The UNIGRAM
Monthly Newsletter of
the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
Vol. 31 No. 8
April 2001
A SAMPLE OFAPRIL EVENTS at UUSS
·
Sunday
Services 11 a.m.
·
Two Easter
Services 4/15 - 9:30 and 11 a.m.
·
Sunday
Adult Education 9:30 a.m.
·
Sunday
Forums 9:30 a.m.
·
Religious
Education Sundays at 11 a.m.
·
Rummage
Sale Saturday 4/7
·
Women’s
Alliance Annual Luncheon 4/14
·
The
Crucible by Arthur
Miller 4/20, 4/21, 4/22
·
Dream
Workshop/Kathleen Sullivan 4/28
·
Ministry
Circles begin
·
Servetus
Club Potluck 4/1
·
UU Young
Adults Sunday evenings at 7
·
Gap Group
Movie 4/15 & The Crucible 4/21
Unitarian
Universalist Society of Sacramento
2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento CA 95825 (916) 483-9283
Activities/Information 483-9283 ext 208
Minister: The Reverend Douglas Kraft
Director of Religious Education: Kate Throop
Business Manager: Val Hutton
Organist: Barbara Lazar
Music Director: Mary WillAllen
Bookkeeper: Carole Petracek
Office Coordinator: Bobby Stewart
Office Assistant: Cynthia Creter
Building/Grounds Maintenance Mgr: Robert Hosley
Custodians: Elaine
Cooper - Jose Gomez _____________________________________________________
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Listening to Doug’s recent sermon on Shared Ministry, I felt we had been blessed with extrasensory thoughts. I had been struggling with recruiting some new leaders to use their time, talents, energy, and dedication to keep our spiritual community thriving. But I was stuck.
Then Doug identified the many tasks which need to be done around church as “sharing the ministry with him,” and this was very helpful. Neither he nor the many volunteers who have been doing seemingly mundane jobs can or should carry the burden alone.
I won’t say it is always easy or pleasant. Serving on the Board—perhaps seen by some as dull—has for me been challenging, daunting, and time-consuming, but the rewards are many. I have realized the value of meeting new and wonderful friends in the process of doing my job, to say nothing of the frequent outright fun, plus the special occasional feeling that we accomplished something
important. And for me as a retiree, it has exercised my brain cells; that’s a good thing.
I encourage members to attend a committee meeting or a Board meeting, or help with food preparation and cleanup in the kitchen. Women have known for ages the social value of doing domestic chores together. Something about that elicits deep conversation and long friendships.
I have come to appreciate the efforts of our experienced “worker bees “ and their many accomplishments, but I know many of them would be happy to train and mentor new helpers and share the rewards.
Step up and share Doug’s ministry. You won’t regret it.
Ruth Van Unen
_________________________________________________
Two Services on Easter
To accommodate our growing numbers, we are going to have two religious services on Easter Sunday, April 15.
A 9:30 service will be family and child oriented.
An 11:00 service will be more adult oriented, though children, as always, are very welcome.
At 10:15 there will be an Easter Egg hunt.
A MONTH OF SUNDAYS – April 2001
4/1
9:30 a.m. Auditorium
- Forum: “The Electric Power Issue in California.”
Speaker Barbara George is a leader among those organizing to prevent the
utility companies from raping the people of California. She lives in Berkeley
and has been an activist in the anti-nuclear struggle since the 1970s. She
wrote a comedy-horror show, “Everything I Ever Wanted to Ask About Nukes and
Was Afraid to Know,” and toured the country with it for four years. She is the
founder of “Women's Energy Matters” and is currently active in the “Public
Power Campaign” to organize and lobby the Governor, the Legislature and others
and to educate the public about these issues. Leon Lefson, Coordinator.
9:30
a.m. Library – Adult R.E. Series on love
coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11
a.m. Auditorium – Service: “Fools
Day.” Rev. Doug Kraft, et al. In the beginning was the chuckle. This will be a
morning of fun and jokes and an affirmation that life is altogether too
important to take too seriously.
4/8
9:30 a.m. Auditorium
– Forum: “Corporate Journalism in Two Millennia.”
Speaker Fred Herman states, “I've spent most of my working moments in print
journalism, and from 1958 to 1989 with the Modesto Bee. Since some of my
lecturing has tried to convey the notion that we newsies ought not to be
ideological eunuchs, I believe that we have not just a right but an obligation
to put today's events into historical perspective. I helped found the Modesto
Newspaper Guild unit, reviewed movies for 17 years, founded and edited an
alternative peace-oriented monthly after my 'retirement.' I'll revisit a few
highlights of that career. I'll even try to make the point that the good old
days weren't as good as we may think and that the internet holds hope for us
all." Brick Menz, Coordinator.
