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March 21st, 10 am
"Bear Witness: Save Lives"
Led By CB Beal
In order to tell our stories, it is vital that we are able to trust that people will be still and bear witness to us, acknowledge and accept what we share. We must be present with one another with an empathy that honors our different life experiences. Guest worship leader CB Beal will share about the spiritual practice of bearing witness and trusting others to bear witness to us, with a particular focus on gender.
CB Beal is a fat, white, queer, non-binary educator, writer, storyteller, and speaker. CB was the 2019 recipient of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Angus H. MacLean Award for Excellence in Religious Education. They make their home in a farmhouse library loft in western Massachusetts and consult with individuals and organizations to increase consent culture, equity, and justice in the world. You can find them online at About CB – Justice and Peace Consulting.
UUS invites you to join our regular Sunday morning service at 10 am.
(Meeting opens at 9:50, and virtual fellowship time follows the service, around 11 am)
Zoom link: bit.ly/UUSVirtualService. Meeting ID: 422 482 660, Passcode: 006311
The Offerings in February support the Center for Worker Justice
Working with interfaith and labor allies, the Center for Worker Justice (CWJ) has led efforts to raise the minimum wage for all workers, coordinated projects to address injustices in workplace conditions, unpaid wages, civil rights, access to education, and the need for affordable housing.
Additionally, CWJ has created a COVID relief program to pass along stimulus money to families in need, including non-English speakers, and immigrants who do not get a stimulus check. These families are more likely to be laid off, have hours reduced, or be working fast food and other jobs for under $10 an hour. Through their application process, CWJ has already passed along more than $200k.
Learn more at cwjiowa.org.
Make an online offering donation. Checks can also be mailed to the office (CWJ on the memo line).
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From Your Staff & Leadership
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From Your Director of Congregational Life, Peggy Garrigues
UUS Picture Directories Available!
Do you want to help remind yourself of people's names and faces when we don't see each other in person very often?
We still have picture directories available from the photos that were taken in late 2019. They are available for $5 each or add $2 postage if you would like it mailed to you. They are our most recent directories but are now slightly out-of-date since they include our former interim minister Rev. Diane Dowgiert, instead of our current minister Rev. Diana Smith.
We were hoping to have an automatic update to these directories just about every year as new photos are taken, and especially as Rev. Diana arrived. But first COVID interfered, and now, unfortunately, LifeTouch is no longer making church directories. So whenever it is safe to take photos again, we will have to choose a different format for print directories.
If you would like a copy of the directory, either if you didn't get one last year, or you would like a second copy, please place your order here. On the form, you can let us know if you will pick it up in the UUS entryway, or if you need to have it mailed to you.
 From Your Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Jessica Zimmer
Stuffie Sleepover, March 26th
We may not be able to get together in person just yet, but stuffed animals can! Your stuffie, along with all of their new friends, is invited for a stuffie sleepover at UUS! Stuffed animals can be dropped off in the entryway at UUS between 5 pm on Friday, March 26th, and 9 am on Saturday, March 27th. They can be picked back up anytime after service on Sunday, March 28th.
Then, everyone is invited to join us for an online viewing party on Sunday, March 28th, at 11:30 am to see all the fun (and maybe a little mischief) the stuffies had. (Join Zoom here. Meeting ID: 860 0299 7553) Contact Jessica, education@uusic.org, with any questions.
Easter Egg Hunt, April 3rd
On the weekend of April 2nd through the 4th, we will have a physically distanced Easter Egg Photo Scavenger Hunt. Families are invited to come to UUS to search out and photograph the Easter Eggs hidden at UUS.
There are two ways families can enter for their Easter Egg Hunt prizes. First, we will have an in-person hunt on the morning of Saturday, April 3rd from 10 am-12 pm, where staff will have goodies on hand.
If you are not able to attend on Saturday morning, you are welcome to come at another time that weekend, and you will be able to email in your completed photos from the hunt to get a prize delivered
 From Your Congregational Administrator, Emma Barnum
April Newsletter Submission Deadline, March 20th
Articles, photos, and events for the April issue of the monthly UUS News are due to the office by noon on Sunday, March 20th.
