Family Ministry & Religious Education

Outreach

News & Invitations for the Week of

October 1, 2026

Dear Friends,


Welcome to October! We have a lot going on at UUSS this month and I hope you will join us!


We welcome our Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) participants as they start a new year in Religious Education this Sunday, October 4. Renee Scott-Femenella will convene their circle to invite connection and introduce activities and topics of discussion. We will also invite Soul Kids and Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) back to the classroom during service this Sunday as we explore some ideas and themes from Protestant Christianity as part of our Crossing Paths journey (more about this curriculum below in this message). Please also note that our Newcomer Orientation tour has moved up to this Sunday to accommodate our much anticipated Social Justice Activity Fair on Sunday, October 11, during which I hope you will join RE and Family Ministry at our Family Lounge in the Fahs Room for snacks, community and kid friendly space.


Scroll down in this message for more information on the above and other invitations for the coming days and weeks. If you see something missing or you're not sure how to get involved with Family Ministry and Religious Education, I hope you will reach out to me and let me know so that I can help!


With thanks and love at the center,

Crystal Fountain

(she/her/hers)

Religious Education Coordinator

Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento

Highlighted Announcements










All-ages Potluck -

Friday, October 9

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.

Crossing Paths Field Trip:

Visiting the Seventh Day Adventists


Register Now at the link below!

We will meet at UUSS on

Saturday, October 24

Families and individuals will be invited to join us as we embark on a field trip to visit and attend services at a local Seventh Day Adventist church. Attendance will be limited, so please register by clicking the button below (check out more info on our Crossing Paths program below in this message)

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Before Service Parents' Group - Sunday, October 25

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.

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!

Join us for the Annual UUSS Social Justice Fair


Connect with Social Justice groups after service on the UUSS patio

Sunday, October 11, 2026


RE and Family Ministry invites you to have snacks, activities and kid-friendly space in the Family Lounge in the Fahs Room (follow the signs!)

All are welcome to attend the Fall Congregational Meeting, on Sunday, October 18, 2026 after service. Voting members are encouraged to attend to make sure we have a quorum in order to conduct business. The meeting starts 15 minutes after the service, giving you enough time for a cup of coffee and to introduce yourself to someone new! Attend in person, or by Zoom!

Childcare is available in Room 11 for the Congregational Meeting.

Please sign in your child(ren) there by 12:15pm if you are interested.

Sunday Mornings

Upcoming Service

October 4

Opening to Transcendence


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

What would you think if you heard that there was an energy that is greater than any one of us, that connects us with each other and with the universe and that we are wired for connection?   Neuroscience is learning amazing things about the brain and spirituality. Let’s explore these ideas together. Bring an open mind.

*Candles of Joys and Sorrows during the service (first Sunday of each month).

*Before the service: Labyrinth meditation in the meadow at 9:30.

*Newcomer Orientation after the service


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 note:

This is in addition to a responsible adult sign-in at the RE Welcome Table or Nursery on Sunday mornings.

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.


Crossing Paths: 

Our Comparative Religion Curriculum for All Ages in 2026-2027

Starting this fall, UUSS embarks on a program of whole-church religious education, a journey of faith exploration, with adapted materials from the Soul Matters curriculum, Crossing Paths. 


Sunday sermons, relevant service projects, after-service forums and field trips to other houses of worship will be open to all ages. Our Sunday Religious Education program for children and youth will feature related faith exploration content and reflection questions related to our monthly themes.  More details on our Crossing Paths Program are available on our Religious Education webpage.


Upcoming themes

October: Protestant Christianity

November: Hinduism


If you have a particular connection or background to neighboring faiths in the local area, please let us know. If you would like to help with field trips, Sunday programs, or special celebrations or meals connected to Crossing Paths, we invite you to reach out! 

If you have any questions or offers to help,

please contact the Rev. Dr. Roger Jones

or our Religious Education Coordinator, Crystal Fountain

This Sunday, October 4, Soul Kids, JHYG and SHYG will meet during service.

Please sign in at the RE Welcome Table when you arrive! Please start in the Sanctuary.

***

Nursery care (5 and under) sign in at room 11

Sign in and Sing Out: During most Sundays, youth and children coming to RE activities (ages 5-18) will be signed in at the RE Welcome Table by an adult, then start in the service with their families before kids leave together as a group with RE adult volunteers when invited by the congregation singing our song, "Lead with Love" by Melanie DeMore


Soul Kids (grades K-5) will meet this Sunday, October 4 with Annette for a check in with friends, some activities, a song and story from Protestant Christian tradition as part of our Crossing Paths Curriculum. (See above for more info) Make sure you sign in at the RE table when you arrive, and start in service.

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) for grades 6-8 meets with Elizabeth and Damon this Sunday, October 4 and continues on 1st through 4th Sundays.

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) begins this Sunday, October 4 with Renee and Sean, and continues on 1st and 3rd Sundays.

Questions? Please contact CrystalFountain@uuss.org or come to

the RE Welcome Table on Sunday morning

Beyond Sundays

Online Space for Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families

"The Woodlands" is a monthly trans and nonbinary pastoral care space hosted by the UUA. This is a virtual program for trans and nonbinary people and their families. Breakout sessions, co-facilitated by two chaplains, will be formed around age groups and offer time for check-ins to share grief, celebrations, and support. Learn more about The Woodlands.

(this article is excerpted from the newsletter of Kyle Belmont, Director of Faith Exploration, First Parish Watertown, MA)

Resources for Talking to Kids

About the News or Other Difficult Topics

From UNICEF: How to Talk to Your Children About Conflict and War


Something Bad Happened: A Kid's Guide to Learning about Events in the News by Dawn Huebner, PhD. This helpful and accessible guide, written by a UUSS member is available to borrow from the RE office and the Sacramento Public Library. It is available to purchase at major retail sites.

Counseling Support for LGBTQ+ Young People from The Trevor Project


National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has mental health resources for young people and families


From the UUA website: "Supporting Children in the Face of Disaster or Trauma", by Tracey L. Hurd, PhD.

Half of all offerings this month will go to benefit our community partner for October:

Planned Parenthood

To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.

"May generosity bless our world. May gratitude nourish our spirits."

Click to read the week's Bluesheet

UUSS Mission 

We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.  

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