UUCSJS Midweek Message

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Email admin@uucsjs.org or call Jess at 609-965-9400 if you need assistance

• Upcoming Sunday Services
• Faith Development
• Notes From the Board
• Announcements
• Events This Week
• Last Sunday
• Connect to Our Larger Faith
• Caring Team

Putting Love at the Center

Written by Rev. Dana Worsnop, UU Church of Ventura and presented by Deb Dagavarian

“Putting, keeping, holding love at the center of our lives, of our faith, in the world. That is our human

quest. And it’s really hard...I really believe that the love available in the world is ample, even abundant. Possible, even probable. Yet, anyone who has loved – which is all of us – knows it’s so much more complicated...”

BIO: Rev. Dana Worsnop has been the minister at UU Ventura since August 2016. She is a 2002 graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley and has served congregations in Oregon City, Oregon, Boise, Idaho, and Canada. Her spiritual and religious inspiration arises from Buddhism and Jewish-Christian-Islamic traditions with a strong stream of Humanism running through it all. Rev. Dana’s family roots are in the midwest, though and she lived in the Bay Area for 20 years before ministry took her out of California. In previous careers, she was a newspaper reporter and editor and a 3rd grade teacher. She has two dogs, and still roots for the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco 49ers. She plays tennis, likes seeing movies on the big screen, and has been a Trekkie since the original series debuted in 1966.

This past Sunday we held an adult RE workshop in which participants worked to craft their own elevator speeches. An elevator speech is a short explanation of an individual’s faith that they could give between floors while talking to a stranger on an elevator in response to the question “Unitarian Universalism? What’s that?”

You might find inspiration in what some of the participants created, so I'll be sharing some of them here over the next few weeks. Here is our first one:

"Unitarians have no dogma but affirm and promote seven principles subject to change as we learn more. Examples include the worth and dignity of every person, the right of conscience, and the use of the democratic process. Unitarian beliefs emerged during the Middle Ages. At one time it was thought America would emerge predominantly Unitarian. Early Unitarians included Jefferson and four other American presidents." - Janet Longo

If you would like your elevator speech shared here, please email religiouseducation@uucsjs.org. And don't forget to look in this section each month for future workshop opportunities.

I am so sorry to have to tell everybody that our Sue Parks has passed away unexpectedly yesterday at the rehabilitation facility where she was admitted to recently. Our hearts go out to Julie Spradlin in this very difficult time.

Sue and Julie have been a vibrant part of our congregation for several years. They were both people we could count on to help the congregation in any way they could. They were always a joy to speak with after services and during coffee hour.

Sue recently had surgery and had been sent to the rehabilitation facility for therapy. Since this just happened yesterday, we are in the early stages of receiving information. Julie has indicated that she most likely will have a memorial service for Sue in the near future at our UU. More information will be coming soon. Please keep Julie close to your heart.

Marty Quish

President, UUCSJS Board of Trustees

To have your announcement placed in the Midweek Message, please send an email to admin@uucsjs.org by Noon on Wednesday.

Book club will be meeting Friday, February 16th at 7:00 pm on zoom (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom).

All are welcome to join the meeting.

THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett

A multi-generational family saga that tackles prickly issues of racial identity and bigotry and conveys the corrosive effects of secrets and dissembling. It's also a great read that will transport you out of your current circumstances, whatever they are.

Margaret Circle will be meeting on Feb 1,1:00 pm. One of our members, Sue Parks, has died recently and suddenly and we will be taking some moments to remember and to mourn her. Following this, we will have a cathartic activity; a drumming circle led by Barbara Morell. All women of the congregation are welcome. Bring a drum if you have one. If not, there will be other drums and percussion instruments.

When leaving the building please make sure the doors on both levels to the fire towers are closed. This is an important safety feature should a fire occur it can be contained as much as possible.

Also, please make sure that any lighting that is not needed is turned off. All lighting needed for safety / security are on timers and electric eye. Check to make sure the lights in the downstairs restrooms are off. We are currently paying for all of our electric use due to the solar array being offline.

Thanks,

Building & Grounds Crew

Next Pomona Road Cleanup will be Feb. 4th starting at 9 am and going until 10 am. There will be a sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary for all those interested. Grabbers, gloves, and bags will be provided. Any questions, please let me know.

Contact Nancy Watson for more information

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Soup sale will be returning Sunday, February 18th. It is that time of year and we would like to repeat an event we have enjoyed in past years !!!!!!!!

*We need your help*

We need you to make your delicious homemade soup, and using the containers provided by the front entrance, to fill and return by February 18th. Soup can be frozen.

Soup will be for sale before and after service on the 18th. If making soup is not for you, we welcome bread or other baked goods to add to the sale. This has been a fun way to share our culinary skills in the past and hopefully will be again.

Have questions text:

Barb Morell 215 805 7599

As some of you know, I (Theresa) was one of the women to help start the Atlantic County women's shelter, now called Avanzar. We called it the battered women's shelter back in the day. Well, I have a new idea cooking inside of me to help single moms. If you are interested or curious, let me know, I am

compiling a list of women to come to a first meeting so I can share my thoughts and ideas. Our first meeting will be March 4, 2024 7pm at UUCSJS. If you want to be on my list let me know.

Theresa McReynolds

harvest10@hotmail.com

Click on the graphic below or visit the calendar at uucsjs.org for more information on events and meetings.

CLICK HERE to reserve the Zoom Room or to add your event to the calendar.

Here you will find ways to learn about and connect with our faith and opportunities to connect with other UU's from outside our congregation.

Click on the images for more information.

Join us for a film screening of Power to Heal, a powerful example of people organizing to change federal policy.

Wednesday, January 31 7:30pmET

2hr event: 1 hr screening with 1hr discussion

Power to Heal tells a poignant chapter in the historic struggle to secure equal and adequate access to healthcare for all Americans. Central to the story is the tale of how a new national program, Medicare, was used to mount a dramatic, coordinated effort that desegregated thousands of hospitals across the country in a matter of months.

Contact a member of the Caring Team

Team members can provide you with support during/after an illness, a death in the family, or other loss or hardship. They can find you resources, run errands, or provide meals in time of need.

Reach out to:

Tracey Catino at (609) 674-8721 email: Traceysnaps@msn.com

Helen Utts at (609) 338-3391 email: HelenUtts@aol.com

Tony Zitelli at (201) 463-2800 email: happy85a@aol.com

Barbara Morell at (215) 805-7599 email: morellb@msn.com

Janet Longo at (609) 748-8608 email: jilportnj@comcast.net

Denise O'Meara at (610) 316-7495 denome53@gmail.com

Caring Team is looking for members who are willing to attend monthly Zoom meetings and help out when congregants are sick or suffering from hardships. Please contact Tracey Catino if you can join our confidential group.