Our Summer Message
Sent Every Other Friday through August
July 29, 2022
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Dear Congregation,
It has been good to see many of you the past two Sundays as well as at various meetings here. I had a good trip to see three sets of old friends in different regions of North Carolina. Two college friends and I had a reunion over dinner; they and I had found UUism together in Bloomington, Indiana, 4 decades ago.
One pair of retired friends I've known for decades now live in western North Carolina, and it was good to see them. While there I preached at the UU Church of Asheville. That church had said farewell to its former lead minister a year earlier. Three days after I was there, he had a heart attack at his home and died suddenly, at age 68. Rev. Mark Ward had been a journalist before ministry and has a sister and daughter who are also UU ministers. Today I watched his memorial on Zoom.
The most poignant reunion was my visit to Rev. Charlie Kast, my minister in Chicago, where I moved as a young adult in 1988. In Chicago he served as a foster parent, having more than 100 kids and youth come through his apartment and often participating in our church. Charlie was a minister and mentor who became a colleague and friend. He was a model for ministry to me (and others) in so many ways. We became traveling companions too. On April 4 he had a major stroke after a long morning's walk near his home in Chapel Hill (where he had moved to serve the church in 1994). He was 81. He never got better. By the time of my visit he had requested hospice care. We reminisced about our Chicago days (the church, the Cubs, etc.), and he reflected with appreciation on his life. He was ready to die, though I was not ready to lose him. We exchanged gratitude for each other and said goodbye. He died 10 days later. I am still taking stock of all the ways he changed my life and shaped the person I am.
Life is full of changes, including the change of death and loss. Losses are painful, but when a relationship is characterized by respect, admiration, affection, generosity and joy, the sadness becomes a price worth paying. Let us remember that every one of us has an effect on others the impacts of which we cannot predict. By our words, deeds, presence, courage, joy and kindness, our days make a difference.
Thank you for your presence in my life and in this precious congregation. Please see the many invitations below and on uuss.org to get connected or deepen your connections with this community of care and vision.
Keep the faith and keep in touch.
Love,
PS--I hope you can hear an amazing speaker, writer, cellist and composer in our pulpit this Sunday (Rev. Clovice Lewis). He is a devoted UU, along with his wife, Carol Cole-Lewis. And many thanks to our OWL teachers who will be planning the Our Whole Lives schedule and getting trained soon to teach our UU sexuality and values course to youth at UUSS.
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From Our Music Director
A Retrospective and Prospective Look at Choir
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Greetings, UUSS!
I have missed you all in my time away.
In my absence and the choir's summer off, I found myself looking back at all of the great work that the choir had done in services over the last year. I perused service recordings going back to October, and was so glad that we have those available.
Perhaps some of you have found yourselves wondering "I'd love to listen to their wonderful music, but that would mean sifting through a whole year of service recordings. I wish there was a way to find those songs all in one easy place!"
Thus began my little project. I decided to pull the choir's selections from those recordings, do a little editing, and consolidate them for simpler access. You can now do a retrospective of UUSS Choir music from the last year on the UUSS Youtube channel. Just follow the link below to watch and listen to over a dozen musical selections (unfortunately, not every recording was available, but most are there).
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An early head's up for returning or prospective choir members: we will be resuming rehearsals on Wednesday, August 24 @7:00pm in the Fahs Room, in preparation for a return to service on Sunday, September 11. Stay tuned for more information.
I would be remiss if I did not also shamelessly plug an upcoming musical project of my own. If you attended the Earth Day service, you may have heard the choir sing "Song for Our Blue Mother", composed by Lee Hoffman, musical director at Westminster Presbyterian and choral director at ARC. She also founded the All Voices Choral Project, a local ensemble that aims to shed light on important socio-political topics through music and presentation. This year, AVCP is presenting "On Homelessness" a vocal project focused on Belonging and highlighting the epidemic in Sacramento, which I know is close to the hearts of UUSS. Please join us if you can, this Sunday, July 31, 5pm, at Westminster. Further information here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/on-homelessness-a-choral-concert-tickets-371008013957
Blessed Be!
Anthony Tavianini, Music Director/Choral Director
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We are sad to announce the passing of Georgene Tarble, just a few months shy of her 100th birthday. She was beloved for her dry wit, kind heart, easygoing energy, needlework skills, and deep intelligence.
Georgene and her husband Dick were longtime UUSS members and founding members of the UU community Church in South Sacramento. They were both leaders on the team which created and then restored the banners that hang in our sanctuary.
We extend our condolences to her daughter Kay Scaramelli and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren and to all those who knew and loved her.