9:30 a.m. Library
– Adult R.E. Series on love coordinated by Jeff Watson continue
11 a.m. Auditorium
– Service: “Ministry Circles.” Rev. Kraft, et al. Most people come to church
out of a need to connect with others and to rise out of the mundane everyday
perspective the world offers. Intimacy and inspiration, people and perspective.
To date, we, like many other churches, have not offered enough to newcomers and
long standing members to meet these basic needs. We hope our new Ministries
Circle program will go a long way to fill in the gap. This morning we will
launch our Ministry Circles with an explanation of what they are, how they
operate and how you can join if you like.
4/15 EASTER – TWO SERVICES
(There will be no Forum
on Easter. Rev. Webb has agreed to reschedule his talk on “Past, Present and
Future Foreign Policy” to a future date because of the two Easter services.)
9:30
a.m. Auditorium – Family Service - "Morning has
Broken." Families with children are especially invited to attend this
joyful celebration of new beginnings on Easter morning. We will share songs,
stories and readings. Service leader, Kate Throop.
Following the 9:30 service, UUSS children and guests will be
invited to hunt for Easter eggs. Please bring a basket for collecting, and wear
your Easter bonnet if you have one. The egg hunt will begin at 10:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series on love coordinated
by Jeff Watson continues.
11 a.m. Auditorium
– Service: “The Broken Glass.” Everything born sooner or later dies and decays.
Nothing can be counted on to be as it was. Amidst this flux, we seek happiness
and peace of mind. Yet if we can heartfully accept our death and the inevitable
loss of those we love, we find each moment to be precious and miraculous. The
rebirth promised by Easter is a sham without awareness of death and
impermanence.
4/22
9:30 a.m. Auditorium
– Forum: "Acting Sustainably: Accepting the
Challenge of Climate Protection." Katharine Thompson has been active on
environmental protection since the Clean Air Act was first passed in 1970, in
the areas of energy conservation, cleaning the air, protecting the climate, and
providing passenger rail transportation, and is currently president of the
Sacramento Chapter of the United Nations Association. Evelyn Friend Loomis, Coordinator
9:30 a.m Library – Adult R.E. Series on love
coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11 a.m. Auditorium
– Service: “Let It Be Dance,” Ric Masten, UU Bard. Ric Masten is a stand-up
poet, a teller of tales. His humorous anecdotes, pointed stories and accurate
observations speak to the human condition. In performance, he is funny and
poignant by turn and his material is always improvised. He was ordained a
specialized Unitarian Universalist minister in 1971. He has preached or
presented his unique brand of poetry, song and stories in more of this
denominations churches than any other Unitarian Universalist in history.
4/29
9:30 a.m. Auditorium – Forum:
"Stop the U.S. War on Iraq." Maggie Coulter is a long
time Sacramento resident and peace and justice activist. In the twenty years
she has been in Sacramento, Maggie has worked extensively with the Central
America Action Committee, Sacramentans for International Labor Rights and
Sacramento-Yolo Peace Action and on other community and social issues. Maggie
has a Master's Degree in Sociology and has taught at Sacramento City College.
She has addressed college classes and public audiences on the U.S. war against
Iraq; that war includes the sanctions against Iraq and the ongoing bombing.
Terry Cantrell, Coordinator.
9:30 a.m Library – Adult R.E. Series on love
coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11 a.m. Auditorium – Service:“Fellow
Creatures,” Rev. Kraft. Several episodes dealing with ants in the kitchen and
lizards in the bedroom spark a reflection on how we relate to our fellow
creatures. How much do we really honor that we share the planet with a
wonderful variety of beings and how much do we see the earth as our personal
playground? How much do we tolerate others as long as they don’t annoy us too
much? How much do we really feel that we are but a part of the interdependent
web?
_______________________________________________________
Rev. Doug Kraft
Visions of
Abundance and Ministry Circles
* Live, vibrant
supportive church
* Many
generations
* A
place to smile and cry
* Knowing
people well enough to feel a part of their lives
* People
who can come together and work together, learn together and play together and
all be kind to the earth
* Many
small groups for connecting with others
* Interactors
who mix easily with people young and old
* A
place to share ideas, feelings, music, food
* Diversity
of members
· Appreciation of the many talents and insights
This is a very small random sampling of the over two hundred responses you sent me to the question I asked in church, “What is your vision of an abundant community?” I’ll get more to you as I get a chance to study them and search for patterns. In my first non-scientific sampling, it seems that the vision most often mentioned is connecting in community. There are many other things important to us, but this gets referred to most and in the largest variety of ways.
What do we offer to meet this vision? We offer a Sunday service and committee meetings. Hopefully our service is inspiring. I find us a friendly group. But with 300 people, it is hardly an intimate setting, especially for visitors. And no matter how many people I ask “Why did you first come to a church?” I have never heard someone say, “I was sitting around one evening thinking, ‘Gee, I’d sure like to join a committee. I think I’ll go find a church.’”
