Dear Members, Friends, and Newcomers,

Happy Abitrarily Ominous Day on the Calendar!

I am not suspicious, but given the wind, rain, and wet leaves, I hope we all will move carefully when outside! I also hope it's not raining when we visit the Vedanta Society campus tomorrow. Tonight, however, come get out of the rain at the monthly All-ages Potluck Dinner. Bring a dish if you can, but bring yourself (5:30 setup, 6:00 eating). Next month our Holiday Tree-trimming Party & Potluck will fall on Dec. 4.

There is so much going on this weekend and in the following days with the UUSS community. It is all listed in this Friday Message and in the Blue Sheet.

Remember that the Sacramento Master Singers will offer special music this Sunday. Some of our beloved congregants and Rev. Lucy are part of it. Rev. Lucy is also preaching on our November theme of healing. At a recent meeting of the Soul Matters group which I co-lead, I was touched by the trust and openness of the participants and by the many expressions of empathy for parents and others in our lives who were not always easy people to be with. We also heard a lot of empathy for ourselves and our journeys, too. Empathy is a healing practice, I think.

It's worth considering the distinction between healing and curing. Curing implies ending or stopping an affliction. To cure is to get over or get beyond what ails you. Healing has to do with how we hold the hurt, grief, or difficulty that is with us. We may never totally get over a loss our a source of trauma, but with perpective and care, we may come to regard it differently.

May we hold with tenderness anyting that has for us been a cause of confusion or pain. And let let us we move carefully out on the wet ground as well as in all indoor spaces which grace us.

Love,

Rev. Roger

P.S.--Our Crossing Paths topic for November is Hinduism. A video of the forum with Swami Medhananda will be posted soon at uuss.org. Already posted is the video (with musicians) of the Nov. 1 Sunday service, The Tangible Presence of the Divine. Alternatively, you can read a manuscript of the presentations: homily by Rev. Roger, an essay by Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, and personal reflections by our congregant and UUSS dad Kaushik Das. Click here to read it all.

Sunday, November 15, 10:30 am:

Being a Force for Healing

Rev. Lucy Bunch preaching with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Eric Gudz, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva. Musical Guests: The Sacramento Master Singers (Dr. Brett Epperson, Artistic Director)

Our UUSS mission statement says, “We come together to deepen our lives and be a force or healing in the world.” What does it mean to be a force for healing in our world today? What does it require of us, and how is deepening our lives necessary? Lets explore what healing can mean for our hurting world.

• Before service: Spiritual Practice: Tai Chi & Qi Gong at 9:30 Cancelled
• After service: Soup Sunday lunch (freewill donations accepted) in the Welcome Hall
• After service: A walk-through of safe rooms by the Safety Committee. Meet in the Sanctuary after service.
• After service: Forum for your input to the Website Design Team in the Sanctuary
• After service: UU Christian Fellowship meeting for conversation and prayer, Fahs Classroom
• After service: Men’s Group monthly meeting at 12:15 pm, Classroom 7/8

Do You Have a Catholic Background?

For a December sermon, Rev. Roger seeks input from congregants who have been Roman Catholic and now attend UUSS. Do you have a treasured memory or good anecdote? Perhaps there's a philosophical or spiritual outlook that comes from that background. What have you kept from that heritage; what have you left behind? Please call him or email rjones@uuma.org.  

To request that your joy, sorrow, prayer, or milestone be spoken at a service (or just to let us know your news privately) enter the information at this link or contact the ministers before the weekend by email or phone. 

Sharon Josephs Alexander, a UUSS member since 1995, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 5. She was 92. She was active in many aspects of UUSS life over the years, including the Tuesday morning Ted’s Web discussion group. Dr. Alexander had served as a professor of education at CSU-Sacramento, specializing in early childhood education. Sharon was devoted to the causes of peace (especially through the local United Nations Association), human rights (including women’s rights), democracy, civil liberties, and racial justice. Her leadership at UUSS included the Betty Ch’maj Events Committee (she was a friend of Dr. Ch’maj) and in co-facilitating a series of listening sessions among our members following a major conflict in the late 1990s. We remember her feistiness and friendship, her generosity, and her commitment to humanitarian values. We extend our condolences to her sons, James and Nicholas Alexander. The family held a Jewish burial on Wednesday and hopes to have a memorial service at UUSS in 2027.

