I know this rose will open.

I know my fear will burn away.

I know my soul will unfurl its wings.

I know this rose will open.

Dear Ones – What does it mean to trust?  We are exploring this topic in our Soul Matters Groups this month and Rev. Roger will preach on trust this Sunday.  A powerful song about trust was written by UU minister and composer, Mary Grigolia – I Know This Rose will Open (#396 in our grey hymnal).

In a blog post Mary shared some of the meaning of the song for her:

I Know This Rose is the answer to my invitation (to the deep Self). The way I hear/feel it, I am the rose; opening is in my nature. Even when it comes time to let go of this body practice, I know this rose will open.

And although I may feel afraid of the changes, afraid of the unknown I can’t control, afraid of allowing the ego to follow the calling of something deeper, I know those fears will burn away (in the fire of transformation, this very physical practice of loving and living and letting go).

And as my fear burns away, I know, I trust that the wings of my heart, my soul, will unfurl their (my) wings.

Yes, I know this rose will open. I am the rose. We are all the rose. Opening.

May we all trust in the opening!

There is much fear of the unknown in these times, so much we can’t control. But we must continue to trust in those things that can nurture and sustain us.  And we must trust that together we can transform the chaos of our world into the beloved community.

See you on Sunday.

Rev. Lucy



p.s. If you are not in a Soul matters group but still want to explore the theme of Trust, check out these materials for individual reflection.     

Sunday Morning Spiritual Practices

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

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

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

3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi - Covered Patio.

4th Sunday - NEW Embodied Practices for Stressful Times - Fahs Room

Feeling anxious and stressed about the state of the world? On the fourth Sunday before church starting Sunday, March 23, Rev. Lucy will offer a some gentle movement and practices to help us process anxiety in these stressful times. All bodies are welcome.

(Exploring Unitarian Universalism moves to after the service: at noon on the 4th Sunday)

Sunday, March 2 10:30am:

Worthy of Trust: Who and What Can You Trust?

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

Trust is a crucial aspect of relationships of all kinds: marriages, parenting, friendships, professional services, neighborhoods and fellow members of a nation. Amid so many betrayals of trust by organizations and people, how do we live with trust and goodwill?  

• Labyrinth Walk in the Meadow at 9:30.
• Joys & Sorrows candles & prayer cards in the sanctuary before the service.
• Communion ritual in the spirit of Jesus in the Library at 1:00 pm.

Sunday, March 9 10:30am:

Empathy and the Suffering of Others 

Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow UUSS choir with Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva

As we enter a time of turmoil it is important to consider what it means to be empathetic in a world of suffering.  Can one care too much? Too little?   

• Sermon Reflection with Lue & Peter at 9:30 a.m. (Fahs Room)

• Newcomers Orientation and tour of campus at 11:50 a.m. (Welcome Table)

Sunday, March 16 10:30am: Quantifying Infinity

Dr. Chris Goff, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Andy Cramer, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva 

Since learning to count, humans have long contemplated the infinite, but what happens when we try to pin down exactly what infinity means? We will consider historical mathematical efforts to reckon with infinity and some of the curious consequences thereof.



• Christopher Goff, PhD, is a mathematics professor at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He teaches courses in abstract algebra and the history of mathematics. In his spare time, he enjoys singing in the Sacramento Master Singers.   

Our Soul Matters Theme for March is

Trust

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 Ginny Bjorgum died February 6 from heart failure. She had been declining from dementia for several years and was living in a care home. Ginny was part of our community for more than 30 years, and brought energy, spirit and determination to all that she did. 

A service is being planned by the family; a date will be announced soon.

Happy birthday to Fred Hansen, who turns 100 on March 9! Fred and his late wife, Virginia, joined the congregation in 1980. She was a teacher and he was a geologist with Sacramento County's Department of Water Resources. He was active in the local United Nations Association. At UUSS he attended Ted's Web and was a groundskeeping volunteer. Fred and his companion, Isabelle Robertson, live at Atria El Camino Gardens. Friends are welcome at a party there at 2:30 pm, Thursday, March 6.

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.

The next meeting of Soul Kids (grades K-5) is this Sunday, March 2.

We will read, Where Thu’o’ng Keeps Love by Thu Buu and talk about where we find love in our everyday lives. There will be Legos too! Please start in service!



The Junior High Youth Group and Senior High Youth Groups

will meet again this Sunday, March 2. Join us for conversation and connection! 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 upcoming orientation exclusively designed for families. Don't miss it!

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

Saturday Stitchers and Crafters - Sat. March 1 at 10:00am in the Fahs Room Bring sewing, coloring, beading, knitting, or any other portable craft and join us! Contact: stitchers@uuss.org

A Communion Ritual Open to All in the Spirit of Jesus

1:00 pm, Sunday, March 2, UUSS Library, led by Rev. Dr. Roger Jones with live music.

Jesus of Nazareth was a prophet, healer, teacher and friend. Famous for his boundary-breaking table fellowship, he is commemorated by a simple sharing of bread and fruit of the vine. We will use a communion script from the 1937 Unitarian hymnal, Hymns of the Spirit. You need not identify as Christian to participate in or to find inspiration from this tradition.



As Lent approaches, all are welcome to gather in the UUSS Library in the open spirit of Jesus to share silence, music, prayer, and a brief message—and to share communion together. Open to all ages. Let Roger know if you would like to help or have questions.

UUSS Men's Group - The Men's Group will host our first WEEKNIGHT meeting, Thursday, March 6, at 6:30PM in Room 12. These will continue monthly on the First Thursday of each month. The format for weeknights will combine personal check-ins with a bit more time exploring selected topics in-depth. For more details, visit www.uuss.org/mensgroup or email mensgroup@uuss.org with specific questions.

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

Mindfulness Meditation March 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.

MARCH UUSS COMMUNITY PARTNER

WELLSPRING WOMEN’S CENTER in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, nurtures the innate goodness and personal self-esteem of women and their children. Nearly 200 women and children are served each weekday. Wellspring offers four different programs:

·        Nutritious Meal Program

·        Children’s Coner Program

·        Safety Net Services

·        Women’s Wellness Program

Meet Wellspring Women’s Center’s Jessica Mougharbel before and after service on Sunday, March 30!

Visit https://www.wellspringwomen.org for additional information.

UUSS SUPPLY DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF WELLSPRING

Wellspring Women’s Center has an urgent need for the following items:

• Toiletries: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner in both travel and full size.
• Ground coffee
• Herbal tee
• Large diapers (sizes 4,5,6)

Please drop donations at the Community Partner table in the Welcome Hall on Sundays March 16, 23, and 30 – or – bring these items to the church office through Friday, March 28. Contact: partners@uuss.org

Come to Come Lobby Day at the Capitol March 3.

 Here’s another chance for you to make your voice heard for our unhoused neighbors. UUSS is partnering with Sacramento Area Congregations Together, a 30-year old coalition of over 40 multi faith groups in the Sacramento area, in a series of lobby days focused on housing and homelessness. The next lobby day will be on Monday, March 3rd at the State legislative offices downtown. There will be appointments with legislators throughout the day, and you will be welcome to join us just for the morning or the afternoon. Click here to Sign UP.

How can you make a difference?

UUA Action Center offers tangible ideas to counter injustice

The Unitarian Universalist Association Side with Love Campaign is working hard to provide resources to deal with the political challenges we are facing. Every week they provide an update on critical issues and offer specific actions you can take to counter the injustice. Check out the action center - updated every Tuesday.

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