Adult Enrichment classes and groups tonight, Tuesday night, and daytime Wednesday

UU Readers Book Group Monday night:

A Book that Changed My Life and  a Book to Read in Summer–

What are some books that have changed your life?  Choose one of them and bring it Monday.  Give a brief testimonial about what it has been important in your growth, maturation, transformation, inspiration, sense of purpose, love of life, etc.  What is a book you would like this group to read in the summer and discuss together at future meetings? Bring that book and give a 2-minute pitch for it as a group choice.  We’ll choose titles for July-October meetings.  All welcome to this new group!  We meet 6:30-8:30 PM, Monday, June 13 in the UUSS Library. Interested in facilitating a future session?  Please sign up for this group at the Adult Enrichment table so we have enough room!

Soulful Sundown–a mid-week spiritual service begins Tuesday–Soulful Sundown, a Spiritual Service:  6:45 to 8:00 pm on Tuesdays, June 14, 21, 28 & July 5.  This is not a class, but a worship-like group gathering.  Structure is similar to that of many small-group ministry programs, with opening words, chalice lighting, silence, reading, spoken reflection and deep listening on the spiritual topic of the week.  We will provide advance handouts a week in advance, or you can pick it up at Connection Central in the lobby.  Sign up so they know how many chairs we need in the circle!  Stop by this Sunday to find out more information or just show up on Tuesday the 14th a few minutes before 6:45 pm.  We may meet outside if the weather permits, or in the Library/Bookstore or Lobby.  Come to be replenished, to listen and to be listened to, bring your journey into sacred community.  (And if you don’t drive after dark, note this will end at 8!)  Open to teens if accompanied by parent/guardian.  No cost or fee, but please sign up.  Offered by Carole Czujko.

Tuesday night’s Poetry Circle–There’s room for YOU– At an early May gathering, we heard the words of great poets, from Mary Oliver to Maya Angelou, Alexander Pope to Billy Collins, Woody Guthrie to Walter Whitman.  Jerry Hostler hosted the six UUSS members, some old, some new, who each brought two or three favorite poems.  There’s room for even more.  Come join us and make an early evening of it.  We’ll do it again, probably in the library/bookstore, Tuesday, June 14,  6:30 – 8:00 PM.

Journal and Journey–starts Wednesday morning–A Four-Week Writing Group,  Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 am
June 15, 22, 29 and March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and July 6.  Facilitated by Carole Czujko.  The purpose of this course is to offer a supportive writing environment. A variety of writing activities will help to jump start your creativity and thoughts to get your unique story onto the page. You choose what you want to write about–stories from your past, journaling, fiction, reflections, or exploring ideas. We’ll spend time writing, then respectfully listening to those who elect to share from what they’ve written. Journal and Journey is a critique-free, safe space for all.Sign up at Connection Central or email carole@uuss.org.  $15 fee covers 4 sessions.  Journal & Journey starts Wednesday morning, June 15, 9:30 to 11:30 AM at UUSS.  Fee is $15 for the 4 session course, payable to UUSS.   Please sign up at Connection Central.  Questions?  Contact carole@uuss.org.

Letter to the Members from Church President, Lead Minister, Treasurer and Our Stewardship Chair: Meeting on June 12 to vote on final budget proposal!

May 26, 2011

Dear Members of UUSS,

If you were with us for our congregational meeting last Sunday, thank you.  If you weren’t, we want to let you know what transpired and that the meeting will be continued on Sunday, June 12, 2011, following the 10:00 AM service. Please plan to attend as we need your input and support for a balanced 2011-12 budget.  Childcare will be available in Classroom 11.

At the congregational meeting we heard updates on the 2011-12 Pledge Drive and the UUSS long range plan, “Building the Future,” and elected new members to the Board of Trustees, Program Council and other positions.

The majority of the meeting was a robust discussion about the budget for 2011-12.  The difference between a fully funded budget and the amount that has been pledged thus far is $93,000.  The Board of Trustees worked closely with the Finance and Personnel Committees, obtaining input from members through numerous workshops, pledge drive conversations and communications through UUSS newsletters and correspondence to reduce the projected deficit to about $16,000.

Some of the items we’ve considered include salaries, Unitarian Universalist Association and Pacific Central District membership dues, Rev. Doug Kraft’s offer of taking a one-month furlough without pay, continuing our relationship with Rev. Roger Jones who is on a yearly contract with us, and increasing fundraising activities.