A Sunday service
and committees is hardly an adequate response to what we are looking for or to
what draws new people to our doors. Perhaps this is why nine out of ten
newcomers don’t stay. This is not our specific failing, it is a general
phenomenon for churches our size: 90% of the people leave.
Most of those who do stay find their way into our smaller groups: the Dream Groups, Women’s Alliance, Women’s Ritual Group, Men’s Groups, Theater One, Choir, etc., as well as many less formal but regular social groups. However, it is not always easy for new people to find their way into these. And many of our regular members seem hungry for more depth and more contact.
So here is a
radical idea. Why not give people what they want?
In the last few
years, a number of Unitarian Universalist churches across the country have
started wildly successful small group programs. They have been called
“Covenanting Groups” and “Small Group Ministries.” Since last Fall, a group of
ten of us at UUSS has been developing our own version of these groups. We
prefer to call them “Ministry Circles” or just “Circles.” These will be groups
of six to ten people that meet regularly to explore spiritual / ethical issues
in their own lives. We are extremely excited about our experience with this
process and the potential it offers our religious community.
On April 8 we will
present a service that outlines how the Ministry Circles operate. There will
also be an opportunity to sign up for one if you like. In the meantime, look
for the new brochure.
I think the Ministry
Circles have the potential to transform our church and bring it closer to the
vision so many of us share.
My regular office hours at the church are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 3 to 5 p.m. and Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m. I’m around at other times, but I’ll be there for sure during those hours unless something specific takes me away. I keep Monday as a day off and reserve mornings for sermon preparation.
You can reach me at church at 483-9283 x201.
Loss, Change and Endings
Support group starts April 10
Loss and change are part of our lives, but when we encounter them we often find ourselves struggling. This ten-week group will focus on ways we can integrate changes and endings into our lives and deal with them in a more spacious way.
The group will be facilitated by Peter Gaffney, a psychiatrist and therapist with an extensive background in Buddhist study and meditation.
To sign up, call
the church office (483-9283 x 0). Doug
Kraft
____________________________________
UUSS NEWS & EVENTS
3 Services Task Force at
Work
Your ideas are welcome
Eagle-eyed readers of the Unigram will have noticed that the Board of Trustees, at its January meeting, approved the formation of a Task Force to explore the possibility of having two religious services and Forum (hence the name “Three Services Task Force”) on Sunday mornings beginning in the Fall of 2001.
Recognizing that most congregations take 12 to 18 months to plan such a transition, interested UUSS groups and staff began meeting immediately. Representatives from Forum, Religious Services, and Religious Education have met four times with Doug and me to explore all the possibilities, and the Forum Committee and Religious Education Committee have each had discussions about how the various proposals would affect their activities on Sunday morning. Central to our discussion has been our collective commitment to agreeing on a plan where friendships can be sustained and continue to flourish, and where the flow of people and cars will give some relief from the sometimes chaotic nature of our current situation. It has become clear to us in our discussions that there is no one solution that will completely satisfy each person’s fondest wishes. We are working on solutions that require give and take, compromise, willingness to try a new way, and that are based in trust and respect for the needs of the whole congregation.
Your thoughts, dreams, and worries about how we will shape our Sundays are eagerly solicited. Please speak with Doug, Pete Martineau, Ned Doehne, Shirley True, Kathryn Young, or me (current Task Force members). Any one of us can also tell you when the next meeting is scheduled (after April 1), and we would welcome your presence and comments.
Kate Throop, 3
Services Task Force
Merci! Merci!
Bouquets are in order for the very special Reception provided at the Betty Ch’maj Memorial Lecture on March 11. The efforts of Harley Sebastian-Lewis, Coordinator, Rich Sebastian-Lewis, Bob Clifton, Judy Bell, and Barbara Hopkins, plus their many volunteer providers were much appreciated by many persons.
Thanks also to our UUSS Bookkeeper Carole Petracek for much extra work on our behalf. A SPECIAL BRAVO and Thank You go to Robert Hosley and Elaine Cooper for their “Beyond the Call” help.
The Ch’maj Lecture
Planning Committee
Attention Committee Chairs/ Liaisons
Have
you reviewed your Charter lately?
At the recommendation of the Council of
Leaders, the Board has approved and clarified several procedures affecting
committees and other recognized UUSS groups. The exact language might change
slightly by the time they are incorporated into the next revision of the
Constitution and/or Bylaws, but here are the highlights:
1. All committees and activity groups shall operate in accordance
with a charter that has been approved by the Board and shall amend their
charters as needed so that they reflect their current status and
functions. Amended charters shall be
submitted to the Board for approval. The criteria for Board approval should be
based on these questions:
·
Is the
committee doing what it is supposed to do?
·
Does it have
a vision that is spelled out?
·
Is its
function necessary?
·
Does the
charter describe how it relates to other groups and entities?
·
Does it
embrace a UU principle? Does it conflict with a principle?
