UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
| | Volume VIII * Issue 8 * August 7, 2026 | | This Sunday, August 9, 2026 | | Worship at 10:00 AM, In Person Only | |
"Making a Joyful Noise:
Exploring the Rhythms of West Africa"
Kelly La Grutta and UUCSC Drumming Class
Kelly LaGrutta and the Friday UUCSC Drumming Class will demonstrate community building through drumming together and lead us in a rhythm circle. Come early, bring your drums, rattles, shakers, rhythm sticks, and bells. A great service for the whole family.
Order of Service
| | The first two rows of congregational seating are reserved
for a hearing impaired zone. | |
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Reduced Office Hours in the Summer
During July and August, the office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 2 pm.
Regular office hours will resume September 1st.
| | Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | | |
Welcome Our New Office Administrator
Our new Office Administrator, Lura Lauf, starts training with Sara next week. Please be patient as she learns all the ins and outs of UUCSC!
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Brainstorming party after the service on August 16th
Coffee and snacks will be served!
Join us!
No wrong answers.
Amber Kelley Collins and Betsy Dalton
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The Wünder Academy of Metamorphosis
August 17th-21st
Help with set up August 16th after service!
Materials and Snack Makers needed for our summer program! Please check out this list of materials and snacks needed.
For example, we're making a solar oven and need used chip bags with metallic mylar lining! There will be a box in the foyer to collect them.
We also need small, beautiful pouches!
Everyone is invited to join us for our Justice Workshops each day from 10:30-noon and for our final celebration and presentation Friday from 1:30-3pm. If you're curious, here is our list of Apprenticeships and Justice Workshops
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UUCSC Ministerial Hiring Team Update
Our congregation's profile application remains active on the UUA Minister Search Portal, and we continue to work within the UUA search process.
Since our last update, the UUA released two additional ministerial records from ministers interested in serving UUCSC.
After reviewing these records, we determined that neither candidate aligned with the needs of our congregation at this time.
We are grateful for the congregation's continued trust and support throughout this process.
UUCSC Hiring Team
July 28th, 2026
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Save these Dates!
September 27 and October 25, 6-8pm
SUNDAY JAZZ AT LILY PADS
UUCSC is working together with Dan Moretti, well-known local Jazz musician, to organize two amazing fall Jazz shows that you won't want to miss!
More details to come...
Submitted by Betsy Dalton, UUCSC Fundraising Coordinator
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Upcoming Services
August 16 New Visions Ami Pienknagura and Kat Lockwood
August 23 Singing for Our Lives Barbara (Bina) Holtzman and Adria Evans
August 30 The Womxn Project Jocelyn Foye and Johnnie Rodriguez
No Service September 6
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A Note on Summer Services
The Worship Committee has planned 8 services in July and August. HOWEVER, on September 6, when we have no services, or when our service is not on ZOOM, feel free to virtually visit:
Westminster (10 am) at https://www.westminsteruu.org/
First Unitarian, Providence (10 am) at https://firstunitarianprov.org// or
All Souls Unitarian in DC (10:30 am) at https://www.all-souls.org/
Get to the website a few minutes early to find Zoom and OOS links.
Submitted by Johnnie Rodriguez and the Worship Committee
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Tom Patterson's new address
Due to unexpected circumstances, Tom Patterson has a new address in California:
2980 Blumen Avenue
Brentwood, CA 94513
Submitted by Mary Fulton
| | Minutes of the July 2026 Board Meeting are available HERE. | | Click "view entire message" at the bottom of this email to see the whole newsletter! | | Social and Racial Justice | | |
Please SIGN UP for the South County Social Justice Coalition newsletter for all the social justice events in our community, including the resistance.
If you would like to receive the South County Rising newsletter directly, please SIGN UP . Be in the loop about all local resistance actions.
