Greetings Earthlings,

I have been away for a few Sundays, so I am delighted to be back with you this week. I went on tour to the British Isles with my choral group. One of the highlights of the trip was looking out over the Irish Sea from a cliff in Wicklow Ireland. It was incredibly green and beautiful with the sea flowing out from a fjord. The photo shows my spouse Nancy at the spot - right next to a castle ruin, evidence that generations of humans have connected with nature from this spot. 

The trip had a few challenges, but the beauty of nature helped center and restore me, as it always does. Mother Earth is my comfort, my muse and my companion. In these trying times I hope that you are finding time to connect with the earth. This Sunday I am offering a repeat of a service that I gave in 2019 – Patterns in Nature. We talk of the mysteries of the universe, but there are plenty of mysteries right here on earth – mysteries embedded in patterns: fractals, murmurations, mycelium, and other amazing aspects of mother earth. Reflecting on these patterns – and our relationship to them – can make a difference in our lives and in our world. There is wisdom in nature. It is there for us to access, to help us to appreciate and to learn.

Sending love to all,

Rev. Lucy 

Sunday Morning Spiritual Practices

Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS

1st Sunday - Facilitated labyrinth walk in the meadow, August 3

2nd Sunday - TBD

3rd Sunday - Qi Gong/Tai Chi - Fahs Room, July 20

4th Sunday - Embodied Practices for Stressful Times, July 27 - Fahs Classroom

Are you new to UUSS?

Join us on the 2nd Sunday of the month for a Newcomer Orientation and tour. It starts about 10 minutes after the service and lasts an hour.

This Sunday your guides are Mary and Rich Howard. Look for them at the Welcome Table.

Join us on the 4th Sunday for Exploring UUism

Its a great way for newcomers and long-timers to learn about Unitarian Universalism. There are four rotating topics with a presentation and group discussion. Childcare is available.

Join us on July 27 after the service!

Sunday, July 20 10:30am: Patterns in Nature

Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Worship Associate Courtney O'Neill and Pianist Irina Tchantceva

What can humans learn from patterns in nature? In this repeat service from 2019, Rev. Lucy will reflect on fractals, murmurations, and mycelium, and help us to understand how these patterns make a difference in our lives and in our world. 

• Before the service: Tai Chi/Qi Gong at 9:30 in the Fahs Room. 

Sunday, July 27 10:30am:

A Circle Service for All Ages - Celebrating the Harvest

Rev. Lucy Bunch with Worship Associates Jenni Gouine and Celia Buckley, pianist Irina Tchantceva

We will come together for our 11th annual Harvest Celebration with our traditional tomato communion. In the past years Rev. Lucy has shared homilies about tomatoes, corn, peaches, watermelon, zucchini, blackberries, cantaloupe and eggplant, cucumbers and grapes. This year we celebrate the most seductive vegetable of all. 



Those of you coming in person can bring gifts from your garden to share and take a treat home from someone else’s garden. Let's celebrate the harvest.



• Embodied Practices for Stressful Times 9:30 in the Fahs Room
• Exploring Unitarian Universalism after the service at noon with Rev. Lucy in the Fahs Room.

The Stories behind Our Tee Shirts

Rev. Roger asks: Do you have a tee shirt with an interesting origin story? Perhaps it has been a gift by a significant person in your life, a nostalgic reminder of an event or time, an emblem of your activism or enduring commitment, a special gift or souvenir, or a shirt that you designed or made for yourself. He'd like some examples before this summer's tee-shirt service, so reach him at roger@uuss.org

To request your joy, sorrow, prayer, or milestone to be spoken by a minister on Sunday let us know at this link. For Sunday, August 3, please contact a Worship Associate.

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. Don't forget to sign in when you get to Room 11. Please contact Crystal with questions.

All ages of youth and children are invited into the RE classroom this Sunday, July 20 for JETPIG Summer Arts, a program celebrating our shared UU values through the arts. This week UUSS member and artist Terrie Taylor joins us in the classroom. We will be making prayer flags. Please start in service and we will leave together as a group.

Religious Education is looking for Sunday morning volunteers!

Contact RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain with questions or for more info about RE!

All Ages Camp – Aug 1-3 – Camp Norge – Alta, CA

Enjoy a weekend of community, crafts, nature, a day hike, swimming, campfires with singing & s’mores, and fun for everyone. Cabins, tents, RVs—something for all! Great for families, friends, and all generations! Register before June 22 for the lowest fees. Registration fees will go up by 20% starting on June 22. Visit uuss.org/camp for more information and registration.

