In This Issue

The Fire of Commitment

February 2nd

Our Chalice is a symbol of Safety for us as UUs. How are your actions like a chalice in the dark? What other places can you shine your light?

Service Leader: Rev Dave Clements

Worship Associates: Richard Senghas

Music: Gage Purdy & The Choir

Pianist: Roger Corman

The Basket: UUCSR General Fund

How is Our UUCSR Justice Council Working Towards Inclusion?

February 9th

If you want to get more involved in social justice in our community, come join us to find out how. In this service, Members of the UUCSR Justice Council will be presenting the many ways we can all participate. 

Service Leaders: Rev Dave Clements & Members of UUCSR's Justice Council

Worship Associates: Eric Fischer

Music: Alan Bell

Pianist: Paul Gilger

Share the Basket: Earle Baum Center of the Blind. Educational and recreational classes for the blind and low vision adults and seniors

The Final Frontier VS The Empire Strikes Back

February 16th

We will look at the play of inclusion along with the battle of good Vs Evil. Star Wars was all about the battle of Good Vs Evil. Star Trek was all about the importance of Inclusion. Come prepared to travel to another galaxy and make sure you bring your lightsaber.

Service Leader: Rev Dave Clements

Worship Associates: Joe Gabaeff

Music: Gage Purdy

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share the Basket: LIME Foundation- seeks to harness each individual’s potential by providing vital skills for the construction trades, in music, the performing arts and technology; and for the health of senior citizens.

Breakfast Together:

You Can Sit With Us

February 23rd

This Sunday, join us for a service not in the sanctuary, but around the breakfast table! Deep listening, community, and spirituality can emerge in many forms, and this Sunday we will be holding space for our extended UUCSR community together with delicious pancakes and guided conversation. As a multigernerational service, we look forward to forming connections between folks of all ages through the simple act of sharing a meal.

Service Leader: Rev Dave & DRE Era Capone

Worship Associates: Mark Sowers

Music: Gage Purdy & Choir

Pianist: Roger Corman 

Share The Basket: Saturday Breakfast

From the Minister's Desk

Reverend Dave Clements

Dear Beloved Community,

As February unfolds, I invite all of you to reflect deeply on the theme of inclusion. Given what is happening nationally this theme of inclusion becomes even more important. This month, often celebrated for love and connection, also offers us an opportunity to expand our understanding of what it means to embrace and honor the worth and dignity of every person.

Inclusion is not simply an act of welcoming; it is an ongoing practice of making space. It asks us to recognize and challenge the barriers—visible and invisible—that prevent others from feeling truly seen and valued. It invites us to listen more deeply, to learn from experiences that differ from our own, and to stand in solidarity with those who are often marginalized.

February is also Black History Month, a time to honor the contributions of Black leaders, artists, thinkers, and activists who have shaped our history and continue to enrich our present. Let us not only celebrate these legacies but also ask ourselves how we can contribute to the ongoing work of racial justice within our congregation and beyond.

Inclusion begins with awareness, but it flourishes through action. What can we do, as individuals and as a faith community, to create a more inclusive world? Perhaps it starts with inviting someone new to a conversation, advocating for accessibility in our spaces, or deepening our understanding of intersectionality and the ways identity shapes experience.

This month, our congregation will engage in several opportunities to explore inclusion more fully:

• Sunday Services: We delve into aspects of inclusion, from the spiritual to the practical. 
• February 2nd- The Fire of Commitment
• February 9th – Justice Council
• February 16th – The Final Frontier Vs the Empire Strikes Back
• February 23rd – Enjoy Breakfast with the UUCSR Families.
• Sanctuary: Join us for conversations about being a sanctuary congregation community.
• Celebration of Black History Month: Participate in events honoring the contributions of Black voices in Unitarian Universalism and beyond.

I encourage you to embrace this theme with an open heart and a curious mind. Together, we can build a community that not only welcomes but also uplifts every person who enters our circle.

