UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
| | Volume VIII * Issue 20 * October 30, 2026 | | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, RI
27 North Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879 * | | | | | |
Office Hours:
Tuesday: 8:30-2:30
Wednesday: 8:30-2:30
Thursday: 8:30-2:30
Friday: 8:30-10:30
| | This Sunday, November 1, 2026 | | Worship at 10:00 AM, In Person and ZOOM | | |
"Ancestors Traveling With Us"
Rev. Bill Zelazny
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We are part way through the triad of days that focus on those who have passed from this level of existence – Samhain (Halloween), All Souls Day, and All Saints Day. It is fitting that we take time to remember all those who have died. American author, Alberto Ríos, in his poem “A House Called Tomorrow” reminds us that “You are a hundred wild centuries…/bringing with you/ In every breath and in every step/ Everyone who has come before you.” This Sunday we honor the memory of our ancestors and how they shaped their world and now, our world.
Order of Service
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The theme this month is Courage
The Wünder Revels of Samhain is after service THIS Sunday!
Please bring pre-chopped veggies for our Stone Soup! And if they are hard roots or winter squash, please chop them into small pieces to cook quickly. You can leave them on the table next to the name tags in the Oneto Room.
And all are welcome and encouraged to wear costumes (at least a little fun accessory!)
Check out our upcoming events calendar
Food Donations for Jonnycakes will be during service this Sunday (see below for details)
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Rev. Bill Zelazny was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1992. He has
served four congregations; the most recent was Channing Memorial Church in Newport, RI, from which he retired in June 2025. His ministerial career also included 15 years as the District Executive of the former Ballou Channing District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. He now does guest preaching and provides guest ministerial services in the region. Rev. Bill received his Master of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry. Prior to becoming a UU minister, he held several senior-level administrative positions in municipal government. He and his husband live in North Kingstown, RI
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Share the Plate and Food Collection for Jonnycake Market
THIS Sunday, November 1st, we will be sharing our plate with Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR). They partner with about six other organizations to support immigrants who often end up in an immigration system that is often unsafe both physically and mentally. You may read more about AMOR here. https://amorri.org/
We will also be collecting non-perishable food items to give to Jonnycake Market, so please remember to bring food to UUCSC that day. The food will be transported to Jonnycake directly after our service, and there will not be another chance to donate through this process until the first Sunday in December. See their wishlist of food items here
Thank you for all your generous gifts!
Barbara Beckwith
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Reminder: Fall Back
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1st
Set clocks back 1 hour before bed on Saturday, October 31
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This month's sanctuary art is courtesy of Kathy Swink. Read her story here. The quilt will hang during the month of November.
The artwork will be available to bid on in an upcoming UUCSC "pop-up" fundraising auction. Details will be provided at a later date.
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Upcoming Services
November 8: Unbreakable Spirit, Storyteller April Armstrong
November 15: A Paradise Born in Hell, Rev. Hank Peirce
November 22: The Joy of Service, Amber Collins
November 29: Because, Kevin Lowther (Big Lux)
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2026-27 Reflection Circles - All Three Groups Still Have Space!
Cultivating self-reflection as we bear witness to one another’s journey, Reflection Circles are a series of 90-minute gatherings of 8-10 people committing to regular attendance to share personal reflections on a variety of spiritual topics.
Our groups will be led by Sally Barney, Lee Cowan, and Clare Sartori with the following schedules:
- Sally: Monthly 2nd Thursdays 5-6:30pm beginning October 15 (optional earlier start time if group decides 4 or 4:30 works better)
- Clare: Twice a month Mondays 3-4:30pm beginning November 2 (various Mondays, email for exact dates. Time can be flexible)
- Lee: Weekly Tuesdays 1- 2:30pm beginning January 26, 2027
Sally Barney and Clare Sartori will be available with a sign-up sheet after the service this Sunday. For more info and to sign up, please email Sally-Sbarney07@aol.com
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Save the Date!
Chalice Days Dinner
December 4th, doors at 5:30, dinner at 6pm
This is our 4th annual congregational dinner to celebrate the UU Holiday of Chalice Days. We light chalices, celebrate our faith and create age old time-honored traditions! One of which is highlighting the humble bean, in solidarity with so many around the world for whom beans is their primary protein. If you'd like to cook a bean dish, roast some veggies or clean some dishes, email Lee to sign up!
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WoW (Women of Wisdom) Luncheon at Kabuki, Wakefield
Monday, November 2, 12:30 PM
at Kabuki
91 Old Tower Road, Wakefield
All women are invited to join us with any degree of frequency.
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NEXT COMMUNITY SEWING!
Tuesday, November 3rd, 3 pm to 7 pm
UUCSC Oneto Room
Bring your own project! Sewing machines, a serger, cutting tables and all sewing supplies are available, along with experienced sewers to guide you in finishing your clothing repairs projects. Bring a clothing project that is in need of repair, a hem, button, upcycle.....
