In This Issue

Embracing the Mystery: Renewing Our Spirit

October 6th

Join us as we explore the profound impact of direct experiences with transcending mystery and wonder. These moments, affirmed in all cultures, open our hearts and minds to the forces that create and uphold life. Together, we'll reflect on how these experiences can renew our spirit, foster a sense of awe, and deepen our connection to the world around us. Let's celebrate the mystery and wonder that inspire us to live more fully and with greater openness to the beauty and complexity of existence.

Service Leader: Rev Dave Clements

Worship Associates: Joe Gabaeff

Music: Sally Jones

Pianist: Paul Gilger

Share the Basket: Our Own Saturday Breakfast for Our Neighbors

Prophetic Voices: Confronting Injustice with Love

October 13th

We invite you to join us as we delve into the powerful words and deeds of prophetic individuals who challenge us to confront the powers and structures of evil in our world. Through their inspiring examples, we will explore how justice, compassion, and the transformative power of love can guide us in our own lives. Together, we'll reflect on the courage and vision needed to stand against injustice and to promote a more just and compassionate world.

Service Leaders: Rev Dave Clements

Worship Associates: Cathie Wiese

Music: Gage Purdy & The Choir

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share the Basket: F.I.S.H. – Friends in Service Here

The Connection Between Wisdom and Pluralism

October 20th

The connection between the wisdom found in world religions and the pluralism embraced by Unitarian Universalism is profound and multifaceted. Our service will explore some key points that highlight this relationship, such as shared values, spiritual growth and exploration, and human experience as a source of wisdom.

Service Leader: Rev Dave Clements

Worship Associates: Jonathan Choe

Music: Alan Bell

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share The Basket: UUCSR General Fund

How Do We Afford Real Homes?

October 27th

Let's overcome the anxiety of the impending election by really considering what we can do as a community to help more neighbors afford real homes in Sonoma County. Karym Sanchez of NBOP will deliver the message.

Service Leader: Karym Sanchez

Worship Associates: Mark Sowers

Music: Gage Purdy & The Choir

Pianist: Roger Corman 

Share The Basket: North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP)

From the Minister's Desk

Reverend Dave Clements

Greetings,

As we enter the month of October, we are reminded of the beauty of change and reflection. The autumn season brings with it a time for us to slow down, to take stock of the year so far, and to be thankful for the blessings we have received.

October has long been associated with harvest, and it’s a fitting time to express our gratitude for the fruits of our labor—both in the spiritual and physical sense. As the trees shed their leaves and prepare for winter, we too are invited to release what no longer serves us, creating space for new growth and deeper connections with each other.

Lots is happening here at UUCSR, and I am so excited about the great work that our search team is doing to prepare to sell UUCSR to prospective ministers. Thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey and make sure that you take the time to attend the various search gatherings that will be taking place.

Those of you who have increased your pledge I thank you. For those who haven’t yet there is still time. For every dollar that you increase it will be matched dollar for dollar. Our goal is to raise $50,000 and I have great faith that we will accomplish that goal. 

There are many programs here at UUCSR that provide opportunities to serve. One of those is our Saturday Morning Breakfast program. It needs volunteers. I am asking various committees to consider adopting a Saturday and showing up to help serve. You will not be disappointed, and you will be living into our mission.

I thank you for the work that you’re doing. It is a joy to serve you as your Interim Minister. Let us continue this journey together as we all prepare for the next chapter here at UUCSR.

Cheers,

Rev. Dave

President's Message

Board of Trustee President- David Reitzell

president@uusantarosa.org

I’m sitting here this weekend in Yosemite National Park thinking about how grateful I am to be living in this time. Yes, there is much uncertainty, with health, finances, and frustrating political game-playing with our country hanging in the balance. There is a lot to worry about. I believe that our church community is not one of those to worry about, however. At every turn there are volunteers willing to help, and future volunteers just ready to make that commitment when the opportunity presents itself (yep, that was a hint). I’m an optimistic realist. Some of us are concerned about the finances of UUCSR, and we should be. Like many of us personally, we wonder if we have enough to overcome potential pitfalls of income v. expenses. We do not at this time have a Treasurer. We are working on that and welcome suggestions. In the meanwhile, Amy, our bookkeeper, is keeping us solidly up-to-date. As in the last few years, even during the pandemic, members have been coming through when needed. Not just financially, but with time and effort, lending expertise from lifetimes of experiences and knowledge.

