Dear Members, Friends, and Newcomers,

Recently, one of the albums I’ve had on repeat is Crosby, Stills & Nash’s 1969 debut. Towards the end of the album, we get the song, “Long Time Gone,” which David Crosby wrote in the wake of the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Bobby Kennedy. On the song, Crosby calls for the voice of the people to be listened to and for all of us to speak out. In the chorus, the band tells us, “It appears to be a long time / such a long, long, long, long time before the dawn.”

Unfortunately, our current times see echoes of the politically motivated violence and racism that our country was grappling with in the ‘60s. In the past few weeks, there’s been increased ICE presence in California (among other states), which immigration advocates say is meant to discourage voter turnout. As infuriating as it is to see what appears to be our own government trying to suppress votes, it’s a reminder that voting holds tremendous power. Everything that we do to exercise that right—from everyone who is involved in efforts to help insure people of color and swing state voters are able to exercise this right, to all of us who make sure we get our ballots in by election day—is a way of making sure our voices are heard and our impact is felt.

As we’re approaching the mid-term elections, I’m sure many of us are feeling a whole host of emotions—hope, anxiety, exhaustion, you name it. Personally, songs like “Long Time Gone” help me to zoom out and see the current moment as part of a longer narrative. We each have our part to play, and all our voices matter. There is power in knowing that, no matter the outcome of this particular election, we are not alone in our dedication to keeping up the good work toward justice. Throughout our country’s history, there have always been Americans dedicated to doing that work, and we can draw and build on that legacy to ensure it continues into the future.

 With love,

Sophia, your ministerial intern

P.S. Our focus groups on disability inclusion at UUSS will be taking place in early November. We’ll be holding a focus group for anyone who identifies as physically disabled (including hidden disabilities & chronic pain/illness) on Sunday, November 1, and for anyone who identifies as neurodivergent on Sunday, November 8. Please see below for more details.

Sunday, October 25, 10:30am: Calling Our Beloved Dead

A Circle Service for all ages led by Rev. Lucy Bunch with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean, Worship Associates Dawn Huebner and Andy Cramer, UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

We come together in community to honor our loved ones who have died and whom we wish to remember and celebrate. We will read the roll call of names of those in our UUSS community and families who have died in the past year.  We will feature our altar of remembrance during the service and have a chance to share our memories of those who have gone before. Come with an open heart. Bring a photo or an object of remembrance for our shared altar. 

• Before service: Embodied Spiritual Practices at 9:30 am in the Fahs Room
• Parents & Children's Caregivers’ Meeting with tea & snacks in Room 12
• After the service: People of Color Caucus meet & greet at noon.
• After the service: Exploring Unitarian Universalism at noon: History and Theology

Sunday, November 1, 10:30 am:

Hinduism: The Tangible Presence of the Divine 

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with reflections by Kaushik Das, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean, Worship Associate Jenni Gouine, UUSS choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva 

In our year-long look at neighboring faiths, this month we share glimpses of the ancient and vital Hindu tradition. Its followers make offerings and prayers to local images of the Hindu diversity of deities. Its philosophers promote the unity of all things. Yet this tradition is not one thing, not easily defined. Our congregant Kaushik Das offers a personal perspective along with Rev. Roger’s ideas on what it means to have a god you can touch and see.

• Candles of Joys and Sorrows during the service (first Sunday of each month).
• Before the service: Labyrinth meditation in the meadow at 9:30.
• After the service: Soup Sunday lunch (freewill donations accepted)
• Daylight Savings Time ends Saturday night, so set your clocks forward one hour. If you come to UUSS an hour early, you will be welcomed!

To request that your joy, sorrow, prayer, or milestone be spoken at a service (or just to let us know your news privately) enter the information at this link or contact the ministers before the weekend by email or phone. 

Our member Sarah Patton has been to an ER twice recently and is now in a skilled nursing facility due to pneumonia, other infections and mobility problems. She requests prayers for healing and strength. Sarah loves UUSS and we return that love with our best wishes.

Patty Innes hares a sorrow that her Aunt Yola passed this last Wednesday. After a cancer diagnosis a year and a half ago, she finally succumbed at age 94. She was a retired kindergarten teacher and continued tutoring at her local library. She will be missed by family and friends. We send our love to Patty and the rest of Aunt Yola's family.

