Sunday, June 2, 11:00 am, Sanctuary

"Knowing Our Families, Knowing Our Church"

Join us in person or watch on YouTube.

Rev. Sue’s sermon lifts up the idea of families as systems, and how they shape our relationships, including those within the church. She’ll share a few stories of how Family Systems Theory has informed her own life and ministry, and discuss the implications for congregational life here at First Unitarian. (Please note: This will be a modified version of the sermon that time constraints prevented her from preaching on May 19.)

Participating in today’s service:

Service Leaders: Rev. Sue Redfern-Campbell, Transitional Minister;  Worship Associate: Lori Jervis;  Chalice Lighter:  Odin Turpin; Call to Offering: Fenton Rood; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft

Sunday, June 2, 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, June 2 (immediately after the service) Daniel Hall

Coffee, Lemonade and Conversation

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

Early into my time with First Unitarian I was watching Rev. Jonalu Johnstone preach, and I heard a small voice in the back of my mind that said, “You should do that too.” I immediately dismissed this voice and thought there is no way that I can be a minister. I have a life here in OKC, I am about to get married, and I have a professional life to attend to as an attorney for the state.

I officially joined the church in January 2014, served on the Board of Trustees for about four years during some very tumultuous times, served on the Interim Search Committee, the LifeSpan Faith Exploration Director Search Committee, a number of other committees, and served as the chair of the 1UC VOICE committee for several years. During this time, even in the most difficult moments of church life, I still felt a call toward ministry.

In September 2020, I started seminary at Meadville-Lombard Theological School. Because of COVID, it became a remote program and I was able to maintain my deep relationships within the congregation and add Rev. Diana as my formal mentor. In August 2021, my family and I moved to Massachusetts to serve my ministerial internship and over the summer we will be moving to Wilmington, North Carolina where I have been called as their settled minister.

Throughout my time away, my love for 1UC and appreciation for all the ways the members and friends of the congregations helped form me into the minister I am on the precipice of being has not wavered. This is why I have requested to be ordained by this congregation. I was made into a Unitarian Universalist at this congregation, I was able to identify the key role social justice would play in my ministry through my work with VOICE, and I was shaped into the type of minister I would be through my work with the Board and the variety of committees I served on as well as through the important relationships I formed and still maintain.

I would simply not be on the path I am on today without having first walked through the doors of our wonderful and welcoming church. I don’t think I can articulate all the ways in which I have grown as a person and have been made better by my association with this congregation.

I am forever grateful for this church, and I often mourn deeply the distance I now must have from the congregation because of my position and location. However, I still feel tied to and a part of this place. Whether it be by meeting with Scot Harvey and Tim Atkins at General Assembly, my frequent phone calls with Janice Martin and Sundra Flansburg, or the occasional treat of getting to Zoom with Luann Faulkner-Schneider, Linda Wasson, Lorriana Lee-Knapp, Paula Geisinger, and Linda Lewis Watkins (my beloved Healthy Lifestyles group). I still feel a connection and pull to this beautiful place and I would be forever grateful if you all allowed me to continue that connection as the place that ordains me. This is the place that formed me, therefore what better place can there be to take the first official step on my journey as a minister?

--Alyssa Lee

The week of June 3 - June 7

Chalice Camp 2024

Howdy Folks!

The 51st Annual(ish) Chalice Camp 2024 will be June 3rd-7th! Zel is back as our Camp Director, and our theme for Chalice Camp 2024 is "Rebirth and Renewal."

Chalice Camp 2024 will run June 3rd-7th. It will take place at our usual location, Central Oklahoma Camp Center: 1 Twin Cedar Ln, Guthrie, OK 73044

Although it is still too cost prohibitive to rent a bus, we’re looking at how to have a more community feel to getting to/coming back from camp. This year we are strongly encouraging folks to carpool from the church, so we can go to camp together. We're going to use the same system as last year.

Carpooling Option: Drop off at the church will begin at 8am each morning. At 8:30 am sharp, we will leave for the camp. Pick up will begin at the church at 4:00 pm. From 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm we will have aftercare available in the chapel - we’ll be showing a movie each day. Kids will need to be picked up by 6:00 pm. We will need folks willing to drive, especially if you’ve got a bigger car/van/SUV!

If you need a carpool to the church to make the carpooling pickup time, let Tim know and we will see who lives in your area that could help get your kiddo to church and the camp!

Drop Off Option: Now, if you live really close to the camp and not the church, you can meet us at the campsite directly, but your times are slightly different. If you’re doing this, note that Camp will start at 9:30 pm - kids should be dropped off at the camp 9:15 am - 9:30 pm. Pickup time for the camp is 3pm at the campsite.

This year, families are invited to join us Friday at Noon for a picnic lunch/cookout! Food will start at noon, and at one you can join us for activities like crafts and the pool!

And no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Reach out to Tim if the finances are a problem - we can give full scholarships, partial scholarships, figure out payment plans, whatever you need.

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.

Tuesday, June 4, 11:30 am - Daniel Hall

Special Meeting - "Living Your Life (Safely) in an Online World"

The Alliance is hosting Kris King on Tuesday, June 4th, at noon to give a talk on "Cybersecurity" (see picture below)

This is an important topic as the scammers are becoming more clever every day and we need to stay ahead of them! 

Bring a brown bag lunch at 11:30 am. There will be no business meeting.

