The UNIGRAM
Monthly Newsletter of
the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
Vol. 32 No. 12 August
2002
Unitarian
Universalist Society of Sacramento
2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento CA 95825 (916) 483-9283
Activities/Information 483-9283 ext 208 Fax 483-4934
Minister: The Reverend Douglas Kraft
Director of Religious Education: Kate Throop
Business Manager: Clay Nelson
Organist: Barbara Lazar
Music Director: Mary WillAllen
Bookkeeper: Carole Petracek
Office Coordinator: Bobby Stewart
Office Assistant: Cynthia Creter
Building/Grounds Maintenance Mgr: Robert Hosley
Custodian: Elaine Cooper
Night Custodian: Bill LandonJones
A MONTH OF SUNDAYS – AUGUST
2002
Services at 10
a.m. in the Auditorium. See “Religious Education News” for more information on
Summer Religious Education.
8/4
9:45-11:15
a.m. Room 11 – Infant and toddler care.
9:55
a.m. Room 7/8 – Ages 5-12.
10
a.m. Auditorium. “Spirituality and
the Arts.” Rich Howard, JoAnn Anglin, coordinators. In this almost annual
Spirituality and the Arts service, we will explore how poetry can be used as a
healing tool, and how we each might find the gift that will serve as our own
form of ministry.
8/11
9:45-11:15
a.m. Room 11 – Infant and toddler care.
9:55
a.m. Room 7/8 – Ages 5-12.
10 a.m. Auditorium. Devorah Greenstein
speaks. Devorah is a student at Starr
King School for the Ministry, and she will serve as our Intern Minister next
fall. See the June Unigram Page 4 for Devorah’s introduction to us.
8/18
9:45 a.m. Rm 11 – Infant and toddler care.
9:55 a.m. Rm 7/8 – Ages 5-12
10
a.m. Auditorium. “The Circle
is Open: Building Relationships,” Ministry Circle leaders. Each person’s
spiritual journey is unique. No one can tell us what its goal should be, or
which pathway will best take us there. But some of us profit greatly by sharing
the events, the feelings, the doubts and wonderings we encounter with a small
group of sympathetic Others twice a month, and with a leader to give us
guidance and direction. We call them Ministry Circles, and they have been
active at UUSS for over a year. Ministry Circle leaders will present background
and how they work, and the service will contain a taste of elements of the
Ministry Circle experience.
8/25
9:45-11:15
a.m. Room 11 – Infant and toddler care.
9:55
a.m. Room 7/8 – Ages 5-12.
10
a.m. Auditorium. “Allegiance,”
Rev. Doug Kraft. At the core of the human heart is a sense of oneness and
interdependence. Experiencing loyalty and support can be healing, particularly
for a person who has felt wounded or oppressed. However, this healthy human
need to bond can be distorted into something quite unhealthy. The sense of “us”
can be twisted into “us versus them.” The reality of Oneness is supplanted by
the illusion of duality. Creeds, statements of faith, and pledges of allegiance
can be wonderful if they are truly spontaneous expressions of belonging. But as
tests of membership or instruments of exclusion they emphasize “us versus
them.” They bring out the worst in human nature. The current flap over the
Pledge of Allegiance raises these and other issues. –Doug Kraft
SEPTEMBER
1 – LAST SUMMER SERVICE
9/1
9:45 –11:15 a.m Room 11 – Infant and toddler care.
9:55 a.m. Room 7/8 – Ages 5-12.
10
a.m. Auditorium – “1+1=One.” Theater One
with a presentation on the theme of “one from many,” looking forward to our new
Sunday schedule, where as one congregation we divide our attendance in two
services.
NEW SCHEDULE BEGINS SEPTEMBER 8!!