Cheers,

Rev. Dave Clements

President's Message

Board of Trustee President- David Reitzell

president@uusantarosa.org

Ahhh democracy. I’m writing this after the 1/26 congregational meeting. It was a long one with much discussion. I’m very proud to be in this place with all of you. Yes, we had some hearty debate, and I did not once detect disrespect or personal attacks. We saw some feelings and passions come out and many well thought out comments. Yes, I have my own opinions, as we all do, and I want you all to know that the Board heard you and listened intently to all the comments made. Rarely have I witnessed differences expressed out of love and passion for our community, with shared values which also includes disagreement. Thank you all for attending and being present in the moment.

We became a sanctuary congregation. We may not yet know what this will entail. I’m sure we will be called upon to be bold, compassionate, and take some risks, all for the sake of doing the right thing and being on the right side of future history. Many lives will be spared with this partnership of sanctuaries across the country. Thank you for voting to take this leap of faith.  

We voted to have new bylaws, with jubilant excitement too, may I add. Who knew rewriting bylaws could produce joy. We all appreciate the work and effort, literally hundreds of hours, to have governing guidelines that are clear and can take us forward as we grow with our new minister. The world needs us, and those like us, to be organized and thoughtful so we can do the good that is so needed now.

We welcomed an enriched endowment committee and we will work to use the distribution where it will do the most good for us all. Thank you Search Committee for continuing your work with all our appreciation and confidence in you. Thank you also to all the finance people on committees and staff who cradle our resources in your arms and care for our wellbeing.  

I would like to give a great shout out of appreciation to Rev. Dave. His leadership and constant nudging of us toward our own best interests has been so important this last 2-1/2 years.

Peace and Love, David Reitzell

Music Director

Gage Purdy

musicdirectoar@uusantarosa.org

In trying times, music offers a powerful reminder of how we can welcome all voices, experiences, and identities into our shared space. Music has an innate ability to unite us across differences, creating harmony where there may be discord and understanding where there may be division. This month, we’ll focus on how music can be a tool for embracing inclusion throughout our community.

Through song, we create a space where everyone is valued, seen, and heard. Just as a chord is strengthened by the diversity of notes within it, so too is our community enriched by the full spectrum of voices that join together in song.

As the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven said, "Music can change the world because it can change people." Let this be our inspiration this month as we strive to create a community where every voice matters and every person belongs. 



Financial Report

December 2024 Financial Report

REVENUE

Pledges - $236,511.71 ($24,011.73 more than what was budgeted)

Donations/Gifts - $32,149.77 ($1874.81 more than what was budgeted)

Rental Income - $18,071.00 ($2,929.00 less than what was budgeted) 

TOTAL INCOME: $300,048.04 ($15,473.12 more than what was budgeted) (Not all categories are listed above, but they are included in the total. The total does not include any restricted revenue, including the Challenge Grant)

EXPENSE

Employee Expenses & Contracted Services - $213,409.36 ($3,848.48 less than what was budgeted)

Expenditures - $64,915.56 ($9,354.52 less than what was budgeted)

TOTAL EXPENSE: $278,324.92 ($13,203.00 less than what was budgeted)

RESTRICTED FUNDS

Saturday Breakfast – Received $15,550.78 in donations in December, bring the balance to a positive $5,985.15

Challenge Grant – Received a total of $25,512.00

NET INCOME – We had a positive net income of $19,509.00

Religious Education

Era Capone

Hello all,

If you have been following my newsletters, you know that the conversations we are having in RE revolve around fascism, and how we as Unitarian Universalists are compelled by our values and our history to fight it. What we are seeing now in our country is quite explicitly fascistic, with horrifying yet unsurprising parallels to not-so-distant history. As an educator, I believe our children have a right to know what our country, especially brown people, queer people, and women, are facing right now. I and your fellow RE teachers continue to discuss and struggle with how to present these facts to your children; they deserve hope, and they also deserve the truth.

However, education can only get us so far, and it is the duty of us adults, those of us who want to ensure a better future for our children, to partake in actions that we hope they never have to. Our values as UUs must be lived through action and resistance, by going out into the world and doing the hard work that must be done to protect those most in danger right now.

Organization is critical right now, and we all need one another. If you would like to get your family involved in protests, providing sanctuary, engaging in community service, please contact me directly so we can mobilize and make a difference. You can email me at dre@uusantarosa.org, and together we can create the hope our children deserve.

