Reverend Denis Paul, Minister

revdenispaul@gmail.com Minister's Calendar

Worship In Person and Online at 10:00 am

"A Life in Letters"

Johnnie Rodriguez

and Sue Strakosch

Johnette Rodriguez has been a writer and reporter from a very early age, and she hasn’t slowed down that much. She will talk about what letters have meant to her and to her current letter-readers, with examples from the age of eight up to the present day. She has also been a published writer, beginning with high school and college newspapers, and for the past 55 years, in regional and national magazines and newspapers. 

Order of Service

Our theme this month is Welcome

I want to share some resources from our Soul Matters curriculum that is used by UU congregations all over the country for all ages.

The video above is a beautiful song called The Power is Here Now

Some wisdom from Alan Watts: Live Fully Now

On welcoming and centering blackness: Black Thought Project

Ross Gay reading his poem "Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude"

First Person American :: Welcoming Stories - stories from immigrants of being welcomed to this country

Lee Cowan, DRE

Masks Are Now Optional in the Sanctuary

READ UPDATE

Joe and I spent our day off this week visiting with friends on their private island. That sounds so pretentious, doesn’t it?

The friends are Eric and Rachel. 70 years ago, his father was the lay person who founded the congregation I last served. She’s a retired UU minister, and 100+ years ago her great grandfather, a famous Baptist preacher, bought half of a three-acre island in the middle of Lake Chaubunagungamaug, also known as Lake Webster, in Webster, Mass. Each built a modest cabin.

A couple generations back, the son of one cabin owner married the daughter of the other cabin owner, so now the whole island belongs to one family, though the ownership — as is usually the case with legacy properties — is super complicated. Eric and Rachel basically own two weeks per year in one house, which has sleeping accommodations for 18 and little distinction between outdoors and indoors.

The island has no electricity, so the stove and refrigerator in each of the houses run on propane. Lighting is kerosene. There are no fans and certainly no air conditioning. Not a lick of insulation in sight. The whole thing gets shuttered up from November through April, while the wind whips through it.  

It’s truly the most beautiful, romantic, poetic place I’ve ever seen. You can feel the oils of thousands of human hands in every single piece of hand-hewn wood in that house. Memories of hundreds of family members live in every crevice.

Right now, the dozens of owners are struggling with what to do about the massive stone fireplace and chimney falling away from the building, as well as the windows. Every unit needs at least one sash rebuilt, and multiple panes of glass replaced. 

It seems like it should be easy enough to fix this stuff, to hire a contractor and divvy up the cost, but one big question keeps popping up: When repair and restoration are no longer feasible, how much can be replaced or renovated before the character of the place changes?

That’s a big question, because everyone fears that if the character of the place changes, they just won’t love it as much. It will lose its beauty, its romance or its poetry.

Saving the building is going to require jumping into the future and trusting.

But that has nothing to do with congregational life. Right?

In Peace,

Rev Denis

Clean Team News

The Clean Team is looking for a few more volunteers! The work is shared with others and may mean a once or twice a month commitment for an hour each. Contact Nancy Dean at (401) 824-4609 for more information. Persons interested in cleaning the RE space can speak with the RE Director Lee Cowan as well. Thank you!

Submitted by Nancy Dean

Dining for Dollars Plus 23 Update



Welcome back from summer, everyone.

We want to remind all D4$+ hosts and D4$+ bid winners of the events still to come this fall:

Hosts should reach out to those who had winning bids for their event and provide necessary specifics (i.e. street address, parking info, phone, rain plans if needed, etc.).

Winning bidders, please be sure to mark your calendars – you don’t want to miss your event!

Everyone – if you have any questions or need D4$+ information, please contact Betsy Dalton at elizabethmdalton@gmail.com or by phone (her number is in the UUCSC Directory).

Thanks to all in the UUCSC community who participated in D4$+ 2023 and helped to make it a wonderful success. Look for the next D4$+ auction next spring!!

Submitted by Betsy Dalton

Paddling on Tucker Pond



A periodic gathering of kayak enthusiasts gather informally to paddle together as we chat and explore local spots. This fall, we’re focusing on Tucker Pond, departing from the boat launch on Tuckertown Road near White Pond Road.



Tuesday, September 26 at 4PM ■ Tuesday, October 10 at 3PM

Contact Rev Denis for more details.

Upcoming Services

September 24 Why Anti-Racism? Barbara Holtzman and Rev. Betty Kornitzer

October 1 Families of Choice Rev. Denis

October 8 The Responsibilites Rev. Denis

October 15 J'ai Faim Rev. Denis

UUs are encouraged to register now for this forum, which has limited seating. If we don't fill it up, we will open it up to the larger community.

Registration Link: uulmri.ticketleap.com/legislative-forum/

Submitted by Cathy Solomon

The Lost Voices of Smith's Castle

Tours of Smith's Castle (on North Kingstown) with a special focus on those enslaved at Smith's Castle and the history of slavery in Rhode Island will be offered on September 16th and October 7th and 21st. Times and more information here.

Submitted by Cathy Solomon

The Art of Bob Dilworth is on exhibit at the Newport Art Museum thru December. Meet at the UUCSC parking lot on Tuesday the 19th of September at 9:30 am to carpool with a group going to view the show. Maybe a stop for lunch afterward? Questions? Contact Linda Whyte Burrell.

Louise McLeod is back in Roberts Health Centre, Room 35, 25 Roberts Way, North Kingstown, RI 02852. She is expected to be there for some time, and would love calls and visitors, and cards are always welcome. (401-578-7150 is her cell phone).

Judi Marcy and Suzanne Marcy are going through a hard time and would appreciate cards and good wishes. Their address in last week's newsletter was incorrect. Please use 45 Beach Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879.

Submitted by Val Follett

Don't become victim to a SCAM!

Review Understanding Phishing!

If you receive a suspicious email, drag it into your Spam folder, which will automatically block the scammer from using your email again as bait. Stay vigilant!

How to Amend Your Pledge

In addition to your pledge, if you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you may donate up to $100,000.00 each year to UUCSC or other charities from your IRA account. Such a donation does not count as taxable income to you if made directly from your IRA account to the charity. Read more here.

Submitted by the Finance Committee

Michael Bilecki will recycle your batteries.

Deposit them in the container in the Oneto Room!

Read more here.

CAROLYN STEERE HURDIS FUND

FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Grant Guidelines

Grant Application

Bethany Sorrentino, Helping Hands Coordinator

uuhelpinghands@gmail.com or 401-451-4104. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help - helping hands are here! 

Helping hand volunteers are also needed.

Our Stories

Black Lives Matter Resource Page

Includes lists of Black-Owned Businesses

UU Book and Gift Shop

Your search for truth and meaning begins here.

Tech Tips Especially for UUCSC

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