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Our longtime bookkeeper Michele Ebler's last day is today. Last night her staff colleagues and Rev. Lucy and I went out for a farewell dinner. We wish her well in her new full-time position with the San Juan School District. We have been interviewing applicants for the position and expect to have an announcement in the next week or two.
Our custodian, Jesus Hoyos, left his position due to family needs and to focus on his other job. He left about a week ago. Our new custodian, Chuck Augustine, started last Sunday. Chuck knows our facility well, as he worked for the catering business that rented our kitchen. Please welcome Chuck when you see him on Sunday or weekday evenings.
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Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Proof of Vaccination & Masks Required to Attend in Person
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
Service time 10:30 a.m..
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
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Half of all offering donations made in July
will support our local community partner:
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Sunday Morning Programs at UUSS
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
1st Sunday - Labyrinth walk in the meadow (next one: Aug. 7)
2nd Sunday - Racial Equity conversation - Fahs (next one: Aug. 14)
3rd Sunday Qui Gong/Tai Chi - patio (next one: Aug. 21)
4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism - Fahs Room (Aug. 28)
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Join us for a Newcomer Orientation the second of every month Sunday right after church in the Welcome Hall, led by Rev. Lucy; the next one is Sunday, August 14. |
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Joys and Sorrows: If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken aloud by a minister in Sunday’s prayer time, at this link. You may also use that link to inform us of a joy, concern or sorrow and let us know if you do not want us to mention it in church, or if you would like a phone call by a minister.
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Sunday, July 31, 10:30: "Church 2.0"
Guest preacher Rev. Clovice Lewis, with Rev Lucy Bunch,
Worship Associate Karen Sparrow, Music Director Anthony Tavianini,
pianist Irina Tchantceva. Special guest musician Carol Cole Lewis.
Many people have not recognized that the post-pandemic world is fundamentally and permanently changed. This service will describe how the “Church 2.0” project is intended to inform, prepare, and equip religious organizations to meet spiritual needs in a time of chronic and ongoing crisis. We will explore how organizations of all kinds can navigate the spiritual waters of disruption.
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Bio
Rev. Clovice Lewis is a professional cellist and composer who composed his first symphony at the age of 17, and was a professor of computer music at UC Santa Barbara from 1978-1986. He has also been a serial entrepreneur and software designer for the past 30 years. In addition to music and technology, he has had had a life-long passion for aviation and has been a private pilot since 1987. Clovice received a Master of Divinity degree from the Starr King School for the Ministry in May of 2021 and was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist Minister in March of 2022. His ministry emphasizes breaking down racial, class, and ethnic barriers, and preaching the gospel of the madness of human self-extinction.
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Sunday, August 7, 10:30: Annual Harvest Service
Rev. Lucy Bunch, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associates Ginny Johnson and Karen Sparrow Music Director Anthony Tavianini, pianist Irina Tchantceva
Joys & Sorrows Candles & Cards will available up front before today’s service begins.
We will come together for our 8th annual Harvest Celebration with our traditional tomato communion.
In the past years Rev. Lucy has shared homilies about tomatoes, corn, peaches, watermelon, zucchini, blackberries, and cantaloupe. The featured produce this year will be eggplant. Rev. Lucy would love to hear your eggplant stories. Do you love them or hate them? Do you have a memory from childhood or from last week that you would like to share? Send your thoughts to Rev. Lucy.
Those of you coming in person can bring gifts from your garden to share. Lets celebrate the harvest.
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Sunday, August 14, 10:30: Graceful Disappointments: No, Yes, and Maybe
Rejection letters, breakups, and resignations! As countless job applicants, authors, actors, and romantic suitors can attest, a “No” can be such a hard thing to hear. Maybe it’s a hard thing to speak as well. Whether the challenge is how we deal with disappointments or how we turn down a request from others —it calls for empathy, clarity, honesty, and grace—in other words, a spiritual practice.
- Newcomer orientation and tour after the service, with Rev. Roger
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📚 In the Sunday Bookstore |
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What do they have in common: Hilary Clinton, Hilary Mantel, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Meacham, David Sedaris, and Ann Patchett? Each of these authors has had their recent best-selling and/or prize-winning books available in our UUSS Bookstore. At $1.00 each, what a bargain!
They are also typical of what you’ll find every Sunday - used, but in excellent condition - available to our members and guests. Also, recent magazines at 50 cents each. Enjoy the bookish atmosphere. Stop by and browse.
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Summer Religious Education (RE) for ALL AGES! |
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RE Summer ArtWorks happens on Sundays
July 31 and August 14, 21, & 28.
ArtWorks begins at 10:15 am before service!
