| First Unitarian Connection |
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Note: When the newsletter is sent via email, the text may be truncated. To be sure you are seeing the entire newsletter, please click on the "view in browser" link near the top of the message or scroll to the bottom where it says [Message clipped] and click on: View entire message
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| Sundays at First Unitarian Church |
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Sunday, October 15 - 11:00 am
"Quiet Courage (Part I)"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
“There is a quiet courage that comes from an inward spring of confidence in the meaning and significance of life. Such courage is an underground river, flowing far beneath the shifting events of one’s experience, keeping alive a thousand little springs of action.” — Howard Thurman
‘Quiet’ and ‘courage’ might seem to be self-contradictory terms, yet there is a kind of courage that finds its source in quiet contemplation. Activist and organizer Bayard Rustin was a major figure in the US Civil Rights movement even though he was often pushed out of the spotlight because of his identity as a gay Black man. Despite the many times he was rejected, even by allies and friends, Rustin found a quiet source of courage in his Quaker faith. He remained committed to the virtues of non-violent resistance and he kept on organizing, even when he was forced to do so from the margins or the backstage of history.
In this two-part series, we’ll consider the meaning of quiet courage for our own lives today. In these noisy times when we are constantly called upon to act, how can we discover our own “underground river” that can keep a thousand springs of action alive?
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leader: Rev. Diana K. Davies, Lead Minister; Worship Associate: Sundra Flansburg; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka" Ezeakacha; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Music: 1UC Choir; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft; Chalice Lighting: Matthew Jones and Jennifer Sanders Jones
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
October
October 22 - "Quiet Courage" (Part II)
October 29 - "When the Veil Is Thin: Remembering the Dead"
November
November 5 - "Well, Whaddya Know: On Gnosticism"
November 12 - 2023 Auction-Winning Sermon
November 19 - "The Peace of Thanksgiving"
November 26 - "In Gratitude for the Animals"
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Child Care and Nursery
The Childcare Rooms are open from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm each Sunday morning. (10:00 am to 11:00 am for childcare for any adult programming happening and 11:00 am to 12:30 pm for worship.)
Childcare will be taking place in the nursery and attached preschool room.
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Sunday, October 15 - 10:00 am
Sunday Morning Meditation (In-Person)
Please join us for meditation practice in the Buddhist tradition (lower level, next to Corley Commons).
All are welcome; no meditation experience necessary!
For more information contact Lori Jervis.
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Sunday, October 15, 10:00 am
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour
We’re making a slight tweak to our Sunday morning pre-service programming. Instead of the “Forum”, we’re thinking of it as “Morning Coffee Hour.” In addition to our wonderful Meditation Sunday mornings before service, you’re now also welcome to hang out in Daniel Hall from 10:00 am - 11:00 am, grab a cup of coffee, and chat with your fellow congregants about whatever’s on your mind.
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Sunday, October 15, 12:15 pm, Eddy Room
New Friend Gathering
Have you wanted to check us out but haven't been able to? Perhaps you've come a few times and would like to learn more. This is the event for you! We invite you to the New Friend Gathering on Sunday, October 15 at 12:15 pm in the Eddy Room. If you would like to hang back in the sanctuary after the service, one of our greeters will show you where to go. We look forward to meeting you!
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| Lifespan Religious Exploration |
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Why have an interim minister?
An interim ministry is designed to help a congregation transition from one settled minister to the next. Imagine what it might be like to go directly from our current settled minister to a new settled minister. It would be difficult to avoid comparing everything the new minister did with what Rev. Diana did. Any changes would feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar; we would probably end up criticizing the new minister for perfectly acceptable ways of doing things that are just different. Change is hard, and Rev. Diana is a hard act to follow.
Also, unresolved frustrations or conflicts that were there when Rev. Diana left would carry right over to the new ministry. The congregation would be, in essence, “looking backward.” What would the new minister’s chance of success be in this situation?
When there is another minister and sufficient time between the two settled ministers, these potential problems are minimized. In fact, one of the main tasks of an interim minister is to help the congregation to “look forward.” The search process for a new settled minister requires figuring out what the congregation’s vision is for its future. That involves examining our strengths and shortcomings, our needs and preferences, our hopes and concerns. This was done 5 years ago to prepare for Rev. Diana, but the world has changed a lot since then. We’ve been through a pandemic, changes in the role of technology, major social changes that have brought new issues to the fore (challenges to 2SLGBTQ+ rights and reproductive rights). A new discernment process is called for, and an interim minister is trained to guide the congregation in doing this.
