InfoNet: News & Updates
May 29, 2020
Annual Congregational Meeting Via Zoom
After our Virtual Sunday Services at 11:am

Our Annual Congregational Meeting will focus on the 2020-2021 Budget and nominations for new Board Members, Endowment Board Members, and church officers. A Zoom meeting will be set up, and invitations will be sent out via email the week before the meeting.  All members will receive a mailing with information about the proposed budget and nominees.  
This Week at a Glance:
  Monday : Weekly Minute Meditation 8:00am UUSP YouTube Channel
Tuesday: Zoom Lunchtime Check-in/Chat 12:00pm (mindful meditation* on your own, pre or post).
Wednesday: Zoom Adult Religious Studies Discussions (10am/7pm) F.M. Lappe's Daring Democracy, Chpt 6
Thursday: Weekly Minute Meditation #2 8:00am UUSP YouTube Channel
Thursday: Zoom Citizen's Cafe' 12:00pm lunch hour & conversations on the news of our times

Zoom invitations are sent to all members and also to friends who request invitations.
Email Pastor Jack directly to be added or removed from the distribution list.
Pastor Jack's Weekly Wonder
Dear Friends,

Each Sunday we affirm our covenant to help one another. Wha t a nice complete simple agreement! We’re in relationship with one another. It’s the only source of help there is – relationship – necessarily mutual if to be sustained. None of us does well without it. 
 
What can we do to help one another during the distancing of relationship now required?  The anthropologists used to urge upon us Peace Corps Volunteer trainees that, as outsiders, you can’t help until you understand a person’s or people’s need felt inside. And the only way to get inside is to be present and listen dialogically (that is, mutually, with curiosity and openness and pondering).
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Attend The
UUA Virtual General Assembly
June 24 - 28, 2020

 Registration is $150 - quite the bargain, with no travel expenses! You can
Free viewings of General Sessions and Sunday Worship will be live-streamed at www.uua.org.
Religious Education
Wednesday Zoom Adult Religious Studies Book Discussions
June 3, 10:00am & 7:00pm
Chapt. 6; Meet the Democracy Movement

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 and Discussion points.
Children's Religious Education:
May 31, 2020




This month’s theme for Religious Education is  Thresholds .

Reflect on your experience during a visualization and threshold of fantasy.
Check out our lessons and more in our weekly newsletter
What? - you aren't receiving it?
Please contact [email protected] .
Click on the pictures for the Lessons of the week from our RE Staff!
Miss Trish (above) K - 3rd grade
Miss Jeanay (below) 4th - 12th grade
Online Weekly Meditation Schedule (feedback appreciated)
Contemplative Meditation Readings (Mondays & Thursdays)

Monday, June 1: Tao Philosophers as Cedar Waxwings
Thursday, June 4: Earth Charter , Karen Armstong

*Mindfulness Meditation Sessions (Vipassana/Insight Meditation) guidelines:
  1. Set your alarm for 5 to 40 minutes;
  2. Sit erect, breathe deeply once or twice to relax;
  3. Watch your breathing ease to normal, observing breath come and go;
  4. Count in cycles of ten breaths if it helps you keep observing – or repeat a “sacred” word for focus (eg, peace, grace, life, thanks, care, see, being);
  5. If deep focus is lost to extraneous thought, feeling, or sensation, note it simply as “thought” or “feeling” or “sensation” and return to your breath or word;
  6. Sometimes, for deeper peace, try shifting attention to consciousness itself or to your sense of being.
  7. When your timer goes off, remain awake.
UUSP Community
Movie Meetup: Inside Out
Tuesday June 2, 2020 at 7:00pm

There have been many requests for “Inside Out,” an award winning 2015 computer-animated comedy which happens to brilliantly explore our most basic human emotions: joy, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust. It earned an incredible 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praise from numerous psychologists, and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. 

It can be viewed on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Vudu, etc. Just watch the movie before next Tuesday and click on the link below to join our Zoom Movie Meetup to discuss.

Time: Jun 2, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7704800200 Meeting ID: 770 480 0200

Contact Paul Burnore with questions.

BYO popcorn and beverages. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!
Kitchen Rehab & Facilities Master
Plan Update
Sunday Jun 7, 2020 at 11:15am

Join Cal Fox, Reggie Craig & Sharon Winters with the Buildings & Grounds Team to get the latest scoop; Q&A to follow.

Our architect will be presenting a number of Facilities Master Plan options for our review in early June - Sharon will share context for our work to date and what comes next. 

Cal, Reggie and architect Martin Gold have completed planning, construction drawings and cost estimates for our kitchen rehab project. The project will be considered as part of our larger Facilities Master Plan.

Join us to hear all the juicy details. 
— Sharon Winters, Design & Planning/B&G
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, he will be glad to visit with you at any open-air location (eg, backyards, porches, local parks).

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 [email protected] .

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 .

Joys & Concerns: Share those joys you are having during this time of separation, as they will help us all feel the light. You may also have concerns , reach out to Pastor Jack or Patti Hanks so we can help lift you up or lift those that may need it.
 
Our UUSP Sermons (printed or audio) are available on UUSP's website
For some of our services prior to the COVID-19 changes, Click the Spirituality tab, click Worship Services and Sermons. Scroll down the services and you will see "Sermons and Readings" and Audio Icon (small speaker). All Services from mid-March - current will now be on our UUSP YouTube Channel .
Thank you for your interest in UU St. Petersburg!
From me to you and to those around you Be Safe and Be Well!

Kelli DeGraw, part of your Communications Team.
Feedback and suggestions are welcome ([email protected]).
Our mission is to be an inclusive , evolving religious community that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place .