We appreciated the suggestions, questions and comments about line items and ways to decrease the deficit, raise revenue and attain a balanced budget for next year.  Numerous members suggested increasing pledges to help resolve the deficit.  It was awesome to hear several members at the meeting raise their pledge.  Since then, more members have come forward to do so.

The Board of Trustees will use the congregation’s input and the latest income projections, including newly revised pledges, to craft and present a balanced budget to the congregation on June 12 for a vote.  The current draft budget and the formal copy of this letter are posted on the UUSS website at: http://uuss.org/Misc/Governance in the section titled “Budget 2011-2012”; the final budget proposal will be posted on the website in that same location by June 3, 2011. You may obtain hard copies from the business office.  Please think about the budget, discuss it with other members, and talk with our ministers and Board members.  Most important, come to the June 12 meeting with ideas for how we can best serve the greater good.  Together we will make decisions that will help us to meet our common goals and for UUSS to flourish.

Namasté

/s/Tina Chiginsky                                                        /s/Doug Kraft

President                                                                     Lead Minister

/s/Cathy Whitney                                                         /s/Ginger Enrico

Treasurer                                                                    2011-12 Pledge Drive & Stewardship Campaign Chair

Board President’s Remarks to the Congregational Meeting May 22, 2011

[Note: Our May 22 congregational meeting included election of new Board, Program Council and Nominating Committee members, as well as the Communications Facilitator.  We heard updates on the Long Range Plan, "Building the Future," and gave an overwhelming vote to affirm (and continue working toward) all three major goals.

[We had a Treasurer's update and an update from the current Stewardship Chairperson.  After much discussion on the Budget Proposal for the 2011-12 fiscal year, the meeting was continued by the President and the meeting will resume after the 10:00 AM service on Sunday, June 12. It is likely to be a much shorter meeting!

The Board will take into consideration all the suggestions, ideas, opinions and testimonials as it prepares a Budget Proposal, which will be the only remaining business.  Since the meeting, several Members and Friends have raised their pledges for the coming fiscal year.  Thank you!  The Board will also consider the latest tally of this increase in projected income as it works on the proposal.  Below you can read the opening remarks by Tina C., our current (and re-elected) president.  See you on June 12!]

Board President’s Remarks to the Congregational Meeting

Get settled in your seats and close your eyes if you’d like.

Think of the first time you came to UUSS.

Walking through the parking lot.  Passing through people on the patio. 

Entering the door into the sanctuary.

What did you see?

What did you hear?

How did you feel?

Now reflect for a moment on how you feel about this place and congregation today.

How is it a part of you?  How are you a part of it?

My first visit to UUSS was with a friend and my five-year-old daughter – special friends. I loved the banners and the lines in the ceiling.

Now I usually come alone but look forward to seeing my many friends and acquaintances here.

***

I have reflected on my part in the church more frequently over the past year.   I always seem to come to the same conclusion:

UUSS is a huge part of my life.

I am just one tiny part of this congregation.

I am one of hundreds who call this building their spiritual home.

And there are hundreds of persons who contribute to the well being of the congregation and our beautiful grounds and buildings — during the Sunday church service, throughout the week, for special events, committee meetings, and so on.

I am blessed to be among the many who contribute energy, time and money to make the church strong.  I find that the more I give, the more I receive.  Do you feel that way?

I am proud to serve on the Board of Trustees; to serve the congregation.  Your faith and support of my abilities and contributions this year have touched my heart.

I want to thank all of you for your contributions over the years since you first arrived at UUSS to now.

Thank you for being here today.

We have important information to share and decisions to make together.

I want to share with you what the Board of Trustees has been doing.

• In August we adopted Board priorities in the areas of budgetary needs, UUSS’ church culture, the long range building plan, and our church’s size, growth and ways to strengthening our congregation.

• We committed to being “transparent” and inclusive in our actions and decisions.

• We worked closely with the Personnel and Fiscal Committees to get their input on our budget.

• We have been soliciting congregants’ input on the budget – what matters most to you and what it will take to have it (budget workshops, letters/em about our finances, posting fiscal reports and the proposed budget on the website.

We will be working on some heady issues in the coming months:

• Consider calling an associate minister.  Roger has expressed his interest in being called to our congregation and we will follow UUA guidelines to evaluate this step and bring our recommendations to the congregation in early fall.

• The Board will continue the great work of the Personnel Committee and look at staffing configurations of other UU churches.  We will be making recommendations on how our church might operate most efficiently.

• Finally, we will start the campaign and pledge drive earlier this year.

