Who we are, what we do, how we can help!

By Jon Peterson, PC Member

This is the first in a series of articles from the Program Council to inform the congregation of Council activities.

The Program Council sustains vital UUSS  activities.  Its elected members have planned and carried out such congregational events as the Annual Activity Fair and our 2021 Patio Dedication.  We also  select and announce the annual recipients of the UUSS Unsung  Hero Award. We also assume responsibility for Special Projects –conducting  a leadership survey (coming soon) and planning a Leadership Reception about options to be of service in the congregation.  It is open to all interested members and friends after the February 12 Sunday service.

A major focus of the PC is working with the nearly 50 existing  activity groups and program committees. The range of these groups is wide:  discussion groups, Theater One, the Bookstore, Adult Enrichment, Religious Esucation and Family Ministry, the Mercy Pedalers (delivering supplies and kindness to  homeless neighbors) to cleaning a mile of the  American River Parkway. The PC is interested in seeing groups thrive and offers  assistance when needed. The assistance may be in the form of problem-solving  suggestions or in securing resources, such as congregational financial support.  PC assistance is also available to a group members who are interested in forming a new activity  group.

Each PC member maintains a liaison relationship with a number of groups to  provide contact for assistance and to keep group leadership and contact  information up to date. The liaison person also receives budget requests from  groups that have a budget. All group budget requests are reviewed by the full PC for  review, then forwarded to the Board of Trustees with recommendations.

The six-member Council is currently chaired by Susan Davis who prepares  agendas and leads our  PC meetings (online on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30). Susan’s UU perspective has  been enriched by her membership in a Nashville congregation before coming to UUSS. Among Susan’s liaison groups is Theater One and Susan is  seeking volunteers for a play in April, “Green Room Confidential.”

Additional information on the Program Council (including a picture from our 2022 summer planning retreat) can be found at uuss.org/programcouncil.  Contact our chair at