At
a special Congregational Meeting on January 27, 2002, we voted to schedule two
religious services on Sundays during the regular church year, one at 9 a.m. and
one at 11 a.m. Crowding at the Sunday services had made it difficult for
everyone to find a seat, and a Task Force was formed to study our options and
conduct a survey of the congregation. By a margin of 5 to 1, those returning
the surveys were in favor of adding a second morning service. The Forum has
decided to present their speakers at 1 p.m., after lunch. Here’s the schedule
to begin September 8:
8:30 a.m.-12:30 pm Childcare in Room 11
9-10 a.m. Worship service in Main Hall
9-10 a.m. Religious Education for Preschool-6th grade
10:15-10:45 a.m. Choir rehearsal in Main Hall
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Worship service in Main Hall
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Religious Education for Preschool-Senior
High
12:15-1 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. Forum in Main Hall
A reminder: The September 8 In-gathering service will
include a water ceremony, so don’t forget to bring back a sample of water from
your travels this summer.
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
“I
love the mountains, I love the rolling hills;
I
love the flowers, I love the daffodils;
I
love the fireside, when all the lights are low;
Boom-di-yadda,
boom-di-yadda
Boom-di-yadda,
boom-di-yadda...”
Cruising along the rivers and byways of
southwestern France this past June, sometimes Clair, Carl, Carol, Anna, Joan,
Bud, Mary and I couldn’t help bursting into song, with joy and gusto and a
surprising degree of harmony. We had a great trip, and the memories will last a
lifetime.
Now as I reflect back, I wonder if I can
put my finger on some of the things that made it so memorable. There was lots
of planning and preparation beforehand, and that paid off nicely to be sure.
Selecting a destination that regaled us with beauty and inspiring vistas day in
and day out helped a lot. Nevertheless, our consensus was that the highlight of
the whole thing was our own camaraderie and compatibility. There was an
openness to new experiences. We had our misadventures, but everyone kept a
sense of humor. We were flexible. Everyone seemed to acknowledge and appreciate
the effort it sometimes took to communicate. We watched out for one another.
Everybody pitched in with chores. We
shared expenses. We all took delight in simple accomplishments, like figuring
out where we were and where were heading.
Well bless my soul if those aren’t
qualities that each of us is quite capable of displaying even here, back in our
everyday world, back at UUSS! Isn’t it our deepest wish, after all, to travel
together with open minds, open hearts, and helping hands? What if we all pressed ourselves a little
more to live up to the values expressed in our Covenant? I’ll bet we would find
that it is possible to feel the lightness and warmth of summer vacation at any
time of the year at UUSS and whenever and wherever UUs get together!
OK, everybody:
Boom-di-yadda,
boom-di-yadda
Boom-di-yadda,
boom-di-yadda!
Tiffany Urness
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
R.E. August Calendar
August
4 – “Koluscap and the Water Monster”
August
11 – “Old Man Coyote and the Rock” (if you’re
a rock hound, bring a
favorite rock to show)
August
18 – Dreams & Dreamcatchers
August
25 – “Loo-Wit the Firekeeper”
(Kate
on vacation from August 14 – 21)
Save the Date! SATURDAY,
AUGUST 24
9
a.m. – 3 p.m.
Orientation
and Teacher Training for all R.E.volunteers.
Childcare
and lunch will be provided! Please RSVP
for childcare to Kate at 483-9283 x203, no later than August 12.
Our
2002-03 Program Book will be mailed to all families who have registered for
Religious Education by August 15.
Please do your part and complete a registration form NOW if you have not already
done so! (A list of families registered
so far is posted in the R.E. office).
Help Wanted!
From
August 1–25 applications will be accepted for three part-time paid positions
working with our children and youth. Please call the R.E. office (483-9283
x203) to request a complete job description, or pick up the job description
after Sunday, July 28, in the R.E. office or at the R.E. Table. Applicants are
asked to send a current resume and letter of interest to
Kate
Throop, Director of Religious Education
c/o UUSS
2425 Sierra Blvd.
Sacramento CA 95825.
SUNDAY ASSISTANT
To
help with classroom and materials preparation, greet new families, and assist
teachers and other volunteers as needed. Works under supervision of DRE.
