In This Issue

Annual Milestones Service

January 4th

In this first service of the new year we will both look back and prepare for the future and participate in a ritual to launch the New Year with hope and love.

Service Leader: Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern & Lay Chaplains

Worship Associates: Clare Whitfield

Music: Sally Jones

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share The Basket: Saturday Breakfast for Our Neighbors

Resisting Dogmatism

January 11th

Unitarian Universalism is a self-proclaimed living tradition, one that centers "deeds not creeds," as we often say. In June of 2024, Unitarian Universalists from across the country voted to adopt a new articulation of what holds us together as a religious movement. After an intensive democratic process, we moved away from the language of Principles and Sources toward a description of our Shared Values, all centered around Love. Over the next 4 months, we will be exploring the current articulation of our enduring UU faith. Join us for the first of 8 services in the series exploring our evolving tradition!

Service Leader: Rev. Tovis Page

Worship Associates: Jonathan Choe 

Music: Gage Purdy & The Choir

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share The Basket: UndocuFund is a mutual aid project for Sonoma County’s undocumented community members.

(Re)Imagining Enough

January 18th

Injustice thrives where there is not enough to go around. What if we reimagine a new era, where instead of extracting all we can from the earth and each other, we imagine ample abundance, shared among all? What a fair world that would be! One of our guides on this Martin Luther King Day weekend will be his last book, Where Do We Go from Here?: Chaos or Community, in which he proposed moving from a model of scarcity to one of abundance.

Service Leader: Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern

Worship Associates:  Eric Fischer

Music: Alan Bell

Pianist: Louise Bettner

Share The Basket: UUCSR General Fund

Between Resistance and Letting Go

January 25th

Resistance is a term that many of us embrace as inherently virtuous, particularly in the face of oppressive power. Spiritually speaking, however, resistance a relative term. How virtuous and fruitful resistance is depends on what it is we are resisting. Sometimes the more compassionate and loving choice--the choice that leads to more freedom for ourselves and others--is acceptance. Join us for an exploration of the spiritual terrain that lies between resistance and letting go.

***Congregational Meeting after the Service***

Service Leader: Rev Tovis Page

Worship Associates:  Joe Gabaeff

Music: Gage Purdy & The Choir

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share The Basket: NBOP North Bay Organizing Project. A grassroots, multiracial, and multi-issue organization of twenty faith, environmental, labor, student and community-based organizations in Sonoma County.

From Rev Tovis

Dear UUCSR Community,

Happy New Year! I am writing this column on the seventh day of Hanukkah, with Christmas five days away. In just two days, Earth will tilt us as far away from the sun as she does each year, before slowly but surely swinging us back toward the light. Kwanzaa begins the day after Christmas this year and ends on January 1st. And I am reminded of the way we live amidst both continuity and change.  

In a famous 1841 sermon titled, “The Transient and Permanent in Christianity,” Unitarian minister, Transcendentalist and Abolitionist Theodore Parker distinguished between the abiding, universal truths of religion and the changing forms in which these truths are expressed over time. Like so many reformers before and after him, Parker was reminding us not to get caught up with the changing forms of faith (doctrines, creeds, specific rituals), but rather to focus on the eternal truths that lie at their core: the indwelling of Spirit, the voice of moral conscience, the ethics of love and justice.  

As a liberal religious tradition, Unitarian Universalism continues to embrace this reformist spirit, holding fast to core values and commitments while remaining open to new perspectives, new experiences and new forms. Since the merging of Unitarianism and Universalism in 1961, we UUs have revised the Purposes and Principles of our national Association several times to reflect evolving understandings of our core faith commitments. The most recent revision was adopted by the General Assembly in 2024 after an intensive three-year process involving Unitarian Universalist congregations and individuals across the country. The result is a new Covenant that expresses our abiding commitments in terms of “Shared Values” rather than “Principles.” These shared values are Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence and Generosity, all centered on Love.  

