Dear Friends,

If there are kids in your family, Halloween is probably the focus of this week. If you are anything like me, the to-do's of this event are accumulating fast. Are you stressed? Well, there's some good news: you get an hour back (Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday at 2:00am). That also means that it might be a little easier to make it to church with us this Sunday, Nov. 1.

It is a day full of opportunities to re-center and step forward into November. Please scroll down in this message for lots of invitations to join in community with UUSS!

I wish you a happy Halloween, and I'm looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, and beyond!

With thanks and love at the center,

Crystal Fountain

(she/her/hers)

Religious Education Coordinator

Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento

Disability Inclusion Focus Groups start this Sunday at 12:00pm in the Fahs Room

We will be holding focus groups in order to hear more about disabled congregants' experiences at UUSS. Anyone who identifies as physically disabled (including hidden disabilities & chronic pain/illness) is invited to a focus group on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 12-1 pm. Anyone who identifies as neurodivergent is invited to a focus on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 12-1 pm. The focus groups will be hybrid, with the option to participate in person or via Zoom. You can contact our ministerial intern, Sophia McKean, with any questions, at sophia@uuss.org.

Don't forget to buy your tickets for the Annual Service Auction coming up on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 4-6pm!

Click here to buy tickets, bid on items and to learn more!

Free childcare is included with your ticket. Please pre-register for childcare at the auction at this link: Auction Childcare Registration



Here are some family-friendly options to bid on at the auction (or online):

Please note: Parents have to bid for the spots, and they accompany their children at the events. 

for Ages 12+:

Lunch and Puzzles with Elinor

Painting Rocks and Lunch with Elinor

Three Chess Lessons from Lu Bunker

Younger kids are welcome at the Karaoke Party with the Choir ($15 per adult), and there is a Family Nature Walk with Stephanie McCall specifically aimed at children.

Click on the link above for your chance to join these events and more!

The Diversity of Hindu Traditions

with Swami Medhananda of the

Vedanta Society of Sacramento

Sunday, November 8,

after service in the Sanctuary

Come meet the Vedanta Society's new assistant minister and research fellow in philosophy, and learn more about Vedanta and Hinduism.

This forum is part of our church-wide exploration of some neighboring faiths. We are looking at one tradition per month here at UUSS in Religious Education for Children & Youth as well as Adult Enrichment and Sunday services. There is no charge to attend but donations to Adult Enrichment are welcome. Light snacks available. Bring your coffee over after church.

Let's visit the Vedanta Society!

As part of our all-ages comparative religions program, Crossing Paths, we are organizing visits to neighboring faith communities.

Come with us on our field trip to visit

The Vedanta Society

on Saturday, Nov. 14th at 4:30 pm.

We will meet at UUSS beforehand (carpooling preferred!) and arrive at the center together to tour the grounds with the Swami Medhananda (see left for info on his visit to UUSS). They have a beautiful campus with many shrines dedicated to Hindu deities. Send questions to Rev. Roger.

Sign up for this field trip by clicking the button below

All-ages Potluck -

Friday, Nov. 13

All are invited to join the Family Dinner Potluck on 2nd Fridays of the month in the Welcome Hall. Arrive at 5:30 and we'll sit down to eat at 6:00 pm. No sign up required.

It's okay to come if you are not able to bring a dish. Plates, cups, and silverware (the reusable kind) are provided.

Games and fun activities for all ages are available during and after the potluck. Come and play!

Hosted for all ages by Family Ministry Events at UUSS.

Before Service Parents' Group - Sunday, Nov. 22

9:15-10:15am (arriving late is ok!)

Join Rev. Roger and RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain, before service on 4th Sundays in Room 12 to connect as parents/caregivers of babies, children and teens (expectant parents and parenting grandparents are welcome). Take a breath, have a chat, and a cup of tea. 

Staffed childcare is available next door in Room 11. 

Light breakfast (fruit and cereal bars) and tea are provided. Please use the main UUSS entrance to access Room 12 and not the parking lot side.

Send questions to CrystalFountain@uuss.org

If you are a parent or guardian who would prefer to meet at alternative time/day on Zoom, please let me know.

Upcoming Service

November 1

Hinduism: The Tangible Presence of the Divine 

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones preaching with reflections by Kaushik Das, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean, Worship Associate Jenni Gouine, UUSS choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva

In our year-long look at neighboring faiths, this month we share glimpses of the ancient and vital Hindu tradition. Its followers make offerings and prayers to local images of the Hindu diversity of deities. Its philosophers promote the unity of all things. Yet this tradition is not one thing, not easily defined. Our congregant Kaushik Das offers a personal perspective along with Rev. Roger’s ideas on what it means to have a god you can touch and see.

• Candles of Joys and Sorrows during the service (first Sunday of each month).
• Before the service: Labyrinth meditation in the meadow at 9:30.
• After the service: Soup Sunday lunch (freewill donations accepted)
• Daylight Savings Time ends Saturday night, so set your clocks forward one hour. If you come to UUSS an hour early, you will be welcomed!

COVID policy: Masks Recommended but not Required- read more

 Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom

 Service time Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Did you miss a service? You can find links to past sermons here. 

Please Register

for Sunday Morning Religious Education Programs

Whether you are new to RE, or you are a returning family, please register so that we have your child(ren) or youth's full and current information.

UUSS will host an Our Whole Lives (OWL) teacher training for grades K-1 and 4-6 (Elementary Grades) February 26-28, 2027

NEW dates!

Learn more about OWL at https://www.uua.org/lifespan/owl and uuss.org/owl

Contact Crystal Fountain for more info on registering for this teacher training.

UUSS RE is also requesting volunteers to help with food preparation during this training as well as volunteers who might be able to host out-of-town participants in their home for that weekend.

Express interest in volunteering here: Click HERE to volunteer!

Our OWL classes for grades 7-9 that was originally scheduled for this fall will be postponed until next fall (starting in September 2027). We expect the schedule to be posted in August 2027. Please check uuss.org/OWL for updates. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Stay-at-Home Dad/Male-Identifying Primary Parents Meeting

If you are a dad doing the primary parenting and household work in your family, and you would like to meet others in the congregation who share a similar role, please contact Rev. Roger as he organizes a meeting to introduce you.

This group is meant to include men/male-identifying parents in any occupation (working traditionally, not engaged in outside-the-home-employment, work-at-home, student, etc.) who are doing the primary caregiving of babies, children or youth in their household. This includes those with or without a parenting partner/spouse of any gender.