Successful applicant will undergo Dept. of Justice background check paid for by
UUSS.
Sunday
mornings from 8:45 a.m. until 12:45 a.m. $10/hour. Will work most Sundays from
Sept.–May.
CHILDCARE ASSISTANT
Works
with Childcare Supervisor Nancy Beach to monitor activities in Room 11 and on
the playground, greet new families, and help maintain a safe and nurturing
environment for babies and toddlers. Successful applicant will undergo Dept. of
Justice background check paid for by UUSS.
Sunday
mornings from 9:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.
$10/hour. Will work most Sundays from Sept.–May.
SENIOR HIGH YOUTH ADVISOR
A 9-month (Sept.–May) position @ $100/month. Will work three Sunday
mornings per month from 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. - some holiday weekends off.
Responsibilities include maintaining current contact information for UUSS
Senior High Youth Group; communicating via postal mail and email to notify
group of coming events; work in partnership with volunteer youth leaders and
DRE to maintain good communication; attend two overnights (Saturdays) at UUSS;
maintain communications with PCD R.E. Consultant and be willing to accompany at
least one District event with UUSS youth (supported by additional volunteers);
supervised by DRE. In keeping with UUA and PCD guidelines, applicants for the
position of Youth Advisor must be at least 25 years of age. Successful applicant
will undergo Dept. of Justice background check paid for by UUSS.
UUSS NEWS
Help Wanted!
From
August 1–25 applications will be accepted for three part-time paid positions
working with our children and youth. See Religious Education News for details.
Remember Those Sunday Chores
A
reminder: Please, when you receive a letter assigning you to be an usher,
greeter, welcomer, or hospitality person, and are unable to make the assigned
date, do arrange to switch with another member. (By now you have received a
current list of substitutes too.) If you find it impossible to carry out any of
these tasks, let the office know and have them remove your name from the duty
roster. Thanks.
Jim Yankauer
Forum Announces Two Speakers
Make your suggestions on
August 10
Exciting
programs are planned for the upcoming Forum season beginning September 8. With
its new starting time of 1 p.m., the Forum will offer a variety of speakers and
topics, including: “The Chocolate
Party: Our Role in Stopping Global Child Slavery,” presented by Melissa
Schweigsguth of the Global Exchange on September 22.
Wilson
Riles, Jr., who ran for Mayor of Oakland against Jerry Brown, will speak on
“Understanding Hate” on October 6.
Other topics under consideration for speakers are alternatives to
military globalization, racial issues, education, social reform, and the
arts.
The Forum Committee invites you to attend
their next monthly committee meeting, Saturday, August 10, 10 a.m. in Room 12.
Your help is greatly appreciated!
David Paul
DENOMINATIONAL AFFAIRS
GA 2002 ala Quebec
Our
General Assembly (GA) held in Quebec
City, Canada, this year was wonderful. The band that performed for the opening
celebration and banner parade provided local ambiance with their folksy rock
style complete with fiddle.
Each workshop session offered at least 25
titles to choose from. The formal discussion in workshops was enlightening, as
was all the informal conversation one had along the way—standing in line,
sitting on a bench taking a break. I ordered a videotape of the Ware Lecture.
We will have a showing after lunch in the fall.
The part I enjoy the most is seeing what
wonderful kids we have. GA is a great place to go with the whole family or with
the youth group. Our youth seem to find a central place to congregate to hang
out, talk, sleep, hacky-sack, and play guitars, while parents can cruise by to
see that all is well without being too intrusive.
GA is in Boston next year and in Long Beach
CA in the year 2004. Please make plans to join us.
Be Patterson
UU Men’s Retreat
October 18-20 in Alamo
For
five years UU men have gathered for a weekend in October. We’ve played,
explored, meditated, and sung. Above all we reconnected with old friends, made
new ones, and learned from one another.