Starting this month, we will be exploring the new language of our UUA Covenant through an eight-part sermon series, art, music and conversation. As we enter a new year and engage in this exploration together, I invite us to consider what is at the heart of our moral and spiritual commitments–as individuals, as a community, and as Unitarian Universalists? What abides below the changing forms of our individual and shared lives, and how can we best honor and orient toward those abiding truths? What values and commitments are essential to who we are, and what do they ask of us now?  

Rev. Amy and I are excited to explore these questions with you in the coming months, as we continue celebrating life, empowering people, caring for one another and helping to build a better world in 2026–with LOVE at the center!

Faithfully yours,

Rev. Tovis

President of the Board of Trustees

David Rietzell

president@uusantarosa.org

Happy New Year everybody! We’re used to it being more cold at this time of the year, but not so much inside the church building. Stay tuned for ways you can help all of us have and maintain adequate heat for decades to come. It’s more difficult to be a welcoming congregation when the building is freezing. There are many people working behind the scenes to resolve this issue both in the short and long run. Thank you to those folks for your hard work and dedication.

Let’s celebrate Revs Tovis and Amy who were at the protest in San Francisco in front of the ICE building. Rev Tovis was arrested, but not harmed, doing the right thing. I am proud to be associated with them. It could be said that when an institution is directly opposed to one or more of our principles (worth and dignity etc.) we might have an obligation to stand up to them.

Sunday January 25th will be our congregational meeting after the Service. We’ll catch up on our finances, hear about what is new and exciting about our upcoming year, including at least two FUNdraisers. The nominating committee will have a few spots to fill so keep an open mind if you are asked.

Music Director Gage Purdy

Gage Purdy

musicdirector@uusantarosa.org

January Music Notes: Practicing Resistance

“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.”

-Nina Simone

As we begin 2026, our Soul Matters theme invites us into Practicing Resistance, not only as a public stance, but as a daily, communal discipline.

Music has long been part of this practice, giving voice to truth, sustaining movements, and helping communities stay connected and resilient in challenging times. As we sing, listen, and gather, music becomes one way we resist despair and choose solidarity, courage, and care.

In the spirit of shared practice, we’re also building skills that support our life together. This January, we’ll be offering training on our new sound system, made possible by generous donations toward our AV upgrade. Learning to run sound, cameras, or Zoom for services is a meaningful way to support worship and help ensure access for our whole community, both in the room and beyond.

If you’re interested in AV training or would like to be part of the team that helps make worship happen each week, please reach out. Practicing resistance often looks like showing up, learning together, and sustaining the systems that help our voices to be heard.

News From the Office

administrator@uusantarosa.org

Newsletters are making a change!

Many in the office have been in discussion about the newsletter, which takes up a significant amount of time for everyone to prepare each month, and we have decided to try going from monthly to quarterly Newsletters. We will continue to do weekly Newsblasts. In 2026 we will have Newsletters in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The specific dates and deadlines will be advertised soon. Click HERE for a list of communication tools at UUCSR.



Financial Report

November 2025 Financial Report

REVENUE

Pledges -$184,217.41 ($1,199.28 less than what was budgeted)

Donations/Gifts - $26,826.20 ($992.89 more than what was budgeted)

Rental Income -   $11,374.00 ($6,126.00 less than what was budgeted) ($7,259 event income and $4,115 recurring monthly rentals)

Long Term Rental Income - $8,000.00 (Same as budgeted)

TOTAL INCOME: $$247,973.11 ($7,985.20 less than what was budgeted)

EXPENSE

Employee Expenses & Contracted Services - $197,327.99 ($9,585.03 less than what was budgeted)

Expenditures - $49,742.70 ($12,544.94 less than what was budgeted)

TOTAL EXPENSE: $247,070.69 ($22,129.97 less than what was budgeted)

NET INCOME – We had a POSITIVE net income of $902.42

RESTRICTED FUNDS

Saturday Breakfast –Balance is $31,890.22

Minister’s Discretionary Fund –Balance is $4,861.64

Summary:

We ended the month of November with a POSITIVE net income of $902.42. Although our income is still less than we had planned for this point in the year, we’ve been able to keep our expenses low enough to achieve a net income that is $14,144.77 better than we had budgeted.