2. Committees and activities should inform the Board of the names of
the chairs and co-chairs prior to the first meeting of each new Board (usually
June). The Board should designate liaisons at or prior to that meeting.
3. Chairs should see that their groups review their charters every
year, and ask the questions listed above.
4. It is the job of the liaison to alert the Board to such problems
as overlapping jurisdictions or functions, or inability to recruit or select a
chair.
5. The Board has the authority, following due
process, to remove chairs, appoint chairs to committees who lack them,
disapprove charters, create and dissolve committees and groups. (The
Constitution/Bylaws Revision Task Force will develop appropriate due process
language.)
6. Committees and groups must have Board
approval before committing funds that exceed their current approved budget
amounts.
Tiffany Urness, Vice President, Board of
Trustees
________________________________________
FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
It comes as no surprise to anyone that our utility bills are higher this year than in the same period last year. For example in February of 2000, our PG&E bill was $547.04, whereas in February 2001 our bill was $1,500.00! Not only are we faced with further projected increases for PG&E service, but we also face SMUD increases and water rate increases. The Board of Trustees will be considering whether or not to add an energy surcharge to our renters’ bills, and/or whether to impose an across-the-board rental increase to help alleviate the cost of heating, cooling, and maintenance.
However, our renters are not the only ones using our facilities. Because of the recent energy crisis all of us are aware of the need to conserve energy, therefore all of us need to be responsible for closing doors and turning off lights on the church property in much the same way as we have been doing at home. Robert Hosley and myself have already reduced the level of lighting and heating, making sure to maintain appropriate safety levels while we do so. Members and guests are tolerating colder rooms, and will need to tolerate some heat this summer.
Water supply and cost are also important factors. After consultation with Property Management Committee Chairperson Anne Kempees, we have decided to impose a moratorium on new plantings. This is effective immediately, and will be in place until further notice. In order to maintain the trees and plants we already have, we will also be looking at existing watering patterns and water use.
Many of you have come to know Greg Evans, our Night Custodian. Fortunately for Greg, and not so for us, he has won a major apartment cleaning contract, which means that he could not continue working at UUSS. His last day with us was March 3.
I have a concern about office security at times when no staff members are present. On numerous occasions the door into the office from the kitchen hallway is being unlocked and propped open. This frequently happens when we are at our most vulnerable, because the outside doors into the kitchen and auditorium are unlocked for those who will be using the Auditorium and/or kitchen and library areas. Here are a few reminders:
· Don’t assume that you have access to the office at all times. Apart from valuable equipment, there is confidential information stored there, so security is important.
· If you do not have a key, you must expect to have a responsible person remain with you in the office until you have finished your task.
· If you are a key holder, please make sure you secure both locks when you leave. Never prop the door open. Get help if you are carrying something awkward or large.
· If you are not a key holder, do not ask custodians to unlock the office door for you. They are instructed not to leave people in the office unattended. Ask someone on your committee to let you in, and expect them to remain with you until your task is completed.
Your continued watchfulness can only benefit us all.
Many thanks for the effort you are all making to get
announcements for the Order of Service to Cynthia by noon on Thursdays. As you
may be aware, Cynthia also makes a weekly telephone recording of all the
activities that are taking place on our site. As you can imagine, it’s quite a
task to record all that information, therefore your promptness in contacting
the offices when you make changes is doubly important.
Currently our office copy machine makes an average of 8,500 copies a month, and this heavy usage is further complicated by our use of various forms of print media for which the current machine was not designed. Service calls have increased to approximately five a month, and these usually have occurred when the machine is most needed, such as Fridays when we are running copies of the Order of Service, or when we need to print a high volume of letters. After investigating various options, I have leased a new Mita Royal 3010 digital copy machine from Edwards at approximately the same lease/ maintenance cost as the old machine. Office Assistant Cynthia Creter will be available to show you how to use the machine. The learning curve is minimal, but there is a learning curve. Val Hillsdon-Hutton, Business Manager
Rummage Sale is April 7
All I want is $MONEY$, lots and lots of $MONEY$...and
lots and lots of !HELP!
The Annual Rummage Roadshow is almost here! April 7 promises to be a great fundraiser for UUSS if we can all pull together and show our support. We’re getting wonderful donations (keep filling those boxes), we’ve got ads, we’ve got a committed chair (three cheers for Arnie Godmintz), we’ve got space, we’ve got a great plan for setting up, and we’ve got enthusiasm. What we don’t have is enough help. The work is not hard. We need bodies to sort, price, work tables, be cashiers, etc.
What can you do to help us? Let me tell you. Please check your calendar and sign up for one or more of the jobs listed below.
Call Arnie Godmintz to sign up for:
· From now until Wednesday April 4: Sort donated items in the warehouse, a couple of hours during the day. (If you can work more than one day, SUPER.)
