Family Ministry & Religious Education

Outreach

News & Invitations for the Week of

September 3, 2026

Dear Friends,

We start a journey this Sunday, Sept. 6, in the Soul Kids (grades K-5) classroom. It is the beginning of our RE year and the beginning of our comparative religion curriculum, Crossing Paths. Please scroll down in this message to learn more about what this program is about and how you can get involved. September will be centered in the exploration of the values and practices of Unitarian Universalism.

With thanks and love at the center,

Crystal Fountain

(she/her/hers)

Religious Education Coordinator

Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento

Highlighted Announcements

All-ages Potluck -

Friday, September 11

All are invited to join the Family Dinner Potluck on 2nd Fridays of the month in the Welcome Hall. Arrive at 5:30 and we'll sit down to eat at 6:00 pm. No sign up required.

It's okay to come if you are not able to bring a dish. Plates, cups, and silverware (the reusable kind) are provided.

Lego building will be an activity that is available for those interested (of any age). Mixed legos will be set out, but you could also bring Lego or other building sets for your own use.

Hosted for all ages by Family Ministry Events at UUSS.

Sunday, Sept. 13

Family Lounge in Room 7/8 during the Activity Fair

After our special In Gathering Circle Service that kicks off our church year, Program Council presents the annual Activity Fair that gives UUSS programs and groups the chance to invite you to connect with them!

RE and Family Ministry will have a Family Lounge in Room 7/8 during the Activity Fair with info about RE and Family Ministry activities, snacks and air conditioning! Come by and see us!

Before Service Parents' Group - Sunday, Sept. 27

9:15-10:15am (arriving late is ok!)

Join Rev. Roger and RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain, before service on 4th Sundays in Room 12 to connect as parents/caregivers of babies, children and teens (expectant parents and parenting grandparents are welcome). Take a breath, have a chat, and a cup of tea.

Staffed childcare is available next door in Room 11.

Light breakfast (fruit and cereal bars) and tea are provided. Please use the main UUSS entrance to access Room 12 and not the parking lot side.

Send questions to CrystalFountain@uuss.org

UUSS will host an Our Whole Lives (OWL) teacher training for grades K-1 and 4-6 (Elementary Grades) October 9-11, 2026

Learn more about OWL at https://www.uua.org/lifespan/owl and uuss.org/owl

Contact Crystal Fountain for more info on registering for this teacher training.

UUSS RE is also requesting volunteers to help with food preparation during this training as well as volunteers who might be able to host out-of-town participants in their home for that weekend.

Express interest in volunteering here: Click HERE to volunteer!

We will also offer OWL for grades 7-9 this fall. Please check back in the coming weeks for updates on the schedule and registration for that age group: uuss.org/owl or future versions of this Outreach newsletter

Sunday Mornings

Upcoming Service

UU Theology: Love at the Center

Rev. Lucy Bunch preaching, with Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean, Worship Associate Jenni Gouine

Our recently updated UU values statement has love at the center of our faith. Our pressing task now is to ask ourselves and each other how this understanding calls us forward, individually and collectively. We may agree that love is central, but what does that mean to us and what does it require of us?

Candles of Joys and Sorrows during the service (first Sunday of each month).
Before the service: Labyrinth meditation in the meadow at 9:30a.

COVID policy: Masks Recommended but not Required- read more

Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom

Service time Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Did you miss a service? You can find links to past sermons here .

Click Here to Register for RE

Please note:

This is in addition to a responsible adult sign-in at the RE Welcome Table or Nursery on Sunday mornings.

Please Register

for Sunday Morning Religious Education Programs

Whether you are new to RE, or you are a returning family, please register so that we have your child(ren) or youth's full and current information.

Crossing Paths:

Our Comparative Religion Curriculum for All Ages in 2026-2027

Starting this fall, UUSS embarks on a program of whole-church religious education, a journey of faith exploration, guided by our ministers, Religious Education staff and volunteers, members and friends as well as our neighbors in faith in this diverse local area. We will adapt materials from the Soul Matters curriculum, Crossing Paths.

The Soul Matters small-group themes will still set the tone each month for elements of our services and guidance for Soul Matters groups, while an additional Crossing Paths theme each month will offer a doorway into the exploration of spiritual traditions from around the world and next door.

Sunday sermons, relevant service projects, after-service forums and field trips to other houses of worship will be open to all ages. Our Sunday Religious Education program for children and youth will feature related faith exploration content and reflection questions related to our monthly themes.

Join us as we start our Crossing Paths journey in September for our first topic, which is the values and practices of Unitarian Universalism. If you have a particular connection or background to one of the neighboring faiths in the local area, let us know. If you would like to help with field trips, Sunday programs, or special celebrations or meals connected to Crossing Paths, please reach out!

If you have any questions or offers to help, please contact the Rev. Dr. Roger Jones or our Religious Education Coordinator, Crystal Fountain

This Sunday, September 6, Soul Kids (grades K-5) will meet during service.

Please sign in when you arrive and stay together in the sanctuary until we are sung out of service (see right for more info)

***

Nursery care (5 and under) sign in at room 11

Sign in and Sing Out: During most Sundays, youth and children coming to RE activities (ages 5-18) will be signed in at the RE Welcome Table by an adult, then start in the service with their families before kids leave together as a group with RE adult volunteers when invited by the congregation singing our song, "Lead with Love" by Melanie DeMore

Soul kids (grades K-5) will resume this Sunday, September 6 with an exploration of Unitarian Universalism as part of our Crossing Paths Curriculum. (See above for more info)

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) for grades 6-8 starts Sunday, Sept. 20 and continues on 1st and 3rd Sundays.

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) will resume Sunday, October 4 and continue on 1st and 3rd Sundays.

Questions? Please contact CrystalFountain@uuss.org or come to

the RE Welcome Table on Sunday morning

Beyond Sundays

Online Space for Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families

"The Woodlands" is a monthly trans and nonbinary pastoral care space hosted by the UUA. This is a virtual program for trans and nonbinary people and their families. Breakout sessions, co-facilitated by two chaplains, will be formed around age groups and offer time for check-ins to share grief, celebrations, and support. Learn more about The Woodlands.

(this article is excerpted from the newsletter of Kyle Belmont, Director of Faith Exploration, First Parish Watertown, MA)

Resources for Talking to Kids

About the News or Other Difficult Topics

From UNICEF: How to Talk to Your Children About Conflict and War

Something Bad Happened: A Kid's Guide to Learning about Events in the News by Dawn Huebner, PhD. This helpful and accessible guide, written by a UUSS member is available to borrow from the RE office and the Sacramento Public Library. It is available to purchase at major retail sites.

Counseling Support for LGBTQ+ Young People from The Trevor Project

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has mental health resources for young people and families

From the UUA website: "Supporting Children in the Face of Disaster or Trauma", by Tracey L. Hurd, PhD.

Half of all offerings this month will go to benefit our community partner for August:

River City Food Bank

To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.

"May generosity bless our world. May gratitude nourish our spirits."

Visit the main UUSS Website

Click to read the week's Bluesheet

UUSS Mission

We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.

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