Religious Education

Annika Lawson, DRE

Dear UUCSR community,

Thank you so much for your care kit donations! With the help of our wonderful donors and families who volunteered to help package up supplies, we were able to provide SoCo Acts of Kindness with 200 general supplies kits and 76 menstruation care packages, which were handed out to our neighbors in need on Christmas day! Your actions, donations and care make a difference, THANK YOU!

If you would like to help out in RE but might not have the time to volunteer, please consider donating snacks and dinner supplies to our Youth meetings. Food provided is one of the most affective ways to get teenagers to come to church. Most of my budget for youth group goes towards frozen pizzas, fruit snacks, cheez its, and popcorn. If you feel inclined, please consider donating some frozen pizzas for the teens! Thank you.

Our Middle School Youth Group meets on the second Thursday and the High School Youth Group will be meeting on the first Thursdays. Dungeons and Dragons is held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from 12:30pm to 3:00pm.

We began Coming of Age in November. Our youth have identified their mentors, who will encourage them along their journey and help them write their statement of religious identity. The goal of the Coming of Age program is to help young people sort out their ethical and religious identity, so that they may make rational decisions about the kind of person they want to become. Coming of Age is held on the 1st Sunday of each month from November through May.

If you're interested in volunteering for our Sunday RE lessons, please reach out for the necessary form!

In love and gratitude,

Annika Lawson

dre@uusantarosa.org

Taize at UUCSR

Begin 2026 with the calm and contemplation of Taize.

Since the New Year's holiday falls on the first Thursday of January,

we will meet on January 8th

from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the sanctuary.

Soul Matters

The Soul Matter's theme for January is: 

Practicing Resistance

We will move to posting the monthly Soul Matters material on our Newsblasts and not the Newsletter due to copyright issues. Please look for them at the beginning of each month in the Weekly Newsblast.

CUUPs

What is Imbolc?

by Loretta Smith

The Wheel of the Year has turned once more. It reminds us to take a brief moment in our impossibly busy lives to get quiet, feel our place on the earth, and notice the seasonal changes around us….and inside us.

Imbolc, celebrated February 2, is one of the 8 seasonal sabbats. It marks the midway point between the Winter Solstice called Yule (the longest night) and the Spring Equinox called Ostara (equal night and day).

Imbolc means “in the belly” which refers to the pregnant ewes at this time of year who will soon provide milk during the scarce winter months. “In the belly” also reflects the seeds of spring which are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth.

Nature beckons us to begin waking up alongside Mother Earth and her creatures. The dark days of winter are starting to lighten. The earth is slowly returning to life. Imbolc encourages a slow, quiet reflection. It is time to contemplate the seeds you will plant this spring…literally and metaphorically.

This day is associated with the goddess Brigid, who embodies the fiery spirit of creativity, healing, and poetry. This is a time to honor those creative and healing forces within ourselves.

Imbolc is a time for purification and spring cleaning…..a time to cleanse and unclutter to make way for new beginnings in our life. A time to set our intentions for the year…..and begin nurturing the seeds of our personal growth just as Mother Earth nurtures seeds of the coming spring. 

Imbolc signals spring is not far behind. Plants and animals begin to stir with anticipation. Think of Imbolc as a celebration of the returning light, a time for new beginnings, and a time to set intentions for the season ahead.  Wishing you a blessed Imbolc!

Lay Chaplains

Come join the Lay Chaplains for the Milestones service on January 4th. This is an opportunity to focus on what we want to release and to reflect on our intentions for the New Year. The Lay Chaplains will share readings that are meaningful to them.

You can reach out to a Lay Chaplain or submit a Milestone (by 7pm on Saturdays) by emailing the Lay Chaplains: laychaplains@uusantarosa.org

Nominating Committee

Meet your Nominating Committee!