Call Stephanie Turner to sign up for:
·
April 7 - 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: (Coffee and
breakfast breads available for those opening. Lunch provided for those working
the noon hour.)
The sale runs 8 a.m.-3 p.m. We will need six people every two-three hours for cashier, cashier assistant, security, straightening tables, runner for change, and lunch/coffee for the workers.
· April 7 - 3-5 p.m.: Clean-up time. Box unsold items for pickup by a local charity; prepare the hall to be set up for church the next day.
Many thanks to
those who have already donated time or made commitments. Let’s make this the
best sale yet! Stephanie Turner
Don’t Miss The Crucible 4/20-22
What
really happened in Salem in 1692?
Theater One will present Arthur Miller’s
Tony award-winning play, The Crucible, on
·
Friday
April 20 at 8 p.m.
$10 or $8
·
Saturday
April 21 at 8 p.m. $10 or $8
Dinner at 6 p.m.– Optional. To reserve, buy a separate $10
dinner ticket in addition to the play ticket.
·
Sunday
April 22 at 2 p.m. $10 or $8 Tickets: $10, or $8 Senior/Student/Group rate.
Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible in
the 1950s in reaction to the widespread congressional investigation of
“subversive” activities in the United States. Based on historical fact (shaped
by the playwright for dramatic purposes) the play is set in Salem,
Massachusetts in 1692. During that year 20 people, victims of pious townspeople
in the grip of lust, vengeance, and greed, were hanged as witches. But the play
is also the story of people of great courage and honesty.
The cast includes UUSS members and friends
Barbara Amberson, Hank Coffin, Richard Dewey, Ankie Giese, Gina Heckeroth,
David Hess, Shirley Hewitt, Lisa Karkoski, Lisa Langhorst, Dave Lust, Dixie and
Howard Owens, Pat Skeels, Carl Sweet, and Frank Winans. Also appearing are Phil
Jaynes of UU Community Church and three actors from the community who have
previously appeared in our plays: Blythe Hewitt, Elena Scandone, and Hector
Venegas.
For tickets call the church office
(483-9283 ext.204) or e-mail bobby@uuss.org.
Theater One would appreciate your support,
and we know you’ll enjoy this thoughtful play.
_____________________________________________
Let’s Do Lunch!
UUSS members who work or live (or are just passing through)
downtown can meet for lunch on the first Friday of each month. Let’s have lunch
and get to know each other better. Beginning April 6, we’ll meet at Brannan’s
restaurant at 11:30. No reservations are required—just show up if you can.
Brannan’s is at 1117 11th Street (directly across from the Capitol, between K
and L Streets). Entrance to the nearest parking garage is on 10th street. This
is very informal…just show up!
Tina Chiginsky
___________________________________________
TransNet is Here
Transportation
Network survey continues
We are in the process of organizing a network of members to help each other with transportation to the Sunday service, to committee meetings, to medical appointments and to do routine major grocery shopping. We need to get some idea of who needs the rides and who is willing to give rides to the rideless. Some people have already filled out our survey, either from the March Unigram or after the Sunday service. If you have not, please fill it out if you are willing or need to be involved in this project. Return the form to the UUSS office or drop it off at the Caring table.
Barbara Amberson
_____________________________________
Canvass Report
Pledgers
try harder
The latest tabulations in the every member canvass are promising.
As of March 11, 155 pledges had been received for a total of $186,739.12. This represents an increase of 15 percent for those same households who pledged last year.
Ninety-two pledges increased over last year, 28 remained the same, and 51 declined. The average pledge this year is $1,205 for the 20001-2002 fiscal year.
Canvassers are urged to complete their calls. The canvass was scheduled to end by March 31.
Nearly 200 persons
attended the celebration dinner March 3 that marked the kickoff of the drive.
Bud Lembke
___________________________________________
Ministry
Circles
Ministry Circles will be off and running starting with sign-ups at the April 8 Worship Service. The brochure with complete details about the names of the facilitators, the dates, time, and addresses of the meeting places is now in circulation. If, for some reason, you missed the brochure please call me for more information.
Fran Oyafuso
__________________________________________
Communication Workshop
Coming up in May: Look at yourself
through the Joe-Hari Window
The Joe-Hari Window is a technique used in intrapersonal communication classes to help students build self-esteem and banish ghosts of past actions. How we talk to ourselves about ourselves has a dramatic impact on how we live our lives. We are often our most severe critics. We need to learn to be kinder to ourselves.
The facilitator of this workshop is Shirley Hewitt, who earned a master’s degree in speech arts and taught communication arts at Sacramento City College for 31 years. She was the chair of the negotiating team of Los Rios Community College District for several years and is the former chair of the Communications and Conflict Management Committee (CCMC) at UUSS.
The workshop is sponsored by the Communication Subcommittee of the CCMC. Please watch the May Unigram for the date and Room.