We extend our condolences to Susan Zierenberg and her family on the passing of her sister, Liesel Woodard. She died from a brain bleed after a recent fall, at age 74, in the presence of her loved ones. Liesel spent her career in the federal government; her final position was as a crisis management counselor. In addition to Susan's family, she is survived by her son and his family, including three grandaughters.

Renee and Ted Scott-Femenella share a joy that their son Theo, AKA Tsavo, launched his nursery business after a summer of building greenhouses and growing from seed in their backyard. They share gratitude for his focus on repatriating the land with healing and plant medicine.

Childcare--The Nursery welcomes infants (6 mos.+) 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, not parking lot. Don't forget to sign in when you get to Room 11.

Childcare on 2nd and 4th Sundays extends until 1:30pm (staff leaves at 12:15 if there are no children present)

All ages of youth and children are invited to join the all-ages Circle Service

this Sunday, Oct. 25

Soul Kids (grades K-5), Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8), Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12) all meet next on Sunday, Nov. 1

Find more details, more updates, and other invitations and announcements by clicking on the link above for the RE/Family Ministry Email

You are invited to contact RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain with questions or for more info about Religious Education, child and family programs and childcare.

Disability Inclusion Focus Groups Taking Place Early November

We will be holding focus groups in order to hear more about disabled congregants' experiences at UUSS. Anyone who identifies as physically disabled (including hidden disabilities & chronic pain/illness) is invited to a focus group on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 12-1 pm. Anyone who identifies as neurodivergent is invited to a focus on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 12-1 pm. The focus groups will be hybrid, with the option to participate in person or via Zoom. Please see next Friday's message for exact room numbers and the zoom links. You can contact our ministerial intern, Sophia McKean, with any questions, at sophia@uuss.org.

2026 Silent Auction Bidding is Open!

Our annual service auction, The Sparkle of Community, is now underway and will culminate in a festive happy hour on Saturday, November 7, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Silent Auction online bidding is open and tickets for the event are now available on the Sparkle Auction Website. Check out the 130+ items that are grouped into the following categories:



• Fund-a-Need this year raises funds for creating a Brand New UUSS Website! 
• Help build the new online hub of our congregational life! After months of careful evaluation, our task force has selected a local, woman-owned firm to create a contemporary, user-friendly, and fully accessible website. 
• It will be shaped by input from across the congregation and will connect seamlessly with the scheduling and communications tools we already use. 
• Be on the lookout for a survey next week and plan to attend a facilitated forum after the service on 11/1.
• Our goal is $35,000–which will be matched by the Board from restricted funds to pay the contract estimated to be $70K. 
• You can make your contribution now on the Sparkle Auction Website as well as during the live auction portion of the event.
• Vacation Adventures offers you two great getaways this year. One is offered in the Live Auction only–check it out ahead of time so you can make live bidding plans! 
• Fixed Price items are "buy-it-now items" that are often lower cost options. No one will out-bid you, and some items are as low as $15. Many of these items sell out very quickly, so don’t delay!
• Let Us Entertain You is our most popular category because it includes all those wonderful dinner parties, lunches, brunches, game nights and social gatherings that will keep you entertained and surrounded by community all year long! 
• Learn, Grow and Have Fun! This category offers you classes and experiences in creating all sorts of arts, crafts, and food items. You can learn not just how to make pickles but how to play pickle ball. You can learn to play backgammon, chess or the ukulele.
• At Your Service has many ways helpful UUs will deliver baked goodies or homegrown fruit, serenade you with “Happy Birthday,” clean your home, do all your handyperson chores, play live piano music, pet-sit your dog or cat, drive you to the airport, and so much more! 
• On the Town - If you prefer smaller groups or one-on-one and enjoy other entertainment besides just eating, check out On the Town (though many of these items involve eating also). From great restaurant meals to local theater productions to Crocker art tours to Iris Garden picnics to wine tasting, this category literally has it all!
• The Great Outdoors category contains hikes, canoeing, golf, and even a bat tour! 
• Event Tickets for You offers seats at shows. 

