Dear Congregation,

I have three important things to let you know:

1)

Our Congregational Meeting is right after church on Sunday. If you show up or log in, you will be impressed by all that UUSS is accomplishing. You will be touched by the generosity of our members, donors, and lay leaders. You will be gratified by the ways that our dedicated staff members help us to pursue our UUSS mission.

 All are welcome to witness how a free congregation governs itself, and all Members are urged to attend. We need a quorum to conduct business.  

2)

Internet, phone, and texting scams are a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry. Most of us have been targeted, and a few beloved ones have been hurt by scams. Our member Eric Ross wants his UUSS friends to know that he did not send them "An Invitation!"  His email got hacked and his name is being used for a scam. This "Invitation" scam is not new. Any authentic-looking email which asks you to click on a link and provide personal information is a scam. Don't give out your password or SSN online!

Other scams include urgent text requests in the name of people you know, sometimes in the name of a minister. If you answer it, the imposter will tell you that they urgently need Gift Cards, etc., and ask you to buy the cards online and provide the code numbers so they can buy things for people in distress. Don't do it. 

If you ever get a request for money beyond the usual solicitation by UUSS or a charity or get an invitation that asks you for personal information, you can always contact the named person by another means. A quick phone call could avert a financial disaster.  

3)

For all people who affirm the values of human dignity, decency, fairness and freedom, these are ugly times in this country and in the world we share. Of course, campaign season is always a time of stress and uncertainty for those who vote and those who care about the results. But now, threats to local and state election procedures are scary and real. Rev. Lucy and I want to assure you that feeling anxious about all of this is a quite reasonable response! So take a breath, please, and take care of yourself, body, mind, and spirit. If your body and spirit are willing, consider supporting democracy at a No Kings rally tomorrow (article below).

Rev. Lucy, our Intern Sophia McKean, and I remind you that we are here if you need us. We affirm that all of us are stronger in community. Keeping the long view, fear is outworked by hope and hatred is no match for the power of love. See you in church.

Love,

Rev. Roger

PS--Next Sunday, Oct. 25, is our circle service honoring our beloved ones who have died over the years. It will include the reading aloud the names of this year's Memorial Roll Call, which lists all of those in our families or circles of affection who have died since October 2025. If you would like to make sure your loved one's name is listed, please email the full name and date of death to elaine@uuss.org or call her at the Office by Tuesday at 4:00 pm.

Sunday, October 18, 10:30 am:

Loving Every Body: Disability Justice

Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Eric Gudz, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva

Disability is a huge topic, involving many needs and concerns. This service is an invitation to begin exploring the world of disability justice. How might we better care for ourselves and one another in a world that does not always value every body as it should?

• Spiritual Practice before church: Tai Chi & Qi Gong in the Fahs Classroom at 9:30
• Congregational Meeting after service (est. 11:50 am) in the sanctuary and on Zoom (childcare is available in Room 11 during the Congregational Meeting)

To request that your joy, sorrow, prayer, or milestone be spoken at a service (or just to let us know your news privately) enter the information at this link or contact the ministers before the weekend by email or phone. 

Larry Evenson reports that Eddie Long has had a successful knee replacement. We send healing wishes to Eddie and our love to them both. Another member writes: "Remembering a friend lost three years ago to domestic violence. It happened on her younger sister's birthday, too. Some families bear too much so all I feel I can do is send love and prayers." Let us hold one another tenderly. May our kindness be our prayer for peace.

We extend our condolences to the children, grandchildren, friends and former parishioners of the Rev. Judith Morris, who died Oct. 5 after a brief illness. She was born in 1947. Judy was the first minister of the former UU Community Church of Sacramento. A number of UUSS members helped to found the church in 1989. A number of its former members and lay leaders have become lay leaders at UUSS in the past decade. After nine years at UUCC, she served interim ministries in Florida, Virginia, and Texas. Judy is remembered for her passion in the pulpit as well in the stands of baseball stadiums. One of her annual baseball sermons is at the Baseball Hall of Fame. A former journalist, Judy's volunteer involvement in protesting oppressive policies and serving the needs of unhoused neighbors preceded her entry into the ministry. She received a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry. You can listen to the sermon which turned out to be her last one at this link: The Irreligious and their Love of God. Read Judy's obituary at this link.

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, not parking lot. Don't forget to sign in when you get to Room 11.

Childcare on 2nd and 4th Sundays extends until 1:30pm (staff leaves at 12:15 if there are no children present)

There is childcare this Sunday, October 18 during the Congregational Meeting after service! Please sign in at room 11 before 12:15.

