In This Issue

Self-Compassion or Selfishness?

October 5th

The term "self-compassion" has gotten some traction in recent years, prompting the question, is "self-compassion" an oxymoron? Even worse, is it selfish? Buddhist teachers counsel us that in fact, for us to cultivate compassion in ourselves, we need to cultivate compassion for ourselves. We'll practice that this morning.

Service Leader: Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern

Worship Associate: Mark Sowers

Music: Gage Purdy

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share The Basket: Saturday Breakfast for Our Neighbors

Active Remembrance

October 12th

In the face of erasure, remembering is an act of resistance. Join us as we honor Indigenous Peoples Day by choosing active remembrance and solidarity with the first peoples of this land. 

Service Leaders: Rev. Dr. Tovis Page

Worship Associate: Clare Whitfield

Music: Gage Purdy & The Choir

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share The Basket: SoCo Indian Health Project (SCIHP) is a Sonoma County Indian health facility that serves the needs of American Indian communities, including medical, dental, nutritional, and behavioral health services

Compassion for the Shadow

October 19th

Blind Spots: whether we like it or not, we all have them. The shining light of consciousness always casts a shadow - there are always parts unseen. Join us as we share and cultivate compassion for those unseen energies and the folks (you and me) that embody them.

Service Leader: Joe & Bonnie Gabaeff

Worship Associates: Jonathan Choe

Music: Maura Valarie

Pianist: Alan Bell

The Basket: UUCSR General Fund

Radical Compassion

October 26th

Compassion is the courageous choice not to turn away from suffering. It is the choice to stay human and connected in the face of cruelty, pain, fear, and division. How might honoring our shared pain for the world motivate us to fight for it?

Service Leader: Rev. Dr. Tovis Page

Worship Associates:  Veronica Jordan

Music: Gage Purdy

Pianist: Roger Corman

Share The Basket: Planned Parenthood Northern California champions healthy communities and increases access to quality health care, information and reproductive freedom by providing medical services, education, and advocacy.

From Rev Amy

rev.amy@uusantarosa.org

Dear UUCSR folks,

Wow, what a month it has been! Some moments that are resonating in my heart: The children running to check on the sunflowers they planted earlier this year (Sunflowers are a symbol of resistance to totalitarianism, which is also why we chose them for the ingathering service.) The delighted smile on the face of every adult who bent to receive a sprinkled water blessing from the children at the close of the service. The laughter during all-day retreats (read: long but enjoyable work sessions!) with the Worship Associates and then the Board. The welcome baskets that awaited us after the ingathering service, literally overflowing with gifts and blessings—exactly how this congregation feels to me.

If those of us who are already rooted here can greet newcomers, inquirers, and returnees with the same openheartedness, this congregation will grow and thrive. And I know that the newcomers, inquirers, and returnees bring just as much to UUCSR as Rev. Tovis and I do. If you doubt it for even a moment, please consider your closest friend and how they were once a stranger. Each of us is a precious gift hidden away in layers of paper, cardboard and ribbon—and it takes some time and care to discover what’s under the layers.

Speaking of warm welcomes, please don’t take it personally if my response to an invitation to a group is “Rev. Tovis will be there.” We want UUCSR to have the equivalent of one full-time minister, and so we are making the most of our half-time each and keeping duplication to a minimum. Aside from where we are both needed (such as Board meetings, staff meetings, and of course our weekly meeting of the ministerial team), Rev. Tovis will go to some groups and I’ll go to others. If someone is considering joining the congregation, they’ll meet with one of us or the other.

For another example, we’ll alternate writing newsletter columns. So next month, this column will come from Rev. Tovis.

Blessings,

Amy

Our congregation has been working hard to build trust. It is a process that takes time, as we each risk vulnerability and learn, bit by bit, that our trust is well placed. It is a process that takes courage and patience, since we are all human and sometimes let each other down. One of the solid stones we can put under us as we move into more vulnerability and trust is a covenant: a promise we make about how we will be together. The congregation and Revs. Tovis and Amy shared a covenant during the ingathering service; the ministers have created a covenant between them; and other covenants will follow. 

Here is the google doc: Ministers Covenant.

Ritual of Covenant between Ministers and Congregation here

If your small group or committee has a covenant, please share it here by sending it to congregational administrator Aphrodite Bellochio (administrator@uusantarosa.org).

President of the Board of Trustees

David Rietzell

president@uusantarosa.org

Greetings fellow UUers. New beginnings was a good subject for a service. We are indeed at a time of excitement, looking forward to a new chapter in our community.

The BOT had our retreat earlier this month. There was optimism and a realization of much work to do this year.  

