This Week's Service
Sunday, June 19 at 11 am:  "Juneteenth" with the Allies for Racial Equity Committee


Juneteenth is Sunday June 19, 2022. While Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 freeing the slaves, the news did not reach Texas for 2 years in 1865. Juneteenth recognizes the date all slaves were free.
The UUSMV Allies for Racial Equity have chosen this Sunday to share with our congregation an 8^th Principle that Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country are discussing.
This 8^th Principle would call upon congregations to: “journey toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
The Unitarian Universalist Association has had other times in its history that congregations voted to work to eradicate racism; each time the work lost steam and/or funding and failed.  African American UU’s have left the denomination in the past. We hope this time the broader “we” of UU’s will not fail them. Black Lives of UU Organizing Collective is urging our collective commitment to dismantle white supremacy.  “If not us, who? If not now, when?”
We will offer two opportunities for our congregation to talk more about this proposed 8^th Principle on Tuesday June 21.  1pm-2pm at the Chapel (outside if pleasant weather) or 5:30-6:30 pm on Zoom. Our congregation will have an opportunity to vote on our support for the 8^th Principle. 201 congregations in the United States (out of approximately 1,000) have voted for the 8^th Principle to date.
In May 2021, our UUSMV Mission statement was amended to include our support of racial equity in our shared values. Our Vision 2025 states clearly our commitment to work to accountably dismantle white supremacy, racism, and intersecting oppressions in ourselves, our community, our institutions, and our democracy.

Monday, June 20, 5 pm:  Share the Plate Team (meet at Steven's Chapel)
Tuesday, June 21, 9:30 am:  Medication Circle (meeting takes place on Zoom)
Tuesday, June 21,  1-2:00 pm:  Discussion of proposed 8th Principal at the Chapel (outside if pleasant weather) or 5:30-6:30 pm on Zoom
Thursday, June 23, 3 pm:  Out Back Meeting (meet at Steven's Chapel)
Save The Date
Friday, June 24, 10 am:  Lay Pastoral Ministry (meeting will take place on Zoom)
Wednesday, June 29,  3 pm:  Book Club (meeting will take place on Zoom) 

Member Updates
We’re sad to learn that Erika Berg is recuperating in a Boston hospital. Cards can be sent to her home address at: Erika Berg, PO Box 3112, Oak Bluffs 02557. 

Mary Gillette is recovering well from an illness and is open to receiving cards and calls. You can send cards to Mary Gillette, c/o The Heritage at Framingham, Box 353, 747 Water Street, Framingham, MA 01701. Her mobile is 774-563-5904. 

Myra Stark (who was hospitalized last month) was discharged from MVH rehab and is back in her own home. 
 
Commissioning the New Lay Pastoral Care Ministry Team
On Sunday, June 12 during our service the following members were commissioned as Lay Pastoral Care Ministers by Reverend Vicky Hanjian:  Jan Casey, Char Owens, Katherine Colon, Bill Bridwell, Kevin Longval, and Donna McElroy.  We wish them congratulations and many thanks for their service.  
 
NEW ADULT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
“In This Refulgent Summer” - Emerson and Unitarian Universalism
Facilitated by Rev. Rob Hardies
Wednesdays at 10 am at Stevens Chapel (or backyard): July 6, 13, 27, August 3, 10
To register, email Rev. Rob at revrobuusmv@gmail.com
Over five weeks this summer we will read key religious and spiritual works by Unitarian minister and Transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. We will use Emerson’s work as a window into learning about the important spiritual and theological insights of our Unitarian Universalist tradition. Participants will need to purchase a copy of David Robinson’s, The Spiritual Emerson, published by the UUA’s Beacon Press. The books are $20 and will be available from the church office beginning Sunday June 26th. (If the cost is a barrier, just let me know and we can cover the costs of the book.)

Welcome Reverend Janet Newton

We have uploaded Reverend Janet's video and our letter to the UUSMV community.  Visit our member page to view and see updates from the Minister Search Team.  www.uusmv.com

 

Climate resolution for 2022
Cycling is not just good for your health, it is good for the environment, and can aid in mitigating climate change.  A recent study from the University of Oxford showed that by bicycling, using an e-bike, or walking instead of driving at least once a week can significantly lower our per capita carbon footprint.  While switching to electric cars, solar and wind energy, and planting more trees are all ways to reduce CO2 emissions, they are slow to implement and achieve, whereas deciding to ride your bike or walk into town at least one day a week is something we can implement now.  If for any reason this is something you are unable to do, consider car pooling, especially if you can find a driver who has a hybrid or electric vehicle.  For more information see: www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/opinion/2021/february/walking-cycling-and-e-biking-can-help-to-mitigate-climate-change/ and www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2018/10/08/bicycling-could-help-save-the-planet-says-ippc-climate-report/?sh=101c1beb2795

Becoming a Good Trouble Congregation in June!
Our mission calls us to universal justice action!  Help the UUSMV protect our democracy and become a Good Trouble Congregation!
One of the UUSMV Good Trouble actions is to send 1500 postcards or letters to get out the vote. Our letter action for June is to send letters via Vote Forward to voters in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Contact Dorie Godfrey to request your packet of 10 or 20 letters!
Dorie