How long does it take? The norm today for an interim ministry is two years. The UUA did a study comparing the results of one-year interim ministries with the results of two-year interim ministries. They found that only 56% of the churches with a one-year interim ministry had a successful, long-lasting settled minister placement, while 90% of the churches with a two-year interim ministry did.
Since interim ministers start at their new positions every August 1, then we can work to hire one for August 1 of 2024. But what will we do until then? I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the answer, which will be in next week’s column.
Marcia Woodward
President, Board of Trustees 2023-2024
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Fellowship Dinners
Signup will close after church on Sunday, Oct. 15, for the current Fellowship Dinners! I will be in Daniel Hall taking reservations during coffee hour. Also, to sign up or to ask questions, please email Barbara Gallivan, bgallivan@cox.net or call/text 405-209-7386.
The beauty of this program is getting to know people of our church whom you may not know now in a small-group setting. Some of us have participated for decades because we enjoy it so much!
There will be four dinners, in November, January, February and March. You and your partner (or you alone) will be placed into a rotation schedule where you will have dinner with three other couples or singles, different people each month. If you are single your participation is welcome. And if you can pair up with another single, that enhances the experience.
There are four parts to each meal, and each month you will bring one of the components. This will also rotate, so that one month you will be the host, opening your home and providing hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Next you will provide the main dish. Another month you will bring a vegetable and dessert. The fourth assignment is salad and bread.
Your home or dining spot doesn’t need to be fancy; just do what is comfortable for you. Please don’t let a concern about that deter you from signing up!
I look forward to dining with you! -Barbara
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October 26 - October 29
Dracula!
1UC member, Lana Henson is performing in the play "DRACULA", Hidden Gems first production! Six Performances. One Weekend.
10/26 7:00 pm
10/27 7:00 pm
10/28 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
10/29 2:00 pm & 6:30 pm
(Bram Stoker's Dracula adapted for the stage by Liz Lochhead. This has been modified to a PG rated production.)
Located at 1111 SW 89th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73139 Building 12!
For tickets click here.
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Sunday, October 29 - Daniel Hall
All Souls Day
We will have tables set up in Daniel Hall on October 29th for memorials in honor of “All Souls Day.”
Bring a photo, flowers, and some memorabilia. It can be for any loved one you want to remember.
Please let me know if you are interested so I have plenty of tables set up. Email Maureen Harvey at mharvey5@cox.net
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News from Befrienders
Befrienders is ready to assist members of our church who are recovering from surgeries or illnesses by offering cards of well-wishes, meal trains, transportation to church or medical appointments as well as arranging for visitations, and we provide the receptions following memorial services.
Befrienders relies upon donations. Those donations are used to provide cards, stamps, occasional meals, and items for memorial receptions. If you wish to make a donation, please send a check and put Befrienders on the purpose line of your check. Thank you.
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First Unitarian Cares!
If you (or someone you care about in our community) would like a caring card, a ride, a meal delivered to your home, a prayer, or a pastoral visit, please fill out a pastoral care request form on our website: https://1uc.org/connect/pastor... or contact Rev. Diana or Susan Bishop (chair of the Befrienders).
Please contact Rev. Diana directly if you need financial assistance. The Minister's Discretionary Fund is available for anyone who needs emergency financial support. In the past, the fund has been used to help cover rent, groceries, fuel, home repairs, medical costs and other needs. Allocations from this fund are completely confidential.
Requests for support from this fund have risen significantly. If you have financial capacity, please consider making a gift to the Minister's Discretionary Fund. Thank you!
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| Adult Education Classes & Courses |
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Tuesday, October 17 - 11:30 am
Adult Education Class -Tuesday Discussion Group
To be announced! Watch for an email for next week's topic and zoom link.
Let Ron Wasson wassonr@sbcglobal.net know if you have something you would like to present sometime in the future.
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October Change for Change
For the month of October, our Change for Change partner is Freedom Oklahoma.
Freedom Oklahoma advocates and organizes across Oklahoma and within the 39 sovereign tribal nations that call this land home to build a future where all Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and fuller spectrum of people whose sexuality or gender or romantic identity exists beyond a heteronormative, binary framework (2SLGBTQ+), have the safety to thrive.
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CHANGE FOR CHANGE needs your help. Did you know that anyone can suggest a worthy local non-profit in our community? Do you know how?
- Check out the 1uc.org website and click on the justice tab
- Then click on Community Partnerships and click on the application in green in the middle of the page.
