| 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, April 14 - 11:00 am
"Ordinary Courage"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
When we think of “courage,” we may automatically associate it with outward acts -heroic rescues or spectacular feats of physical prowess. But what if courage is also found in quiet, daily acts of resolve? We may be braver than we think!
Participating in today’s service:
Service Leaders: Rev. Sue Redfern-Campbell; Worship Associate: Ellisya Ravencroft; Chalice Lighter: Lana Henson; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka” Ezeakacha; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Music: 1UC Choir; Technical Support: Caleb Pinson; Ushers: Members of the BRUU Group
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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, April 14, 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, April 14 - 10:00 am
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour (in-person)
Join us for “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 donut and a cup of coffee, and chat with your fellow congregants about whatever’s on your mind. Come back after the service for more social time.
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Sunday, April 14, (immediately after the service) Daniel Hall
Coffee, Lemonade and Conversation
Join us after the service in Daniel Hall for coffee, lemonade and conversation.
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
April
April 21, 2024 - "Ecology and Liberation"
April 28, 2024 - "In Praise of Frolicking" (service is offsite at Edwards Park Pavilion, 1515 NE Bryant Oklahoma City - due to the memorial marathon)
May 5 - "Youth Sunday"
May 12 - "Flower Communion & Mother's Day"
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Hello from Rev. Sue
I hope you all had the chance to see Monday's eclipse - whether you traveled to a place within the umbral shadow (Path of Totality), or enjoyed our 93% partial eclipse here in Oklahoma City, or streamed awesome videos of the event from the comfort of your home.
Monday afternoon found me downtown at the OKC Memorial, on a stone bench near the Survivor Tree. Park rangers gave out protective eye gear, offered commentary, and chatted with the happy and excited crowd. School children with their parents and teachers made up most of the gathering, but a smattering of elders and young adults were there, too. It was a fine place to enjoy the unfolding spectacle, as the moon moved across the face of the sun and turned it into a slim orange crescent.
This was not my first solar eclipse; I'd seen one in the Canadian Maritimes in 1972. More recently, Chuck and I took our camper to Nebraska to see the August 2017 eclipse, and were rewarded with clear skies, two-and-a-half minutes of totality, and a beautiful view of the sun's corona. This year, I'd considered driving to my niece's home in Arkansas for a repeat of that experience, but was deterred by horrendous traffic forecasts.
Staying here had its own rewards, though. Foremost among them, for me, was the gentle sense of community prevailing at the Survivor Tree. It was as though, as a body, we dropped our worldly preoccupations and surrendered to awe and wonder. For a few sacred moments, we all became one. One might even say that we became a worshiping community. It's an experience that will stay with me for a long time.
I hope that Monday was a memory-making day for you, too.
Love and blessings,
Rev. Sue
**FYI - The minister will never ask for money or gift cards from anyone.
Please know that this is a scam.**
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Online Auction begins Sunday, April 21!
Auction Time
The day we open the 2024 auction online catalogue, April 21, is drawing near! This Sunday, April 14th, is the final day to submit donations. If you have been considering making a donation but haven’t gotten around to it, the time to submit the description is NOW! Thank you!
We have had many outstanding donations! Here are just a few:
Angel Fire NM Vacation Home, Bohemian Dinner, Farm to Table Dinner, 4th of July BBQ and Fireworks, Glass Fusion Party, Annual Membership to the YMCA, Reserved Parking Place at Church, many other exciting dinners, parties, activities and classes, a dozen restaurant gift certificates, multiple theatres/concerts, and much more!
Most items will be shown in the online auction, and half-a-dozen will be saved for the live auction on the evening of May 4 at church. That evening will include a party with adult beverages, hors d’oeuvres and snacks (see below).
Please submit your donation to Joan Cain, Joancain48@gmail.com. Make sure to include your name, phone #, email address, proposed date, a description of the event or experience (including any conditions, limitations or restrictions). In addition, please give a value of the donation and a minimum bid.
If you have a question, contact one of the members of the auction committee: Joan Cain, Deb Cretsinger, Emily Dunagin, Barbara Gallivan, Carmen McBride, Mairead Todd and Becky Tallent.
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| Mark Your Calendars! |
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More details to come in upcoming newsletters for this event! Keep watching!
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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.
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OU Big Event Workday!
We had a great OU Big Event Community Service workday – 6 OU students with the International Security Students Association (ISSA) (they worked hard & did a great job).
They cleaned & hosed down the courtyard, sanctuary doors, and cleaned the breezeway. They cleaned and waxed stairwells to the kitchen, Eddy Room, & office. They organized the RE supply closet and helped clean the sanctuary pews. They also moved 1 of the red sofas from the basement to Rev. Sue's lounge area.
