle Service this Sunday, Nov. 19. Nursery care is still an option for ages 5 and under.
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!
Our RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain has weekly office hours and is available by email too.
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What's Happening?
For a listing of all events this week and coming up
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Lectio Divina Poetry with JoAnn Anglin Monday Nov. 20 at 10am via Zoom enter via www.uuss.org/online First and third Monday mornings. All are welcome! | |
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JOIN THE UUSS READER’S CLUB Thursday, November 30 7pm - Fahs Room
You are invited to our lively monthly book discussions. We meet the LAST Thursday of each month at 7 PM, generally in Fahs. Questions? Send a query to uureaders@uuss.org This months book is The Chancellor: the remarkable odyssey of Angela Merkel by Kati Marton
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Our ushers and greeter team is looking for a few more volunteers for Sunday morning service. If you have felt welcomed on a Sunday morning, here is your chance to return the favor. Contact the team at welcome@uuss.org. | |
Community Partner
Half of the Sunday morning offering donations made in November
support our local community partner:
River City Foodbank
To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.
"May generosity bless our world, and may gratitude nourish our spirits."
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We have our new Community Partners for 2024!
In addition to the 6 organizations that were carried over from 2023, Loaves and Fishes, Family Promise, River City Food Bank, National Alliance for Mental Illness, Planned Parenthood and Mercy Pedalers, our 6 additional partners for 2024 Are Wellspring Women’s Center (79 votes), Opening Doors (79 votes), Sac ACT (77 votes), Sacramento Native American Health Center (77 votes), NorCal Resist (73 votes), and Effie Yeaw, both receiving 70 votes. In order to support both of these worthy organization, the decision was made to designate the Christmas Eve 2024 offering to go to The Creation District, an organization whose programs provide support and healing to homeless youth and young adults through creative art and other resources. By supporting the Creation District at Christmas, we also honor the birth of Jesus whose teachings called us to care for our brothers and sisters who are homeless, hungry or sick.
Questions? Contact Bobbie Keill at partners@uuss.org
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The UUSS Social Justice Coordinating Council met this week and affirmed the Unitarian Universalist Association's October 17 Statement on the Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza and Israel "We call on Unitarian Universalists to continue to witness against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and to side with love in this moment by urging their elected officials to leverage the considerable power of the US government to push for an immediate and humane resolution to the crisis in Gaza, including total ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and rescinding the evacuation order."
UUSS Social Justice Coordinating Council members will be tabling this Sunday and will have copies of the full UUA statement and contact information about contacting your elected representatives.
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THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF
UUSS COMMUNITY PARTNER
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To provide a hearty Thanksgiving meal to their guests, Sacramento Loaves and Fishes needs the following items:
Highly Perishable Items – deliver to UUSS on November 19 only
Turkey (frozen)
Fresh Store Bought Pies – Assorted Fillings
Whipped Cream
Dinner Rolls
Shelf Stable Items – can be delivered to UUSS November 12 or 19
Marshmallows (white, large or small)
Apple Juice (gallon size)
Cranberry Sauce To provide a hearty Thanksgiving (large cans)
Dry Stuffing Mix
Heavy Napkins
Sturdy Plastic Flatware
Look for the table in the Welcome Hall at UUSS to drop off your donations on
Sunday, November 12 and November 19.
Cash and check donations also welcomed.
Please note: Due to County regulations, home-cooked foods cannot be accepted.
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Help us raise money for Sacramento
Food Bank & Family Services!
This Thanksgiving, Let's participate in Run to Feed the Hungry in Sacramento, CA. This annual event raises critical funds for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, a local nonprofit organization leading the fight against hunger in Sacramento County. Register for our UUSS team HERE.
As a team we will enjoy: Upgraded, gender-specific technical shirt constructed from 100% polyester, moisture-wicking fabric. Option for a complimentary timed bib with access to the timed runner corral. Team Area with coffee, water and breakfast snacks (and heaters!) on Thanksgiving morning. Professional team photo on Thanksgiving morning.
As part of the race, we are asking for donations to help provide food for children, seniors and families experiencing hunger in Sacramento County. Can you donate and help us meet our goal of $1,000??? Here's the link to our team fundraising page HERE.
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Staff and Minister Availability | |
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Schedule an appointment with Rev. Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb or ministerial intern Rosemary Dodd: rosemary@uuss.org
Rev. Roger is on sabbatical Sept. 4 through Jan. 31.
Our office staff members (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your calls and emails weekdays 8:30-4:30, except public holidays. Our Pianist and Music Director are available by email and invite you to choir practice Wednesday nights at 7:00.
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. | | | | |