Annual Report Submissions, Due April 15th
Group leaders should be receiving an email about submitting their annual updates for the 2020-2021 Annual Report. All committees, groups, and teams with a UUS budget line are required to submit a report, as well as all core staff members and the Board President and Treasurer. Other groups, board members, and staff may submit brief reports if there are items or events of note that you'd like to highlight. Pictures of UUS and UUS events are very welcome from everyone even if you don't submit a report. A list of all active groups and their chair(s) will be included even if a report is not submitted. Please let me know if you have any questions. You can find past issues of the Annual Report on our website.
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From your Endowment Committee
Last Week: What's the Story of Our Unrestricted Funds?
This Week: So How About the Memorial Fund?
The UUS Memorial Fund was initiated in 1973 by the UUS Board as a result of donations to the church in memory of Rev. Evans Worthley, a well-respected and popular UUS minister. He served our congregation from 1931-51. Upon his death in 1973, the Memorial fund was established.
Policies were adopted to delineate use of memorial donations. It was decided the donations would be used for the intended desires of the donors or family of the deceased. If the donation was not designated for a specific purpose, the donations could be used for tangible, long-lasting items for the Society, or for improvements to the physical plant. Over the years, funds have been used to purchase furniture for the library, new chairs for the Fireside Room, and other items.
The Endowment Committee does not oversee the Memorial Fund, although it does keep the Memorial plaques updated with the names of those members memorialized because of donations made in their name. The names of 110 members and are currently displayed in the conference room. Also in the conference room are the Chalice Society plaques, with 63 members' names, which record the generous people who have decided to bequeath donations to the Society upon their death.
Next week: How does all this affect you? And what can you do to help?
(This is the fourth in a series of informational articles from the UUS Endowment Committee. Contact endowment@uusic.org with questions. The full series can be found on the UUS website)
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Upcoming Events This Week
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Wednesday, March 17th
The UUS Board of Trustees holds a meeting, open to all members, each month at 7 pm on the third Wednesday. Download the agenda here or find it on the website before the meeting.
- CUUPs Running with the Runes (7 of 9): 8 pm via Zoom (Link to Join, Meeting ID: 921 5849 0409, Passcode: 099101)
The Owl Moon Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) will meet daily, March 11th through the 19th, from 8 to 9:30 pm, to explore the Elder Futhark runes. Each of the first eight gatherings will discuss three rune pieces and in the last gathering, we’ll do readings with runes. You don’t need to own a set of runes to join us. For each rune, we will share a short description of the meaning and origin of the symbol. Then spend a few minutes copying the symbol onto an item while we practice saying the name to internalize the shape and meaning followed by a brief discussion of how the meaning is applicable today. General discussion and social time wrap up the gathering.
This is an opportunity to make your own set of runes as we go! Here are some ideas: To create the symbol you can draw with a marker, or pen, paint, or etch. Some materials you could use for the rune pieces are wooden disks or other shapes, stones, clay shaped how you like, or blank cards. You are also welcome to simply draw the symbols on paper.
Thursday, March 18th
- Informal Social Conversation: 10:30 am via Zoom (Join via Zoom, Meeting ID: 828 8681 5989, Passcode: 433198)
Would you enjoy "seeing" your UUS friends more often? Let’s get together informally—via Zoom, of course! Join us for mid-week conversations on Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Hosted by the Pastoral Care Team, all are welcome.
- Iowa Criminal Justice Presentation: 7 pm via Zoom (Link to join, Meeting ID: 848 9406 6842, Passcode: 971292)
The Prison Ministry Team and the UU Secular Humanists invite all to a presentation/discussion on Iowa Criminal Justice on Thursday, March 18th, at 7 pm. Our guest speaker is Dr. Allen Hays, Professor Emeritus of the University of Northern Iowa, who will be speaking about state-wide efforts by UUs and others to address mass incarceration, bail reform, and working with legislators on justice issues. He will describe the work of the Iowa Justice Action Network. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion following the presentation For questions, contact Mark Yuskis ( resdoggie@aol.com) or Sally Hartman ( sallyahartman@hotmail.com).
- CUUPs Running with the Runes (8of 9): 8 pm via Zoom (Link to Join, Meeting ID: 921 5849 0409, Passcode: 099101)
Friday, March 19th
- CUUPs Running with the Runes (9 of 9): 8 pm via Zoom (Link to Join, Meeting ID: 921 5849 0409, Passcode: 099101)
Sunday, March 21st
- Racial Justice Team: 8:30 am via Zoom (Link to Join, Meeting ID: 817 0436 9460, Passcode: 886687)
The Racial Justice Team strives to educate ourselves through various venues (reading, discussion, media, programs). We meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays each month at 8:30 am before the service. With goals to further anti-racism, we hope to equip ourselves to be allies standing in solidarity with communities of color. Join us on our journey! Watch for weekly updates in the Wednesday emails. For more information contact Peg Bouska at racialjusticechair@uusic.org.
