Reverend Denis Letourneau Paul, Minister

revdenispaul@gmail.com Minister's Calendar

Worship

In Person and on Zoom 10:00 am

Religious Exploration

In Person

10am-noon

"Presents and Presence"

Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul

We've hung our seven-pointed stars, lit chalices every evening, and learned some new songs. We even shared a meal as a congregation in the middle of the week of Chalica. Let's now reflect on what we learned and which traditions we've made our own.

Order of Service

We had a fabulous Chalica dinner this week! Thank you to everyone who came and filled our sanctuary with laughter and joy. Above is a little snippet of the long tablecloth that we decorated with Chalica gratitude.

This Sunday, everyone will begin upstairs in the sanctuary to share the ways we celebrated Chalica this week. I hope you've found some traditions that speak to you and your family!

Then children and youth are invited downstairs to talk about our Solstice play! We will perform this "no practice" play during service on Dec. 18th.

And mark your calendars! We will be hosting our annual Solstice Spiral Walk on the evening of the winter solstice, Dec. 21st starting at 3:30, outside, weather permitting.

Rev's Reflections

As I write this, it’s Wednesday morning and I’ve been at home cooking for tonight’s Chalica dinner. Lee has been doing the same. We’re preparing a simple feast of rice, beans, vegetables, salad, flatbreads, and sauces inspired by cuisines from three different continents. The menu is going to be fresh, flavorful, healthy, low-impact on the environment, and in solidarity with all of the people in the world who have little choice but to eat this simply every day. 

It’s the first time in more than two and a half years that I’ve had the chance to cook for a large group. The last time was in Ohio, in March of 2020, when we served my mother’s spaghetti sauce over pasta or zucchini noodles for worship. That’s right. The last time we ate together was five days before the world shut down for the pandemic, and we ate as an act of worship.

Personally, I think whenever we eat together it is an act of worship. For Unitarian Universalists, it’s a chance to live out our Principles. When we share food that brings people together in a common need for nourishment of the body and soul, we’re celebrating our interconnectedness and reliance on the earth and the sun. When we accommodate a wide variety of needs, we respect the individual. In my experience, there’s nothing that lifts the spirit and sparks the imagination like the act of feeding other humans.

As usual for me, we’re preparing way too much food, partly because we have no idea how many members and friends of our congregation will show up, and partly because having extras will allow wider sharing. Folks who can risk going without a mask will have the opportunity to deliver food to those who can’t take the risk, or can’t leave the house because of mobility issues or illness.

Eating like this is an act of community building, even for those who aren’t present. Hopefully we’ll be able to do more of it in the months and years to come. Together. 

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Chalica and our Principles. Happy Chalica!

In Peace,

Rev Denis

Chalica 2022 - Reading the Principles

Cutting the Happy Chalica Cake 2022

From the President

WOW! Zoom luncheon was fun!

Linda Whyte Burrell and I have resurrected the monthly luncheon started by UUCSC founder Winnie Bennis. Originally meeting at the Larchwood Inn and thus called the Larchwood Ladies, the group then met for years under the moniker Women of Wisdom or Wise Old Women, WOW. The effort was organized by Essjay Foulkrod for some time (also perhaps Judi Marcy) and the meetings took place around South County. The gatherings are now held on Zoom and this month not only included Ann Seemann hailing from Connecticut but Ruthe Eshleman from Lancaster, PA! I hadn’t seen Ruthe for 20 years (friendship unrelated to UUCSC). She and Ann hadn’t been “together” since Ruthe moved away 18 years ago. We were also joined by Susan Strakosch. Great conversations were had and we are looking forward to Zoom lunch on Monday, January 2 at 12:30pm. The link will be in the newsletter and is always on the UUCSC calendar. Please join us. Old age not a requirement. :)



Peace, love and books,

Elizabeth

Sad News

Long time former member of UUCSC and dear friend to many of us here, Rick Medeiros passed away last week. Some of us remember his homily about the Gnostic Gospels, his years volunteering in RE or his stories about life as a quahogger (and his well-muscled arms). Read the obituary here.

His wife, whom we also knew quite well, welcomes cards and notes.

Roni Meyer Forcé

4848 Whispering Oaks Dr.

North Port, FL 34287

Thank you!

Heartfelt thanks to all worked together to make the Holiday Fair a success! If you baked, cooked, made wreaths, donated merchandise, sorted donations, helped with publicity, staffed the facility or showed up and shopped, it wouldn't have come together without your help.

P.S. Our money counter, Jeff Berry, informs us that over $3000 was raised at the fair. Final numbers to be announced soon.

Submitted by Trish Hindley

Tonight!



'A Christmas Carol'

Friday, December 9, 2022

7:00 PM Doors open 6:30.

Nick Smith brings Updike's Rose back for their unique presentation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," suggested donation $10.

Men's Breakfast

Saturday, Dec. 10 at 9am at T’s

in the Stop and Shop parking lot 

in Narragansett.

Pastoral Care Committee

The UUCSC Pastoral Care Committee (PCC) serves Members and Friends in times of crisis. Our charge is to be a presence, to accompany people when there is an emergency. We do not provide rides and meals. That is the charge of Helping Hands (see below). We support Rev Denis in his ministry to our faith community. Please contact any member of PCC when you have, or know of someone who has, a need.

Submitted by Linda Whyte Burrell, Barbara Beckwith, and Sky Kimball

Equal Trade coffees, teas, and chocolate bars will be for sale in the Oneto Room following services on Sunday.

Submitted by Rosemary Galliani

All the details here.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 5:30pm

We will join the Charlestown Together Women Rise group, on Weds., Dec. 14th at 5:30 pm., held at St. James Chapel, 2079 Matunuck School House Rd.., in Charlestown, RI 02813. All are welcome! 

Submitted by Gail Burchard

REMINDERS...

“More of us might be killed—but we will win":

Hazara Persecution and Resistance in Afghanistan

with Khadija Nazari

Friday, December 9, 2022

4 - 5:30pm (with dinner to follow through 7:00pm)

More information

A Christmas Story at Contemporary Theater Company

Dec 11*, 15-17, 18*, 21, 23 at 7 pm

(*2 pm Matinee)

Tickets and more information here.

UUCSC Committees always need help and new ideas.

Please contact President Elizabeth Donovan at elizdn342@gmail.com.

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