Meeting this Sunday, Oct. 18, during service:

Soul Kids (grades K-5) - Annette will invite the group to light the chalice, check in, share a song, a short story/parable from the life of Jesus (connecting to our Crossing Paths faith exploration curriculum) and time for fun.

Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) - Crystal and Damon will invite discussion and connection with games and activities.

Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12) - Alicia and Sean convene the circle with time for check-in and some topics of discussion from Soul Matters and Crossing Paths themes

Participants please sign up at the RE Welcome Table when you arrive on Sunday.

Find more details, more updates, and other invitations and announcements by clicking on the link above for the RE/Family Ministry Email

You are invited to contact RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain with questions or for more info about Religious Education, child and family programs and childcare.

Auction Tickets and Volunteer Opportunities

Our annual service auction, The Sparkle of Community, will culminate in a festive happy hour on Saturday, November 7, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Tickets for the event are now available on the Sparkle Auction Website. 

Highlights of the event: 

• 🍷 Sips and small bites (see the fabulous menu on the Tickets page)
• 🎤 A lively in-person live auction featuring three special items + Fund-A-Need (our new, state-of-the-art UUSS Website!)
• 🧺  A Theme Basket Raffle — $1 per ticket or $20 for 25 tickets
• 💵 A 50/50 Raffle — $10 per ticket or $40 for 5 tickets; half of ticket proceeds go to one lucky winner
• 📸 A complimentary photo booth
• 🧸 Complimentary childcare — register here

Tickets are $30/person, but if this price is a barrier, discounted tickets are available:

• $10 per person — use code cost10
• $20 per couple — use code couple20

Other ways to help make the event a success:

• 🖐 Volunteer before or during the event- stop by the auction table during Sunday coffee hour to sign-up or contact Jennifer Webb auction@uuss.org.

Food Preparation: Join Tiki Harlow’s fun team of chefs! We are looking for people to work two-hour shifts (or longer is fine too!) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the kitchen, slicing, dicing, stirring, and whirring. During the event, we need volunteers to replenish the buffet tables and others to pass appetizers. Those roles would be mostly done by the start of the live auction, so those volunteers will have time to sit and eat for at least part of the event.

Also needed are: Event Photographers (phone cameras are ok!), Raffle Ticket Sellers, Raffle Basket Ticket Draw Crew, Live Auction Spotters, Set-up and Clean-up helpers. 

• 🧺 Donate a themed basket- come by the auction table during Sunday coffee hour or contact Susan Davis-James auction@uuss.org to sign up.
• 🍷 Donate wine (especially white!) for the event- drop off at the auction table during Sunday coffee hour or in the church office during business hours.

More information will be coming soon about how you can:

• 💰 Bid online- the silent online auction goes live Friday, Oct. 23.
• 🎁 Contribute to Fund-a-Need: our new, state-of-the-art UUSS Website!

Questions? Contact Jennifer Webb at auction@uuss.org.

Our Memorial Wall:

 Who Do You Want to Honor?

Please consider purchasing a memorial plaque to honor a deceased parent, spouse/life partner, or child, or a member/pledging friend of UUSS. Or collaborate with others to purchase plaques honoring deceased UUSS members who we want to remember. The first installation will include plaques ordered by Sunday, Nov. 1.

Memorial Plaque Order Form.

UU Christian Fellowship. Sunday's meeting is cancelled. At our next gathering - Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:00pm in the Library - Rev. Roger will lead an old-fashioned (1937) UU communion. All are welcome! For more information, contact uuchristian@uuss.org.

Rev. Roger (he/him) is available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone.

His day off is Monday. He is out of town through Oct. 18 for UUMA and other activities.

Rev. Lucy (she/her) is available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person. Schedule an appointment with Rev. Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb.

Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean (they, them). Sophia is available for pastoral support by phone, Zoom or in person. They welcome a chance to get acquainted with you, whether or not you have a pastoral concern. They are on campus on Tuesdays and Sundays and by appointment.

Click here to read When to Contact a Minister

Office staff members (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your calls and emails Tuesdays through Fridays 9:00-4:30; closed Mondays and holidays.

Our part-time staff members have hours that vary (some of them serve UUSS only on Sundays), so please call the office if you have a question or need to be in touch with them.

Our Pianist and Music Director are available by email and invite you to weekly choir practice Wednesdays at 7:00 which takes place this month in the sanctuary. (Please note choir practices are paused for the summer.)

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