Contact: Alicia Taylor - camp@uuss.org

The Book of Revelation & 

the Invention of Rapture Theology

a forum after church with Rev. Roger & Prof. John Watkins

Sunday, Aug. 10, Noon, Fahs Classroom



"The end is near!" has been heard for generations in many churches and popular culture like the bestselling but bad Left Behind novels. Like much ideology of white Christian nationalism, "rapture" thinking is not Biblical. Come find out who invented it and how it spread! John Watkins, a University of Minnesota professor, is visiting his college friend Rev. Roger and UUSS this weekend.

Second Tuesday Forum: Aug. 12, 7:00 pm

Targeting Transgender Americans: An Attack on Democracy

viewing & discussion of a lecture from General Assembly

Join Rev. Roger and our recent UUA Assembly delegates to learn about the points raised by the award-winning journalist and podcaster Imara Jones. She explained to an audience of 3,000 UUs how the current administration's attacks on trans people and migrants are an early step in its plan to dismantle democratic institutions and revoke rights for other groups--and civil liberties for us all. We were struck by her personal passion, compelling facts, and call to recognize the ongoing danger.

Join us in the Fahs Classroom or at uuss.org/online Tuesday, August 12, 7:00-8:30 pm. Invite your friends!

Challenging Books for Challenging Times 

Join your ministers for provocative ideas and conversation 

Let's come together and read books that will help us navigate our challenging world. We will offer three sessions - three books, two opportunities per month to meet and discuss. 

Next sessions:

Tuesday August 19 at 6:30 and Thursday August 21

at 2:00 in the Library/Bookstore

"Witness: Inside America's Death Chambers," by Elizabeth Bruenig, theatlantic.com July 2025. If you don't have access, there are 20 copies of the article in the Library/Bookstore. This topic relates to the UUA Congregational Study & Action Issue of Abolition, selected by delegates at the 2025 General Assembly.

Considering Membership?

Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 31 at noon for a meeting with the ministers to learn about what it means to be a member of UUSS. All are welcome.

Montanino on the Map

Smartphone-Enabled Walking Tour of Sacramento,

As Seen through the Eyes and Paintbrush of Artist Anthony Montanino

Anthony Montananino was a UUSS members and active artist in Sacramento.

The buildings and parks of Sacramento were his visual inspiration. His paintings, known for their bold colors and strong use of light and shadow, decorate the walls of public spaces and private collectors’ homes throughout the area.

Now many of his pieces are available for anyone to view, right where he first sketched them out. Thanks to a free smartphone map, you can take a self-guided tour, from McKinley Park through the Victorian and Craftsman streets of midtown Sacramento, past the State Capitol, the waterfront, and Old Ironsides, to Broadway’s Tower Theatre, viewing images of more than 60 Montanino paintings as you go.

Use the Q/R code below to see a map of downtown Sacramento with picture-frame icons. Tap on one for a pop-up window with the painting of that location. The map will give you walking or driving directions that will take you to view the building or scene in the painting. When you’re ready to move along, simply tap another picture frame nearby on the map to continue your tour. Your travels will take you through midtown Sacramento’s shady streets, past parks, corner groceries, and dining establishments that were among Anthony’s favorite subjects. Enjoy Sacramento from the artist’s perspective.

So grab your phone, scan the code, and start exploring Sacramento as seen by Anthony Montanino!

New Email Scam Alert -- It's not from UUSS!

Several members and friends have received an email seeming to come from Rev. Lucy. This happens often by email and text, when criminals try to mimic a clergy person or other trusted contact and then lure you into providing retail store gift cards or card numbers or financial and personal information. 

The most recent scam pretends to be Rev. Lucy saying: "Hi, I wanted to check in and see if you’re up for chatting via email sometime soon. I have a small favor to ask—there’s something I need, and it would be great if you could pick it up for me from a nearby store.  Whenever you get a chance, please let me know if that would be possible. I really appreciate your help and look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings!"

THIS IS NOT FROM REV. LUCY.

WE WOULD NOT ASK FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN THIS WAY.

That imposter email even includes links to our website, but it's not from Lucy or any of us! If you ever get something you are not sure about, it's good to contact the supposedly familiar sender by another method (not replying directly) just to check it out. If it's from UUSS, call the office. Nothing is so urgent; take time to check it out.

Let's keep one another safe. Take good care! 

PLEASE NOTE! If you click unsubscribe below,

you will stop receiving ALL UUSS email.