| First Unitarian Connection |
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| November 23 - November 30 |
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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, November 26 - 11:00 am
"Animal Blessing - In Gratitude for the Animals"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
This multigenerational service will feature a blessing of the animals and a memorial for all those animals who have passed through our lives, blessing them in incalculable ways.
Well-behaved and fully vaccinated pets are welcome but should be contained in an appropriate carrier or kept on a leash at all times.
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leader: Rev. Diana K. Davies, Lead Minister; Worship Associate: Susan Bishop; Call to Offering: Doug Vincent; Reflection: Tim Atkins, DLRE; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka" Ezeakacha; Music: 1UC Choir; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
December
December 3 - "Hanging of the Greens"
December 10 - "In the Bleak Midwinter"
December 17 - "Celebrating the Solstice"
December 24 - Family Pageant (11:00 am)
December 24 - Candlelight Service (7:00 pm)
December 31 - New Year's Eve
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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, November 26 - 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, November 26, 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, December 10 - 4:00 pm
Winter Concert
Our Choir Director Chukwuebuka Ezeakacha is planning a First Unitarian winter concert, scheduled for Sunday, December 10, at 4:00 pm. The free concert will feature our 1UC choir and bell choir, musicians from our own congregation, and some special guests.
If you would like to perform a piece during this service, please let Choir Director 'Ebuka or Rev. Diana know by Sunday, November 26.
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While we are waiting for the hiring of our 3-month minister to be finalized (nothing new on that front), I thought I’d summarize some of the key facts and dates we’ve covered so far, as well as a few updates.
Rev. Diana’s last service will be on March 10, 2024. Tim Atkins will be organizing the service for March 17.
Our 3-month minister, sent to us through the UUA’s Targeted Ministry Program, should arrive around Monday, March 18. This minister’s first service will be on March 24, and they will be with us until about June 18.
The following Sunday, June 23, will be during UUA General Assembly, so we will probably view the GA service, as we’ve done in the past. That leaves 5 Sundays for lay-led services or guest speakers until our 2-year interim minister arrives on August 1.
Meanwhile, the Sub-Committee of the Board handling the interim minister search will begin preparing documents in early 2024. The application is due by mid-April, and we should know who it will be by the end of May.
After the interim minister arrives, in the fall or winter of 2024, the congregation will elect members to serve on the Search Committee for our next settled minister. Documents and other preparations will be more extensive and will take a year and a half, till spring of 2026.
The new settled minister starts August 1, 2026.
Marcia Woodward
President of the Congregation 2023-2024
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| Lifespan Religious Exploration |
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| Volunteers Needed! |
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We could use some volunteers for the nursery. We need one to two to help out on Sundays from 10:45 am - 12:15 pm, and we would like to get a list of folks who would would be happy to be called upon when we do have a volunteer need in the nursery. Message Tim or send him an me an email at tatkins@1uc.org
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Ingrid Young's family (husband Rob and children)
accepting the Congregational Treasure award on her behalf.
Congratulations Ingrid, you are a treasure to the church and to us all!
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Dear 1st UU Church Family,
I will be forever grateful to my wonderful church family for your many thoughtful cards, calls and kind supportive words following my husband David’s death.
And a long overdue, but heartfelt thank you to those who could attend David’s Celebration of Life service on August 3. Your presence with the choir leading the hymns was truly comforting.
My family and I are especially grateful to Rev. Diana for all your kindness and guidance during this difficult time, as well as your leadership and thoughtful remembrance and prayers for David’s Celebration of Life.
With deep appreciation and love for my church family,
Jean McLaughlin
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Tuesday, November 28, 6:30 pm
Board of Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, November 28, 6:30 pm is the monthly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. Everyone is welcome!
See Board documents here.
Join Zoom Meeting:
99144268?...
Meeting ID: 971 9914 4268
Passcode: 541007
For more information contact Marcia Woodward at marcia_woodward@verizon.net.
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Wednesday, December 20, 7:00 pm
Winter Solstice with UU Ministry for Earth
The
Winter Solstice occurs when Earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, making it the
shortest day and longest night of the year for those living in the Northern
Hemisphere.