In love and perseverance,

Era

dre@uusantarosa.org

Taize at UUCSR

Please join us for our monthly contemplative Taize service on Thursday, February 6th, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

From CUUPs

By Maura Donahue

“May the stirring of life underground, stir new dreams into life within you. May the flames of inspiration and passion be ignited in your soul.” 

~ Imbolc Blessing

Imbolc is an ancient Celtic holiday celebrating the very first stirrings of new life, giving us hope for the coming promises of Spring. After weeks of Winter’s turning inward, of hibernation and rest, life is beginning to stir again, both in the soil and within our hearts and souls. As we do in our gardens, this is a time to clear away what has gone before in order to make way for that which is stirring within us, so that we might give life to new ideas and projects which feed our own growth. The possibilities are endless! At this time, ask yourself what are you ready to nurture and see bloom?

For more information contact cuups@uusantarosa.org 

Soul Matters

Soul Matters theme for January is,

Living Love Through The Practice of: Inclusion

(Click on the photo for more information)

Soul Matters is a deeper spiritual version of Small Group Ministries where we meet monthly or twice monthly in small groups to dive into our own spirituality and get to know each other in a more personal sharing.

Contact Katie Trieller for information:

ktrieller@icloud.com 

707-329-5083. 

smallgroupministry@uusantarosa.org

From The Search Committee

From January 2nd until mid-March your Search Team will be rolling from application review to preliminary interviews to pre-candidating visits. This will be the most demanding and the most exciting part of the Search process. This is also the period when we are required to keep things very confidential so we won’t be able to share a lot of details with the congregation.  

If you haven’t already done so, this would be a great time to read the book recommended by UUA called Seeds of a New Way: Nurturing Authentic and Diverse Leadership. A few copies are available in the UUCSR library or you can order it HERE. It is a short book written by UU ministers telling their own stories about what it is like to be a minister. It is an honest and eye-opening account of the challenges of doing this sacred work.  

For questions, please contact Robert Howseman or Judy Withee.

Warmly, Your UUCSR Search Committee

From The Bylaws Team

At the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 26, 2025, our Congregation adopted a new set of comprehensively updated bylaws. It was the culmination of a two-year process.  

Our team had spent that time examining and discussing every sentence of the bylaws, line by line, rewriting, reorganizing, replacing outdated language and practices, and clarifying roles, responsibilities, and accountability. Along the way we consulted with the Board, various committees, individual members, and UUA staff. Our goal was to come up with a new set of bylaws that are easier to understand and implement, that are better organized for the democratic running of our community, that provide guidance that was previously lacking, and that reflect the needs, concerns, and shared values of our Congregation. 

Thank you for your many useful comments and suggestions as we fine-tuned these bylaws, and thank you for your confidence in this work by voting to adopt them. We hope these bylaws will serve our Congregation well for many years to come.

The new bylaws will be posted on the website soon. In the meantime, you may read them HERE.

John Mason and Richard Senghas (Co-Chairs), and Ethan Foote, Caroline Hobbs, and Ellen Skagerberg   

From The Nominating Committee

Meet your Nominating Committee! 

If you missed the Congregational Meeting and the Nominating Committee (NC) presentation, I’d like to introduce you to your NC members. We are hard at work filling the soon to be open Board of Trustees positions and adding to the Endowment Committee members. 

Donna Watson has been on the NC for 19 months now; she has been a UU member since 2008 and retired from CalTrans in 2006. She is an Usher/Greeter, counts the Offering, provides Coffee Hour assistance, and is a Saturday Work day as well as Welcome table volunteer.

Mary Wolfe has been on the NC since this past July. She has been a member of UU since Todd Rd days. She retired in 2021 from Cole Vocational Services. She has served on the Board and Membership committee and is presently an Usher/Greeter and volunteers one Saturday for the Breakfast. 

Debrah Lyons joined the NC this past July and has been a member of UU since 1994 at Todd Rd. She worked for County Mental Health as a LCSW until she retired. She is an Usher/Greeter, on the Women Together committee, and is also an Office Angel on Thursdays. 