You may not be aware of who serves on our congregational Nominating Committee (NC) nor how this group supports your congregation. Our task is to identify candidates to serve on the Endowment Committee and Board of Trustees—the two groups most responsible for UUCSR’s long-term financial health and ongoing governance. Please think about serving on one of these important committees. Lucia will be explaining more about the work of these committees at the January 25th Congregational Meeting and committee members will be soliciting candidates to be elected at our June Congregational Meeting. We will be filling 3 positions on the Board of Trustees and 3 positions on the Endowment Committee for terms to begin on July 1st, 2026

Here is your current Nominating Committee for 2024-2026. 

Mary Wolfe has been on the NC since July 2024. She has been a member of our congregation since Todd Road days. She retired in 2021 from Cole Vocational Services. She has served on the Board and the Membership committee and is presently an Usher/Greeter. She also volunteers one Saturday a month for the Saturday Breakfast for Our Neighbors. 

Debrah Lyons joined the NC July 2024 and has been a member of UUCSR since 1994 at Todd Road. She worked for County Mental Health as a LCSW until she retired. She is an Usher/Greeter and an Office Volunteer on Thursdays. She has also served on the Women Together committee.

Lucia Kasulis also joined the group in July 2024 and has been a UUCSR member since 2014. She retired in 2023 from the County Water Agency. She has been involved with CUUPs (Covenant of UU Pagans) since 2013.

Stacy Sincheff joined the NC July 2025 and has been a member of UUCSR since 2007. She is an occasional Usher/Greeter and has been part of the Flower Committee, Saturday Breakfast crew, Coffee Hour helper, and Choir. She’s been a CUUPs member since the beginning.

We are eager to share how important and satisfying it is to serve on the Endowment Committee or the Board of Trustees. Call us, text us, or stop us when you see us in person. You can also email nominating@uusantarosa.org 

Social Justice:

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DWSC:

In Recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day

The Dismantling White Supremacy Culture Committee invites you to the showing of the powerful film Driving While Black: Race, Space, and Mobility in America, a Ric Burns and Gretchen Sorin documentary based on Ms. Sorin’s book Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights. 

Sunday, January 18, after the service,

noon – 3:00pm; in the Board Room.

This significant 2020 PBS documentary explores the complex history of African Americans and automobiles, showing how cars offered freedom but also exposed Black travelers to segregation, violence, and police harassment, connecting past discrimination like slavery's restrictions to modern racial profiling and traffic stops, all while highlighting the role of Black businesses and guidebooks like The Green Book in navigating this reality. 

Together we’ll watch this powerful documentary and have discussion afterwards.  

Light snacks provided.  

Cautionary note: This film includes images that could be triggering.  

For questions or more information please email: DWSC@uusantarosa.org

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Benefit Concert:

A Benefit Concert for The Redwood Empire Food Bank

Sponsored by UU Social Justice Council, DWSC, and Northbay Jobs With Justice

Presented by The Gravenstein Mandolin Ensemble.

Sunday, February 8th at 4 pm

The Glaser Center at UUSCR

Tickets sold at the door: $20, but also accepting larger donations.

After the holiday season, after all the food drives are over, folks will still be food insecure. In fact, according to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, one out of every three people in Sonoma County is food insecure. And the policies of the current administration have made the suffering more severe with rising food, housing, and energy costs. People are making difficult choices about how to feed their families. So please join us, enjoy an entire mandolin ensemble, from classical music, swing, and popular and familiar tunes. UU Members Leslie Norinsky and Rich Nosker are members of this ensemble. Shareable Internet poster (graphic) coming soon. Please share on social media and through your email. 

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The Sanctuary Task Force:

What have we been doing?  

The UU Sanctuary Task Force has been meeting throughout 2025. Our work with the Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition has transitioned into providing “Family Accompaniment” support to assist families after ICE has detained or deported a family member, often the primary breadwinner.