Weekly Message for UUSS May 12, 2011

Dear Members, Friends, Families and Guests,
Greetings and Happy International Nurses’ Day!

This email includes reminders and invitations of upcoming events, and lots of web links!  The May Unigram newsletter is posted at this link.  The most recent Blue Sheet announcements can be found at this link.

This Sunday’s services:  May 15:  Youth Coming of Age:  Take Note!  is the title of this service, led by the Family Minister and Taylor Lewis, leader of the Coming of Age program with me this year.  Presenters include the 4 youth who participated in this year-long program of Sunday-night meetings with us and 3 weekend retreats with youth from other UU churches in the Pacific Central District.  The 4 youth are Zoe, Alex, Leila, and Sophie.  Presenters also include their 4 adult mentors:  Janet, John, Judy and Fran.  The UUSS Choir will sing also.  There will be a snack reception after each service to celebrate Coming of Age.  To help with the reception(s), please email Judy Painter.

Religious Education on Sunday:  There will be a FEAST PROGRAM May 15 in Spirit Play for grades 1-5.   Youth Note:  JHYG & SHYG youth will attend the May 15 service to support their teenage peers in presenting their Credo statements.
This Sunday’s Special Events (in addition to the Coming of Age reception):
Candidates’ Event at 10:30.   At 10:30 Sunday, meet the members who have been nominated for election to the Board, Program Council, Nominating Committee, and Communication Facilitator roles. That is after the 1st service.  If you can’t be here, then meet our nominees on pages 9-11 of the May Unigram Newsletter.  …

Budget Forum at 11:30.
At 12:30, after the second service, a group of Board members will be in the Fahs Classroom to talk about the 2011-12 Budget, explain alternatives, and invite your ideas and feedback.  See the Budget Proposal as it has emerged in various drafts, with helpful explanation of of UUSS budget development, at this link.  Read the UUSS President’s Letter at this link.

MANY NEW and CONTINUING ACTIVITIES so you can get CENTERED and CONNECTED

To Guests and Visitors:  Membership Class starts Monday!  There is still time to sign up for the May 16 & 23 Newcomers’ Orientation to Membership at UUSS.  Click the highlighted link (title) to see my blog entry.  If you have already signed up, please stop by the Welcome & Information table in the sanctuary and pick up your folder with handouts and fliers.  If you sign up this Sunday, be sure to ask for a folder.  See you soon!

Monthly Meditation Retreat–2nd Saturday–
Saturday, May 14.  We’ll meet from 8:30 until 11:30 (note we’ll end a little earlier this Saturday). Rich will be leading. Doug will be at the Pacific Central District Assembly in the Bay area and won’t be with you (unless he can figure out how to bi-locate).
Next month on June 11 we’ll meet for the last time before our summary break.
Opening the heart to the depths of life and seeing clearly what it reveals is the intention behind Buddhist meditation. This intention is supported when we practice together with a community of spiritual friends. On the second Saturdays through the winter and spring, we will gather to learn and practice the strategy taught by the Buddha. Instruction will be offered. Most of the time will be spent in silent sitting or walking meditation. New and experienced meditators are welcome.  Dates: Second Saturdays through June.  Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm.  Place: UUSS, 2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento.  Leaders: Rev. Doug Kraft and Rich Howard.  Doug has been training in Buddhist practice since 1976. He teaches the “vipassana jhanas.”  Rich has been practicing intensively since 2004. He graduated from the Practice Development and Leadership training program of Sacramento Insight Meditation and is currently one of its community mentors.  What to bring: Comfortable clothes and any cushions you might need. (Chairs will be provided.)Cost: No payment is expected, though donations are accepted as you are comfortable.
We hope you can join us.

U-Tunes Instrumentalists Friday–Jamming and making friends the the 2nd and 4th Fridays at 6:00 PM–like now, dude.  So, u and ur N-strum-int are warmly welcomed.  Ringleader Joan Rubenson writes:  Some of us are considering the idea of practicing some favorite pieces to perform at an “Open Mic” at UUSS this summer — and possibly at a Convalascent Home or other venues in the future.  We need your ideas and suggestions.   These potential performances can be whole group or they can be duets, trios or whatever you want to work up with others and practice to make perfect.   We’ll be the audience and happily listen if you have a solo, duet, or other combination you’d like to try out for fun.  If you want to come to our gatherings and just enjoy playing with others and not performing that’s just fine, too.