Lucia Kasulis also joined the group in July and has been a UU member since 2014. She retired in 2023 from the County Water Agency. She has been involved with CUUPs since 2013 and she volunteers the 5th Saturdays for the Breakfast. 

We are all eager to share how important it is to support your congregation by serving on one of the committees we are presently filling. Call us, text us, or stop us when you see us in person. You can also email nominating@uusantarosa.org 

If you have questions on skills needed to serve on the Board or Endowment, we have answers for you! And the answers might surprise you. 

Adult Education

Lessons from the Lynching Museum 

Sunday February 2, 12-1 PM 

Founders Room

Mary Waters 

In recognition of Black History Month, you are invited to a presentation on the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. The Memorial honors over 6000 victims of racial terror lynching, whose names may otherwise have been lost to history. The slide show and talk grow from Mary Waters’ time spent at the Memorial and her subsequent research on the cultural and economic forces behind the era of lynching. Waters’ work extends to the ways in which “law and order” politics vilified the civil rights movement and gave rise to the War on Drugs, also known as the War on Blacks. Discussion will focus on ways to counteract the momentum that repeatedly tries to crush Black progress. This event is sponsored by Advocates for Social Justice Council, DWSC, and Adult Education. 

Fighting Global Warming—The Case for Sunlight Reflection 

Thursday February 6, 4 PM 

Sanctuary

Dakota Gruener 

Unchecked climate change can all but guarantee extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and catastrophic population displacements. What to do? Dakota Gruener, co-founder of Reflective.org, will share research on a possible solution--Sunlight Reflection. 

This is a World Affairs Council program co-sponsored by Adult Education.

Cost: $20 for members (includes UUCSR members), $30 for non-members. 

Wine and cheese reception to follow. To register go to our Web home page: WACSC.org 

The Politics of Jesus: REVISED SCHEDULE

Two sessions on Saturday February 8 and 15, 10 AM-12:30 PM 

One session Saturday February 22, 12:30-3:30 PM 

Founders Room 

Rev. Bev Spears 

In sessions 1 and 2, Rev. Spears will investigate the following topics: the roots of Jesus’ political consciousness, Jesus’ political strategies and tactics, and the distortion and corruption of Jesus’ ministry, including the current White Christian Nationalist movement. 

In session 3, she will show and discuss the documentary film “Bad Faith” about White Christian Nationalism. Open to the congregation (but not the public) whether or not you attended the first two sessions.

Beyond Pho, Dumplings, Donuts, and Nails: The State of AAPI in Sonoma County 

Sunday February 23, 12-1 PM

Founders Room

Laurie Fong

Laurie Fong, a former educator in Sonoma County schools, and current lead in the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition in Sonoma County, will present information about the communities of Asian Americans. She will talk about the vital issues faced by these communities, including housing, mental health, economics, immigration and deportation, and aggressive behaviors towards individuals within these communities. You will become more familiar with the cultural norms within families and expectations thrust upon individuals within these communities. This presentation is sponsored by DWSC and Adult Ed. Refreshments will be provided. 

The Adult Education Committee members are Steve Sweaney (chair), Nadene Carroll, Carol Daeley, Linda Lambert, Leslie Norinsky, and Clare Whitfield. 

First Sunday Flowers Dedication

FIRST SUNDAY FLOWERS will be on hiatus until further notice. Many thanks to all of you who supported us in bringing this offering to the Congregation. If you have questions, please contact the Flower Committee at flowercommittee@uusantarosa.org

The Offering Basket Donations

Share the Basket offerings from Sundays and direct Donations for the month of November2024

Council on Aging- Meals on Wheels: $496.59

UUA Disaster Relief Fund: $ 415.12

UUCSR General Fund : $ 595.00

Saturday Breakfast for Our Neighbors Share: $ 224.00

Saturday Breakfast Direct Donation: $ 4,765.97

Please note that Share the Basket Donation checks need to be made out to UUCSR in order for us to process them and send the intended donor their share. We are not able to process checks made out to the individual organizations. Thank you.

~ ~ ~

Please consider joining the Share committee. It is a very rewarding position.

Your Share the Offering Project members,

Elaine Wellin, Mary Louise Jaffray, Jan Prater, Judy Wismer

Circle Dinners

SPRING UUCSR CIRCLE DINNERS Sign-ups! A great way to get together with old and new friends over food and conversation. 