Ongoing Family Accompaniment support includes transportation, helping with rent, food, signing up for classes and Medi-Cal, learning to drive and getting a license, applying for a job, connecting families with job training, and searching for affordable housing. Some people need assistance connecting with legal services and other social service agencies.

The “In” family spoke at a service in the Spring. We are staying connected with them and are currently providing support for them to earn rent money with the tamale sales. We have also connected with a family whose father-husband-breadwinner, “J," was detained after his court date. The immediate need was money for heating as well as making phone calls to “J." We put together a “Go Fund Me” campaign for the family, which allowed J’s wife to get help from friends and family to weatherproof their dwelling. We also accompanied a family to an Immigration office to offer translation.

The need continues to grow. Our plan is to continue providing support to families, and to put requests out to the congregation. Please sign up Sundays at the Justice Council Table if you'd like to get on the "Sanctuary Volunteers" email list to be contacted as needs arise.

Membership

We are a jolly-good friendly congregation, which nobody can deny. But it never hurts to be reminded of what welcoming gestures you might make during coffee hour. 

• Look for people you don't know and approach them with a line like, "I don't think I know you. I'm (name)" or "Interesting service today. What did you think of it?"
• If you're talking in a group and someone approaches, make room for them in the circle.
• Wear your nametag. If they don't have a nametag, maybe suggest they visit the Welcome Table.
• If you are a greeter at the back door, tell people who look like they might be new where the Welcome Center is. 

Also, the Welcoming Team (Dee Ray, Cathie Wiese, Hilary Sowers) is going to be setting aside a table in the Narthex starting in January for newcomers to gather after the service. Any longer-time member or friend is invited to come by and chat. 

Adult Education

Resisting Fascism Together

First and third Wednesday evenings, beginning November 19 and running indefinitely, 7-8:30 pm on Zoom

Presenter: Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern

When you look back at what you did during this extremely difficult period in US history (from a happier vantage point, let us hope) what do you want to see? This class aims to make us all more effective pro-democracy activists, recognizing that we come to the sessions with different needs.

Poetry Workshop Extension

2nd/4th Wednesdays 3-4pm 

Boardroom 

Last fall’s Exploring Poetry workshops will resume in 2026, meeting on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Participants can drop in on the sessions of their choice. These workshops are intended for both novices and experienced writers.

Visual Arts for Services

Facilitated by: Rev Amy Zucker Morgenstern

Date/Time: Third Tuesdays of the Month, starting January 20, in the evening, in person, in the sanctuary. Time TBD

We will meet each month all spring, beginning in January, and jointly create something visual to grace our space for the coming month. We can make altars . . . .wall hangings . . . projected images . . . stage sets . . . The sky (or at least, the sanctuary ceiling) is the limit. We'll plant our roots deep in UUCSR's mission and passions, and let our imaginations fly on wild wings.  Artistic experience is enthusiastically welcome, but all that is necessary is a human spirit and a love for this congregation.

World Affairs Council of Sonoma County. Post-Post Cold War: A Close Look at US Foreign Policy with Frank Lavin, former White House aide and ambassador. February 5, 2025 at 3pm Glaser Center. Reception to follow. 

For more information click below or email: adulted@uusantarosa.org.

Spring Circle Dining

Sign-ups in January!

Spring UUCSR Circle Dining is a fun way to connect with old and new friends over food and conversation.

What is Circle Dining?

Circle Dining groups are informal social gatherings centered around a potluck meal. They offer a chance to get to know people you might not otherwise meet, enjoy great food, and share meaningful conversation in a relaxed setting—homes large or small, or even restaurants.

How does it work?

UUCSR members and friends interested in membership sign up, and organizers create groups of 7–8 people (singles and couples). Each group forms a Circle Dining Group for four months. No special dinnerware or space is needed—just a love of community and good meals. Some groups meet for lunch; others choose restaurants.

When & Where?

At the end of January, an email goes out showing the groups. Members of each group choose a date and location for the first meal and folks sign up to bring food. Before each gathering ends, plans are made for the next one.

