| 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, August 6 - 11:00 am
"On Overthinking"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
UUs are often drawn to the world of ideas but some of us find we cannot get out of our heads. This service explores what it means to think too much and how we can live more fully engaged with other dimensions of our being.
Participating in Sunday's service:
Lay Leaders: Lori Jervis and Paul Spicer; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Faith Nagel
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
August
August 13 - "What Is Sikhism" (Guest: Saurabh Singh) [Rescheduled]
August 20 - Seeker Series Part I (Rev. Diana)
August 27 - Seeker Series Part II (Rev. Diana)
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Summer at First Unitarian
Now through mid-August, things slow down at First Unitarian. But there is still a lot happening! Instead of formal services led by First Unitarian’s own religious professionals, congregants get a chance to hear from other members and get a sense of the talents and different perspectives that are right here within our own walls. This summer, we’ll also welcome guests from different faith traditions, including Sikhism, Baha’i faith, and Rissho Kosei Kai Buddhism. Rev. Diana returns in late August with a "seeker series," services that are designed to address questions of interest to spiritual seekers and those who may be searching for a spiritual home.
Religious Exploration for children and youth has begun and will continue through August with a less structured curriculum than during the school year. Some Adult RE classes and affinity groups continue through the summer while others may take a break, so please check the newsletter to see what's happening on a week-by-week basis.
Rev. Diana takes study leave (to attend Ministry Days and GA, read, research, and prepare for the next church year) the first two weeks in August. She will take vacation during the month of July. DLRE Tim Atkins will be available in the summer. Office Administrator Marlies Grogg and Congregational Life Coordinator Nathan Boone will take a few days off here and there over the summer so please check first to make sure they're available. Our Choir Director Ebuka Ezeakacha will be training with the National Guard through the end of July. You'll continue to hear from our new accompanist, Steven Elkins Kennedy at services throughout the summer.
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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, August 6 - 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, August 6 - 10:00 am
Adult Ed
Each week there are two options for 10:00 am Adult Ed:
- Our meditation group that meets downstairs in the Corley Commons - Meditation Room
- Our main Forum like programming will take place in the Eddy Room every Sunday at 10:00am (except the 3rd Sunday of the month it will be in Daniel Hall) and the topic will change each week.
This Sunday - TBA
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Thursday, August 3, 2:00 pm
Dave McLaughlin Memorial
It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of longtime member, Dave McLaughlin, who passed away early on the morning of July 24. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Dave was a dear, kind, and generous soul and a pillar of this congregation and the larger community. He will be greatly missed.
The service will be held at St. Luke's Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th, Oklahoma City, on Thursday, August 3, at 2:00 pm. You can watch the service here.
A reception to follow at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd, Nichols Hills.
If you would like to read Dave's obituary, you can find it here.
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Steve Weston took a bad fall at Mercy Hospital when he went in for hernia surgery. He is now in Mercy Rehab on the North side of Memorial, just east of MacArthur. He would love to have visitors. Because of his therapy appointments throughout the day, late afternoon and early evening are excellent visiting times. Cards can be sent to his home address in Edmond as his daughter, Stephanie, is picking up his mail.
Buzz Forsythe is home from a stint in the hospital and loves to have visitors. His address can be found in Breeze. Give him a call if you can’t visit. He loves to chat with folks from our church to stay involved even if he can’t always attend services. He has quite a collection of photographs he took all over the world.
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Sincere thanks for the colorful cards and warm wishes from our church community, especially the service and compassion of Befrienders; you make all the difference!
Gratefully,
Janice Martin
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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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Thursday, August 3, 7:00 pm
UU Book Club
Join us Thursday, August 3, at 7:00 pm, where we will be discussing, The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See.
If there are available copies at the library, we will read and discuss Endurance by Alfred Lansing in September. However, if there are not enough copies, we’ll need to change our plans. We can talk about this Thursday.
For more information please contact Steve Gryglewicz at stgryg@yahoo.com
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8805...
Meeting ID: 880 5124 8829
Passcode: 398265
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Saturday, August 19, 5:00 pm
Family Game Night/Potluck
Like board games? Come join us at the monthly family boardgame potluck from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturday, August 19th.
We'll have a projector running Nintendo games for the kids!"
All ages welcome!
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August Change for Change
For the month of August our Change for Change recipient is the SISU Youth Services
SISU YOUTH SERVICES - “Together, we can end youth homelessness." - Their vision is to end homelessness and hopelessness among transition-age youth in Oklahoma City. We can support Oklahoma City's unhoused youth by making a donation or signing up to volunteer. With our support, it helps them deliver the best care and plan for the growing future.
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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.
NEWS FROM OKC POLICY INSTITUTE - For 6 million US women, finding a safe place to have a baby is difficult, report finds
Women in more than half the states have seen availability of nearby prenatal and pregnancy care drop since 2018 to 2022, according to a nationwide study Tuesday, by the March of Dimes. [Tulsa World]
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6 week class; Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Racial Justice Team class - "White Privilege"
Do you
understand what “white culture” is? Join the Racial Justice Team for “White
Privilege” facilitated by Rebecca Schaller, Lonney Corder-Agnew and Maureen
Harvey.
Every Tuesday -Through August 22nd from
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
The curriculum is from the United Church of Christ and involves
short readings, writing and discussion to help us better understand the culture
we live in.
To sign up contact Rebecca Schaller at rebeccaagnesschaller@gmail.com
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| Restore OKC Workday! |
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Have you volunteered with Restore OKC before and want to dive-in a step further? Well they have a volunteer training for you!
SATURDAY, August 19, 2023; 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Register here: They will cover the “why” behind RestoreOKC while teaching you to share that message, and they will also examine underlying assumptions about poverty while exploring the hidden dynamics within cross-cultural relationships.
Coffee & snacks are provided, & RSVPs are required by Tuesday, August 15!
Please contact their volunteer coordinator, Karen, at karen@restoreokc.org, if you have any questions.
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Welcome new Committee on Ministry members!
Members of the Committee on Ministry are nominated by the CoM and selected by the Board of Trustees. Our newest members (joining as of July 2023) are Rebecca Daniels, Liz Pillar-Little, and Derrick Wagner. They join Lori Jervis, Tom Peryam, and James Vaughn. Dex Marble is rotating off at the end of this church year. Thank you for your service on this important committee, Dex!
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.
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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)
- Adult RE – Every Sunday, 10:00 am in Daniel Hall (contact Tim Atkins for information - see article above)
- Tuesday Discussion Group – Every Tuesday, 11:00 am (contact Ron Wasson for information - see article above)
- Racial Justice Class: “White Privilege”- Tuesdays, 6:30 pm Through August 22, via Zoom (contact Rebecca Schaller or Maureen Harvey for information)
- Dave McLaughlin Memorial – Thursday, August 3, 2:00 pm, at St. Luke's Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th, OKC with a reception to follow at Oklahoma City, Golf and Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd, Oklahoma City.
- UU Book Club – Thursday, August 3, 7:00 pm (contact Steve Gryglewicz for information)
- HRWG – Tuesday, August 8, 6:30 pm (contact Scot Harvey for information)
- Racial Justice Team – Wednesday, August 9, 11:00 am (contact Becky Tallent for information)
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| It's not too late to make or increase your pledge for our next church year! |
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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
Congregational Life Coordinator - Nathan Boone
Office Administrator - Marlies Grogg
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022-2023
President of the Congregation – Marcia Woodward
President Elect – Catherine 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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