The matching grant money from very generous members is a great example of the love, commitment, prosperity thinking, and most of all UU determinism at its most powerful. All of us who can, have an opportunity to add to our solid financial foundation by increasing the pledge we give. Even a few bucks per month will help because it is doubled by our generous donors. My family did not have to think long about the gifts this congregation gives to us, and we are privileged to increase our pledge, as did all the members of the Board, to get us kick started.

Saturday Morning Breakfast Update

To inform the congregation of the financial health of the Saturday Morning Breakfast and its restricted fund, I am writing to you. This fund and program of UUCSR has been a staple of our community outreach since 2014. It has served over 50,000 hearty breakfasts to our neighbors in that time.  It has enjoyed the financial backing of our congregation including a $25,000 donation in 2015. For most years, however, it has run a deficit.

After Covid, when the church opened back up, it came to the attention of the Board of Trustees that the SMB fund was not adequately paying for the cost of the cleaning service required to bring the foyer back to a clean state for the church service the next day. The board calculated the true cost and began charging the restricted fund for that cleanup.

This quickly exposed the deficit funding. The SMB has been out of money for a few months and is now being supported by the general operating fund as donations have dropped off.

For a more detailed breakdown of Saturday Morning Breakfast donations and costs since 2014, researched and reported by our bookkeeper, Amy Yoro, please click HERE.

The Board, members of the SMB, and other interested people will form a taskforce to look into this program in all its areas, including financial. The taskforce will examine this program and report recommendations for changes that we hope will bring it into financial self-sufficiency. In the meanwhile we are looking for donations of money and also volunteers to keep this program going into the future.

Thank you,

David Reitzell, BOT President.

Financial Report



 REVENUE

Pledges - $71,255.83 ($422.51 more than what was budgeted)

Donations/Gifts - $5407.08 ($4,684.56 less than what was budgeted)

Rental Income - $7,040.00 ($40 more than what was budgeted) 

TOTAL INCOME: $92,514.85 ($2,343.43 less than what was budgeted) (Not all categories are listed above, but they are included in the total)

EXPENSE

Employee Expenses - $79,460.82 ($7,700.73 more than what was budgeted because there were 3 payrolls in August, instead of the usual 2. Employees are paid every 2 weeks and budgeted wages are spread evenly over 12 months)

Expenditures - $33,611.59 ($921.53 more than what was budgeted)

TOTAL EXPENSE: $113,072.41 ($7,963.08 more than what was budgeted)

RESTRICTED FUNDS

Saturday Breakfast – Negative balance of $4,200.08 

NET INCOME – We had a loss of $17,157.56 which includes $1700.00 transferred from the Saturday Breakfast for janitorial and carpet cleaning. In addition to the third payroll in August, we had a $6,699.50 semiannual expense for our insurance and $6,043.00 for carpet and upholstery cleaning. Although all three of these expenses are included in the budget for the year, they are the primary cause for the loss August due to timing. 

Message from Our Music Director

Gage Purdy

musicdirector@uusantarosa.org

October Music Notes: Deep Listening and the Music of Our Community

This month Soul Matters invites us to reflect on the practice of "Deep Listening." In the context of music, listening is not just about hearing sounds, but about tuning into the deeper currents of meaning, connection, and emotion that flow through every note and silence. Deep listening invites us to be fully present, to engage with more than just the melody or rhythm, but with the intention and energy behind the music.

Throughout September, we celebrated our return to community through song and the joyful act of making music together. Now, as we move into October, we turn our attention to how we listen—to each other, to ourselves, and to the music that resonates within our congregation. 

Music has the power to open our hearts and connect us on a deeper level. As the composer John Cage once said, "Everything we do is music." It reminds us that listening is about more than just sound—it's about tuning into the world around us, finding music in unexpected places, and hearing the essence of life itself. 