- Submit the application to Deborah Shinn or Anne Murray, or leave it in the office Social Justice mailbox. Or you can email the completed application to them. They can be found in Breeze.
RADICAL WELCOMING NEWS: Senate Bill 613, authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, can be a law while the parities to the lawsuit fight it out in a courtroom. That bill was one of 491 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures this year, 63 of which were signed into law as of June in the US. Nineteen states, including Oklahoma, now have laws restricting gender-affirming care. Of the 7,558 state legislators in the US, eight are transgender, CNN reported. Gov. Stitt said Oklahoma is protecting children. The ACLU said the law will harm them. The American Medical Association opposes restrictions on transgender medical care and deems medical and surgical treatment for gender dysphoria medically necessary. Though transgender adults may seek surgical interventions, such procedures are not typically done on children and many health care providers do not offer them to minors. The lawsuit shall proceed.
Your Racial Justice Team is interested in expanding. Our current meeting time is 11:00 am on the second Wednesday of the month. Our meetings occur on Zoom. CAN YOU JOIN US? Could you join us at a different time of day or a different day of the week? Please let me know your thoughts at BeckyKTallent@gmail.com.
After positive reviews we will be offering our White Privilege curriculum again soon. It is designed to help us understand and transcend systemic white privilege and its impact on each of us. The target is not white people, it's white supremacy. Help us work to dismantle oppressive systems.
NEWS FROM SLO: Learn how you can take action and help spread the word about the benefits of reducing energy waste:
- Make the switch to LED
- Seal Those Leaks
- Heat and Cool Efficiently
- Maintain Your HVAC System
- Maintain Your HVAC System
- Turn the Electronics Off
- Winter Tip: Invite the Sun In
- Summer Tip: Close Blinds and Shades
- Clean Your Clothing Efficiently
- Clean Up Your Dishes Efficiently
NEWS FROM VOICE: Mark your calendars for October 10th and plan to grab a sandwich, soup, salad or drink at Panera Breads on NW Expressway across the street from Baptist Integris Hospital. Between 4p and 8p, bring a copy of the flyer announcing this easy fund-raiser for VOICE. 20% of all sales during those hours (you must have the flyer or a picture of it on your phone) will be credited to VOICE!
PEACE FESTIVAL IS COMING! PEACE FESTIVAL IS COMING!
Mark your calendars now for Nov. 11th 10a-4p at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel 417 S. Meridian Ave in OKC. There will be booths selling wonderful items and First Unitarian will have a booth at the Festival selling our free trade coffees, teas, chocolates, and bumper stickers. This event is free and open to all. Don’t miss this annual event!
NEWS FROM REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE: Today is the International Day of the Girl Child, a day recognizing that girls—no matter where they live—have the right to safe, educated, and healthy lives. Around the world, girls are consistently lacking in sexual and reproductive health education and access to care. Girls must have the power to fully exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the Center for Reproductive Rights is at the forefront of this fight.
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| Radical Welcoming Committee |
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Saturday, October 21, 4:00 pm
Freedom Oklahoma Community Skate Fundraiser
The Freedom Oklahoma Community Skate Fundraiser is Saturday, October 21st from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Sky Rink at Scissorstail Park in OKC. Prepare for a night of skating, music, and unity! Advanced tickets for $20 per person here ($30 at the door): https://secure.everyaction.com/ktECI9yl4UuQ1VuaKjeThw2
Freedom Oklahoma is our October Change for Change partner. Freedom Oklahoma advocates and organizes across Oklahoma and within the 39 sovereign tribal nations that call this land home to build a future where all Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and fuller spectrum of people whose sexuality or gender or romantic identity exists beyond a heteronormative, binary framework (2SLGBTQ+), have the safety to thrive.
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Resources for Transgender People and Their Loved Ones
We know that with the recent ruling on SB 613 that gender-diverse youth and their families are terrified and wondering how to proceed. We are deeply sorry, beloveds, things like this should never happen.
If you are the parent or caregiver of a gender-diverse youth you can apply for a $500 grant (no income requirements) from the Campaign for Southern Equality Project here: https://southernequality.org/okresources/
For gender-diverse people of all ages who need support or mutual aid, please fill out the form at the Trans Resistance Network: https://transresistancenetwork.wordpress.com/
Your gender-diversity is beautiful and sacred! You are loved!