We share in the joy of Sally Lewis and David Libby on the recent marriage of their son, Theodore Lewis-Libby. Ted grew up in UUSS and is 32. His cousins Jasmine and Jade Lewis-Boles also grew up in UUSS.  Ted works as a research assistant with a commercial real estate firm. His wife, Alex, is a pediatric speech pathologist for a local school district. They plan to stay in Sacramento to be close to family. Much love and our best wishes to Ted and Alex!

We are also happy to announce the recent wedding of Lily Rosenblum, in Cherry Hill, NJ.  (Karen Sparrow can show you pictures from the wedding of Lily and her husband, Terron.) The daughter of Irwin and Abby, Lily grew up in Religious Education at UUSS and was an active member of Saturday Stitchers and Crafters. She is now studying in Pittsburgh for her doctorate in Kinesiology. We wish them all the best for many years to come.

We are happy that our member Sarah Patton is now at her parents' home following a stay in a skilled nursing facility and hospitalization for infections and mobility issues. We were happy to see JoAnn Anglin back with us last Sunday for the first time since Aug. 30, and know that poetry lovers will be happy to see her on Zoom again on the 1st and 3rd Monday mornings.

Childcare--The Nursery welcomes infants (6 mos.+) through age 5. Staff supervise child-led play in a fun, friendly nursery filled with toys and games. Snacks are offered. Access through the main entrance, not parking lot. Don't forget to sign in when you get to Room 11.

Childcare on 2nd and 4th Sundays extends until 1:30pm (staff leaves at 12:15 if there are no children present)

Join us during service this Sunday, Nov. 15:

Soul Kids (grades K-5) will do some yoga and dance with with DJ.

Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) will meet with Elizabeth to talk and explore ideas.

Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12) meets with Alicia to chat and consider the meaning of healing (our Soul Matters theme for November)

Parents, please sign-in at the RE Welcome Table when you arrive if your child is going to join us in Religious Education.

Find more details, more updates, and other invitations and announcements by clicking on the link above for the RE/Family Ministry Email

You are invited to contact RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain with questions or for more info about Religious Education, child and family programs and childcare.

Auction’s Sparkling Success!

Our annual auction wrapped up this past Sunday, and what a sparkly success! Not only was the live event festive and fun, and we now have months of dinners, outings and experiences to share in the coming months, but we also exceeded our financial goals:

Live & Silent Service Auction

Goal: $45,000

Raised: $47,610

Fund-a-Need: a new, state-of-the-art UUSS website (to be matched by the Board from restricted funds)

Goal: $35,000

Raised: $38,610

Thank you to everyone who donated items, donated baskets, bid on items, won items, donated to Fund-a-Need, purchased event tickets, purchased basket and 50/50 tickets, donated to the bar, purchased centerpieces and especiallly all who volunteered!

Special thanks to the auction “dream team," who has worked tirelessly since August to make this event sparkle: Susan Davis-James, Deirdre Downes, Gail Evans, Tiki Harlow, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, John McMillan, Beth TenPas and Jennifer Webb.

P.S.- Save the Date! The 2027 auction event will be Saturday, Nov. 6.

All-ages Potluck tonight, Nov. 13

All are invited to join this no-sign-up potluck on the second Friday of the month in the Welcome Hall. Arrive at 5:30 and we'll sit down to eat. at 6:00 pm.

It's okay to come if you are not able to bring a dish. Plates, cups, and silverware (the reusable kind) are provided. Contact CrystalFountain@uuss.org with questions

American River Parkway Stewards Saturday, Nov. 14

We meet on the second Saturday of every month between 8:45-9:00AM in the parking lot, next to the levee, at the end of Northrop Avenue, off Howe Avenue, behind Panera. We sign in; trash bags are issued and new folks are oriented. We then spend one hour removing trash from the UU Mile. After our work, we meet back at the levee stairway at 10:00 AM for a photograph of our crew and the results of our efforts. Afterward, many of us continue the fun at Panera with refreshments and conversation.