New UUSS Walking Group, Wednesday, May 18–Join us on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM as we walk the American River Trail and other routes.  Meet at the steps behind Panera Bread on Howe Ave. The steps are on Northrop Ave. and begin at the same area of trail that the UUSS clean-up group regularly maintains.  Contact Ann Dilzer for more info.  (Please carry a burlap bag to bring back some rattlers for my all-ages snake-handling service in June.)

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Reduce Pain, Anxiety & Depression–Class coming soon, course leader coming on Sunday.
Gayle Wilson, the instructor, will be at UUSS May 15 at Connection Central to let you know the details.  For now, read “What is MBSR?” at the highlighted link.  One more great program sponsored by Adult Enrichment at UUSS!

UUSS Generation-X / Boomers–a UUSS Social Group–We will be hiking on Sunday, May 15, departing UUSS parking lot 11:00 am (after the 9:15 am service).  Bring lunch & H20, return 4:00 pm.  Plan on a 3 to  4 mile hike — slow to moderate.  We invite the congregation to a River Cats Game on June 12th — contact new UUSS member rosshendrickx@hotmail.com for complete details.  Next Group meeting will be Monday, June 13 at 7:00 pm at UUSS.  This Social Group for people 35-60 — meets to enjoy dessert fellowship and event planning. Contact rosemarymadruga@yahoo.com with questions.

UU Readers–historic essay and sermon discussion Tuesday, May 17–Rev. Roger Jones will facilitate the discussion of works by William Ellery Channing’s 1828 sermon “Likeness to God,” and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s 1838 Divinity School Address, Tuesday, May 17, 6:30-8:00 pm.  Stop by the Adult Enrichment table to sign up.

Evening Women’s Group — Fridays– Contact Carole Czujko, Member Connections Facilitator, if you have questions.

Yarn Ministry change–The yarn ministry group will be meeting only on the 4th Tuesday of the month starting in May.  That means we’ll meet Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. in Room 12.  We make chemo hats for Knots of Love, hats and scarves for St. John’s Shelter, Baby Blankets for Project Linus and work on our own projects.  All skill levels including beginners are welcome. For information, please contact Carol Doehne or Ginny Johnson.

Adult Enrichment course signups– near the Connection Central Table–Our Blue Sheet insert will list all of the upcoming workshops and courses, but be sure to sign up or ask questions after services at Connection Central!  Also, there is a survey to find out what summer adult enrichment programs you would like to attend.  The highlight THIS SUNDAY is the presence of the leader of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course, Gayle Wilson.  She will take signups for it (but the first class is free and without commitment for the rest of the classes.)

Pride Fair:  Standing on the Side of Love in Sacramento–on Saturday June 4, Our UUSS Interweave group is again sponsoring the UUSS booth at the 2011 LBGT Pride Fair!  As last year it will be on the Capitol Mall.  Volunteers are needed to help in the booth so please sign up at the connections tables on Sunday.  Information about the Fair is available at http://www.sacramentopride.org/.  Also there will be a parade before the fair opens and you can also sign up to march in that if you so desire.

Sign up now:  All-Church All-Family Camp June 17-19:  Join us at the beautiful 3500 ft. altitude, 40-acre Norwegian Center – Camp Norge – in Alta for our annual camp-out. Only one hour from UUSS, off I-80.  Featuring 3 dorms with 10 bedrooms, the ”barn” with 6 twin beds, 2 separate cabins with 2 twin beds each, lots of tent and R.V. spaces, 3 sets of men’s & women’s bathrooms with showers. Social hall with separate kitchen, commercial stove, refrigerators and a freezer, cooking utensils and dishes. Dining hall accommodates 60, and there are many outdoor dining venues.
Potluck on Saturday night and the volunteer team provides Sunday morning breakfast!  You provide your own food, sleeping bag or bedroll, towel and soap. Ice available, $1.50 per bag.
Many recreational activities:  Fenced swimming pool, four regulation-sized horse shoe pits, a large meadow for volleyball, softball & other group games. Hiking maps available–birds to watch and places to read and relax. Large swing set and slide for the little ones. Fire pit is available for fun campfires.  Bring your musical instruments! We have reserved the entire facility for our UUSS family.  (See the May Unigram for price details.)  Doug will bring his guitar (and family.)   Roger will bring bug repellant. You may register on Sundays until the deadline on June 12. Look for our display and pick up a flyer for further information.
For questions or to offer some help: Fran Kennedy

Summer Camps:
Chalice Camp at UUSS:  July 25-29 (daytime).  Pick up a brochure at the RE Table or ask Miranda to email one to you.
To UUSS youth who seek to be our (paid and trained) counselors:  Application Deadline is May 22.  Registration deadline in June 5.  Read more at this link.
“Growing Peace” Camp at Sierra Foothills UUs:  July 25-29 (daytime).  They have offered this before, and they actually solicit donations for individual scholarships.  This is the site.
Bear Valley Y Camp in the Sierra:  Week-Long Overnight Camps.  Their camp director, Morgan, is a friend and yoga teacher and she asked me to let you know.  Find their link here.