Come and meet old friends or be welcomed as
new friends participating in structured exercises, informed exchanges, and fun
in a relaxed friendly environment.
This year our theme is “Making the Real Me
- - More Real.” In this we will discover, examine, and share the values and
priorities that guide our real-world choices and reflect how and why these may
evolve during our lives.
The retreat will be held the weekend of
October 18-20 at the Westminster Retreat Center in Alamo, near Walnut Creek. An
early registration fee of $175 ($200 following October 1) covers meals,
lodging, and workshop materials. Scholarships may be available.
To learn more or to register contact
Agustin Gurule or email him. You can also access our website at
www.pcd-uua.org: click on “Men’s Pages,” then “Men’s Retreat 2002.”
Bob Oyafuso
OUTREACH
Women’s Peace Event is August 6
On
Hiroshima Day, Tuesday August 6, the 16th Annual August Women’s Peace Event
takes place at the downtown Y.W.C.A., 17th & L Streets, 5:30-8:30 p.m. The
6 p.m. program includes Antioch Baptist Children’s Choir, Buddhist Taiko
drummers, Baladna dancers, the “Peace Teacher of the Year” award, and speaker
Rev. Sally Grover Gingham, world renowned environmental activist.
Child care (under 5) available by prearrangement,
call 441-7054. Celebrating the interconnectedness of the peoples and cultures
of the planet, this broadly sponsored event wishes to inspire activism for
world peace, undergirded by economic and social justice. Light refreshments at
5:30 p.m. Ticket $3-15, sliding scale. For information call me.
Ruth Hultgren
Social Responsibility Committee Meets Twice
You are invited
to attend August 4 and 11
The
Social Responsibility Committee will meet on the first and second Sundays of
August at 11:30 a.m. A new schedule will be set up for the fall. For further
information, call me at 371-4007.The committee now has three official
subcommittees:
Economic
Globalization: The members are actively pursuing an economic globalization
plan to educate the committee and the congregation. Watch for weekly inserts in
the blue sheet inside the order of service. They meet on the third Wednesday of
each month at UUSS at 7 p.m. and present a report or program on the second
meeting of the Social Responsibility Committee each month. Call Susan Oldland
or Cory Fulton.
Interfaith
Hospitality Network Group: Nancy Oprsal, chair. They are working with a group
of local churches planning to provide shelter, meals, and support to homeless
families. The group hopes to have the project in place by May 2003.
Organization
of the Month subcommittee: Rosmaire Duffy
is developing criteria for
organizations which will receive our collection once a month. Arnie Godmintz is
listing community organizations
that may qualify, and the subcommittee
will set up a process to receive suggestions by the congregation for
organizations.
Joyce Miller
CABBAGES
& KINGS
Here
are some miscellaneous Business-Manager-kind-of -thoughts in the midst of these
lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer:
Credit Cards
Many of you know that you can arrange to
have your pledge paid automatically from your VISA or MasterCard, but did you
know you could also use your VISA or MasterCard Debit Card? Many members are now using one of these
methods to keep their pledge up to date. Not only is it convenient, if your
credit card has a frequent flyer arrangement you are not only supporting UUSS
but planning next summer’s vacation to a far away place.
Not only are credit cards accepted for
pledges, they can be used for any of our fundraisers, buying tickets to UUSS
events like Theater One, or renting our facilities (at special member rates).
For your convenience, if you call our bookkeeper, Carole, and give her your
credit card number to have on file, all you will have to do is say “Charge it!”
when carrying out your business with UUSS.
Cash Flow
Summer time in a UU congregation is always
a little slower, which is reflected in a lower Sunday attendance. In such times
it is not uncommon for folks to fall behind on their pledges until they show up
for the Water Ceremony in September, which corresponds with when our cash again
flows more freely. However, in July and August it is pretty dry around here,
which is unfortunate since our costs remain unchanged. It would greatly reduce
the number of sleepless nights your Business Manager and Bookkeepers have, if
you could do your best to stay caught up. If it is just a matter of remembering
to send it in, you might consider the topic above.