Thanks to Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider, John Schneider, and Clare Auwarter for cleaning debris from all sanctuary pews and vacuuming the cushions. Thanks to Tom Peryam and Ron Wasson for helping supervise.
(pictured - bottom row: Abi, Lauren and Sophia; top row: Wyatt, Mohammad and Jeff)
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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.
The next meeting of Befrienders is Thursday, March 14 at noon in the Eddy Room.
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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 contact Susan Bishop (Chair of Befrienders).
Please contact Marcia Woodward (President of the Board) or Cathy Webster (President Elect) 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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Friday, April 12, 11:00 am
Remembering Mary "Jo" Bragdon
The family of former long time member, Mary Jo Bragdon, will be here on Friday, April 12, at 11:00 am to have her ashes interred in the memorial garden.
Those who remember her are welcome to come and visit with her family. There will be coffee and cookies and conversation.
If you have a fond memory of Mary Jo, I am sure her loved ones would love to hear it.
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| Adult Education Classes & Courses |
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Every Wednesday - 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.
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Saturday, April 13, 2024
Wines for the Common Good
A tasting pairing vintages with VOICE issues
Saturday, April 13, 2024
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
5024 N. Grove, Warr Acres, OK
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
A fundraiser for VOICE
TICKETS $25 ADVANCE / $30 DOOR (Limited)
Sponsorship Levels: Champagne $500
Tuscany $250
Napa Valley $100
Contact Maureen Harvey for more information at mharvey5@cox.net
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March Change for Change
For the month of April our Change for Change partner is The Third Space Foundation for Juneteenth on the East Festival.
Mission Statement: The Third Space Foundation grew out of The Third Space, a co-working and community-building environment in Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Suzette Grillot founded The Third Space in the summer of 2019. Our mission was to create an empowering and supportive third place where all individuals would feel welcomed and safe.
Our contribution to the Third Space Foundation enables us to be sponsors of Juneteenth on the East Festival.
They are committed to being honest and trustworthy.
They are committed to promoting a spirit of openness in all that we do.
They are passionate about creating and cultivating an inclusive community.
They are committed to serving all of humanity in a respectful and equitable manner.
They believe in learning, growing and developing throughout life, which involves engaging in open discussions and listening to others.
They are committed to collaborative work that facilitates the collective good and the joint promotion of our common interests.
They are passionate about maintaining positive and hopeful perspectives as a basis for bold and energetic action in our community.
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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 be found in Breeze.
WE APPRECIATE IT WHEN CONGREGANTS NOMINATE WORTHY COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THANK YOU!
- December ’23 – UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) $2,433.83
- January ’24 – Not Your Average Joe $1244.00
- February ’24 – Exodus House $1,433.00
Thank you!
NEWS FROM RADICAL WELCOMING TEAM: There are several bills that may come before the OK State Legislature. These are some that negatively impact residents of Oklahoma:
- HB3022 Single Sex Bathroom Restrictions – Forced detransition for incarcerated persons and mandates single sex bathrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters in OK DOC facilities.
- HB3451 - will create a data base of autistic people that the state has access to, and without constraints on removing someone even if they choose not to have the marker on their ID at a future date. As we see more language in gender affirming care bans and similar efforts suggesting autistic people can’t be considered by the state to consent to gender affirming care treatment. This would deny care in the future. Given that autistic people are disproportionately likely to identify as 2STGNC+, this is concerning.
- HB3782 - Creates a rebuttable assumption of no release on bond for people with a history of certain charges (?), including a list that has been expanded to include protestors in particular.
- HB3451 – Amends definitions of mentally incompetent in statute in a way that could expand institutionalization of disabled Oklahomans.
- HB3157 – Expands criminalization of sex work.
Democracy depends upon the citizenry contacting their representatives with concerns, questions, and comments. How else will they know there are liberal thinking Oklahomans who care about marginalized and disenfranchised people. Contact your representative and let them know your thoughts and concerns.
NEWS FROM UU MINISTRY FOR EARTH: Happy Earth Month! -The theological grounding of Unitarian Universalism is covenant, which put simply, is a promise to connect. As UUs, we promise to connect to:
• our own true selves
• each other in congregations
• our local communities
• those most impacted by oppression
• Earth
When we connect in these ways, relationships are restored and deepened. And we tap into what our Universalist ancestors named as Universal Love; a love that never lets us go. That love fuels us for the journey of creating salvation in this life.
