September 2025
Dear RE Families,
We begin the new congregational year on September 7 with Ingathering, a service of homecoming and connection. My wish for us this year - for children, youth, and adults - is that we remember that it's the connection to each other that deepens our connection to Unitarian Universalism. I know I say this all the time, but I believe it whole heartedly: The congregation IS the curriculum. So let's show up for each other, whether we're 5 or 95. As our mission statement says, we are a loving community of seekers. A loving community of seekers. Let's strive to show up for each other as much as we're able this coming year.
The Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara is a loving community of seekers:
LIVING WITH INTEGRITY
NUTURING WONDER
INSPIRING ACTION
Yours in loving community,
Charla
september at a glance
- September 7: Multigenerational Ingathering Service
- September 14 & 28: YoUUth Group gatherings
- September 21: CRE kickoff and backpack blessing
- September 26-28: Fall Campout to Lake Lopez
Help us be ready for your kids! Register today!
REGISTER FOR OUR FALL CRE PROGRAM TODAY!
Fall CRE Program begins September 21. When you register ahead of time, we know how many kids we have in each age group, and that helps us plan class configurations and volunteer needs. Enroll your child and/or youth for our fall programs today! When you register you are not promising to be in RE every week (though that would be great!), just that you value RE enough to make it a part of your family life as much as you are able. There is no registration fee this year. The first day of YoUUth Group was August 24th. The first day of our fall Children's RE program is September 21. Please take a minute to enroll now.
Here's what to expect in Children's RE this month:
We've still got a couple more weeks of summer in Children's RE! Our fall program kicks off on September 21 with the Blessing of the Backpacks and our first K-1 & Elementary CRE classes. Meet our new fabulous volunteer teachers that day too!
- September 7: Multigenerational Ingathering Service
- September 14: Playful Souls Sunday + CRE parent meeting at 11:30
- September 21: Blessing of the Backpacks and first day of fall program
- September 26-28: RE Family Campout at Lake Lopez
Children's RE Farmer's Market
Sundays through September 21
The last day of our summer CRE farmer's market is Sunday, September 21! Help us finish up strong by sharing your extra fruits & veggies with the congregation AND raising money for upcoming Children's RE social justice projects.
Here’s how it works:
DONATE: Drop off your veggies, fruit, flowers, chicken eggs, succulent clippings, etc. on the CRE Farmer’s Market table in the courtyard before services.
SHOP: During coffee hour, make a small donation to the CRE Social Justice Fund and bring home some garden grown produce and other delights to enjoy.
Loving Childcare Every Sunday
Loving childcare is available on Sunday mornings in Starr King for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-5 from 9:45-11:30. Most Sundays, children play outside in the Starr King play yard in the sandbox, on the swings, the zipline, or other fun activities. Starr King even has a creek! You are welcome to bring a snack for your child, but please note that Starr King is a nut free zone. Our childcare staff include Sydney Tomlinson, Childcare Coordinator, and Emma & Uriel Sunday morning staff.
Children under two are invited to remain in the sanctuary with their adults. We have a baby corner with toys in the back of the sanctuary and we do NOT believe that children should be seen and not heard!
YoUUth GrouP in september!
We're back! Enroll your teen now!
YoUUth Group got off to a strong start on Sunday, August 24. USSB YoUUth Group meets twice a month on Sunday mornings in Blake Lounge from 10:00-11:30 AM for breakfast, hanging out together, and planning for upcoming trips and activities. Don't forget to register! YoUUth Group is open to 7th-12th graders.
YoUUth Group meets September 14 & 28 this month. Come in your pajamas! We've got breakfast covered!
2025-2026 YoUUth Group at a Glance
We know many teens lead busy lives. We want to provide a space to hang out on Sunday mornings, have a little breakfast, and dream and plan together. We are excited about our service trips, but we want to balance those with spiritual nourishment and a place to talk, play games, and just be together.
This year youth will be invited to participate in two service projects, one in the fall and another in the spring. These trips are not required to be a member of youth group, but they will be a focus as we prepare for each of them.