Spiritual Grounding for Leadership– Doug Kraft will take this program into its third year this Fall. The program looks at areas in our life where spiritual grounding (being in touch with our deepest and highest aliveness) overlap leadership (helping a group of people do something). Curious as to what’s this about? Get in touch with Doug (doug@uuss.org, 483-9283 x201) or look at the program description and application(http://www.uuss.org/Groups/Minister). (Graduates of this course will be the only ones allowed to lead the snake-handling service in June, as noted above.)

Your Attention Requested–For those of you who are Members of the congregation, be sure to read last week’s very important letter from the President of our Board of Trustees, plus the agenda for the May 22 Congregational Meeting.  For those of you who are pledging Friends and supporters of the congregation, as well as Members, I have posted the Board letter at this link on my blog.  You may find an earlier letter that I wrote to the Board on my blog at this link.  The May 22 meeting agenda has been posted at www.uuss.org.  The draft budget proposal, with alternatives noted, will be made available at church at the Budget Forum at 11:30.  It’s also available at this link.

Pledge Card Cleanup–Receiving a pledge from everyone, at every level of giving, is crucial at this time.
If you have not yet submitted a pledge card to UUSS for the coming budget year, I hope you will consider it.
Your pledge will make a difference!  You may find and print a pledge card at this link or fill one out this Sunday at church.
Please read this insipring letter from our Stewardship Chair and  President.  You may want to see  this post from me, if you wish to know more about how to think about pledging.
Please help us complete this Final Stretch–For the Good of the Whole.  Thank you for your support of all that we do at UUSS.

Severe Storms in the South–UUs Reaching Out:  The UUA’s Mid-South District is coordinating financial support for UU churches and their members affected by the wind storms and flooding in the south.  Click here for more.

Remember, final Sunday for two services and RE at 9:30 is this Sunday.  Starting May 22, we have RE and one service at 10:00 AM.

Yours in service,

Board President’s Letter to Members: May 22 Business Meeting and Budgetary Challenges– Congregational Input, Reflection, Cooperation, Feedback and Support Invited!

[This was mailed to members of UUSS this week.  The original notice of the congregational business meeting appeared in earlier newsletters, but this is more detailed about current challenges and issues for the meeting.  It includes the agenda.  My ministerial memo to the board will soon be posted on this blog.  Thanks for your engagement in these important issues!]

May 2, 2011

Dear Members of UUSS,

We invite you to our annual congregational meeting May 22 at 11:15 a.m., following the 10 a.m. service. (Note that May 22 begins the single 10 a.m. Sunday service for the summer.)  Enclosed you will find the agenda.

Our sixth Unitarian Universalist principle promotes “the use of the democratic process within our congregations.” This Annual Meetings is one of the ways we include the congregation in important decisions, accomplishments, and directions of the church as well elect our officers, board members, and other elected offices.

The board has been working hard this year to implement our strategic directions for “Building the Future:” 1) Long range plans and improvements to building and grounds; 2) Ministry to children and families; and 3) Strengthening connections with new and existing members.  Integral to all of our discussions and decisions is our ability to fund the goals of our congregation.

The Board is asking for your input with the hard work of balancing our budget, which is an expressed goal of both the board and the congregation.  While we are still receiving pledge cards from friends and members, early results indicate strong generosity from year to year.

However, the difference between fully funding our budget and the contributions that have been pledged for the next church year is $93,000.  At present we cannot balance the budget and meet all of our commitments for the next church year. The Board has considered ways to trim the budget that could bring us close to balanced. But some of these are controversial. We need your input. Here are some options to consider:

1. Should we fully or partially fund our membership dues to the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Pacific Central District?  Or fund them not at all?  Currently they are budgeted at a fraction of the full-funding level.
2. Should we seek ways to cut back on staff?
3. Should we consider accepting Rev. Doug Kraft’s offer of taking a month-long furlough from his Lead Ministry duties without pay?
4. Currently Rev. Roger Jones is on a yearly contract with us.  Should we continue this relationship?  Or should we follow up on his openness to end his ministry with us in December, and plan how to operate programs in his absence?
5. Should we increase fundraising efforts—have more fundraising events, a direct appeal for member and friend donations, or a supplemental pledge drive?

