UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
| | Volume VIII * Issue 18 * October 16, 2026 | | This Sunday, October 18, 2026 | | Worship at 10:00 AM, In Person and ZOOM | | |
"Poetry and Love"
Christie Max Williams
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A self-proclaimed "love poet,"
Stonington Poet Laureate Williams writes about the shimmering everyday-ness of
love as well as its enduring
power to heal.
Order of Service
An Opportunity For You:
Immediately following the service and throughout Refreshments, you will have an opportunity to choose the direction of this year's fundraising events. Don't miss your chance!
For more information, contact Amber Collins
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The theme this month is Courage
In RE we're thinking about the courage it takes to be our true authentic selves, to face hard truths, to do hard things, and to be courageous about what we believe.
We're moving back to the pre-covid model of splitting up by age and we need volunteers in the nursery, elementary and teen room! Please see Lee and her clipboard at coffee hour or email her with your interest
Check out our upcoming events calendar
Playlists for this month's theme on Spotify and YouTube
| | | A Message from Adria Evans, Worship Chair | |
Dear Friends,
I want to catch you up on what’s happening with
& what’s needed for our Sunday worship... (read more)
John Andrew, whose meaningful words and sermon touched many of us, sent us a copy of that sermon, which you can read here. Enjoy!
| Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | | |
Upcoming Services
October 25: An Unexpected Path to Healing, Cherie Conover
November 1: Ancestors Traveling With Us, Rev. William Zelazny
Wünder Revels of Samhain outside after service
November 8: April Armstrong, National Association of Black Storytellers
November 15: A Paradise Born in Hell, Rev. Hank Peirce
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Important Security Notice
Scammers are currently impersonating Amber Collins in phishing messages targeting our congregation. Please do not respond to these emails!
Contact Amber directly if you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email. Her email address is amberafc@gmail.com
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UUCSC is Looking for Wedding Officiants
PCC, the Pastoral Care Committee, is compiling lists of resources to aid in serving the congregation. We know of two members who are able to perform wedding ceremonies. If you are ordained and willing to officiate at a wedding, please contact Mary Fulton ( dhfulton@verizon.net) to add your name to this brief list. Thank you!
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Moving Forward: Our Ministerial Search Update
The Hiring Team task force has been hard at work preparing for the next stage of our ministerial search, and we’re excited about what’s ahead!
With continued support from the UUA and our congregation, we are ready and energized to move forward with a strong foundation for our next chapter. Read our full October update to learn more about our progress and what comes next.
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New to UUCSC?
There will be a New to UU class directly following the service in the Oneto room on Sunday, October 25th. If you are interested in learning more about UUCSC and meeting other new participants, please see Mary Finnegan at church or email her at finmary@gmail.com to register.
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2026-27 Reflection Circles - All Three Groups Still have Space!
Cultivating the subtle art of 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. It’s a wonderful opportunity to nurture new and deeper connections within our congregation through contemplation and deep listening over the course of 8-10 structured and facilitated sessions. The program was very popular last year with more than 30 participants in the three groups that were offered.
This year our three 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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Singing Resistance
South County Update
There will NOT be an organized performance by Singing Resistance South County this Saturday. There WILL be a rally and march in Westerly in support of Voting Right and as part of the national NO KINGS demonstrations.
Westerly NO KINGS Rally and March
Saturday, October 17
Rally: Gather at 14 Canal Street, Westerly, 12 noon
March: Begins at 12:30 from Canal Street through downtown Westerly
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Thank you to everyone who came and sang at the UU Legislative ministry event last week. Our voices were strong, and the performance was appreciated by all!
Lastly, we are changing our rehearsals from once each month to an "as-needed" basis. When we know of events that want a Singing Resistance performance, we will let you know and will schedule a rehearsal accordingly. Thank you so much for your continued interest in Singing Resistance.
Cathy and Betsy
Cathy Solomon, SR-SC Song Leader
Betsy Dalton, SR-SC Communications
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NEXT COMMUNITY SEWING!
Tuesday, October 20, 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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LILY PADS SUNDAY JAZZ – 2 great shows coming this fall!
Dan Moretti and the Hammond Boys
Sunday, October 25, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Doors @ 5:00pm
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/4ziVaSq
Joe Parillo & the New Ensemble
Sunday, November 15, 3:00pm – 5:30pm, Doors @ 2:30pm
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
[This show is rescheduled from Sept. 27 – all pre-purchased tickets will be honored at Nov. 15 show]
Tickets will be sold on Sundays, in the Oneto Room after service.
Payments accepted by cash, check, or credit card.
| | | WoW (Women of Wisdom) Luncheon at Kabuki, Wakefield
The next WoW luncheon will meet on
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.
| | 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 clarinetist and are delighted to be able to host them at our church. | | Update: The event key code will change in mid-November. | | |
Office Hours:
Tuesday: 8:30-2:30
Wednesday: 8:30-2:30
Thursday: 8:30-2:30
Friday: 8:30-10:30
| | Minutes of the September 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 | | |
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.
| | Click HERE for Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton Candidates Voter Guide | | | Click HERE for North Kingstown, South Kingstown and Narragansett Candidates Voter Guide. | | | |
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.
Links to all town forum recordings can be found on lwvscri.org.
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Election Monitor Training
RI State Council of Churches; Common Cause RI; Disability Rights RI are sponsoring election monitor training for the November election. One of the locations is here in South County at Kingston Congregational Church.
Oct 20 (Tues) – 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Kingston Congregational Church
2610 Kingston Rd, Kingston
(across from the URI campus)
Click to Register
For more information: RI State Council of Churches @ (401) 461 - 5558
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Newest Research on Medications for Dementia and Supplements for Healthy Brain Aging Lecture and Q & A.
Thursday Oct. 22, 4-5:30 p.m. URI Welcome Center, Hope Room
FREE
Sponsored by the URI Retired Faculty Association and Provost's Office. Refreshments provided by Belmont Market.
Presenters: Professors Joseph Schrader, Ph.D., and John Robinson, Ph.D.
Bring any questions you have about the latest research on medications for dementia and supplements for maintaining brain health.
Parking is available behind the URI Welcome Center off Briar Lane. Letting us know you are attending is helpful but not required. Email Aging@uri.edu. Sponsored by the URI Retired Faculty Association and Provost’s Office. Refreshments by Belmont Market.
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Event: 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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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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Monthly Grief Support Group
Clare Sartori, Facilitator
Last Friday of the month
No Meeting in September
Next meeting October 30, 2026, 3 PM
Saint Augustine's Church 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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