Organizers: Sandy Brewer scbrewer[at]sonic.net and Cathie Wiese cathie[at]sonic.net 

WHAT are Circle Dinners??? Circle Dinners are informal social gatherings over a pot-luck meal. They are opportunities to enjoy getting to know folks you might never have met otherwise. As participants, we have had some wonderful times visiting other members' homes (large and small---it doesn't matter!) and always look forward to great food and conversation. 

HOW do they work??? Members and Friends (interested in membership) of UUCSR let the Circle Dinner organizers know they want to be on the list. We then take all the names and shuffle them into groups of 7 or 8 (singles and couples) which becomes a "Circle Dinner Group" for the 4 months of the Circle Dinner period. 

WHEN? Soon we will send out the list of participants. The groups then contact each other, decide on a date, time and place to gather and who will bring what. The rest takes care of itself! Before the fun is over, the group decides the who, what , where and when for the next month's gathering. You don't need dinner service for 8, a family sized dining room, linen napkins, or even a room with a view! All you need is an enjoyment of meeting new friends, connecting with old friends, and the love of a good meal and conversation. Some groups meet for lunch and some even decide to meet at a restaurant.  

WHERE? We will be taking sign ups in THE SOCIAL HALL. Look for the sign up table. Also we will do sign-ups via email. We will need your name and phone number to post on the list so that your Circle can connect! 

Watch for more information in the weekly Newsblasts. Sign ups will be extended until February 2nd.

Men's Retreat

Men, please mark your calendar for the Men’s Retreat, happening Friday evening, April 4 through Sunday afternoon, April 6, 2025, at Black Mountain Retreat Center, in Cazadero. Cost is $165 per person (includes 6 meals), and scholarships are available. 

All men who are members, pledging friends, or guests of UUCSR are welcome. One does not need to be in a men’s group to attend the retreat.

Renew friendships and make new friends. Enjoy personal sharing in small groups, singing, hiking, laughter, and a campfire. Fun and good for your mental health!

Reserve your place by submitting a registration form and making payment at the Men’s Retreat table outside the sanctuary after Sunday services starting March 16. 

For more information, contact Bruce Hope.

Getting to Know UUCSR

ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM?

Would you like to know more about the roots of Unitarian Universalism and its philosophy? Maybe you’re considering becoming a member of UUCSR? If so, you are welcome to attend the next Getting to Know UU class on Sunday, March 23. It will be held in the Founders Room directly after the service; lunch is provided.

This class is open to everyone and is required for UUCSR membership. The first half of the class is focused on letting participants reflect on their personal beliefs and also presents information on the history of the denomination. The second half focuses on our local congregation--its history and how we see our role in the community. Sign up at the Visitor/Welcome table before the class date or email membership@uusantarosa.org.

Women Together Matinee

Women Together is very happy to invite you to our Movie Matinee on Saturday February 8th at 2PM. We'll visit together a little bit, then watch the delightful 2017 movie, Lady Bird, and enjoy some snacks. Come join us in the Founders Room! Bring snacks to share if you would like and a beverage. Please plan to arrive around 2PM. The movie will begin by 2:30. All are welcome! We look forward to seeing you there!

Leadership Training Class:

“Empowered Leadership: Building Ethical and Effective Leaders”

Sign-up to attend: Saturday March 29th from 10:00am to 12noon

Your Nominating Committee and Rev Dave Clements are holding a Leadership Training Class. We will participate in a time honored communication exercise as well as learn our individual leadership styles with the "True Colors Exercise". You will create your own leadership action plan and refresh your professional boundary limits, as well as revisit sexual harassment legal and ethical responsibilities. This training is open to all members. 

Register by emailing nominating@uusantarosa.org

Messages from UUA:

• UUA Newsletter: HERE
• UUA Executive Message Regarding Sanctuary Congregation: HERE

Glaser Center

If you have a non-profit group or a religious event (memorials, weddings, etc) and need a space to rent, please remember the Glaser Center!

Please contact the rental coordinator, Leslie at: leslie.jacobson@uusantarosa.org