A group of Trustees will be at church to receive input and answer your questions after the 11:15 a.m. service on Sunday, May 15^th in the Fahs room.  Then the Board of Trustees will elaborate further on these issues and ask for your decisions at the May 22 meeting.

We face important decisions.  Please think about them, discuss them with other members, and come to the meeting with ideas for how we can best serve the greater good.

Thank you for making our congregation a vibrant and growing church family.  Together we will make decisions that will help us to meet our common goals and for UUSS to flourish.

Namasté,

Tina C.

President

[if you do not have her email address, you may post questions or feedback as "comments" on this blog.]

Congregational Meeting Agenda: May 22, 2011

 

Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento

Congregational Meeting

11:15 to 1:15 p.m., May 22, 2011

1. Approve minutes from the October 2010 Congregational Meeting

1. Congregational update

1. Building the Future – update on the long range plan

• UUSS property, buildings and grounds

• Ministry to children and families

• Connections with new and existing members

1. Ministry report

1. Membership Connections report

1. Model of church governance

1. Pledge drive 2011-12 update

1. Budget discussion and vote

1. Board election

10.Announcements, comments, questions

Weekly Ministerial Message for Friday, April 29, 2011

The server is down at church, so you won’t see today’s message until tomorrow if you receive it in your in-box.  Since things start happening Saturday morning, I thought I’d post it here.

Weekly Message 

We’ll send another Weekly Message by next Wednesday, so please give me submissions on Monday.

This Sunday’s services & events:  See www.uuss.org for the worship/sermon listing.  Music:  Special music–”Trouble,” written by C. Martin/Coldplay–Eric Stetson, piano/voice.  With Rachel Kang, accompanist, playing Nocturne in B Major by F. Chopin, Sarabande by J.S. Bach, and Trumpet Tune by Clarke.   We have a Welcome Ritual for New Members at the start of both services.  Let roger@uuss.org if you have yet to go through this ceremony; we’ll have a bouquet for you.  Religious Education:  Spirit Play for grades 1-5; Junior High Youth Group for grades 6-8; Senior High Youth Group for grades 9-12 at 9:30 AM.  Nursery/Story Time 0 to kindergarten, in Room 11 at both services.  Congregational Conversation:  Budget update for 2011-12:  This Sunday Treasurer Cathy Whitney explains the most recent updates about the budget proposal from the Board for the upcoming congregational meeting. (The Board met last night.)  Look for Cathy’s conversation after the 11:30 AM service May 1 in a classroom to be posted on the white board near the entryway structure.

Invitation to our Regular Guests and Visitors:  There is still time to sign up for the May 16 & 23 Newcomers’ Orientation to Membership at UUSS.  Click the highlighted link (title) to see my blog entry.  If you have already signed up, please stop by the Welcome & Information table in the sanctuary and pick up your folder with handouts and fliers.  If you sign up this Sunday, be sure to ask for a folder.  See you soon!

Pledge Card Cleanup–Phone Calls—Tomorrow (Saturday) our member and Stewardship Chair Ginger Enrico and her group of dedicated UUSS volunteers will call  you if you have given financial support to UUSS  but have not yet submitted a pledge card to UUSS for the coming budget year.  They will ask you for your pledge… and thank you for your support of all that we do at UUSS.  (Thanks to all you volunteers!)  Ginger wanted us to let you know.

Receiving a pledge from everyone, at every level of giving, is crucial at this time.  Your pledge will make a difference!  You may find and print a pledge card at this link or fill one out this Sunday at church.

Please read this insipring letter from the Stewardship Chair and our UUSS President.  You may want to see  this post from me, if you wish to know more about how to think about pledging.

Please help us complete this Final Stretch–For the Good of the Whole.  Thank you!

 

UU Trip to Philippines–Pilgrimage and Partnership–Thursday, May 5--Come see more of my slides, bring questions, and learn what it would mean for us to be a Partner Church, let me know.  We meet Thursday, May 5, 6:15-8:00 PM (with the program starting at 6:30 PM sharp).  Sermon text is at this link.  Sermon recording is at this link.