On a personal note, if I may, it can take years to truly feel a meaningful part of any congregation. Right now I feel very connected to this community. As I looked around today, 9/21, I saw all the tables in the courtyard and so many people putting so much of themselves into the betterment of this community. I felt proud to be a UU and know how vitally important we are. 

I had a difficult conversation with two people last week who buy the Fox / MAGA news completely. They believe there is no more racism, that Liberals are inherently violent, that transgendered people are mentally ill, etc, etc. These two people are otherwise hard working and parents who are dedicated to family. I was struck how they must live inside such a restricted life bubble. Today I realize how much I need a community of caring and rational people so I can keep my sanity and hope for us all. I’m an optimist, but more recently, a cautious one. Thank you all for being there for each other. I think we need us.

Now for some dates to mark on your calendars. We have planned Congregational meetings scheduled as follows:

• Congregational Town Hall will be November 9, 2025 after the service. This is an unofficial congregational meeting without voting. The Townhall meeting will be a time for the Board of Trustees and others to respond to subjects most on the minds of the Congregation. We will survey the Congregation and then pick the top 2 or 3 topics to focus on.

• The Congregational Meetings will be January 25, 2026 and May 31, 2026 (to avoid conflicting with the Pride Parade June 5-7, 2026).  

Peace and Blessings, David Reitzell

president@uusantarosa.org

Music Director

Gage Purdy

Music has always been one of the deepest ways to practice compassion. Music helps us to listen more fully, connect more tenderly, and open our hearts to the world beyond. Every note shared together is an act of care that weaves us into a fabric of belonging and empathy.

This fall, there are many ways to be part of this ministry of compassion: singing with the choir, helping plan worship music, or joining the new instrumental group. Each voice, each instrument, each contribution is a gift of compassion shared with our community.

If you're motivated to raise your voice at protests, consider signing up for information about "Rallying Cry." This group will rehearse informally and receive information on protests where we can contribute in body and voice. Please message me (musicdirector@uusantarosa.org) for more information. 



Financial Report

August 2025 Financial Report

REVENUE

Pledges -$69,414.04 ($4,752.64 less than what was budgeted)

Donations/Gifts - $16,775.62 ($6,442.30 more than what was budgeted)

Rental Income -   $1,660.00 ($5,340.00 less than what was budgeted) (no event income, only recurring monthly rentals)

Long Term Rental Income - $4,000.00 ($2,000.00 more than what was budgeted) 

TOTAL INCOME: $98,431.13 ($2,752.19 less than what was budgeted) 

(Not all categories are listed above, but they are included in the total)

EXPENSE

Employee Expenses & Contracted Services - $93,247.64 ($4,482.42 more than what was budgeted)

Expenditures - $23,575.26 ($5,379.82 less than what was budgeted)

TOTAL EXPENSE: $116,822.90 ($897.40 less than what was budgeted)

NET INCOME – We had a negative net income of $18,391.77

RESTRICTED FUNDS

Saturday Breakfast –Balance is $32,183.30 

(Aug income $1,626.02 plus $4,764.09 from the Rumi’s Caravan Fundraiser, Aug expenses $4,137.40)

Minister’s Discretionary Fund –Balance is $6,947.36

Summary: We ended the month of August with a negative net income of $18,391.77. This was primarily the result of 3 payrolls in August, payout of unused vacation time for 2 employees who have ended their employment or position, and no event income from the Glaser Center.

Religious Education

Annika Lawson, DRE

Dear UUCSR community,

This month flew by. I hope you will join me in welcoming the crisp autumn weather, as we transition into a season of change and abundance. While it’s hard to let go of the warm summer glow, autumn’s golden landscapes and colder weather remind us of life cycles. It reminds us that change is a part of us, rooted in us, and required for regrowth and new life to form. Thank you all for your warm welcomes and messages of support as I root into this role as DRE. 

YoUUth group begins in October! Our Middle School and High School Youth Group will be meeting alternating Thursdays. Dungeons and Dragons will make a return as well, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

This year we’re doing Coming of Age from October to May. As someone who participated in COA, I’m excited to help facilitate this wonderful program. Our youth will be assigned a mentor to 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 will take place on the 3rd Sunday of each month from October through May.

If you're interested in being a Coming of Age Mentor or in volunteering for our Sunday RE lessons, please reach out!

In love and gratitude,

Annika Lawson

dre@uusantarosa.org

Taize at UUCSR

For an hour of respite in the midst of a world full of noise, confusion and conflict

join us for our fall contemplative Taize services on

 October 2nd, November 6th, and December 4th,

the first Thursdays of each month,

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

Everyone is welcome.

Bring a friend.

Soul Matters

The Soul Matter's theme for October is:

Cultivating Compassion

Soul Matters has group openings meeting monthly led by a Facilitator. Contact soul.matters@uusantarosa.org for information.

