InfoNet: News & Updates
April 24, 2020
Virtual Town Hall
Join Congregation President Steve Benton for information and discussion of upcoming events and decisions at UU St. Pete. We will present information and invite input on:

  1. the state of church during this unusual time
  2. pledge campaign results and the budget for the 2020-2021 church year
  3. nominations for board members and church officers
  4. how to make decisions and conduct business for the May 17 Annual Congregational Meeting. 

After the meeting, you are invited to stay online for a "virtual Coffee Hour" - we'll see how well this technology works for UUs who like to congregate!

All members will receive an e-mailed invitation with the password for joining the meeting via Zoom. But all interested people are welcome to join.
Contact Board Member Morgan Gresham to request an invitation.

This Week at a Glance:

Tuesday: Contemplative Meditation UUSP YouTube Channel - subscribe for notifications
Wednesday: Adult Religious Studies Book Discussions (10am or 7pm)
Thursday: Online Citizen's Cafe' 12:00pm (via Zoom - https://zoom.us/j/96427246820 )
Thursday: Contemplative Meditation UUSP YouTube Channel - subscribe for notifications
Pastor Jack's Weekly Wonder
Dear Friends,

For last Sunday, I put my sermon question in a haiku, further revised here:

“Souls to great spirits?
Wait till nature evolves us?
Start growing yourself?”

On Tuesday, the online UUSP movie group discussed “Groundhog Day” – reflecting on the impact of learning to pay detailed attention to one’s character, motivations, and capacity for change.

In the meantime, UUSP member Kathleen Rehl sent a haiku that seemed to top the answers:
“Hope is possible
Dreaming a new world for all
Yes, we’re together “

Some of us are not feeling well in spirit these days – in fact, we may from time to time be feeling very badly. “Groundhog Day” might say in response, The only way out of it is through it. 

Religious Education
The Resurrection of Wednesday Adult Religious Studies Book Discussions (Via ZOOM)
Starting Wednesday, April 29, 10:00am & 7:00pm

We will begin a five-session discussion of Frances Moore Lappe’s Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want . Quotes will be provided as the focus of each discussion. Contact Pastor Jack to receive the Zoom Link.
Children's Religious Education:
April 26, 2020




This month’s theme for Religious Education is  Liberation

This week's theme pertains to ‘Ramadan’. Check our lessons on the weekly newsletter.
 Check out our lessons and more in our weekly newsletter
What? - you aren't receiving it?
Please contact RE@UUStPete.org .
Click on the pictures for the Lessons of the week from our RE Staff!
Experimental Online Weekly Meditation Schedule (feedback appreciated)
Tuesdays & Thursdays Contemplative Meditation
Pastor Jack will offer a ten-minute online contemplative meditation based on selected readings. Readings this coming week are from Albert Einstein on “Our Task” and Rebecca Solnit on “Hope” Participate at UUSP YouTube Channel .


Mindfulness Meditation Sessions COMING SOON:
Pastor Jack is preparing to start a Zoom twenty-minute silent meditation time, with check-in time to follow. Other tasks have slowed him down. But please stay tuned. In the meantime, to find the time(s) most amenable to your schedules, please email Pastor Jack with a few of your preferences as to days and times. You might consider the following: 1) Mornings: 6? 7? 8? 2) Noon?  3) Afternoons: 3? 4? 5? 6? 4) Preferred days of the week?
Social Justice
Support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers

My thanks to those of you who signed last week’s petition demanding that Governor DeSantis fund protective equipment and sanitization materials to farmworkers and also provide access to free COVID-19 tests for those experiencing symptoms. Your action has had an impact in calling attention to the need. 

Most farmworkers live in overcrowded housing units, are transported to and from the fields in packed vans and buses, and lack access to personal protective gear. If Florida's elected officials don't act, the virus will carve through the state’s agricultural workforce like wildfire, and in a matter of weeks, Florida will not have enough workers to harvest our crops.  Simply put, without farmworkers, there is no food.

Take the next step to help protect the lives of tens of thousands of farmworkers and prevent Florida’s agricultural industry from collapsing. Click here to call Gov. Ron DeSantis now >   After you click, you’ll be redirected to instructions and talking points to make sure you’re ready to amplify farmworkers’ call for critical health care in Immokalee. 

 
Let’s flood Governor's office with our request.

Thank you. Karen Coale
UUSP Community
Legacy Builders Corner

Write Your Personal Legacy Letter For Family & Friends

Traditional estate planning is important to pass on your “stuff” in an organized manner. Your legal will, living trust, and other estate documents say what money and possessions you want to give your family and friends. This is important, especially in the new age of coronavirus. But you are much more than the financial assets and belongings you’ve accumulated during a lifetime. Your true treasures are worth more. That includes your values, hopes, dreams, memories, and stories. You can share your essence forever with those you love and care for through a lasting Legacy Letter.
UUSP member Kathleen Rehl’s article about how to  Write Your Personal Legacy Letter for Family & Friends  was recently published by AgeBuzz.com. This includes a link for your free eBooklet, Legacy LifePrint™ Letters & Stories.
 
Contact  Kathleen Rehl  for more information
 
Sponsored by UUSP Legacy Builders

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Caring & Connected Newsletter
We are continuing to sent out the e-newsletter  “Caring & Connected” to help sustain our UUSP community during uncertain times. Click  HERE to read it and learn “how can I help?” and "how can I stay connected?” during the church closure. 

for the Communications Team
Staying Connected With Pastor Jack & Staff
Pastor’s Open-Air Office Hours:   :   For those experiencing a serious sense of isolation, you are welcome to contact Pastor Jack (352-327-6166)  to arrange a visit online or in the open air at the church.

For members with mobility limitations, upon request, I will be glad to visit with you at any open-air location (eg, backyards, porches, local parks).

UPDATED: Our UUSP staff members will continue their duties in a safe, cautious manner to the fullest degree possible. Our Church Office Administrator is now working from home and can be reached at officeuustpete.org@gmail.com .

During this challenging time, may we remember that we need to pay close attention to how everybody is doing and how we can help.   
Resources within UUSP
Helping One Another: If you need help, or need to talk. Or if you know of a UUSPer who might? Please notify Patti Hanks , Care Committee or Reach out to Pastor Jack.
 
Our UUSP Sermons (printed or audio) are available on UUSP's website :  C lick the Spirituality tab, click Worship Services and Sermons. Scroll down the services and you will see "Sermons and Readings" and Audio Icon (small speaker) and will now be on our UUSP YouTube Channel .
Our mission is to be an inclusive , evolving religious community that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place .