Joyce Miller
______________________________________
Tax
Support
for
Faith-Based Groups
President Bush has established an office of
“faith-based and community initiatives” that would allow groups to receive
public funds and “employ their faiths” to carry out certain social
programs. There are questions here of
constitutionality, public policy and effectiveness that bear scrutiny.
Will you attend an organizational meeting
to look into this issue? Join us after church on April 22 at 12:45 in the Fahs
Room. Let’s learn about this and perhaps develop an informed opinion.
Joan Osborn
_____________________________________________
Stop
by and see what we’re doing
The last Wednesday Club meets April 25, 6:30 p.m. in the Fahs Room. Club founder Nancy Gilbert provides a video for each meeting. All members of the Social Responsibility Committee are invited, as well as any others interested in topics of social concern.
The committee also interacts on current projects. Stop by our table at the back of the auditorium after Sunday services to find out what is happening.
Joyce Miller
_____________________________________________
Thank-you
From Samaritan Center
Doug Kraft shares this letter of March 8 from the Director of the Samaritan Center:
“Dear Reverend Kraft,
I want to truly express to you and the congregation at the Unitarian Universalist Church our gratitude for everyone’s generosity. This has allowed us to pay completely for the Samaritan Center’s new refrigerator.
The donations from your church family will go to help so many people in need, allowing us to keep more items on hand that have to remain cool. But it really is the warmth expressed by everyone there that has demonstrated to us that we have truly found new friends in the family of God.”
____________________________________
Join a Spring Walkathon
Make a Wish Foundation
walks May 20
I am a team leader for Make a Wish Foundation’s spring fundraising walkathon and would love for you and your family to be on my team. May 20 early evening, meeting place near CSUS (Sac. State). Maybe the team can get together after the walk for pizza and a celebration of doing good for the community. Details later… Stephanie Turner
_____________________________________________
News from the Million Mom March
Rally coming up May 13
at the Capitol
All are invited to the Million Mom March Sacramento Chapter meeting Saturday April 28, 10 a.m. in Room 7/8. We are planning our Mother’s Day (May 13) Rally on the Capitol steps—so important in light of recent shootings in our schools.
Last month the Million Mom March were out in force at the State Assembly Public Safety Committee meeting to support AB 22 (prohibiting retail sale of firearms from a residence) and AB 35 (establishes a handgun licensing program). Both bills passed the Committee— next step, the State Senate. Call your local Assemblyman and State Senator and ask for their support!
In a discussion with me about our out-of-control gun situation and why so many men are passionate about guns, Rev. Doug Kraft said that some men bond while using guns hunting, or in wars in the trenches with bullets flying over their heads. My own son goes pheasant hunting with his son and their male friends—their “male bonding holiday.”
Please consider helping at the Social Responsibility Table representing Handgun Control and the Million Mom March on one Sunday a month. And you’d be welcome at meetings of the Social Responsibility Committee and at the State Capitol.
Thelma White
_____________________________________________
Thanks from Loaves & Fishes
Birte Peebles of the Loaves & Fishes Library wrote to Lois Panting on February 14 to say, “Thank you so much for your continuing effort to collect and donate greeting cards to Loaves & Fishes.
“Being able to send cards to friends and family is something a lot of us take for granted. However, to most of our Guests here at Loaves & Fishes it’s a pretty big thing, one that brings smiles to quite a few faces.
“On behalf of our Guests, I thank you again.”
Lois reminds us of the ongoing need for cards with envelopes. Please leave them in the UUSS office or give them to Lois on a Sunday morning.
__________________________________________________
Who’s Who in the UUSS Office
For those of you who may not be sure which one of us to contact when you call the office, here is a list of our names and what we do:
Val Hutton—Business Manager 483-9283 x 202
Val@uuss.org
(Plans, organizes, and supervises all business affairs of the Society, including the office, office volunteers, administrative financial affairs, scheduling and use of the buildings, and maintenance of the facilities.)
Cynthia Creter—Office Assistant 483-9283 x 206
Cynthia@uuss.org Mo 9-1,Tu 9-2, Th 9-5, Fr 9-5.
(Prepares the Order of Service from information provided by the Minister and others; maintains the member database, and performs other clerical work as needed.)
Carole Petracek—Bookkeeper 483-9283 x 205
Carole@uuss.org Part time, flexible hours.
(Performs all bookkeeping functions—accounts receivable, accounts payable, pledge statements, payroll, and financial reports.)
Bobby Stewart—Office Coordinator 483-9283 x 204
Bobby@uuss.org Full-time
(Staffs the office 9-5 weekdays; edits the Unigram and Annual Report, assists with building use, Board, committee and other office functions.)
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Women’s
Alliance Luncheon
Our Annual Fundraiser is April 14
All are invited to the Women’s Alliance
catered luncheon on Saturday, April 14 at noon in the Auditorium. After lunch
“U.U.LOT” (as in Camelot), a comedy written and directed by Helen Graham, will
be performed. You will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets for a lovely
donated afghan, and to participate in a silent auction: Mary Davis has donated
a 64-piece set of 1847 Rogers silver plate complete with lined storage box and
extra serving pieces (value $500).