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Men's Breakfast at Birch & Bay, Wakefield
Saturday, November 7, 9:00 AM
at Birch & Bay
323 Main Street, Wakefield
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Another Great Jazz Show Coming Soon!
The Dan Moretti show last Sunday was a great success! The music was terrific and greatly enjoyed by all who attended. Our next jazz show is:
Joe Parillo & the New Ensemble, featuring Joe on keyboards, Wendy Klein on flute, George Dussault on guitar, Paula Clare on vocals, Rick Andre on drums, Lou Bocciarelli on bass, and Rick Couto on percussion.
Date: Sunday, November 15, 3:30pm – 5:30pm, Doors open @ 3pm
Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County
27 North Road, Peace Dale, Rhode Island
Tickets: $25 online, in person Sundays after service, or at the door.
Purchase online at https://bit.ly/4j9tmLJ
[Show rescheduled from Sept. 27 – all pre-purchased tickets will be honored at Nov. 15 show]
Come and experience this outstanding jazz group right here in South County!
Submitted by Betsy Dalton & Chris Johnson
| | Come see the Ocean State Clarinet Choir play a lovely selection of music on Sunday, November 29th at 2 PM. Jane and Louis Rubenstein are members of this 20+ group of clarinetists and are delighted to be able to host them at our church. | | Minutes of the October 2026 Board Meeting are available HERE | | Click "view entire message" at the bottom of this email to see the whole newsletter! | | Social and Racial Justice | | |
Summary of Grants Awarded by the Carolyn Hurdis Fund
for the Social Justice Committee
When longtime UUCSC member Carolyn Hurdis died in February 2021, she left the congregation a generous $50,000 bequest. After working tirelessly throughout her life for racial justice and women’s rights, she directed that the funds be used to advance social justice in South County. (read more)
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Please SIGN UP for the South County Social Justice Coalition newsletter for all the social justice events in our community, including the resistance.
If you would like to receive the South County Rising newsletter directly, please SIGN UP . Be in the loop about local resistance actions.
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Links to all South County town forum recordings and the print voter guides can be found on lwvscri.org.
Additional paper copies of Voter Guides 2026 can be found at your Town Hall, Libraries, Senior Centers and other central locations in towns. Be informed before you vote. Vote Early! Oct. 14 - Nov. 2.
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Monthly Grief Support Group
Clare Sartori, Facilitator
Last Friday of the month
Next meeting October 30, 2026, 3 PM
Saint Augustine's Community Room
15 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI
This group is free and open to all. For anyone grieving the loss of a loved one or struggling with an imminent loss, this is an excellent opportunity to share with others the lives of those we’ve lost and the journey of loss and remembrance.
Submitted by Clare Sartori | 401-741-6846.
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Together Women Rise
Together Women Rise will be having our every-other-month potluck at the Peacedale Congregational church on ELECTION evening, Nov. 3rd, at 6:30. AFTER you’ve voted, please come to our potluck, bringing a dish to share, plate & utensils, as we discuss and learn about our grantee in Morocco, receiving $50,000. www.amalnonprofit.org
We are fortunate to also have Rita Ndonye, from Kenya, as our guest speaker, sharing her insights.
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Broadening the Lens on Palestine: A UU Course for Deeper Learning, Connection, and Action
The class will be taught by UUJME staff Mimi Budnick
and board members Rev. DL Helfer and Dana Fisher Ashrawi.
This series will take place on Wednesday evenings: October 28, November 4, 11, 18, and December 2, and 9. 7:00-8:30pm EST/ 4:00-5:30 PST
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
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Pastoral Care Committee
The Pastoral Care Committee (PCC) provides compassionate companionship to anyone struggling with things like life transitions, loneliness, depression, or loss. Our team can provide emotional support during hard times like grief, illness, or crisis, so you don’t feel alone. We can be present with you and listen to you in times of suffering or uncertainty.
To contact the Pastoral Care Committee, email UUCSCpastoralcare@gmail.com or call 401-764-4917 (this number does not accept texts).
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You can see when and how much you have donated to UUCSC on Breeze at anytime.
Sign into Breeze at uucsc.breezechms.com. Click on the PEOPLE tab and filter by your name to access your profile. Once you open your profile, on the left panel, click on Giving. This will take you to your personal giving record.
The Finance Committee and Etta
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Legacy Giving: In addition to your pledge, if you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you may donate up to $100,000.00 each year to UUCSC or other charities directly from your IRA account as non taxable income. Read more HERE.
Submitted by the Finance Committee
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"Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of Mind-Body Techniques"
Contact Val Follett at 401-218-3393 or email at valeriefollett@gmail.com for more info.
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Review Understanding Phishing!
If you receive a suspicious email, drag it into your Spam folder, which will automatically block the scammer from using your email again as bait. Stay vigilant!
Submitted by Etta Zasloff, Communications
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