Highlights of the event: 

• 🍷 Sips and small bites (see the fabulous menu on the Tickets page)
• 🎤 A lively in-person live auction featuring three special items + Fund-A-Need (see above)
• 🧺  A Theme Basket Raffle — $1 per ticket or $20 for 25 tickets
• 💵 A 50/50 Raffle — $10 per ticket or $40 for 5 tickets; half of ticket proceeds go to one lucky winner
• 📸 A complimentary photo booth
• 🧸 Complimentary childcare — register here

Tickets are $30/person, but if this price is a barrier, discounted tickets are available:

• $10 per person — use code cost10
• $20 per couple — use code couple20

Other ways to help make the event a success:

• 🖐 Volunteer before or during the event- stop by the auction table during Sunday coffee hour to sign-up or contact Jennifer Webb auction@uuss.org. 
• Still needed are a few more Prep Chefs, Event Photographers (phone cameras are ok!), Live Auction Spotters, Set-up and Clean-up helpers 
• 🧺 Donate a themed basket- come by the auction table during Sunday coffee hour or contact Susan Davis-James auction@uuss.org to sign up.
• 🍷 Donate wine (especially white!) for the event- drop off at the auction table during Sunday coffee hour or in the church office during business hours by Nov 5.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Webb at auction@uuss.org.

Our Memorial Wall:

 Who Do You Want to Honor?

Please consider purchasing a memorial plaque to honor a deceased parent, spouse/life partner, or child, or a member/pledging friend of UUSS. Or collaborate with others to purchase plaques honoring deceased UUSS members who we want to remember. The first installation will include plaques ordered by Sunday, Nov. 1.

Memorial Plaque Order Form.

We are excited to be starting on our new website with our contractors, Uptown Studios. They want to hear from you! This Week will we send a link to a brief survey to get your thoughts on what our new website should look like. They will also facilitate a congregation forum on November 1 after the service to invite conversation about the website design from the congregation. Stay tuned and share your thoughts!

Interplay at UUSS - guaranteed fun 

Join us TOMORROW,

 Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10:30 in the Welcome Hall 

Led by Rev Lucy and Friends 

Do you need a break from the dreary? Looking for ways to lighten up?  

InterPlay is an active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body.

But it is hard to describe. Once someone described it as “sneaky deep”. It can be both playful and profound. It uses forms associated with the arts—movement, storytelling, voice and stillness—but does it in ways that don’t require particular skill or even nerve.

InterPlay is easy. The things that you might be asked to do are things that almost anyone can do. InterPlay celebrates and creates connection and community. Through this simple sort of play we learn more about ourselves and each other. And we have fun. 

Join us and see where it takes you.  Question? Contact Rev Lucy

Before Service Parents' Group

Sunday, Oct. 25 9:30-10:15am (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

POC Caucus Meet & Greet - Sunday, Oct. 25 If you identify as Indigenous, a Person of Color, or have a mixed racial background, please join us in Room 6 at 11:45 am for light refreshments, introductions, and conversation.

For more info: contact Christiana Quick-Cleveland at multi@uuss.org.

Samhain Celebration with CUUPs

Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fahs Room

Everyone is welcome at the Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) Samhain Celebration. Come celebrate the turning season!

Bring a potluck dish to share and tableware.

Contact Leanna Pierson at cuups@uuss.org

Rev. Roger (he/him) is available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone.

His day off is Monday.

Rev. Lucy (she/her) is available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person. Schedule an appointment with Rev. Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb.

Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean (they, them). Sophia is available for pastoral support by phone, Zoom or in person. They welcome a chance to get acquainted with you, whether or not you have a pastoral concern. They are on campus on Tuesdays and Sundays and by appointment.

Click here to read When to Contact a Minister

Office staff members (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your calls and emails Tuesdays through Fridays 9:00-4:30; closed Mondays and holidays.

Our part-time staff members have hours that vary (some of them serve UUSS only on Sundays), so please call the office if you have a question or need to be in touch with them. Member Engagement Coordinator Nicolette Thayer nicolette@uuss.org.

Our Pianist and Music Director are available by email and invite you to weekly choir practice Wednesdays at 7:00 which takes place this month in the sanctuary.

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