Sign-ups:

In the Social Hall or by email. Please provide your name, email, and phone number.

Sign-ups run January 4–25.

Organizers: Sandy Brewer & Cathie Wiese

Email: circle.dining@uusantarosa.org

Watch weekly Newsblasts for updates.

Women Together

“Words from the Heart: Sharing our Favorite Poetry and Prose”

Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 2 to 4 PM in the Board Room

Join us for an afternoon of poetry and readings. We will gather in the Board Room at UUCSR to listen to one another as we share favorite poems or prose that we find inspiring, thought provoking, cathartic, or just plain entertaining! Bring your own creations, or works of others that you hold dear. Or, just come to listen if you choose. We invite you to also bring favorite snacks or treats to share. Sustenance for body and soul, and a lovely way to spend a mid-winter afternoon. Come in from the cold to the warmth of community!

Trans women, gender-expansive, non-binary, and two-spirit people who feel most comfortable/identify with women spaces are welcome.

For more information or questions, email womentogether@uusantarosa.org

Buildings and Grounds

I would like to introduce you to our Building and Grounds Committee and will give you periodic updates of what we are currently tending to. Our committee of 5 includes John Jaffray, Fred Brewer, Bruce Hope, Jereme Rose, and me (Pam Tennant). Aphrodite is an ex-officio member who plays a very important, public-facing role. Additional volunteers help on Saturday Work Days and on an ad hoc basis.

An overview of past projects done or contracted for include remodel of the women’s bathroom and coffee service area, painting of the sanctuary and Founders Room, carpeting the social hall/entryway/narthex, deploying and retracting the shade fabric over the courtyard, attaching acoustic tiles for noise suppression in the social hall, installing a security system, unblocking drains, upgrading room signage, repairing stoves, vacuums, etc., removing graffiti, and doing all the weeding, pruning and other landscape work.

These are some highlights only. I will inform you of other aspects of our job in the future. Please feel free to approach any of us with questions or requests OR TO JOIN OUR COMMITTEE.

"Better Together"

Chili Cookoff

"Better Together" - UUCSR's 3rd Annual Chili Cookoff Fundraiser. Jan. 24th, 5pm

An evening of community, generosity, friendly competition, and delicious food.

Activities:

• Chili Competition (5 categories, winners chosen by you)
• Cornbread competition with judging panel
• Silent auction of the beautiful posters currently on view
• A performance by The Great Blindini
• Games, activities, and connection for all ages

It's a great way to reconnect and celebrate how we’re truly better together.

Links to competition sign ups and ticket sales will come in the Newsblast soon!

Saturday Breakfast

Saturday Morning Breakfast for Our Neighbors invites you to an afternoon of Balkan music, song and dance.

This is a fundraiser for Saturday Breakfast from the Grandina dance and music group! 

Please save the date of January 31, 3-5pm

The Offering Basket Donations

Share the Basket offerings from Sundays and direct Donations for the month of November 2025

Redwood Empire Food Bank: $495.45

YWCA Safe House: $795.03

UUCSR General Fund : $1,153.00

Saturday Breakfast Share: $446.00

Saturday Breakfast Direct Donations August: $2,100.00

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

UUA/Affiliated Groups:

• UUA Newsletter: HERE
• Pacific Western Region Blogpost: HERE
• UUSC- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee: HERE
• UU Ministry for Earth HERE
• UU World: HERE
• DRUUMM California Winter Retreat 2026: Register HERE

• Side with Love: At Side With Love, we enter this new year rooted in the same truth that has always guided us: love is not passive. Love shows up. Love organizes. Love tells the truth and strains toward justice. That’s why we begin each year with 30 Days of Love—our annual invitation to practice love as a public, courageous, world-shaping force. Beginning January 19th, congregations and individuals across our movement will be showing up for democracy, dignity, and collective liberation in ways both big and small. Read More 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, glasercenter@uusantarosa.org