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Alma of Rag Town Author Talk
Tuesday, August 11, 6 pm
Narragansett Library
UUCSC member Johnnie Rodriguez recently published Alma of Rag Town, a novel inspired by her grandmother's stories of growing up in the early oil fields of northwestern Louisiana, 1914-1018. Alma's mother cooked meals for the men working in the oil wells; her father tried for a strike in the nearby lake. Alma and her three siblings cope with living in a tough place, at a tough time, making tough decisions.
Johnnie will do a "Book Talk" August 11, 6 p.m. at the Narragansett Library.
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Upcoming Sound Meditations
with Sarah and Kevin Bell
Tuesday, August 11 from 6:30-7:45pm at Elevation Studio on Block Island. There will be mats available to lay on the floor or feel free to bring a chair. Sliding scale suggested fee $20-$40. Pay at the door. Heavy rain cancels.
Friday, September 11 from 6:30 to 7:30pm
on the lawn of the Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown. We suggest arriving at 6pm to settle in as this event is well attended. Also, you may want to bring extra layers as it can be breezy and cool there. Suggested donation $10.
Weekend of September 19-20, sound meditation and celebration of the autumnal equinox at Sirius Eco Village in Western Mass. There is lodging available. If you are interested in attending the fall program, save the date and we will send more details about the weekend in early September.
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Honoring Religious Freedom & Diversity
August 16, 2026, 1:00 pm
The Old Colony House, Washington Square, Newport
In-person seating is limited and by reservation only. The event will be live-streamed here, on Facebook: TSF Newport
To learn more about the George Washington Letter, please visit our webpage:
https://tsfnewport.org/history/george-washington-letter/
If you cannot join us live, the program video will be available on the TSF Newport website at a later date.
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Monthly Grief Support Group
Clare Sartori, Facilitator
Last Friday of the month
next meeting August 28, 2026, 3 PM
Saint Augustine's Church Community Room
15 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI
This group is free and open to all. For anyone grieving the loss of a loved one or struggling with an imminent loss, this is an excellent opportunity to share with others the lives of those we’ve lost and the journey of loss and remembrance.
Submitted by Clare Sartori | 401-741-6846.
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Farewell to Sara Kaplow
Congregational Administrator for 5 years at UUCSC.
Many of us have worked closely with Sara over the years and are anxious to wish her well in her retirement. Everyone is welcome to invite yourself to a lunch being held in the Oneto Room at noon on Thursday, August 27th. The Board will provide a lunch for Sara and you can BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch). No potluck dishes will be provided, but there will be water and tea for everyone. A gift from the congregation will be presented. Listen for announcements during the Sunday services till 8/16 to hear what you can contribute to the gift.
Please let Mary Fulton (dhfulton@verizon.net) know by August 20th if you plan to attend the lunch so appropriate plans for seating, etc. can be made.
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Pastoral Care Committee
The Pastoral Care Committee (PCC) provides compassionate companionship to anyone struggling with things like life transitions, loneliness, depression, or loss. Our team can provide emotional support during hard times like grief, illness, or crisis, so you don’t feel alone. We can be present with you and listen to you in times of suffering or uncertainty.
To contact the Pastoral Care Committee, email UUCSCpastoralcare@gmail.com or call 401-764-4917 (this number does not accept texts).
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You can see when and how much you have donated to UUCSC on Breeze at anytime.
Sign into Breeze at uucsc.breezechms.com. Click on the PEOPLE tab and filter by your name to access your profile. Once you open your profile, on the left panel, click on Giving. This will take you to your personal giving record.
The Finance Committee and Etta
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Legacy Giving: In addition to your pledge, if you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you may donate up to $100,000.00 each year to UUCSC or other charities directly from your IRA account as non taxable income. Read more HERE.
Submitted by the Finance Committee
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"Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of Mind-Body Techniques"
Contact Val Follett at 401-218-3393 or email at valeriefollett@gmail.com for more info.
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Review Understanding Phishing!
If you receive a suspicious email, drag it into your Spam folder, which will automatically block the scammer from using your email again as bait. Stay vigilant!
Submitted by Etta Zasloff, Communications
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