Pastoral Care: Our Caring Community
At UUSM, we care for each other in many ways. Our pastoral care program is a shared ministry between the minister and lay pastoral caregivers. As a team, we covenant to practice compassionate listening in strict confidence and without judgment, to help others process their troubles and difficulties.
The Pastoral Care Team provides additional ways of delivering love and care through love wraps, the gift of song, meal deliveries, rides, running errands, and memorial wishes planning. Our programs foster connections between those looking for opportunities to serve, and others who are in need. See our brochure below for program descriptions.​
Need some help? Email the Pastoral Care Team.
Is something troubling you that you'd like to share in confidence with a member of the Pastoral Care Team? Please let us know if you'd prefer to speak with a lay pastoral caregiver or the minister. Are you in need of a meal, transportation, or a love wrap? We can arrange a visit from the Sacred Song Circle or the Baby Brigade. Perhaps you want to discuss memorial wishes, or the Minister's Discretionary Fund--or something else entirely. Contact us. We care.
Explore some of our resources below.
While many others provide rides, meals, flowers, a song...
Meet our core team members:
Kathy Kinner, Co-Chair
Kathy Kinner has been a member of the Pastoral Care team since 2020. She currently serves as the co-chair of the committee. She has been a member of UUSM for over 30 years and has been the beneficiary of the loving care provided by this congregation. Kathy believes as a pastoral care associate, that it is her duty and honor to provide compassionate and confidential care and support to those among us who are experiencing significant life events.
Alison White, Co-Chair
Bio coming!
Betsy Blosser
Betsy Blosser has been a member of UUSM since 1989, and her sons, Ben and Brendan, grew up in the congregation. Over the years, she has served on various UUSM committees. Currently, she is Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Betsy is a particular advocate of the Memorial Wishes Plan. She is available to answer questions about the Plan and to support you in the process of filling out your Plan.
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Jac Brennan
Jac Brennan is a longtime Unitarian Universalist who joined UUSM and the Pastoral Care Team in early 2022. Jac is from Texas, where she got her law degree and practiced law for more than 20 years. She has nine children, the youngest five of whom are adopted and have different kinds of disabilities. She has eleven grandchildren. Jac is currently in charge of Connections at UUSM. She loves her work on the Pastoral Care Team because this work is foundational to the strong sense of community that is the heart of UUSM.
Lori Fox
Lori Fox is a longtime pastoral care associate, choir member, and retired labor and delivery RN. In 2022 she founded UUSM’s Sacred Song Circle to serenade people in their homes for emotional support. In addition to singing, she enjoys accompanying people to medical visits, walking/ listening/ driving, and giving away Magicals (homemade GF fruit and nut treats).
Becky Howland
Becky Howland is a new member of the pastoral care team, currently also participating in the choir, the Transition Team, the various construction committees, and serving as President Ex-Officio on the Board of Trustees.
Jenna Jayroe
Bio and photo coming!
Judy Oberhausen
Judy Oberhausen has been a member of UUSM since 2015. In the past she has served as a Worship Associate, helped with our Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations, and currently she ushers at Sunday services and memorials. As a member of the Pastoral Care Team she loves providing her (only) signature dish of quiche to members who need a meal, provide rides for shopping and Sunday services, and sending cards and flowers for various occasions. She lives in San Mateo with her husband, Dennis Sopczynski, an artist and educator, and their cat, Muffin. Her passions are art history and being an aunt!
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Deeana McLemore
Deeana McLemore was born and raised in Oakland. She worked as a Trust Officer for banks before going back to college at age 40 where she met Lynn Ewing and formed a 30 year friendship. In 1989, Deeana was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune liver disease. Not knowing the outcome of this diagnosis, Deeana decided to travel to Europe for 3 months. She ended up living in Germany for 10 years and taught English to German businessmen. Upon return to the US in 1999, Deeana starting attending UUSM regularly. In 2006, she had a liver transplant with her son acting as the living donor. At UUSM, Deeana handled the Auction for a couple of years and served on the Finance Committee and as Treasurer. During her tenure as Treasurer, Deeana started the sustainable stewardship program. She was presented with the Ann Benner Award in 2017. Currently, Deeana is chair of the Book Club and has joined the Caring Committee. Deeana has always enjoyed helping others and handling administrative duties.