- Virtual Sunday Service: 10 am via Zoom (Link to Join, Meeting ID: 422 482 660, Passcode 006311, or join by phone: (312) 626-6799)
See top of email for details.
Monday, March 22nd
- Virtual Girls' Night Out: 5:30 pm via Zoom (Link to Join, Meeting ID: 832 4041 5092, Password: 228948)
All UUS women are invited to join this virtual happy/social "hour" with friends from Girls' Night Out at 5:30 pm on the fourth Monday of each month via Zoom. Everyone is welcome even if you haven't gathered with us in the past. Let's catch up over a beverage of your choice (or none) and perhaps chat about any good books we've read, movies we've watched, or walks we've taken. Contact Jamie Sharp with questions ( girlsnightout@uusic.org).
- Virtual Buddhist Sangha: 7 pm via Zoom (Link to Join, Meeting ID: 488 251 282, Passcode: 461426)
We meet weekly to meditate for the first 30 minutes, followed by sharing and discussion of contemporary Buddhist teachings. The group has begun a new book: Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha’s Path, by Bhante Gunaratana. Diversity of view is welcome as a foundation for collective wisdom. Our mutual support promotes clarity, compassion, and ethical behavior through the practice of mindfulness. To find out more, or to join the Realm group for weekly updates and resources, contact Cindy Spading ( buddhistsangha@uusic.org).
Looking Ahead
CUUPs Conversation and Conjuring - Sigils, March 26th
All are invited to join the Owl Moon Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) on Friday, February 26th, from 8 to 9:30 pm, for a discussion of how to create sigils and what they can be used for. No experience necessary! We will practice different techniques, share our favorites or some that are new to us. ( Link to Join Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 989 0528 2752, Passcode: 589649)
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Justice & Outreach News and Opportunities
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UUS Racial Justice Team: Anti-Racism Action Items
1. Renewing A Human Rights Agenda: The Criminal Legal System (webinar from UI Center for Human Rights) Wed March 24th at noon https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/94839769875
2. The Fire This Time, and the Next: The Making and Sustaining of An Activist. This presentation is based around the Angela Davis section of Ibram X. Kendi's book, Stamped from the Beginning (webinar from UI Center for Human Rights) Wed Mar 31 noon https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/97432687134
Details for these two webinars at https://uichr.uiowa.edu/
3. Continue watching " Soul of a Nation" Tuesday evenings during March on ABC
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Art in the Afternoon with Julia Lohrman Audlehelm, March 21st
The ArtiFactory, a project of Arts Iowa City, invites you to watch (UUS member) Julia Lohrman Audlehelm create a pen and ink drawing before our very eyes! Julia is a local artist whose Iowa roots are often found in her intricate work. Clients of note include Senator Tom Harkin, the University of Iowa President’s home and the local Unitarian Universalist Society. Join us on March 21st at 1 pm to learn more about Julia's story and her creative process. Question and answer to follow presentation. Register here.
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COVID-19 Information
The UUS Building Remains Closed
Due to changes in the way the state of Iowa is reporting COVID numbers, the COVID Team is reassessing the metrics we use and is working on recommendations that the board will consider at the March meeting. We continue following Phase 1 guidelines until new recommendations are adopted.
We are currently in Phase 1 of our Reopening Plan. The UUS building is closed to all besides staff and essential volunteers. The labyrinth and trails are open for visitors in the same household/pandemic pod. Everyone over 5 years of age is required to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and keep at least 6 feet away from others who aren’t in their household/pod. Group meetings on the grounds are not allowed in Phase 1.
Contact a staff member if you have a necessary task inside the building. Incidental access to the building (such as using the bathroom or for other unessential purposes) is discouraged as much as possible and requires following all safety protocols and signing in and out. Masks, good hand-hygiene practices, and social distancing are required along with the other guidelines attached here for Phase 1 and for the full reopening plan.
As a reminder, If you are meeting offsite as part of a UUS group, you need to follow all the guidelines for the current phase.
UUS Communications Regarding Coronavirus
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