Soul Collage

Second Saturdays in Room 7/8

Nov. 14 from 10:00 a.m. to noon

Come embrace your intuition and creativity by making collage cards with images that you choose. The purpose is to offer a flexible, creative, accessible, and inclusive tool that can be used as a practice for our own exploring, healing, and empowering. No experience (or talent) required; all materials provided. Suggested donation for materials: $5. If you choose you can bring a favorite picture to include in your collage. Questions? Contact: soulcollage@uuss.org

Help build the new online hub of our congregational life! After months of careful evaluation, our task force has selected a local, woman-owned firm to create a contemporary, user-friendly, and fully accessible website. It will be shaped by input from across the congregation and will connect seamlessly with the scheduling and communications tools we already use. 

How can you help?

• Attend the forum this Sunday, Nov. 15, at noon. Grab your soup and come back into the sanctuary where our contractor, Uptown Studios, will review the survey result to date and hear your ideas and perspective on what the new website should be.

• Complete the online survey. Sign in with this link or the QR code below. The deadline is Monday, Nov. 16.

We want to hear from the full range of members: long-timers, recent newcomers, parents, seniors, young adults, committee members, volunteers, etc. The website is our digital front door, and we want to make it as welcoming and user-friendly as possible. 

Questions? Contact newwebsite@uuss.org.

The UU Christian Fellowship Chapter gathers this Sunday Nov. 15 at 12:15 PM in the Fahs Room for reflection, devotion, and worship centered on Micah 6:8.. All are welcome! Contact:  uuchristian@uuss.org

Interfaith Vigil for Immigrant Families 12:00 pm, Thursday, Nov. 19

Join Rev. Roger and other local faith leaders for the monthly vigil to pray for and bear witness to the plight of our immigrant neighbors and others who have been detained, separating children from their parents. Thousands have been deported without due process. Dozens have died from neglect or violence at the hands of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and contractors. If you can attend, please register with Sacramento Area Congregations Together: The URL to register is: go.sacact.org/NovPrayerVigil.

Caregivers' Support Circle

Friday, Nov. 20 10:00am in Room 12

On the third Friday of each month, we provide a place for congregants who are the primary caregivers for loved ones with dementia, life-threatening illnesses, or disabling physical, neurological or emotional conditions. We provide a confidential source of affirmation and care for one another. We do not give advice or provide professional recommendations. If this would be your first time, please register with Rev. Roger in advance.

We're hosting a workshop on

Understanding the California State Legislature Budget Process—basically, how to turn ideas into actual legislation. We know you care about justice and community, and this could be genuinely useful for that work.



We'll walk through how bills get created, how the budget process works, and explore whether we could write a bill together and find a legislative champion for it. Whether you're organizing in your community, leading in your congregation, or just thinking hard about how to make things better-this is worth your time.

Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 AM – 12 PM, at UUSS

2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95825

(Doors open at 8:30 AM)

We've brought together people actually doing this work—CalBudgetCenter.org, Western Center on Law and Poverty, and our Sacramento ACT Housing & Homelessness LOC.

Register Here

For accessibility, text link also provided: 

go.sacact.org/Nov21-LegislativeProcess (case sensitive)

¿Prefieres este correo en español? Responde a este correo electronico con la palabra "Español" o visita: https://www.sacact.org/events/2026/11/21/understanding-the-california-state-legislature para ver la información en tu idioma.

Transgender Day of Remembrance, Saturday, Nov 21, 6:30 pm.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2530 Capitol Ave., Sacramento

This is not a Cathedral event, but a community-wide memorial service for the Trans people in this area who have lost their lives in the last year due to their gender identity or expression. We are all invited to join in supporting this community with love and care.  

Rev. Roger (he/him) is available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone. His day off is Monday.

Rev. Lucy (she/her) is available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person. Schedule an appointment with Rev. Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb.

Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean (they/them). Sophia is available for pastoral support by phone, Zoom or in person. They welcome a chance to get acquainted with you, whether or not you have a pastoral concern. They are on campus on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and by appointment.

Click here to read When to Contact a Minister

Office staff members (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your calls and emails Tuesdays through Fridays 9:00-4:30; closed Mondays and holidays.

Our part-time staff members have hours that vary (some of them serve UUSS only on Sundays), so please call the office if you have a question or need to be in touch with them. Member Engagement Coordinator Nicolette Thayer nicolette@uuss.org.

Our Pianist and Music Director are available by email and invite you to weekly choir practice Wednesdays at 7:00 which takes place this month in the sanctuary.

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