Web Site
Have you visited our virtual UUSS yet? Miss
one of Doug’s sermons? Go to our
website at www.uuss.org and you will find all of his sermons. Need to see this
week’s calendar? Need to email staff, board members, or committee chairs? Want
to read what the Board did at their last meeting? Want to read this month’s
Unigram or look up a past issue? Want to know what is happening in Religious
Education? Want to know who is speaking at the Forum? Need a form to rent a
room? Go to www.uuss.org. If something that you
would find helpful is not there, email
with your suggestions, I will try to add them. If you find an error or
something that needs updating, please email
.
Did you know?
Did
you know that you can communicate with any of the staff via email by using
their firstname@uuss.org or that you can
send a message to all the staff at once by sending your message to staff@uuss.org ? You can also communicate with
your Board of Trustees the same way by sending a message to BOT@uuss.org and everyone will get the message.
Clay Nelson,
Business Manager
UUs GET TOGETHER
Gap Group Goes to the Ball Game
The
Gap Group is a loosely organized group of middle-aged people, both married and
single, who enjoy getting together for social occasions. New people are always
welcome. Please call me or e-mail me
for more information.
Saturday,
August 24 we
will join other UUs at the ball game—see below “Join UUs at the Ball Park.”
Cathy George
Round Robin Bridge Games
The Round Robin Bridge games will begin again this
fall, depending on the number of interested players who would like to sign up
before August 30th. Monthly foursomes will be arranged for September through
May or June, when the Grand Finale to celebrate the winners takes place. All
levels of bridge skills are encouraged because this event is meant for fun and
enjoyment and for meeting and getting to know one another. We welcome all
interested persons, singles and couples.
The
annual donation is $15 per person, which (except for the prize money) is
donated to the Society. To sign up, call Betty Faist or Jane Pivetti by August
30. Mail your $15 check made out to UUSS and labeled BRIDGE to UUSS, Jane or
Betty or place in the Bridge folder in the church mail room.
Betty
Faist and Jane Pivetti
Work With Your Dreams
Tap into the wisdom
you were born with by working with your dreams. Our open Dream Group meets
every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church library. No experience
is necessary. For more information call me
Fran Oyafuso
Calling All Crafters
Now is the time to start preparing your craft items
and food specialties to sell at the holiday Members’ Market November 24 or
December 8, after Sunday services. All proceeds go to the church. Call me if
you have any questions or for information about getting together at Gayle
Voeller’s to work on crafts.
Barbara Amberson
Join a Ministry Circle
Want
to join a small group of UUSS members and friends who meet biweekly in homes to
explore and share their spiritual or ethical journeys? For more information,
pick up a Ministry Circle brochure and application in the church office or at
the greeters’ table after Sunday service.
Fran Oyafuso
Senior Support Group Meets
The
Senior Support Group meets in the church Library at 10:30 a.m. : July 29 (Ted Ruhig will speak on senior
politics), August 5, and August 19. The
group is open to all seniors. Who is a senior? You select yourself by
coming—our current attendees range from the 50s to the 80s.
Barbara
Amberson
UU Young Adults Meet
5 August
Weekends
Shakespeare, rafting,
camping, dancing…
UU
Young Adults are Unitarian Universalists in their 20s and 30s, from both the UU
Community Church (UUCC) and the UU Society of Sacramento (UUSS). Some of us are
single, some are married, and some are in between. Newcomers are always
welcome! The group usually meets on Sundays at 7 p.m. in the UUSS
library, but this month we have offsite events every weekend instead. (Contact
UUCC member Mark Callicotte or call Laura Dickinson to check on the latest
plans). To join our e-mail collective, send a message to Dean Baird.
8/3
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Sacramento Shakespeare in the Park –”Much Ado About
Nothing.”
Bring a picnic dinner and meet at 7 p.m. at the box office, William A.
