Important Updates for You:

In circumstances that continue to be challenging, we launch a new church program year this Sunday!  Here is a summary of what to expect as we strive to live out our UUSS Mission for another year.

At 10:30 this Sunday (Sept. 12) we hold our first fully hybrid service. It’s exciting!

As we’ve seen over the summer, a few dozen people will choose to attend in person (wearing a mask, arriving 15 minutes early to sign the contact form, and greeting newcomers as well as old friends).   As we’ve seen this summer, from 100-200 people will participate by Zoom.  Resourceful staff and volunteers have learned how to use the tools at hand to be as inclusive as possible, with much better quality.  For example, we have great audio for piano and vocal music, whether you are on Zoom or at the church. We thank our Greeters and Membership Committee for their dedication to hospitality, both in the Welcome Hall and through the role of Online Greeter and the 12-minute Coffee Hub conversations made possible through breakout rooms on Zoom.

Ingathering Ritual:  If you attend in person, we will have individual cups of water to pour during the ritual.  If you are on Zoom, please have a small pitcher, cup, or other vessel of water ready at home as well as a bowl, potted plant, or other container in which to pour it as we do it together.  We will give more details during the service.

Also this Sunday we will hear from our Kids Freedom Club on their work to raise awareness and money to stop modern slavery. We will hear from a congregant who has moved to Sacramento after joining us online for 18 months during the pandemic. And we will meet our new Music Director, Anthony Nannini, and hear from him!

Joys and Sorrows:  If you would like to have a particular joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken aloud by a minister in Sunday’s prayer time, at this link you can find an easy form to fill out online. If we receive the request by 1:00 PM Saturday, we can mention it during the service.  A candle will be lit on the chancel reflecting every submission we receive.

Of course, during the service the Chat in our Zoom space will still be open for posting words of joy, sorrow, appreciation, or prayer.  But if you would like us to read it aloud, please use the online form in advance.  If you are attending the service in person, you may also use this form, or you can fill out a card when you arrive early for the 10:30 service. You may also light a candle on the chancel to embody your joy or sorrow.

Religious Education:  To maximize accessibility and safety, this fall the RE classes will not take place during the service.  Services are always open for all ages to choose to attend in person.

·      For kids from kindergarten to grade 5, Ms. Miranda will build community and learn from our kids with our new Soul Kids curriculum on Zoom from 9:00 till 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.  Families, please email her at re@uuss.org for the link and then show up this Sunday!

·      Youth Groups:  Both groups will start in October with amazing adult volunteer leaders.  For youth in grades 6-8, our Junior High Youth Group will take place twice a month using the Soul Matters materials.  We are still planning but hope to hold JHYG in person, but outside, wearing masks.  Starting Oct. 3, JHYG will take place before the service.  Contact re@uuss.org or Rev. Roger.

·      For youth in grades 9-12, our Senior High Youth group is a place of connection, mutual support, and exploration of our UU ethical and spiritual values as we engage with the challenges of our lives and our world.  SHYG will meet twice a month at UUSS, but after the service.  It will take place outside at a social distance, with lunch provided, starting Oct. 3. Contact re@uuss.org or Rev. Roger.

Fellowship:  After service, you can mingle with others under the new patio roof.  Maybe it will shield us from rain instead of sunlight this Sunday!   (Plan to wear a mask, as it’s required outside if children are present.)  At various tables, you can meet the Kids Freedom Club and give to their Walk/Run Fundraiser, learn about upcoming Adult Enrichment programs, or sign up for a Soul Matters Small Group.  (You can do these things at uuss.org as well.) If you are on Zoom on Sunday, be sure to stay for a Coffee Hub conversation with others!

Remember that services now start at 10:30 a.m.  We look forward to connecting with you as we take time to reflect on where we have been, who we are now, and where we are going as a spiritual community.  Thank you so much for your good will and kindness.