In November, we will partner with the Trinity Episcopal Youth Group again for our third interfaith trip to the La Cobina Migrant Shelter in Mexicali over the weekend of November 14-16. Then, over spring break, youth and other members of our congregation will be invited to the Hopi reservation in Arizona. USSB has a longstanding relationship with the Hopi people on this land, providing supplies for elders, participating in building and repair projects, and learning about the rich Hopi culture in return. Learn more about both of these trips at the August 24th meeting.
Other activities youth will be invited to participate in are serving on the Friday meal team for the Freedom Warming Center, helping out with the Holiday Craft Party, and taking part in our annual Holiday Play.
We encourage parents to bring their youth on non-youth group Sundays too. Don't miss the multigenerational Ingathering Service and water communion on September 7th.
Contact YoUUth Group Coordinator Christina Boardman at christina@ussb.org for up-to-date information about YG and to get on our YG WhatsApp
WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR AT USSB
Ingathering September 7
The traditional start of the congregational year is the multigenerational ingathering service and water communion. You will be invited to bring a small amount of water from a place that is meaningful to you - anywhere from a high mountain stream, to the ocean, to your kitchen sink - to add to our communal waters. The Ingathering service is on September 7th. It is a time to bring our whole congregation together to celebrate, well, to celebrate being together! For the history of the UU water communion, check out the link below.
blessing of the backpacks
September 21
We have a tradition of kicking of the year in religious exploration with a blessing of the backpacks. Kids and adults are invited to bring their backpacks, purses, brief cases, satchels, whatever you carry your belongings in as you go about your life, for a special blessing on September 21 during the Time for All Ages. It's a fun way to kick of the year and connect our USSB lives with our lives beyond these walls.
RE Family Fall Campout
September 26-28
Don't miss our second campout with UU families from San Luis Obispo at Lopez Lake in Arroyo Grande. We've got a big group site with a fun and relaxing weekend planned. You can swim in the lake, rent a pontoon boar with other families, or rent kayaks. Kids get to meet other UU kids and play together among the oaks. We are sure to see deer and wild turkeys too! On Saturday night we break bread together at a potluck dinner.
Come for one night, two nights, or just for the day on Saturday. Whatever works for your family, works for us. If you need more information contact charla@ussb.org. If you're already excited to come, PLEASE COMPLETE THE CAMPOUT SIGN-UP FORM BELOW.
ARE Lunch & Learn
Your Personal Theology, September 21 on-line
BYO lunch and Zoom in for this on-line Lunch & Learn session in September. Unitarian Universalists engage in a lifelong search for truth and meaning, one that evolves with us as individuals, as a congregation, and as a denomination. Whether you are brand new to Unitarian Universalism or have been on this journey for some time now, you are invited to participate in an afternoon of self-discovery and personal meaning making around your UU faith. Charla Bregante, facilitator.
Thank you for reading
We welcome your questions, concerns, and great ideas.
For more information about the Unitarian Society, visit our website or email Charla Bregante, our Director of Religious Exploration at charla@ussb.org
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us Instagram
For more information about Unitarian Universalism visit the Unitarian Universlist Association (UUA) website
Credits:
Created with images by Justlight - "Closeup of a mosaicstyle stained glass window with an abstract, geometric design in shades of green and blue, with a rough, uneven surface adding a unique textural element." • zdebskiy - "Stained glass ceiling of Palace of Catalan Music" • yaisirichai - "Glass color for the background." • Photo by mQ - "Priest pours holy water. Silver shell, baptismal font. Dawn light, water droplets. Symbol of renewal, grace & purity. Reverent." • Patrick Daxenbichler - "Childhood sandbox concept: Close up of plastic toy bucket" • Pixel-Shot - "Female hands with different backpacks and school supplies on blue background, closeup" • Ixepop - "Childcare spelled out with Alphabet Blocks" • tawanlubfah - "Close up of blue stained glass, abstract vintage background" • Pixel-Shot - "Bowl with crunchy corn flakes rings on white background" • 대연 김 - "Abstract polygonal shapes in beautiful pastel tones decorated with stained glass." • The 2R Artificiality - "A black bowl sits on an isolated white background, overflowing with water pouring out of it in a steady stream." • MSTHIRAMONY - "school backpack with school supplies on transparent background"