Tickets for the luncheon
are $20. For more information see the enclosed flyer.
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Servetus
Potluck is April 1
Servetus Club
is a social club for older singles. We have potluck suppers at UUSS the first
Sunday evening of each month and visitors are always welcome. We have
occasional other parties and activities. Come to our potluck Sunday April 1 at
6 p.m. in the Fahs Room.Bring a dish to share. Cost is just $2 for members, $3
for non-members. Dorothy Engelstad
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Gap
Group
Gap Group is a loosely-organized group of
middle-aged people, single or not, who enjoy getting together for social
occasions. New people are always welcome to join us or to host activities.
Please call me at 444-6553 with your suggestions.
4/15 Sunday Movie and dessert. Call Judy Bell for
details.
4/21
Saturday Dinner and
theater. The Gap Group will attend the dinner show of The Crucible at
UUSS. Call the church office at 483-9283 ext. 204 for reservations. Dinner
(optional) at 6 p.m.; play at 8 p.m.
5/5 Saturday
Potluck dinner at Nancy
Gilbert’s. Call Nancy.
Shirley Hines
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Humanists Programs in April
HAGSA (Humanist Association of the Greater Sacramento Area) meets in the Fahs Room twice monthly. All are welcome.
Friday 4/6, 7 p.m. Rev. Doug Kraft will speak about “Transcendence for Atheists. ” Doug writes: “It’s been said that Ken Wilbur is doing for consciousness what Freud did for psychology. Ken Wilbur has been synthesizing systems philosophy, psychology and spirituality into a remarkably coherent spectrum...This evening we will look at some of his provocative ideas. Bring your questions and thoughts.” This promises to be a superb program.
Sunday 4/22, 2 p.m. (please note time change). We
will attend Theater One’s presentation of Arthur Miller's Tony Award winning
play The Crucible. Discussion afterwards in the Fahs Room. $10
admission; $8 for seniors and students. Contact me for ticket
reservations.
Anna Andrews
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Would you like to be a worship associate? You will assist the minister with Sunday morning services including performing some portions of the service such as the chalice lighting or leading candles of joys and sorrows. In addition, you will coordinate preparations for the service with others involved such as the choir and outside speakers. You need to attend one meeting a month and help with a service every other month. We provide training as well as a wonderful group of colleagues. Please contact Doug Kraft (483-9283 x 201), Kathleen Mead, Dan Ford, or any worship associate for more information. Ginny Johnson
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Looking Into Our Future
Long Range Planning Task Force takes off
The Long-Range Planning Task Force is enthusiastically looking ahead to the future of UUSS, considering the shared visions and felt needs of members, friends, potential members, and staff as we move toward developing a recommendation. We will report our progress in the Unigram regularly and welcome any inquiries or suggestions. The Task Force includes Barbara Amberson, John Harvey Carter, Avis Grace, Annie Kempees, Ronn Kaiser, Laurie Jones, Pete Larsen, Harley Sebastian-Lewis, Rich Sebastian-Lewis, Carl Sweet, Clair Urness, Christine Webb-Curtis; Stephanie Turner and Tiffany Urness are Board liaisons. Christine Webb-Curtis
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Back by Request: Auction II
Silent Services Auction is planned for May
Here’s your chance if you missed out on the silent services auction last October 15. Another silent auction is coming up in May!
Or if you’re one of the many of us who have been having a wonderful time at parties, dinners, and events we bid on last fall, you’ll want to check out the offerings this time around. Watch for details! Dave Thomas, Tiffany Urness, and Kathryn Young
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Learn
Congolese Dance
Women's Ritual Group is putting on the Summer Solstice morning
church service on June 24. One possibility is to arrange for the Congolese
Dance Troupe to perform. A related idea would be to offer a group of five
classes to anyone interested (probably $50-$75 total per person, perhaps on
Friday nights for 90 minutes). The students would then perform with the Troupe
in the service. Anyone interested, please call me. No previous dance experience
necessary.
We would need to reserve the teacher's
time, rooms, and drummers as soon as possible and arrange the classes for
May/June. Even if it doesn't work out in this time frame, please call if you
are interested. Laurie
Jones
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Wholeness
Workshop is April 28
The UUSS dream groups will host the second
“Wholeness” workshop with Kathleen Sullivan on Saturday, April 28. The workshop
is based on the notion that all dreams lead us to healing and wholeness, and it
continues from where we left off in October. (Attendance at last October’s
workshop is not a prerequisite for this one, though. You need only an open mind
and a willing and playful spirit.)