New UUSS Walking Group–Join us on Wednesdays, starting May 4, at 9 AM as we walk the American River Trail and other routes.  Meet at the steps behind Panera Bread on Howe Ave. The steps are on Northrop Ave. and begin at the same area of trail that the UUSS clean-up group regularly maintains.  Contact Ann Dilzer for more info.

 

Evening Women’s Group – Friday, May 6, 7:00-9:00 pm.  Contact Carole Czujko, Member Connections Facilitator, if you have questions.

[rescheduled!]  Poetry Circle:  Words to Share–Bring a book of your favorite poems and come together to share the pleasure and poignancy of hearing words well chosen.  We’ll meet, sit in a circle, read aloud, discover, and go home before dark.  Jerry Hostler will host this session at UUSS, Tuesday May 10, 6:30 – 8:00 PM.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Reduce Pain, Anxiety & Depression–Class coming soon! Gayle Wilson, the instructor, will be at UUSS May 15 at Connection Central to let you know the details.

UU Generation-X /Boomers–a UUSS Social Group–We will be hiking on Sunday, May 15, departing UUSS parking lot 11:00 am (after the 9:15 am service).  Bring lunch & H20, return 4:00 pm.  Plan on 3/ 4 mile hike — slow to moderate.  Next regular group meeting is Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 pm – contact rosemarymadruga@yahoo.com

[rescheduled!]  UU Readers–historic essay and sermon discussion May 17–Rev. Roger Jones will facilitate the discussion of works by William Ellery Chaning and Ralph Waldo Emerson, Tuesday, May 17, 6:30-8:00 pm.  Stop by Connection Central to get the websites for the readings.

Adult Enrichment signups–at the Connection Central Table–Our Blue Sheet insert will list all of the upcoming workshops and courses, but be sure to sign up or ask questions after services at Connection Central!

District Assembly travelers–We now have 9 UUs from Sacramento headed to the Pacific Central District’s spring Assembly, May 13-14-15 in Fremont:  Doug, Erika, Carole, Roger, Eric, Seya, Ginny, Lindi, Mary Helen.

Click here to read about the two keynote speakers.  There is still time to register.  Click here to register!  PS– the children’s and youth programming is awesome, so your family will enjoy the weekend together.

Spiritual Grounding for Leadership– Doug Kraft will take this program into its third year this Fall. The program looks at areas in our life where spiritual grounding (being in touch with our deepest and highest aliveness) overlap leadership (helping a group of people do something). Curious as to what’s this about? Get in touch with Doug (doug@uuss.org, 483-9283 x201) or look at the program description and application (http://www.uuss.org/Groups/Minister).

Good luck to our walkers in Saturday’s (tomorrow’s) local National Alliance on Mental Illness benefit walk and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes walk for WEAVE.

Happy May!

Yours in service,

Two Staff Changes in Religious Education Ministries at UUSS

Child Care Provider Position Will Change

To Room 11 families and the rest of the church family:

As you probably know, Childcare Provider Leeanna has been out for

some time now due to health problems. The Religious Education staff has

decided it would be best to hire a long term substitute to replace her for

the time being. If, at some point, a permanent position opens up, it would

be offered to the substitute. For now we will continue to recruit members of

the congregation to assist Miranda in covering room 11.  We will  continue to keep you

informed of any foreseeable changes in personnel in the Childcare room.

Janet Steps Down as Religious Education Assistant

by Roger  and Janet

Janet has resigned her position.  Say it ain’t so! I don’t know how I would have survived here the past 1 & 1/2 years without her knowledge, wisdom, and flexibility.  So many families and RE teachers and committee members appreciate her warmth and organizational gifts.  Please join me in thanking her as she makes this transition, since holding her against her will is against the law.

Fortunately, she’s not going anywhere.  As a longtime member and church parent, she seeks to return to civilian life as a member of the RE Committee.  She recognized that her level of interest and her vision for development of the program are larger than is permitted in the bounds of an administrative job for 12 hours a week.  She loves UUSS and wants to serve it as a leader, not a clerical staffer.

Soon we will hire a Religious Education Secretary for the program.  We also need to expand the size of the RE Committee, so we can have a coherent and reliable support structure for our volunteer RE teachers and the children and youth in our program. I asked Janet to write her views about the ongoing evolution of our RE program. Here is an excerpt.

Janet writes:  In the past, there has always been a personality (Director of RE or Minister of RE) who has been the focal point for the RE program. She was always the ‘go to’ person for RE information and inquiries. However, this situation no longer exists. Roger’s role is not that of a Minister for Religious Education. His energies are much more dispersed. It is not appropriate for the RE Assistant to take that focal role as this position was created as an assistant for a DRE or MRE. That leaves the RE Committee and its chair to take on the role, but this has not been done at UUSS for at least the last 15 years. I believe that eventually there will be no one focus person for the RE program, but that all those previously mentioned will carry a part of the load. This will all, however, need time to sort out.