CUUPs

Honoring the Ancestors: A Samhain Invitation

by Crystal McDougall-Purdy

As the Wheel of the Year turns, we find ourselves at the threshold of Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is a time of deep transition where nature reminds us that all things follow a sacred cycle of growth, of letting go, and of rest.

For many who walk a Pagan path, Samhain is also the spiritual New Year. An opportunity for reflection, release, and renewal, when the veil between the worlds is believed to be at its thinnest. In this liminal space, we are invited to turn inward, to honor those who came before us, and to connect with the wisdom of our ancestors.

The CUUPS group at UUCSR warmly invites the entire congregation to join us for our Ancestors Service on Sunday, November 2nd at 10:30 am, as we create space for remembrance, reflection, and connection. Through ritual, music, and shared intention, we will honor those who came before and acknowledge the threads that bind us across time.

Whether you come with a heavy heart, a curious mind, or a spirit open to mystery, you are welcome in this sacred circle. Bring a photo, a memento, or simply a memory of someone you wish to honor. Together, let us walk into the dark season not with fear, but with reverence and gratitude.

Blessed be

Your Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPs) would like you to invite a friend or neighbor to the Ancestor Remembrance service on November 2nd @ 10:30 am, Pacific STANDARD Time! Yes, that’s right, that Sunday is the first day of Standard time for this year. Remember its ‘Fall Back, Spring Forward’. See you then!

Adult Education

1619 Video Project

See date options listed below

A course co-sponsored by the Dismantling White Supremacy Committee and the Adult Ed Committee. There are 6 stand-alone videos created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times which tell the story of America through the lens of slavery and its impacts on all of American life today. The 1619 Project has been banned in many states and attacked as “woke”. Attend all or pick and choose.  

Facilitated by: Leslie Norinsky, Diana Leslie- Mondays 6:30 pm- 10/6, 10/20, 11/10, 11/24, 12/8, 12/15

Facilitated by: Hilary Sowers - Sundays after service 10/19, 10/26, 11/9, 11/23, 12/7, 12/21

More information and sign-ups after services on Sundays, late September through November.

Women’s Ways of Leading with Linda Lambert

Saturday, October 11, 10-12

Presenter: Linda Lambert Ed.D. is the co-author of the new Women’s Ways of Leading: Revisited , as well as the author of nine books on leadership and a trilogy of historical novels. 

An interactive class designed to learn the concepts, culture and science informing women’s leadership; to self-assess and share perspectives. Men are invited!

Watt the Heck? Understanding Utilities, the Grid, and Climate Change

Sunday, October 19, 12:15-1:45 

Presenter: Joe Como, an environmental justice lawyer focused on energy policy and the regulation of California’s public utilities. He led the Public Advocates Office — an independent watchdog that scrutinizes the California Public Utilities Commission and advocates for customers in legal and regulatory proceedings. Joe also helped craft the rules for Community Choice Aggregation, supported the launch of Sonoma Clean Power, and served on its advisory committee. 

Learn about how the electric grid works; how public utilities operate, are regulated and funded; and climate change policy.

Exploring Poetry Together

Wednesday mornings: Oct 22, Oct 29, Nov 5, and Nov 12. 10:30-12:00

Presenter: Mark Meierding, who has guided writing workshops and contributed his own work to poetry anthologies for more than 20 years. 

These workshops are intended for novices and experienced writers alike. The emphases will be on enjoying the pleasures of poetry and nurturing creative intuition. Participants will read poems, discuss their characteristics, and practice writing phrases, lines, and stanzas. Participants may attend individual sessions.

For more information click below or email: adulted@sonic.net.

Social Justice:

Swap/Giveaway

UUCSR on Saturday morning 10/18/25, 10-2

NEW: Enter UUCSR North door—into the Breezeway 

DROP OFF (10 AM-1 PM) what you don’t need--items like clothing, jewelry, books, tools, music, videos, school supplies, kid stuff, kitchen & household items, small appliances, linens, working electronics,

toys & games, tools.

STAY to pick up things you CAN use—even if you don’t drop off anything. 

NO large furniture, no plants, no produce, and no pets, please.

No money is exchanged. What is not taken will be donated to others in need.

We need use of a truck or a trailer to haul away what’s left at 3 pm. If you can help, please contact Kathy Albury.

Sponsored by the Climate Action Team

The Offering Basket Donations

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

August 2025

Humanidad: $475.75

North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP): $465.63

UUCSR General Fund : $ 1,429.00

Saturday Breakfast for Our Neighbors Share: $297.50

Saturday Breakfast Direct Donations August: $5,864.09

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- Ingathering: HERE
• Pacific Western Region Blogpost: 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