UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
| | Volume VII * Issue 35 * February 6, 2026 | | This Sunday, February 8, 2026 | | Worship at 10:00 AM, In Person and on Zoom | |
"Give Them a 'T'"
Rev. Denis Paul and Lee Cowan
It’s Super Bowl Sunday. What better time to celebrate the team here at UUCSC, all the lay leaders and volunteers that keep this place vibrant and meaningful? We’ll cheer each other on, and share a winter feast fit for broadcast: meat and vegan chillis, nachos, cornbread and dessert. All are welcome to the meal, hosted by the program staff.
| The first two rows of congregational seating are reserved
for a hearing impaired zone. | |  | |
This month's theme is
Embodying Resilience
The kinds of videos above always, without fail bring tears to my eyes. I was looking for cheerleading videos and this came up. It's inspiring and a beautiful embodiment of resilience.
And from my favorite poet:
I am accepting my mortality to live a fuller life | Andrea Gibson
Music for this month's theme on Spotify and YouTube
Click here for a .pdf of the upcoming events calendar
Lee Cowan, DRE
| | Sara will be out of the office until Feb. 12. | View previous video recorded Sunday services on the UUCSC YouTube Channel. | | |
What's a Member?
Despite its Christian-sounding name, the RI Council of Churches really is an interfaith organization built by clergy and congregations of all religions. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Humanists and others gather to make inclusive faith statements about the condition of our world and our democracy, from a theologically liberal point of view.
One of the biggest events they’ve hosted in a couple of years was a conference on white christian nationalism, featuring an internationally respected scholar. Participants got to learn more about how whiteness and Christianity have been conflated in contemporary nationalism in the United States, as we better understood the characteristics of its adherents.
Every so often the RI Council of Churches puts out a statement of faith, signed onto by faith leaders and congregations. The last two, responding to the presence of ICE in MN and an anti-Semitic event in a public school, had so few signatories it was shocking. Most surprising was that, despite being a member and attending events, I wasn’t asked to sign. We — UUCSC — were not asked to sign, even though both statements fell firmly within our stated values.
I inquired as to why. (Notice I didn’t “complain”). Apparently, lots of clergy made similar inquiries, which prompted some reflection on the part of the staff and leadership, leading to the conclusion that their way of understanding membership may not align with the understanding of those of us who consider ourselves members.
Basically, the Council sent sign-on requests to only a few people who were in a particular database. Not to everyone. Now, requests are starting to go out to a lot more people. Including me. Including UUCSC. So that’s good.
This series of events got me thinking about how we in our congregation view membership: who is in the database, who receives emails and newsletters, who pledges and who is solicited for pledges, who has a vote at official meetings, who can serve on elected committees. The understanding of staff and lay leaders may not always align with the understanding of people who feel they do (or do not) belong. READ MORE
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Next Beverages & Banter with Rev. Denis
Tuesday, February 24, 1 pm at Panera Bread
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Sanctuary Art
Some of the Art Team members will be doing the art in the sanctuary for March and April. If you have one sock and anything glittery that you can let us use for this project, please give them to Barbara Pagh, Cathy Solomon, Nancy Dean, or Jeanne Arthur. Thank you!
Submitted by UUCSC Art Team
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News from the Facilities Committee
1) The Facilities Committee plans to complete a Building Condition Assessment. In order to do so, we will need to hire an architectural and engineering firm. If anyone knows of a reputable A&E firm, please contact Facilities Chairperson Michael Bilecki mbilecki@yahoo.com
2) Our cleaning service does a good job every two weeks. But we have noticed areas that are not cleaned up after use, which has led to mouse incursions. Please keep our spaces clean and take out the trash, even if you are "just passing through." If you see a mess or trash, please clean it up or take it out. Thanks very much for your assistance.
Submitted by Facilities Chair Michael Bilecki
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Special Congregation Business Meeting
Sunday, February 22, 11:30 a.m.