NEWS FROM OK WATCH: Prison Homicides Twice as High as Previously Reported - The number of recent homicides in Oklahoma prisons is twice as high as previously reported, new data from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections show. The number of homicides puts Oklahoma near the top of the region in inmate killings. [The Oklahoman]
NEWS FROM TOGETHER OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma elected officials and policymakers should work directly with the Tribal nations within the state’s borders when issues arise. But, lawmakers are seeking to advance Senate Bill 1907, which seeks to circumvent Tribal sovereign control over data under their control. Members of the Oklahoma House Public Safety Committee are scheduled to consider this bill on Tuesday morning.
Committee members should not pass this bill out of committee. Instead, state officials should utilize existing channels of communication to mutually resolve any issues between the state and Tribal governments.
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| Radical Welcoming Team (RWT) |
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As we enter what is sure to be a volatile political season, the Radical Welcoming Team (RWT) would like to emphasize the importance of respecting the privacy of transgender and non-binary individuals. Even if you are certain someone is open about being transgender, it is never okay to out anyone without their explicit consent. It is crucial to recognize that each individual has a right to decide when, where, and to whom they disclose their private information.
Additionally, we urge everyone to support our transgender members and guests by ensuring that correct pronouns and names are used. If you hear anyone refer to someone using an incorrect name or pronoun, simply state the correct name or pronoun, and allow the conversation to continue while remaining non-confrontational. This practice is essential even when the individual isn’t present. Let’s take some of the pressure off those most affected by anti-trans rhetoric by showing our support through everyday actions.
Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any member of the RWT. Thank you for helping keep our congregation safe for all.
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Help Us Keep Our Building Safe
Please, if you exit the building through a door that is locked, make sure that the door is completely closed and locked behind you. If you are one of the last people out of the building, please help us make sure that all doors are fully closed and locked. And if you are holding an event at the church, please do not prop exterior doors open or unlock them and leave them unattended. And when you are done, don't forget to lock the door!
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First Unitarian Covenant of Healthy Communication
“We need not think alike to love alike.” One of our Unitarian Universalist ancestors, Francis David, spoke those words more than 400 years ago to describe the foundation of our unity as a religious community. To this end, we, the people of the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City, agree to the following:
* I tell my own story and let others tell theirs.
* I use “I” statements when expressing my own views, always mindful that my thoughts, opinions, and experiences may not be shared by others
* I check the accuracy of my perceptions and assumptions.
* I avoid “awfulizing” negative experiences.
* I say what needs to be said to the one who needs to hear it.
Communicate directly with the person or group involved, instead of gossiping or speaking negatively about others in the wider community
* I devote at least as much energy to careful listening as to careful speaking.
Listen actively and seek to understand the perspectives and opinions of others
Be curious, appreciative, and informed about perspectives that differ from my own.
Recognize and honor the diversity of beliefs and spiritual paths within our community, including the words and ways people choose to express their spirituality
Honor the contributions and needs of those who have been historically marginalized in the larger world and in our congregation and seek growth in our ability to be welcoming.
* If something prompts anger in me, I report it honestly in a way that invites positive solutions.
Be forgiving and loving when I or others make mistakes
Apologize, when warranted, and seek to make amends
Call on congregational resources when help is needed
* I refrain from blaming and shaming.
Assume that others act with good intentions
Be respectful and kind in our words, tone, and body language
Use email, social media and other forms of electronic communication with respect, kindness, and special care.
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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)
- Wednesday Night Meditation - Every Wednesday, 6:00 pm, Meditation Room - Corley Commons (contact Larry Little for information)
- Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary (contact 'Ebuka Ezeakacha for information)
- UU Book Club – Thursday, April 11, 7:00 pm (contact Steve Gryglewicz for information)
- Remembering Mary Jo Bragdon - Friday, April 12, 11:00 am (contact Marlies Grogg for information)
- Fiber Connections – Sunday, April 14, Eddy Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- Healthy Lifestyles – Monday, April 15, 7:00 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider for information)
- Finance Working Group – Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 pm (contact Ron Wasson for information)
- BRUU - Wednesday, April 17, 7:00 pm (contact John Schneider for information)
- Befrienders – Thursday, April 18, 12:00 pm, (contact Susan Bishop for information)
- Radical Welcoming Team - Thursday, April 18, 6:30 pm (contact Lynn Ann Wagner for information)
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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
Transitional Minister - Rev. Sue Redfern-Campbell
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 Emily Hildebrandt Lorriana Lee-Knapp Larry Little Ann Meeks Doug Vincent
Committee on Ministry
Suzanne Broadbent Lori Jervis Liz Pillar-Little John Schneider Tom Peryam Derrick Wagner
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