The Burning Bowl
with Rev. Julia Hamilton
On the first Sunday of the new year, we cast our troubles into the fire! Join us for our annual Burning Bowl service, where we will let the flames consume what we want to release, so that we can make space for new possibilities to emerge in the coming year.
This is an “All-Ages Welcome” service: Little ones can go to childcare in Starr King while older kids are invited to stay in the sanctuary for the Burning Bowl ritual.
If you are joining us online, please consider have a piece of paper, something to light the paper, and extinguish the paper so you can participate in the Burning Bowl service.
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This service will be held in person and online this Sunday at 10:00AM.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/unitariansocietysantabarbara/videos
Zoom link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/96003638223
Coffee hour will follow the service, both in person and on Zoom.
Visit USSB's Service Archive to watch past services or USSB's YouTube.
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Upcoming Change
Starting on Sunday, January 19th, joining worship services online will happen through the web-based platform LiveControl. A link to access LiveControl will be included in the Friday, January 17th announcement email.
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Multigenerational Service this Sunday
Children are invited to remain in the sanctuary for this multigenerational service and enjoy a special activity. Childcare is available for children ages 2-5 in Starr King until 11:30AM.
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Mexicali Service Trip Meeting
Sunday, January 5th at 11:30AM
Youth (and their parents/caregivers) and adults who are interested in participating in our interfaith service trip to the La Cobina Migrant Shelter, January 17th-19th must attend an informational meeting in Blake Lounge at 11:30AM on Sunday, January 5th. We will be getting our final headcount, planning hotel room assignments, deciding what activities and supplies to bring, and recruiting drivers. Contact charla@ussb.org for more information.
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Young Adults Group
Thursday, January 9th at 6:00PM in Blake Lounge
All between the ages of 21-39 are welcome to drop in to the Young Adults group held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Childcare available with advance notice.
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Memorial for Mary Ann Jordan
Mary Ann's memorial will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary at USSB.
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Deepen Your Connection to USSB
Want to get to know more USSB people? Take part in activities like the Alliance talks, our Issues Forums or Connection Circles, volunteer for the Warming Center, activities auction, RE, or Sunday ushering.
If you are interested in being on the Board or the Nominating Committee, or have someone to suggest, contact the Nominating Committee – John Hartman, Jack Rief, Onalee Zwicke, Kathleen Boehm, Susan DuPont, or Colin Jones. They are tasked with finding the candidates for the Board and the Nominating Committee.
New to USSB and want to learn more about the different groups or who to contact about these groups? Please connect with Outreach & Membership Coordinator Angie Swanson-Kyriaco at angie@ussb.org.
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The Alliance
Friday, January 10th at 2:00PM in Parish Hall
To get the new year starting right we are having our own Angie Swanson-Kyriaco as our speaker to discuss looking at adoption through the lens of Reproductive Justice (RJ).
Learn more about the history of RJ by visiting SisterSong’s website: https://www.sistersong.net/reproductive-justice
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Taizé Service
Tuesday, January 14th at 6:00PM
Amid the busyness of our lives, how often do we pause to nurture our spirit? Beginning Tuesday, January 14th, at 6:00 PM, join us for a midweek Taizé service—a time for reflection, stillness, meditative singing, and connection.
Led by Carolyn Bjerke, our Intern Minister, along with Rev. Julia, this special service will be held monthly through June 2025. Rooted in the contemplative tradition of the Taizé Community, these gatherings invite participants into a meditative space through music, silence, and readings. The repetitive chants, moments of quiet, and simple yet profound reflections create an atmosphere of peace and renewal.
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Bystander Intervention Training
Concerned about rising hate & violence? Join us to learn how to intervene in situations of harassment, bullying, hate speech, and more at an interactive Bystander Intervention Training hosted by USSB on Saturday, January 18th from 10:00AM-12:00PM. The training will provide a grounding in the principles of nonviolent intervention, and we will practice specific de-escalation techniques as a bystander in a variety of scenarios when our fellow community members are being harassed.
Free and open to the community - invite a friend, and RSVP through the Eventbrite link!
Please use the Eventbrite link to register for the Bystander Training: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bystander-intervention-training-tickets-1119454351099?aff=oddtdtcreator
This is also an opportunity to connect with others who want to organize for a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable community!
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Doctors Without Walls
The collection of new and gently used bras for DWW is coming to an end of January 8th. Any bra type and size are accepted. Thank you to all who have donated!
Bras can be dropped off in the collection box near USSB's front office during business hours*:
- Sunday between 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
- Monday-Wednesday between 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.
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Share Your Thoughts: USSB Swag
Thank you to those who have completed the survey. It would be great to hear from more of you! Please take a few seconds to share your thoughts by clicking here.
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Care Team Warm Line
(805) 666-2879
Going through a tough time? Need support and/or assistance? Call (805) 666-2879, or email USSBcareteam@gmail.com. Your message will be responded to within 24 hours. Or stop by the Care Team table in the garden courtyard on Sunday mornings. Cards are available at the Care Team table on Sundays for sending to those who would appreciate a caring message from USSB friends.
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January Outreach Offering
Sumi Nungwa
Our January outreach offering will be shared with SUMI NUNGWA, an organization whose mission is to provide food, clothing, medical supplies, and firewood to Navajo & Hopi elders seeking to maintain their traditional lifestyle on their reservations. This is a way to build bridges between cultures and to support Hopi & Navajo artists as they continue to practice and pass on their skills and lifeways. It is one of the ways we engage the work of healing and repair from the brutal legacy of colonialism.
Service projects have involved roofing hogans and homes, cleaning up and recycling trash, building traditional stone bread ovens, and taking on other helpful projects as requested by the elders and their families. Projects provide the opportunity to learn about the cultures and spend time with the people.
To learn more about Sumi Nungwa, please visit www.suminungwa.org. Sumi Nungwa is a non-profit 501c3. To have 100% of your donation go to the organization, please write your check out to Sumi Nungwa and we will forward it to them.
To learn more about our Outreach Offerings, visit our Outreach Offering page.
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Sunday Brunch Group
January 26th at 12:00 PM
Are you looking to connect with old friends or make new ones this year? Consider joining the Sunday Brunch Group on January 26th at Chili's in Goleta (in between Jane and Finney's). RSVP to Janet Brinckmann jkb47@outlook.com.
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Upcoming Community Events
For more information about these events, please contact the facilitators or organizations directly.
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