As we explore this month’s theme of Deep Listening, we encourage you to come with open ears and hearts, ready to hear not just music, but the deeper messages of connection, compassion, and community that it carries. Let us listen deeply, and in doing so, discover what that truly brings us together.

Religious Education

Era Capone

Hello all,

With October upon us, we are officially in full swing here in RE-land. I am excited to announce that in addition to our usual Sunday morning offerings, we are also proud to be providing this year:

• Weekly Music in RE thanks to Crystal McDougall-Purdy, John Chenoweth, and Mac Freeman.
• Neighboring Faiths, where middle and high school youth learn about and visit other faith institutions.
• Dungeons & Dragons Every Sunday, which is now our biggest RE program!
• 4th-6th Grade OWL starting in January 2025.
• Holiday Pageant
• The Art of UU Parenting
• Youth Group
• Family Game Nights
• And more!

For those of you looking to get your family, friends, or self involved in RE, we would love to have you join us! If you're interested in volunteering, leading an activity, or just want to learn more about our programs, please email me at dre@uusantarosa.org. There's a little something for everyone in RE, and we can't wait for you to join us!

In love and gratitude,

Era

dre@uusantarosa.org

From Your Search Committee

Update on the Ministerial Search Process

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey! 149 of you shared your

feedback and the Search Committee is busy reviewing your responses to prepare for

October's Search Parties. Eight sessions are scheduled.

In person meetings:

• Sunday, 10/6, noon in the Founder's Room
• Tuesday, 10/8, 10 a.m. at Judy Withee's residence
• Friday, 10/11, 12:30 in the Green Room
• Friday, 10/11, 6:30 p.m. at Robert Howseman’s residence
• Monday, 10/14, 2:00 p.m. at Judy Withee's residence
• Sunday, 10/20, 9:00 a.m. in the Green Room

Zoom meetings: 

• Friday, 10/18, 2 p.m. - Host: Rob Carlisle
• Monday, 10/2, 7p.m. - Host: Crystal McDougall

More details about how to sign up will come in the weekly Newsblasts. 

Have questions? Look for the Search Table after service or contact Robert

Howseman or Judy Withee

Taize at UUCSR

Join us for this month's Taize service on Thursday, October 3rd, from 6:00 to 7:00 in the sanctuary.  

So many people have requested additional opportunities to participate in Taize services that we will be offering them on more Sunday mornings throughout the coming year. Look for dates and times in future Newsblasts.

Here is an example of one of our Taize readings from poet and theologian, John O'Donohue. It is an excerpt from his poem called Matins:

May we live this day

Compassionate of heart,

Clear in word,

Gracious in awareness,

Courageous in thoughts,

Generous in love.

From CUUPs

By Rob Carlisle

I Like it Darker

I spend a lot of time in the dark. “I like it darker”, to paraphrase a Stephen King title. This is mostly, though not entirely, symbolic. Most of the year, I feel like I have to justify this. What are we afraid of? Many of us fear it, the actual darkness that obscures vision and the metaphorical darkness within ourselves. But bright light and noise can have almost the same effect. Everywhere humans settle, nights are so brightly lit that astronomers have difficulty seeing the stars!

Over the next 31 days, not only do I not need to explain my affinity for the dark, I’m encouraged to revel in it! This time of year, I can sit in a quiet, dark place, rest my eyes and ears, and contemplate what it is we’re trying so hard to banish with all that bright light and noise. Grieve losses. Let go. Remember. Prepare for all the bright lights & “hustle’n’bustle” that we all know will arrive soon enough. It’s something our ancestors believed was important. Whatever tradition you follow, I encourage you to find your own way to spend a little time in the dark. See if you can find something sacred there, lost, forgotten, hidden behind the light.

CUUPs Ancestor Service

Saturday, November 2nd, 1:00 pm

Join your CUUPs as we celebrate Samhain (Halloween) and honor our Ancestors on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024. We are having a Lunch Potluck at 1:00pm in the Social Hall and then an Ancestor Honoring celebration in the Courtyard. Come and enjoy this daytime event and still be home by dark! Bring a photo or other remembrance of your loved one for the altar. 

