Dear Ones:

A member who joined UUSS in the last 2 years remarked that it was our mission statement that caught their attention and encouraged them to become a part of our community.

For me, "We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world" is a motivating statement, with each part having significance.

This Sunday you can learn ways to live this mission through our Social Justice Activities Fair. After the service you will have a chance to meet with our Community Partners, and leaders of our UUSS justice groups, and learn about their programs. But most importantly you can explore new ways to be a force for healing in the world. How are you called to make a difference?

I know that many of us feel powerless to stop the cruelty and destruction wrought by the current administration in Washington. And in some ways we are powerless. But we are not powerless in our ability to make a difference in our community and beyond. Our efforts towards justice have an impact that is cumulative and transformative, whether it is preparing or serving a meal at Loaves and Fishes, attending a lobby day at the Capitol, standing in vigil for immigrants, or writing postcards to voters. We come together to be a force for healing in the world.

Margaret Mead said it best: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

See you at the fair!

Rev. Lucy

Sunday, October 11, 10:30 am: Growing Beyond our Roots: What Are We & How Did We Get Here?

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones preaching with Rev. Lucy Bunch,Worship Associate Connor Lane, Pianist Irina Tchantceva; Thomas Derthick, double bass; Tam Helenski, saxophone

Our comparative-religion theme in October is Protestantism. Unitarianism emerged on the liberal end of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s in Central Europe and 1800s in America. After many transformations over the years, Unitarian Universalism looks a lot different today. With a great variety of beliefs among UUs, including non-theistic paths, is there anything still Protestant that's present in our movement?  Also, Irina will play the greatest hits of Protestantism! (Well, maybe just a few of them today.)

• After service: Social Justice Activity Fair on the Patio (learn about our justice groups and programs)
• Young Adults Meet & Greet at 12:00 pm

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. 

We extend our condolences to our member Lester Snow on the loss of his older brother, Gary Snow, at age 78. Gary died at home October 1 after an extended illness. He lived in western Pennsylvania. A veteran of the US Army Reserve, Gary worked for years in a steel mill; after it closed, he owned and operated a repair service.

Our member Marla Jensen fell at home last week and broke her clavicle. We extend our wishes for healing and ease to Marla. We are happy that JoAnn Anglin and John Martin are both back home after hospitalizations. With love we wish them both strength and steadiness.

Tiki and Dave Harlow are navigating precarious situations with two young adults in their extended family: a severe mental health crisis and a hospitalization for a brain aneurysm. We extend our loving and healing thoughts for these two young people and the Harlow family. 

Denni Albright is joyful that her son Joel has returned safely home after seven months of active duty overseas with the US Air Force.  Alicia Taylor started a new position at Sacramento State this year at Sacramento State, a promotion with greater responsibilities and new skills to learn.

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

Meeting this Sunday, October 11 during service:

Soul Kids (grades K-5) - Crystal will invite the group to light the chalice, check in, share a short story about Jesus (connecting to our Crossing Paths faith exploration curriculum), reflect on shared UU values and play a game

Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) - Bess leads fun activities and time for connection and reflection.

Participants please sign up at the RE Welcome Table when you arrive on Sunday.

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.

Auction Tickets and Volunteer Opportunities

Our annual service auction will culminate in a festive happy hour event on Saturday, November 7, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Tickets for this event are now available on the Sparkle Auction Website. 

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 (our new, state-of-the-art UUSS Website!)
• 🧺  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.

Food Preparation: Join Tiki Harlow’s fun team of chefs! We are looking for people to work two-hour shifts (or longer is fine too!) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the kitchen, slicing, dicing, stirring, and whirring. During the event, we need volunteers to replenish the buffet tables and others to pass appetizers. Those roles would be mostly done by the start of the live auction, so those volunteers will have time to sit and eat for at least part of the event.

Dessert Bakers: Bobbie Keill is looking for a few bakers to make a batch of their favorite fall cookies or bars and drop them off the day of the event.

Also needed: Event Photographers (phone cameras are ok!), Raffle Ticket Sellers, Raffle Basket Ticket Draw Crew, Live Auction Spotters, Set-up helpers and Clean-up helpers.

• 🥾🎨🍽️🛠️ Donate auction items for the online silent auction by Wed, Oct. 14

Donate show tickets, outings, vacation home stays, classes, services, and themed meals! You can enter your donation on the Sparkle Auction Website. Or visit the auction table during coffee hour this Sunday to complete a paper donation form or contact Gail Evans auction@uuss.org.

• 🧺 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

More information will be coming soon about how you can:

• 💰 Bid online- the silent online auction goes live Friday, Oct. 23
• 🎁 Contribute to Fund-a-Need: our new, state-of-the-art UUSS Website! (more details coming)

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 be this winter including plaques ordered by Sunday, Nov. 1.

Memorial Plaque Order Form.

All-ages Potluck tonight, October 9

All are invited to join this no-sign-up potluck on the second Friday of the month in the Welcome Hall. Arrive at 5:30 and we'll sit down to eat at 6:00 pm. Rev. Roger and Crystal Foutain hope to see you!

It's okay to come if you are not able to bring a dish. Plates, cups, and silverware (the reusable kind) are provided. Contact CrystalFountain@uuss.org with questions

American River Parkway Stewards Saturday, Oct. 10

We meet on the second Saturday of every month between 8:45-9:00AM in the parking lot, next to the levee, at the end of Northrop Avenue, off Howe Avenue, behind Panera. We sign in; trash bags are issued and new folks are oriented. We then spend one hour removing trash from the UU Mile. After our work, we meet back at the levee stairway at 10:00 AM for a photograph of our crew and the results of our efforts. Afterward, many of us continue the fun at Panera with refreshments and conversation.

Soul Collage

Second Saturdays in Room 7/8

Oct. 10 from 10:00 a.m. to noon

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. If you choose you can bring a favorite picture to include in your collage. Questions? Contact: soulcollage@uuss.org

Young Adult Meet-n-Greet & Discussion - Sunday, Oct. 11 at Noon in Room 7/8 Join us for connection and conversation with people of the UUSS community aged 18-40! Monthly discussion topics range from reflection on the service, world events and personal passions. Contact: youngadults@uuss.org

Caregivers' Support Circle

Oct. 16 10:00 am in the Fahs Classroom--note 10:00!

Once a month, we provide a place for congregants who are the primary caregivers for loved ones with dementia, life-threatening illnesses, or disabling physical, neurological or emotional conditions. We provide a confidential source of affirmation and respect for one another in the spirit of care. We do not give advice or provide professional recommendations, as there are expert sources for that in the larger community. If you would like to attend, please register with Rev. Roger in advance.

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. He will be out of town Oct. 15-18 for UUMA and other activities.

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.

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. (Please note choir practices are paused for the summer.)

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