We’re having a special congregation business meeting on Sunday, February 22 at 11:30 a.m. to amend the bylaws. We’re doing it now instead of in June to expedite our application for an IRS “determination letter” that confirms our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
To amend the bylaws, 67% of congregation members (90 people) must be present to vote. Please plan to attend in person, by proxy, or on Zoom. Every member must register with the clerk or the virtual host on the day of the meeting to determine if a quorum is present. Proxy notes are available in the office. They can be signed before the 22nd. The proxy note will give Mary Fulton, Board clerk, the responsibility of voting as you indicate; either accepting or rejecting the amendments as proposed.
To read a summary of the proposed amendments, open this link.
To read the current bylaws, open this link.
To read the entire document, showing words to be deleted struck-through and words to be added underlined, open this link.
If you have any questions about the amendments, please speak to a Board member.
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Old Time Community Dance
March 1st 2:30-5pm
Our second annual all-ages community dance with something for everyone. Music by our very own Peacedale Folk Orchestra. Donations greatly appreciated! Potluck snack at the break. A foot-tappin' smile stretchin' good time! See the flyer here
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Upcoming Services
February 15 Roots and Wings Conversation 10am-noon Committee on Ministry
February 22 Anger Management for the UU Individual Brie Oaks
March 1 Clearer Than the Windshield Rev. Denis Paul
March 8 International Women's Day Adria Evans
| | Minutes of the January Board Meeting are available HERE. | | Click "view entire message" at the bottom of this email to see the whole newsletter! | | Social and Racial Justice | | |
See the South County Social Justice Coalition newsletter HERE 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.
This edition of the SCSJC newsletter features a reflection by Rev. DL Helfer on his trip to Minneapolis.
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Helping the Resistance in Minnesota
Alex, Melanie Magidow and their son, Zayn were friends of UUCSC for a few years before they moved to Minnesota about 3 years ago. Melanie has been concerned about the safety of her neighbors.
They are active with Pilgrim House, a UU fellowship, and sent the following information:
"Below are the fundraisers for our local schools, which are helping care for families that are sheltering in place (food, medicine, funding, transportation, etc.) There is one for each of our schools and the family center:
Columbia Heights High School: https://gofund.me/1b26e2c3c
Columbia Academy: https://gofund.me/b9b785a26
Highland Elementary: https://gofund.me/271c89166
North Park School for Innovation: https://gofund.me/b9406a952
Valley View Elementary: https://give.mn/g1iz7g
Family Center: https://gofund.me/e090e916a
You can also find these links on our website. pilgrimhouseuua.org
The money they raise is for food, clothes, laundry, medicine, etc. Even if we can’t put our bodies before ICE in the arctic air of Minnesota our dollars could make a difference."
Submitted by Mary Fulton
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A large box has been placed in the Oneto room to collect any donations you can make. Although the deadline for the Blanket Drive has passed, the need is still there. Your generous donations have been delivered to the Mathewson Church but the box remains in the Oneto Room if you have warm items to contribute, we will get them delivered. Thank you for your generosity in supporting some of the most vulnerable among us.
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The Heart of Wattayai by Vimala Phongsavanh
Photography Exhibit at the Museum of Work and Culture through February 27
The Heart of Wattayai by Vimala Phongsavanh is an exhibit of photographs and family keepsakes that traces one family’s story of loss, strength, and migration—from a village in Laos to the mill towns of Rhode Island. The Museum will host a hybrid talk with Vimala Phongsavanh about the exhibit on January 25th at 1:30 p.m. Read the Rhode Island Monthly article about the exhibit here
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Monthly Grief Support Group
Clare Sartori, Facilitator
Last Friday of every month, 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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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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At Helping Hands, our group is dedicated to supporting our Beloved Community during times of need. Read more about available assistance and volunteer opportunities here.
uuhelpinghands@gmail.com
401-742-1392
Kelsey Briggs and Bethany Sorrentino, UUCSC Helping Hands Coordinators
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Care Continues for...
Louise McLeod in Roberts Health Centre, 25 Roberts Way, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Cards and calls are welcome, visits too, just call first. All contact information can be found in Breeze.
Submitted by Val Follett
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"Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of Mind-Body Techniques"
Contact Val Follett at 789-7282 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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