Let’s keep it simple with: main dishes, salads/side dishes, and desserts. Bring your own service please. For information: cuups@uusantarosa.org

Soul Matters

Soul Matters theme for October is,

Living Love Through The Practice of: Deep Listening

(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

Share The Basket Donations

Share the Basket offerings from Sundays and direct Donations for the month of July 2024

Planned parenthood of Northern CA : $347.15

Peace & Justice Center : $ 243.50

UUCSR Religious Education : $220.50

Saturday Breakfast for Our Neighbors Share: $ 243.15

Saturday Breakfast Direct Donation: $ 561.75

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

From The Lay Chaplains

Your Lay Chaplains have a request to the congregation for milestone entries. We try our best to read the entries but there are times when the entry is difficult to read and, unfortunately, sometimes mistakes are made.

Please do your best to write or print clearly and it might be helpful to read your entry back to yourself to be sure it is clear. And, finally, please remember to sign your name to your entry. If an entry seems unclear we can try to speak to the writer before the service for clarification. Thank you!

As always, anyone can use the email to send milestones at any time or to contact a Lay Chaplain for support. Our Lay Chaplains are: Rob Carlisle, Judy Ervice, Bruce Hope, Barb Kezur, Sandy Brewer

From DWSC

Dismantling White Supremacy Culture (DWSC) Committee

The DWSC Committee has been busy analyzing the results of our confidential and anonymous Congregational Questionnaire. The Questionnaire was completed by 63 members (about 25% percent of membership). Many thoughtful responses were received, and we thank all of you who participated.

The Questionnaire results indicated that there is strong interest in dismantling white supremacy culture within UUCSR, and that most have a good understanding of the issue. Most said it was essential or important to talk about it and work on it, although some expressed confusion, or felt hesitant or anxious.

When asked whether it shows up at UUCSR, about 75% said it inevitably must because we are overwhelmingly white, middle-class, privileged. However, it can be invisible or hard for us to discern.  

CLICK HERE for the full Questionnaire report.

Respondents offered many good ideas including role play, book groups, workshops, diversity dialogs, and efforts to agree on objectives and set goals. Some stressed going beyond our walls to get more involved in the community, and work to dismantle white supremacy in the world.

The DWSC Committee will use your valuable input as we continue to plan our activities.  Again, thank you for participating. You can contact us at: dwsc@uusantarosa.org

Adult Education

Navigating End of Life Choices With Love and Compassion

Monday October 21, 10:30 AM 

Founders Room

Have you thought through what steps you will take to achieve what you want for yourself or your loved one at the end of life? Join us to hear a presentation by guest speaker Zeena Regis of Compassion and Choices, who will discuss options ranging from advanced care planning to hospice to medical aid in dying. 

Compassion and Choices is a national organization that has been instrumental in achieving legislation in several states, including California, to legalize medical aid in dying. Compassion and Choices envisions a society that affirms life and accepts the inevitability of death, embraces expanded options for compassionate dying, and empowers everyone to choose end-of-life care that reflects their values, priorities, and beliefs. This important presentation is co-sponsored by Adult Education and the women’s group Older and Bolder.

American Hospitals: Healing a Broken System

Sunday October 27, 12:30 PM (light lunch provided)

Founders Room

Come see this powerful film about the out-of-control costs of hospitals and their transformation into a profit-driven big business. The film will be followed by a panel discussion about possible reforms, then a question-and-answer session. The panel of experts includes Terry Winter of Healthcare for All, Bonnie Petty of the California Alliance for Retired Americans, and Sue Gadbois, former president of the Memorial Hospital nurses’ union. 

How Do We Know What the Wild West Was Like?

Tuesday November 12, 4 PM

Founders Room

Ida Egli, writer, editor, and educator, will share with us a multi-media presentation based on her book No Rooms of Their Own: Women Writers of Early California. In their struggles to become writers, these women tell us in rich detail about the history of California.

In addition to this book, Egli is the author of Gold Rush Women and of Krisanthi’s War: In Hitler’s Greece. Former Chair of the Santa Rosa Junior College English Department, Egli has done numerous presentations on her work.

