UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Volume III * Issue 35* February 10, 2023 | |
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, RI
All are welcome!
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This Sunday, February 12, 2023 | |
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Worship
In Person and on Zoom 10:00 am
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Journey Toward Something
Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul
Our eighth principle directs us, as Unitarian Universalists, to take a leadership role in building the Beloved Community, on what we often call a Journey Toward Wholeness. Maybe we can get a bit of wisdom from our history as we attempt to glimpse what it is we are journeying toward.
Order of Service
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Religious Exploration
In Person 10am-noon
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The book in the video above shows many kinds of love, portrayed as comfort, as protection, as wonder...what does love mean to you?
And here is "The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage" about the true story of the Loving family who fought the unfair law against interracial marriage, all the way to the Supreme Court...and won!
It's the last week of the Side with Love campaign. Check out their offerings for this week, with the theme of "Resilience :: Climate Justice"
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2023-2024 Stewardship Campaign Starts This Sunday | |
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Have you heard the BUZZ? Our BEE-LOVED COMMUNITY will be asked to consider how much each household can afford to support the work of the congregation. The 2023-2024 Stewardship campaign will begin Sunday February 12, just before Valentine's Day, and run through March 21, the First day of spring. You can pickup your pledge packet in person on the 12th. Otherwise, all members and friends will be mailed a pledge packet. If you do not attend in person on the 12th, please be on the lookout for your packet in the USPS mail. Due to the current inflation rate of nearly 8%, please consider increasing your pledge this year by 5 to 8% Please BEE LOVING and BEE GENEROUS!
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The positive feedback I’ve gotten from you all about my sermon series on the UU Principles has been encouraging! It’s great to hear from so many of you how thought-provoking the subject is, and how my words have invited some of you to go deeper, or even rethink your opinions about the Principles.
On Sunday, in a sermon called “Where is the Love?” I talked about the absence of the word “love” in our Principles, and shared a new model being proposed by the Unitarian Universalist Association. It is simply seven words, arranged in a circle: Interdependence, Equity, Generosity, Justice, Evolution and Pluralism, with Love at the center.
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Just to be clear, the seven words in a circle aren’t a depiction of the existing “official” Seven Principles. The words represent a rethinking of the whole of Article II and are being proposed as a REPLACEMENT of the current covenant between congregations that we call The Principles. | |
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As I went back to find the graphic to include here, I found a different graphic! It’s more colorful, more dynamic-feeling AND one word is different. Ironically (or perhaps understandably?) the word “Evolution” has changed to “Transformation!” The word Evolution evokes a debate between science and religion as if the two can’t co-exist My feeling is that everyone realized that being open to transformation was more what they were getting at.
As I’ve said in all of the sermons so far about the Prinicples, they are in limbo. They are part of our by-laws, a legal document that is also at the core of our mission as an association of congregations. They are a major part of “our living tradition,” meant to be responsible to the past and responsive to changing times.
If you have the time and the interest, I’d like to suggest that you read up on where we stand in the process by reading the Article II Study Report.
And stay tuned. More information is coming as we dig deeper on Sunday mornings into the Principles.
In Peace,
Rev. Denis
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Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | |
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Time to Think about D4$+ 2023
February – the month of LOVE… and what says love more than a great meal!
Our last Dining4Dollars+ fundraiser was a great success. Let’s do it again!!
It’s time to start thinking about what wonderful meals and/or services YOU would like to offer to help raise money for our beloved UUCSC – and have lots of fun doing it!
Watch for information in upcoming newsletters about how YOU can participate as an event host.
Submitted by Trish Hindley and Betsy Dalton, D4$+ co-coordinators
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Men's Breakfast
Saturday, February 11
9 AM at Phil's on Main Street
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A REAL American History Lesson
can be found here
"Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America"
Watch on your own on Netflix or Amazon Prime
and join our next Zoom meeting to discuss.
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UUCSC Antiracism Group
February 13, 2023 * 7:00 - 8:15 PM
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From the film website: “Former ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jeffery Robinson’s groundbreaking talk on the history of U.S. anti-Black racism is interwoven with archival footage, interviews, and Robinson's story, exploring the enduring legacy of white supremacy and our collective responsibility to overcome it.”
This full feature documentary film by Sony is highly recommended by many members of the Anitracism Group as the best comprehensive source for understanding and facing American racism. Please watch and share with family and friends.
Notes from previous Antiracism Group meeting.
Submitted by Nancy Richman
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Coordinating Council Meeting Minutes
Click here for notes from the latest Coordinating Council meeting at which committee chairs shared what their committees are doing.
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Lost 'n' Found
If you “lost” your fleece in with the dirty napkins after the Birthday Bash on the 3rd, it has been laundered and returned to UUCSC. Thank you LWB!
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Upcoming Sunday Services
Feb. 19 Delight Lee Cowan
Feb. 26 Four by Six Rev. Denis
Mar. 5 Permeable Aliveness Rev. Denis
Mar. 12 Lift Every Voice Rev. Denis
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UUA General Assembly 2023 | |
Current Community Connections | |
How to Talk about Race in 2023 with Ray Rickman
Tuesday, February 21st, 6:30 to 8 PM
North Kingstown Free Library - Registration required
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Ray Rickman has conducted over 300 diversity and race relations workshops for businesses, colleges and government agencies over the past 30 years. The former executive director of the Providence Human Relations Commission, he was EEO Officer for both Lifespan and the City of Providence. He is also a former president of the American Civil Liberties Union and is currently the executive director of Stages of Freedom, an organization that promotes Black culture for the entire community.
“How to Talk About Race in 2023” enables us to discuss race and racism with people who may be different from us. Ray is an expert on helping individuals talk with others about race in a positive manner. The subject of language use and how to value people who may be different or new to your community is part of this discussion. Ray enjoys helping people find a positive personal role to play in improving race relations during these challenging times.
This session is a 45 minute lecture with questions and answers. Our nation is at a crossroads and we need to talk. Register here
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Kids talk about Black History Month | |
Submitted by Johnette Rodriguez | |
This war rages on...
The UUCSC Share the Plate committee recommends one of these four organizations that are providing support to Ukrainians in crisis.
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Bethany Sorrentino, Helping Hands Coordinator
Don't be afraid to ask for help - helping hands are here!
Helping hand volunteers are also needed.
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List of Black owned businesses from RI Monthly magazine. Patronize these businesses all year long. This small effort can help undo racism. Please send pics and reviews to Etta for sharing here and on website.
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How to Submit Info to This Newsletter | |
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Send announcements and news with Newsletter Item in the subject line to Sara Kaplow, Congregational Administrator, at [email protected] and Etta Zasloff, Editor, at [email protected] by Tuesday Noon
to assure publication by Friday of that week.
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