Carroll Amphitheatre in William Land Park.
Shakespeare’s great comedy is well-directed by Kim McCann and
excellently performed by a City Theatre cast. Tickets $12 at (916) 558-2228. No
reservations, no children under 6. Box office opens at 6 p.m., gates open at
6:30. Shows begin at 8:30 p.m. Lawn chairs with no legs are allowed, picnics
welcome. Call Laura for more details.
8/10
Saturday 8:17 p.m. Daniel and Vikki’s Funk Defied Housewarming Party. For directions
and more information call Daniel and Vikki.
Bring a conversation starter. Bring a friend. Call Daniel if you need
more details, or just want to know what any of this means!
8/16 Friday & 8/17 Saturday. Camping with UUCC friends and family. To reserve your
place for UUCC Camp 2002, please contact Peter or Chris. Call Laura Dickinson
for car-pool information. UUCC has reserved a larger site this year near French
Meadows reservoir, at 5,200 feet nestled just east of the Granite Chief
wilderness. The campsite is above the reservoir along the Middle Fork of the
American River, about 2 1/2 hours from Sacramento along Mosquito Ridge Road out
of Forest Hill. The site has 20 plus tent pads, picnic tables, BBQ, running
water and vault toilets. The cost per family: usually $10 or less, depending on
how many attend. This is always a good time, so we hope YOU can make it.
8/24
Saturday , 7:30 p.m. Contra Dancing. Meet at the YWCA, 1122 17th St. (near 17th
& L) at 7:30 p.m. for beginners’ lessons and 8 p.m. for the Dance. See if
you have two left feet, two right feet, or are the next Fred or Ginger. Please
call Michelle for more details.
8/31
Saturday Labor Day Weekend. Poetry Rafting. Raft, Soak in the Sun, and Read
Poetry Down the Lower American River. Meet at 10 a.m. at the church parking lot to
car-pool. Don’t expect to get back before 6 p.m. Our first trip down the
American River was so successful that we are going again! But this time we are
adding a little class and culture to the trip. Bring your favorite lazy summer
afternoon poetry (your own or otherwise) to share…in-between water fights! No
rafting or poetry experience necessary, just an appreciation of both. Call
Michelle Wood by 9 p.m. on August 11 (Sunday) so that she can make the required
advance reservations. She’ll reserve an extra space or two just in case....
Bring: $17
maximum price for raft rental, shuttle & launch fee (may be less). If you
have a tube, canoe, or kayak, feel free to bring it—and $2 launch fee—instead
of renting a raft. Sunblock, shirt to pull on should you need a break
from the sun, hat (this means you Mark); sunglasses; straps
for glasses and hat; cooler with food & beverages (we may be able to
share); bathing suit/shorts; shoes or sandals (that can get wet);
water weaponry (last time our group was pathetically under-armed!);
copies of poetry in a zip-lock baggy (bring originals at your own
risk!). Our very own Nate suggested www.poemranker.com for poem ideas.
Advance
Notice: Sunday, September 1
9/1 7 p.m. at the UUSS Library: Book Seminar
.Nate Mahoney will host; we will discuss “Botany of Desire” by Michael
Pollen. If everybody likes this format we can look into having a book seminar
every four to six weeks. Please call Nate for more details. You can see the
book at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375760393/qid=1026113069/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-9963299-7932756#product-details.
Laura Dickinson
Join UUs at the Ball Park
It’s
nearly time to come to the ball park! Plenty of seats are still available for
the Saturday, August 24 game at UUSS Night at the Raley Field when the River
Cats play the Fresno Grizzlies at 7:05 p.m.
We have 36 seats available for $9 per ticket.
Get your reservation in now by sending a
check for $9/ticket to: David Paul.
Bring your family and a friend. See you at
the game on August 24!
David Paul
Servetus
Club, a social group
for older singles, will meet August 4 for a backyard potluck. Call the office
for details (483-9283 ext. 204).
Dorothy Engelstad