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

Sunday Flowers

First Sunday Flowers Celebrates One Year!

The chancel flowers on October 6 are in celebration of a wonderful first year of First Sunday Flowers!  Thanks to all of you who helped make our first year of First Sunday Flowers a success. Beginning in October 2024, our first year has been full of beautiful flowers placed on the chancel on the first Sunday of each month in honor, memory, or celebration of a loved one or special occasion. Mary Lill Lee, Judy Withee, Tamara Murrell, Carol Weisker, Sandy and Fred Brewer, Aphrodite Bellochio and Karen Aguiar, Lee Lipinski, Linda Lampson, Jan Prater, Mary Keefe, Bev Spears, Liz Larew, and Lee Fagan – thank you for choosing First Sunday Flowers!

If you’d like to help launch us into our second year and dedicate a flower arrangement to someone you love, or in honor of a special occasion – choose First Sunday Flowers!  For a sliding scale donation, you can have flowers placed on the chancel on the first Sunday service of the month in honor, memory, or celebration of your special person or event. The deadline to sign up is the 15th of the preceding month. We hope you’ll join in this expression of love and floral delight.

Please contact the Flower Committee at flowercommittee@uusantarosa.org for more details.

GTKUU

ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM?

See New Date: 10/20

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, October 20. It will be held in the Boardroom 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.

From the Nominating Committee

Help Wanted: Are you someone who has an interest in the financial well-being of UUCSR? Are you someone who wants UUCSR to be a strong influence in the Sonoma County community for years to come? Do you believe in self-sufficiency and financial independence? And are you someone who believes in the future of not just our UU children but the children in our greater community; for they are the future for ALL of us? If you agree to any of the above then the Nominating Committee would like to invite you to support your UU community on a different level, on a level that values what our congregation means for future generations. We offer you the opportunity to serve as a member of our Endowment Committee. You would be working with members you may already know from Sunday service or social gatherings. The Endowment Committee (EC) works with a professional financial advisor to safe-guard and grow our UUCSR Endowment Fund. An important part of the EC’s role is to encourage our members to become a part of the Legacy Circle in order to grow our long term fund balance. You need not be a financial wizard; the EC is seeking friendly, outgoing people committed to growing the circle of members who have made the commitment to making the UUCSR Endowment Fund a beneficiary. The EC simply needs more people ready to ask our members to join them in this investment in our UU future. The Endowment Committee has an opening for you. Come be a part of our future! Email us at Nominating@uusantarosa.org for more information. 

UU THE VOTE

UUthe Vote in the Final Stretch to November 5 

Postcard writing is drawing to a close.  All will be mailed by October 15 to encourage voters in states that are experiencing voter suppression. Some of these states are “swing” states, like Georgia and Pennsylvania, but others are literally sleeping giants, like Alabama and Florida. These cards invite people to vote their values, no matter what the pundits, the polls, or cruel neighbors may be saying! Democracy depends on it. Thank you to all the UUCSR community members who have helped get over four thousand cards written. 

Other opportunities are available for the remaining time before the election. Reclaim Our Vote is also doing phone banking which you can do from home. Here is the link https://www.centerforcommonground.org/phonebanks for more info. Those of us who have met after the service for the postcard writing group have enjoyed ourselves.  A phone bank party may be next! Watch the weekly Newsblast, the Focus List, and the Open List for more info.

NBOP



GETTING TO KNOW NBOP

Have you ever wondered what the North Bay Organizing Project does? 

We will have an opportunity to answer your curiosity this fall. UUCSR will be hosting organizers and volunteers representing four NBOP task forces. We will host four programs following services during which we will learn in some detail about the work of NBOP. The task forces address a range of social justice issues. While we are not solid on the dates we wanted to let you know that this is coming so that you can look for confirmations and calendar these programs. The task force programs, with current dates, are as follows:

Police Accountability October 20

Immigrant Defense/Land Justice November 3

SCTU (Sonoma County Tenants Union) November10

You will come away with an understanding of the work that NBOP does and an invitation to try out volunteering with any of the projects that stir your spirit. I look forward to being your host for these programs and answering any questions you may have ahead of time. See Jeanie Bates for questions.

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