Maureen

Friday, June 21, 7:00 pm, Daniel Hall

Pride Without Prejudice - A Safe Space All-Ages Party

Pride Without Prejudice - A Safe Space All-Ages Party

Join us for a joyous celebration of queer pride in a welcoming and safe space! We understand that many 2SLGBTQIA+ folx may not feel comfortable celebrating Pride at larger community events. So, the First Unitarian Radical Welcoming Team is offering a safe space to express your Pride and celebrate queer joy this Pride Month!

This inclusive event is open to all 2SLGBTQIA+ attendees of First Unitarian Church, their safe and supportive friends and family, and 1UC attendees who are allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Come dance the night away to our vibrant Pride playlist! We are featuring a special family-friendly drag performance by Kronie Khalil Raine at 8:30 PM. Our lovely performer has agreed to waive their usual fee for our event, so please feel free to tip generously as you enjoy the show. There will be a delightful selection of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy!

While fancy dress is encouraged, the most important thing is that you come in attire that makes you feel comfortable and true to yourself.

For safety, members of the 1UC security team will be present.

Important Notes:

• To ensure a safe space, please refrain from advertising this event outside the First Unitarian community.

• Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

• Please enter through the back door with the stairs that lead to Daniel Hall, the door will remain locked and we will greet folx there. If you come late, please ring the doorbell. If you need to enter with the accessible ramp, please call or text 1UC security team member, Todd Hildebrandt at 970-210-2238.

We look forward to celebrating Pride together in our community!

UUs at Pride 2024 Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ Folx!

Please note, there are TWO Pride parades First Unitarian will be participating in, in OKC this year.

The 39th Street Pride Parade will be held on Sunday, June 2nd starting at 6:00 pm. To join us in walking the parade or riding in the First Unitarian trailer, we will be lining up at 5:00 pm. We will meet at the parade lineup on the outside southbound lane of N.Classen Blvd., north of NW 39th Street. Look for our banner or familiar faces in the lineup on Classen. First Unitarian youth will be decorating our trailer for the parade, please meet at 4:00 pm on N Classen Blvd.

The Pride on 39th Festival runs from Friday, May 31st through Sunday, June 2nd on NW 39th Street, click here to learn more about the festival and parade: https://www.prideon39th.com/

The OKC Pride Alliance Parade will be held on Sunday, June 30th starting at 11:00 am (no worship service at First Unitarian this day). To join us in walking the parade or riding in the First Unitarian trailer, we will be lining up at 10:00 am. We will meet at the parade lineup on Walker Ave., more information to come. Look for our banner or familiar faces in the lineup. First Unitarian youth will be decorating our trailer for the parade, please meet at 9:00 am.

Pride Alliance Pridefest runs from Friday, June 28th through Sunday, June 30th at Scissortail Park, click here to learn more about Pridefest and the parade: https://www.okcpridealliance.org/

If you want to join in celebrations and don’t want to walk/ride in the trailer, bring out your favorite chair and join the folx watching and cheering along the parade routes! All are welcome! All are loved!

First Unitarian Church is co-sponsoring the interfaith PRIDE Community Worship Service at Mosaic Community Church on Wednesday, June 26th. See upcoming newsletters for more information.

Need further information?  Contact Lynn Ann Wagner for details at flowerdancer@hotmail.com.

Memorial Garden

Are you familiar with our Memorial Garden? Established in 1987, our tranquil garden, located on each side of the entrance to the church from the Allen Courtyard, holds cremated remains and provides a place for congregants to honor and memorialize the lives and memories of their loved ones.

Beautiful slabs of granite with bronze plaques identify the deceased. The east side of the garden will be in use soon.

You can prepay for a portion of your ashes to be interred in the garden. There is a one-time fee of $275, BUT the price will rise to $300 on July 1.  If you think this is something you might be interested in, send your money to the church office.

News from Befrienders

Befrienders relies upon donations. Those donations are used to provide cards, stamps, 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.

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 have teams assigned for specific roles.

• Lana Henson leads our Cards of Well Wishes team and can always use extra hands to write cards to our members who are ill or who are recovering from surgeries.
• Ginny Boykin leads our Memorial Receptions team. She calls on folks to bring food for the receptions.
• Patti Kate leads our Transportation team and is looking for folks to be added to her list of people willing to be drivers for anyone needing a ride to a doctor’s appointment, therapy appointment, etc. She is actively recruiting for folks to be on her team.
• Kathy Nyswonger leads our Visitation team. She, along with others, actively go out and visit with members who are unable to get to church or some of the social events. She is actively recruiting for folks to be on her team.
• Meal Trains – we don’t have a team leader yet for this team of people willing to step up and provide a meal to an individual or family. Much of the work of the leader is organizing the Meal Train on line. If you are interested, please contact Susan Bishop for more info,

If you are interested in joining any of these teams, please let Susan Bishop know at sdbishop50@gmail.com.

***Anne Murray is now re-cooperating at Jim Thorpe Rehab at Baptist Hospital on NW Expressway. She is in room #368!  You can call her at 405-949-3305.***

June Change for Change

For the month of June our Change for Change partner is OKC Beautiful.   (Garden at Esperanza Elementary)

Their Mission: is to lead Oklahoma City’s beautification and environmental stewardship through collaboration, education, and advocacy.

Their Vision: Oklahoma City is a vibrant community where citizens practice environmentally sustainable lifestyles and nurture economic growth through our programs.