July 31: Music with UUSS Choir Director Anthony Tavianini along with choir members.
August 7: A Circle Service for all Ages. No Religious Education today; all ages are together in the sanctuary.
August 14: Jewelry making with Stephanie and Duncan.
August 21: Rock painting with Terrie, Elinor, & Duncan.
August 28: Weaving Turtles Using God's Eye Pattern with Catherine, Duncan, & Sally.
For a smooth and quick check in: please make sure your family is registered for RE beforehand. Families, please enter through the main building per our safety guidelines. Vaccination list sign-in is in the main lobby. Then please come through to Room 7/8 to sign your child in for RE Summer ArtWorks. Remember to bring proof of vaccination and a face mask covering mouth/nose.
SAVE THE DATE:
Backpack Blessing for your new school year on
Sunday, September 4! For students and teachers at any level!
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Meals to the Door—When a member family has a health crisis or has welcomed a new child, it's helpful to have a few dinners. Can we add you to this volunteer network? If you don’t have time, are you able to order and buy a delivered meal? (You could also donate to the UUSS Ministers’ Discretionary Fund.) A Ride to Church—We occasionally get requests for rides from members without access to Paratransit. Can you give rides occasionally? (No heavy lifting.) Contact Rev. Roger by phone or email.
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UUSS Caregivers Support is a new group led by Marilyn Reynolds and Jon Peterson that offers information, conversation, and support for those caring for loved ones with cognitive impairments or other disabling conditions. Go to uuss.org/caregivers/ for details and links to trusted local organizations. Questions? Contact Jon and Marilyn at caregivers@uuss.org
Jon Peterson provided care for his late wife, Sally, and has for several years sponsored the Revere Caregivers support group. Marilyn Reynolds provided care for her late husband, Mike, and is the author of "Til Death or Dementia Do Us Part". Neither is an expert in the field of caregiving, but they are happy to share their personal insights.
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Be a Force of Healing in the World |
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Join the Voter Outreach team
The next postcard writing campaign is starting! To Florida!
UU the Vote works with Reclaim Our Vote (ROV), a black-led organization working with local groups in Southern states and high-minority states like Arizona. They are using several methods to counter the "you can't vote" message that minority voters have received for generations and still receive. ROV has hired local people to register voters, and we writers and callers and texters will encourage those voters to go to the polls.
Reclaim Our Vote plans to analyze data from three Florida counties to determine the effectiveness of our writing.
It's Easy to Participate and Make a Difference
Our member Sue Jones is leading this effort. Let her know how many cards you want to write, in multiples of 20. she's requesting $1 per 20 names to cover the cost of cards, labels, script and names. You can pick them up from her porch in East Sacramento at any time; the porch is available 24/7. She also has porch pickup locations (dedicated volunteers) in Carmichael, Folsom, and Lincoln if any of those cities are closer to you.
Channel your frustration and join us!
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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Face masks are required at UUSS events open to the public and held indoors. Masks required outdoors in the presence of children not old enough to be vaccinated. To attend indoor events, please provide proof of being fully vaccinated (includes a booster) and your ID; if you have done this earlier, you can just check your name off the list.
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For our Lectio Divina we’ll read the poem High, Higher, Highest by Samuel Hazo. Maybe a different way to think about Mother Earth.
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Saturday Stitchers and Crafters - next Saturday, August 6, 10:00-Noon, in the Fahs Room. Bring sewing, coloring, beading, knitting, or any other portable craft and join us! Contact: stitchers@uuss.org
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Ukulele Strum-Along - Monday, August 8, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. outdoors on the covered patio. 1:30 for tutoring or to borrow a uke. Proof of vax required and masks optional outdoors.
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Mah Jongg - Tuesday, August 9, 7:00pm. This drop-in activity meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00pm in Classroom 6.
We play "American-style" Mah Jongg using the current years card of the National Mah Jongg League. For more info contact: mahjongg@uuss.org
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Depression Peer Support Group Are you living with depression? You are not alone. Our confidential, in-person is for adults with depression.
Next session: Tuesday, August 9, 6:00pm in Fahs Room.
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Blossoms & Bushes – Friday, August 12, 10:00am UUSS Campus. Have fun weeding, trimming, and beautifying our campus for one hour. Just show up with clippers, sun hat, stool if needed, and good cheer. Contact Glory: blossomsandbushes@uuss.org.
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Staff and Minister Availability |
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Rev. Roger (Roger's day off is Monday; study day is Friday)
Rev. Lucy (Lucy's day off is Monday; study day is Friday)
- Rev. Roger will be on vacation August 15-24
Both are available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone.
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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