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1UC VOICE
There’s a lot going on the 1UC VOICE Team. We’re working on 5 issues: Predatory Lending, Criminal Justice, Education, Mental Health, and Housing.
We’re keeping a close eye on the new Thunder Arena plans and our annual fund-raiser “VOICE Gala of Gratitude” (or click on the picture below for tickets) is coming up on Friday, October 27. See Maureen Harvey or Sundra Flansburg for tickets.
Our next meeting will be Sunday, October 29, 9:00 am in the Eddy Room.
Contact Maureen Harvey for more information (mharvey5@cox.net).
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Welcome new Committee!
The function of the Committee on Ministry is to monitor on a regular and continuing basis the effectiveness of the church’s ministry, acknowledging and praising areas of strength, and assessing the reasons behind areas of perceived weakness or dissatisfaction, so that we, as a congregation, can grow into our full potential and fulfill our mission. If you have any questions about the role of the Committee on Ministry or have concerns, praise, or ideas about the ministries of this church, you are welcome to reach out to a member of the CoM: Rebecca Daniels, Lori Jervis, Tom Peryam, Liz Pillar-Little, James Vaughn, Derrick Wagner
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Note: Most meetings continue to meet via Zoom but some groups may elect to meet in the building. Please contact the meeting organizer directly if you are uncertain of the location.
- Sunday Morning Meditation – Every Sunday at 10:00 am, Meditation Room - Corley Commons (contact Lori Jervis for information - see article above)
- Tuesday Discussion Group – Every Tuesday, 11:00 am (contact Ron Wasson for information - see article above)
- Bell Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 5:45 pm, Sanctuary (contact LaDonna Hunt for information)
- Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary (contact 'Ebuka Ezeakacha for information)
- Racial Justice Team – October 11, 11:00 am (contact Becky Tallent for information)
- Radical Welcoming Team - October 12, 6:20 pm (contact Lynn Ann Wagner for information)
- New Friend Gathering – Sunday, October 15, 12:15 pm, Eddy Room (contact Lorriana Lee-Knapp for information)
- Healthy Lifestyles – Monday, October 16, 7:00 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner- Schneider)
- BRUU - Wednesday, October 18, 7:00 pm (contact John Schneider for information)
- Exploring Spirituality - Friday, October 20, 6:00 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider for information)
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Current Safety Level: Masks Are Encouraged
Masks are optional at all church events but are always welcome and encouraged.
- If you choose not to wear a mask, it is especially important that you do not attend services or events if you have any symptoms typical of COVID, flu, or RSV. Please stay home and join us online.
- Please continue to wash your hands frequently. And please be sure to throw away used tissues. Don't leave them in the pews.
- No one should ever be pressured into removing their mask. Please honor everyone's choice.
- If you haven't yet had your latest COVID booster please get it now!
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If you have a newsletter article you would like to submit please email your article to mgrogg@1uc.org no later than Tuesday (the day before the newsletter goes out) by 5:00 pm.
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**********************************************************************************
In order to save printing and mailing costs and to conserve natural resources, the Annual Report will not be mailed by default to all congregants. Instead, it is available online. Please contact Marlies Grogg (mgrogg@1uc.org) if you would like to receive a hard copy of the Annual Report.
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Did you know that you can access all church policies and procedures as well as Board meeting minutes on our new website? Just go to 1uc.org, and click on the "members" link in the upper right-hand corner (just to the left of the Facebook and other social media icons). This will open a page that says "Protected: Members." The password is @600NW13thSt [Note: the password is case-sensitive; do not put in additional punctuation or spaces.]
From here, click on "church documents." All official policies and procedures can be found in the "policies" folder. The bylaws and Board of Trustees meeting minutes are in the "governance" folder. Please disregard the "website SOPs" folder, which is for administrative use only.
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CHURCH STAFF
Lead Minister - Rev. Diana K. Davies
Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration - Tim Atkins
Choir Director - Chukwuebuka ('Ebuka) G. Ezeakacha
Accompanist - Steven Elkins Kennedy
Office Administrator - Marlies Grogg
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023-2024
President of the Congregation – Marcia Woodward
President Elect – Cathy Webster
Immediate Past President – Marshal Gimpel
Clerk – Deborah Shinn
Treasurer – Ron Wasson
Clare Auwarter Lorriana Lee-Knapp Larry Little
Ann Meeks Coba Neitzel Doug Vincent
Committee on Ministry
Rebecca Daniels Lori Jervis Liz Pillar-Little Tom Peryam James Vaughn Derrick Wagner
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