Dream Group meetings continue on a weekly
basis Wednesdays 10 a.m.-noon in the Library and 7-9 p.m. in Room 10. Everyone
is welcome—no experience necessary to participate. Just drop in or call me for
more information. Fran
Oyafuso
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No
Foolin’
CCMC meets Sunday April 1
Communication and Conflict Management
Committee (CCMC) will meet Sunday April 1, 12:45 p.m. in the Fahs Room. Anyone
who has an interest is invited—including all those who have been involved with
the committee in the past. We will look at our charter and discuss what our
role should now be. Should we modify our emphasis on conflict? Continue to
encourage more open communication between members? Attending this meeting
doesn’t obligate you to joining the committee.
Harley
Sebastian-Lewis
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How
About This Cool New Logo?
Thank you, Doug Kraft and Kathryn Young
Kathryn Young designed this new logo for
us, based on a concept of Doug Kraft’s. It carries over the oak and the hexagon
of our old logo, but this one will reproduce more clearly in any size format.
We like it!
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Si,
se puede hablar en espanol!
Join the Spanish Conversation Group
Those of us
who wish to improve our conversational skills in Spanish and get acquainted
with Spanish-speaking persons continue to meet Sunday afternoons, 2-4 in Room
6. Call me if your are interested, or just come. Frank Winans
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PCD Assembly is April 20-22
“Speaking Our Truth,” the PCD (Pacific Central District)
District Assembly meets in San Ramon this year. Discover your passion, meet new
friends, go to thought provoking workshops, participate in worship and witness
the Bridging Ceremony, a moving rite of passage honoring UU young adults. See
the kiosk for more information. Be
Patterson
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“Awakenings” Spring Retreat
Women & Religion Retreat is April 6-8
Awakenings is the theme of this year’s PCD-UUA Women & Religion Spring Retreat. Come help us co-create this event, with sisterhood, sharing our stories, singing, mask making, and more. See the notice on the Kiosk more information or call registrar Marnie Collier.
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Are You a Member of UUSC?
Now
is the time to get involved
The Unitarian
Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has been working worldwide for human
rights for over 60 years. Minimum membership costs just $25 per year and
includes their interesting newsletter. A $60 contribution will be matched,
doubling your impact. Call Judith Dewey or me for more information.
If you
are already a member of UUSC, would you like to be more involved? Perhaps as
the Local Representative? Call me or email. Nancy Gilbert
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UU Community Ministry Center
Continental
UU serves PCD now
This spring the UU
Community Ministry Center was granted affiliation with the Unitarian
Universalist Association (UUA). The Center provides support and information
about community ministers, who serve as hospital chaplains, in hospices, jails,
on campuses, or with persons living with disabilities or AIDS.. To learn more
about their work, contact Rev. Jody Shipley, P.O. Box 2370, Berkeley CA 94702.
or email joshipley@aol.com
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Thank You, Office Volunteers
We couldn’t do it without you
We really appreciate all that our office
volunteers do to keep us going. Since December, the following people have
generously given us their time.
Sunday volunteers, coordinated by Prudi
Kantz, staffed the church office before and after services: Edie Isaacs,
Prudi Kantz, Annette Kregel, and Helen Vanderford. Every Monday Lila
Gibson spends a couple of hours in the office answering the phone, sending
letters, and whatever’s needed. One day when Anna Cotton had a day off
from teaching school she spent that time with us, typing, preparing a mailing,
and answering the phone. The Unigram was prepared for mailing every
month by about eight of the following people: Ed Blanchette, Helen
Bradfield, Rick Caughey, Mary Davis, Earl Fraser, Lila Gibson, Jim Graham,
Virginia & Fred Hansen, Ruth Hultgren, Delmar & Joan Janson, Jacqui
Lahr, Annette Kregel, Helen Vanderford, Eliane Watson, Carol Weilgart.
Thank
you to all these wonderful helpers. You know we couldn’t do it without you!
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Last Wednesday Club
The Last Wednesday
Club. sponsored by the Social Responsibility Committee and me, meets March
28, 6:30 p.m. in the Fahs Room. If you get this notice in time, join us. We
will watch an award-winning documentary, “Good Kurds, Bad Kurds, No Friends but
the Mountains.”
Nancy Gilbert
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Inventory Continues
Where is our kitchen cart?
Some items on the last
inventory—stainless steel kitchen cart, hymnals, dishes, chairs, tables—can’t
be found. Did someone borrow these items? Did we hide them from ourselves
inside a pile of rummage?Please return anything you may have borrowed from the
church so we can complete the inventory.
Barbara Amberson
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Plants, Pots, Starts Needed
Remember, the Green Thumb Plant Sale will be
held April 7 (at the Rummage Sale) and April 8 before and after church.
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Jazz B&B
Participate in the Jazz Bed & Breakfast we offer to UUs
from all over the county coming to Sacramento for the Dixieland Jazz
Festival
Memorial Day Weekend May 26-29. Contact Anna Andrews, Coordinator, UUSS Jazz B&B.