UU Kids’ Chalice Camp this Summer: Coming July 25-29 at UUSS

It’s a blessing I was born. It matters what I do with my life. What I know about god is a piece of the truth.   It matters what we do together.  We don’t have to do it alone.

These are some of Chalice Camp’s UU themes.  We will bring back this week of learning and community building activities for members’ children, grades 1-6.   In 2006 we had 18 kids and 4 youth assistants at UUSS.  Our hardworking leaders recall that it was a great bonding experience for the congregation’s kids.  Activities include circle groups, worship, lunch, arts, theater, discussion, and enough free-choice activities for either the pensive or the exuberant.  Your kid will come home worn out and satisfied.  Bring your own lunch; we’ll provide fruit and juice for snacks.

VOLUNTEERS:  We are arranging lead and special-activity volunteers and hiring teenage camp counselors.  Mid-July we’ll train the counselors (SHYG members, who will get stipends).  We’ll have the Family Minister and RE Assistant handy.

SCHEDULE:  The camp is July 25-29 from 9-5.  (Extended care 8:30-5:30 for $50 fee.)  Registration deposit of $75 is due by June 5; refundable only if we are not able to run the camp.

COST:  Early-bird cost:  $200 per child, plus $170 for each additional child from the same family.  Partial financial assistance is available.  After the June 5 deadline, add $25 per child.

Contact Jeannine at jrnewcum@att.net with questions Pick up a brochure and registration form at the RE Welcome Table or contact the RE Assistant at miranda@uuss.org

 

Please note that this is new for those of us putting it on this year. Hence, this year’s registration is limited only to kids of pledging friends and members of UUSS who are registered in RE.  I know it would be enriching for many of our community’s children, and hope we can build on success this year and provide more outreach to those who are not regular participants in our church life.

OPEN MIC NIGHT ON SIERRA BLVD–SHINDIG @ AT THE HEX FRIDAY NIGHT 7:00 PM

UPDATE:  Well, it was quite an event.  We had 130-150 adults, teens and kids present during the 3 hours of our open mic concert tonight.  Many church folks and friends offered their music:  some fun, some moving, some really excellent and beautiful.  Our MC, Eric, was cheerful, celebratory and pretty easy-going given all that he had been managing to make this happen.  Thanks to all the church volunteers who made it happen in addition to the performers.

Headliner Brady McKay was great, with a fabulous jazzy, Gospely, sultry, lovely voice, and a great band.  Her women’s chorus and girls chorus as backup were great as well.  I enjoyed seeing so many folks from the church and having a chance to connect.

Though this was not intended primarily as a fundraiser, Eric reported that after paying the headliner and covering a number of costs, we netted a few hundred bucks for the congregation’s income.  Always helpful!

 

Shindig at the Hex, 7:00pm, this Friday night, August 19. 2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento

Bring your Friends and Relax for an Evening of Fun at our first open-mic/concert evening event!

Spread the word, grab a friend, come on out for great performances of music, original poetry, comedy, and more, along with our headliner: Brady McKay! Eric Stetston, our music director/composer/ukulele player and pianist/vocalist, has been taking applications for performances and the variety is excellent.

Tickets at the door: $10 general audience,  children 12 and under free. Invite your friends by sending them these links to our promo fliers posted at:  http://uuss.org/Special_Events/ and http://uuss.org/Groups/Music/

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UU Readers’ club May 17: Emerson and Channing!

DATE CHANGE:  This will NOT take place May 1 but in the evening of May 17

            In February, our new UU Readers group read and discussed a book about the immigration crisis along the Arizona border at our first meeting.

On May 17, we reflect on William Ellery Channing’s sermon “Likeness to God” and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Divinity School Address.  Find them both online or at a library.  Read them in advance, please.

Channing’s sermon is at http://www.americanunitarian.org/likeness.htm.

Emerson’s address is at http://www.emersoncentral.com/divaddr.htm

We meet 6:30-8:00 PM (before dark) Tuesday, May 17. We will decide on books to read for summer months.  Interested in facilitating a future session?  Please sign up for this group at the Adult Enrichment table so we have enough room!

A difference of perspective, a difference of attitude

What do you think of this YouTube video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU