Sunday, August 18, 11:00 am, Sanctuary

“Spilling Love All Around Us?”

Join us in person or watch on YouTube.

There are many reasons to get involved in the church-and to avoid it. For some of us church has basically become a “job.” For others, church is something that is done for us. But what if we viewed church differently-as an opportunity to be co-creators of a spiritual home? We begin this service with a question posed this summer in an earlier service and left for us to ponder: “What if we looked around and asked ourselves ‘What can we do to spill love all around us?'” And what if we did that right here and now, at the church and everywhere we go?

Participating in today’s service:

Service Leader: Lori Jervis; Worship Associate: Paul Spicer;  Chalice Lighter:  Ron and Linda Wasson;  Reflections: Lori Jervis, Frank Victor Roesler III; and Becky Tallent;  Music: Wendy Pitt and Cathy Webster, flutists; Accompanists:  Lee Agnew, Alan Farrier, Lori Jervis, Ellisya Ravencroft, Fenton Rood and Pam Yarbrough; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft

Sunday, August 18, 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.

Sunday, August 18 (immediately after the service) Daniel Hall

Coffee, Lemonade and Conversation

Join us after the service in Daniel Hall for coffee, lemonade and conversation.

Transition Tracker

Dear ones,

It is with great joy and optimism that I share good news: We have engaged a part-time Consulting Minister for the coming year.

Reverend David Messner will begin to work with us this week!

Before you all stampede down to 13th and Dewey to meet him, please know that a large part of his service to us will be virtual. Reverend David is based in Chicago, where he is the lead minister at a UU Church.

This arrangement did not happen by itself! Over the past several weeks, the Transition Team has worked hard to bring this arrangement to the Board, which approved his contract. Everything was finalized earlier this week in time for today's announcement.

We will look forward to welcoming Reverend Messner in person in September when he arrives to spend his first in-person stint with us. Before that, he will be working with our governance teams and various committees.

Want to know more about him? You can read all about him here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EbvcD7xIoQfAE1vQcctyNdmL-2h1zfaJ/view?usp=drivesdk

And you also are welcome to follow him on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/revmessner?mibextid=JRoKGi

While I am delighted that we have an excellent Consulting Minister, please know that the Transition Team and the Board are also working on other ways to support the congregation during the coming year. I hope to have more good news to share in the coming days and weeks.

In faith,

Cathy

President of the Board of Trustees 2024-2025

REASONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO 1UC’S GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND

• TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A LASTING WAY
• TO SUPPORT FUTURE GENERATIONS
• CONTRIBUTIONS WILL GROW IN VALUE

Questions?  Contact one of the committee members: Russell Bennett, Tammy Epperson or Linda Wasson

2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month - 6:00 pm

Wednesday Night Meditation

Interested in meditation but can't quite make it on Sunday mornings? Or maybe you just want more meditation? We are adding a Wednesday night session to our schedule (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm) in the meditation room in the lower level (Corley Commons).

For more information contact Larry Little.

Summer RE Programs

Our elementary aged students will head upstairs to learn about solar energy! Throughout August our focus will be on sustainable living and climate change.

Our middle and high school students will head downstairs to  play the game Spot It and learn about commonality!

YOUTH LOCK IN

1UC Summer Youth Activities (6th grade - 12th grade)

Friday, August 30 - Lock In at 1UC, 6:00 pm (pick up is 8:30 am on Saturday August 31), Contact Tim Atkins for information.

We’re having a youth lock in for our 6th-12th graders!! We’ll meet at church at 6:00 pm on Friday, August 30th, and students should be picked up 8:30 to 9:00 am, Saturday, August 31!

Register for the lock in: https://1ucokc.breezechms.com/...

We always need volunteers willing to spend the night for the lock in! Please sign up to volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/g...

2024-2025 RE Registration

This year all of our children and youth religious exploration classes will be exploring the new Article 2 values through different means. Our youngest (PreK-1^st) will explore them using stories, our elementary (2-5^th) will explore them using legos and art, our middle schoolers (6^th-8^th) will explore them using Pixar cartoons and teambuilding activities, and our high schoolers (9-12^th) will explore them using The Twilight Zone. 

Every year we ask for an updated registration form – please register online at https://tinyurl.com/1UCRE2425

RE Teaching 2024-2025

We need a total of sixteen folks to volunteer for the RE Program Year as a Sunday Morning RE Teacher! We believe it takes a village to raise a child. And we believe that by showing up for each other, we show that we care. The best way to change the future is to change the upcoming generation. Imagine Oklahoma with more and more Unitarian Universalists! Great RE teachers don’t need to be experts in their curriculum. 

Because connection matters more than the curriculum. Great RE teachers don’t need to be experts in Unitarian Universalism. Because we are a Religious Exploration program - we explore together; we don’t teach. Great RE teachers don’t need to have been a teacher before. Because all that matters to be a great RE teacher? You just have to care - you have to care about our children and youth. You have everything it takes to change the lives of our children and youth. 

Consider becoming a Sunday Morning Religious Exploration Teacher!  Contact Tim at tatkins@1uc.org to learn more or with any questions you might have!

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 and visitations.

Even though the work of our church relaxes during the summer while a minister is taking time for reflection and study, the work of Befrienders continues. We may not meet in person, but we continue to offer cards of well wishes, meals, transportation and visitations. Remember that Befrienders offers short term care to our congregants and friends of First Unitarian Church.

Our Befrienders team consists of:

Lana Henson and her team of well-wishers with cards

Kathy Nyswonger and her team of visitors

Patti Kate and her team of drivers ready to help with transportation

Ginny Boykin and her team ready to provide receptions for memorial services

At First UU, we are all Befrienders to and with each other because we care about you!

Change for Change

For the month of August our Change for Change partner is Girl Scout Troop #3115/Classen SAS Middle School Food Bank

Classen SAS Middle School provides weekly, and as needed, food from their Food Bank to their own families and students. The Regional Food Bank partners with Classen SAS Middle School to accomplish this. Each year the Girl Scout Troop #3115 provides the food for a Thanksgiving Dinner to 10-20 Families of the school. The Troop members plan and deliver the special T’Giving Meal to each of the Classen SAS Middle School Families requesting help celebrating this holiday. The money from 1UC C4C would help buy these Thanksgiving Meals.

The GS mission is building girls courage, confidence, and character, in order to contribute to a world that is a better place. Girl Scouts girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Girls grow courageous and strong through a wide variety of enriching experiences, such as field trips, skill-building sports clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardship. GS helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

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 be found in Breeze.

WE APPRECIATE IT WHEN CONGREGANTS NOMINATE WORTHY COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THANK YOU!

Updates on COVID 19 & the Flu

Dear Church Family,

As we navigate through the late summer, it’s essential to stay informed about the current health situation in our community. Here are the latest updates on COVID-19 and influenza in Oklahoma:

COVID-19: 

• Current Status: Oklahoma is now providing weekly COVID-19 updates to give a comprehensive overview of the pandemic. Recent reports indicate stable case numbers, although localized increases have been observed.

• Vaccination: Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available, targeting the latest variants. It’s crucial to keep up with vaccination schedules to ensure the best protection against the virus.

Influenza:

• Current Status: Influenza activity is on the rise compared to last year. The state has reported an increase in flu positivity rates, signaling the importance of early vaccination.

• Vaccination: The CDC recommends getting your flu shot as soon as possible to protect against multiple strains expected this season.

We encourage everyone to maintain good hygiene practices, stay updated with vaccinations, and monitor local health department updates. For more detailed information, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s COVID-19 https://oklahoma.gov/covid19.html page and the Viral View https://oklahoma.gov/health/flu.html dashboard.