Join us
the evening BEFORE the Winter Solstice for music, reflection, meditation, and
spiritual grounding.
On this
longest night, we will be featuring the work of the Energy Democracy
Project and sharing a portion of our offering with them. Let’s
work for light for all on the longest night of the year. Our service is part of
the larger arc of Clean Energy as a Human Right being led by Side with
Love.
Register
Here For. the Zoom Link: here.
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News from Befrienders
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.
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.
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December 3, 10, 17 at 1:00 pm - Eddy Room
Blue Christmas Circle: Grieving Over the Holidays
For many who are experiencing profound loss, grief, or sadness, the winter holiday season can be especially painful. We will gather (in a small group) over three weeks to share feelings and experiences and support one another through this difficult time. Because the group must be limited in size, and because participants are expected to do their best to attend all three sessions, please be sure to register in advance, as soon as possible. Please contact Rev. Diana or Marlies Grogg if you are interested in signing up or learning more.
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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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November Change for Change
For the month of November, our Change for Change partner is VOICE OKC.
VOICE (Voices Organized in Civic Engagement) is a coalition of dues-paying congregations, nonprofits, worker associations, and schools that have come together out of a deep sense of mission and concern about the pressures families face in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. They work to better understand those pressures by listening to the experiences of the people in our member institutions. They then engage those impacted in better understanding the issues and learning to work effectively for improvements that benefit all. While they differ on some issues, they focus on the areas in which they find the common ground that allows them to work together. They develop the leadership skills of their own members to work effectively within the democratic process with civic leaders and public officials on issues of concern to families.
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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.
FROM OK POLICY INSTITUTE: The 2023 legislative session included significant tribal-state bills and a respect for tribal sovereignty from state lawmakers. This year, the Oklahoma legislature recognized tribal governments as self-governing, sovereign entities within the state, passing measures respectful of tribes' responsibility for the health, safety, and well-being of their respective citizens. Lawmakers supported tribal-state bills with nearly unanimous bipartisan support, but were met with some opposition from the governor’s office. [Vivian Morris / OK Policy]
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE NEWS: Myths about Abortion:
Myth #1 - Myth: Abortion causes breast cancer.
Fact: The American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and other experts have all released statements saying there is no link between breast cancer and abortion.
Myth #2 - Myth: Most people regret their abortions.
Fact: Over 95% of women surveyed five years after having an abortion reported that it was the right decision for them. Only you and your chosen health care professional can make the choice that’s right for you, your health, and your life.
Myth #3 - Myth: Emergency contraception and medication abortions are the same thing.
Fact: Emergency contraceptive pills prevent a pregnancy from occurring. Medication abortion pills are prescribed to end a pregnancy. They are not the same thing.
Myth #4 - Myth: The only valid reason for an abortion is a major physical health concern.
Fact: There are many reasons why people seek abortions – including challenges like economic hardships, relationship issues, or a need to focus on other children – and they’re all valid.
Myth #5 - Myth: The only people who get abortions are irresponsible teenagers.
Fact: In the US, nearly 25% of people who can get pregnant will have an abortion in their lifetime, and more than half of them are already parents when they do.
Myth #6 - Myth: If you have an abortion it’s hard to get pregnant again in the future.
Fact: According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, evidence has shown that abortion is not associated with a higher risk of infertility and people can get pregnant immediately after having an abortion.
1UC Recycles! Look for the blue bins lined with plastic bags throughout the church. Deposit your paper, cans, and plastic bottles. The kitchen and Daniel Hall have compost buckets that can take food waste including meat and even napkins! There is a separate blue bin for glass in the hallway west of Daniel Hall.
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1UC VOICE
The VOICE Forum on the Arena has been cancelled. Thanks to everyone who signed up to attend. We encourage you to vote on December 12th; this will have important repercussions for OKC.
The VOICE 1UC Team will meet at 9:00 am in the Eddy Room on Sunday, November 26th. Join us if you can. There’s so much work to do!
For more information contact Maureen Harvey at mharvey5@cox.net.
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GREEN MINUTE
Last Sunday, the Sustainable Living Organization hosted a guest speaker who showed and told us about several products to lower our carbon footprint. I will
report on those later. Today, at the start of the holiday feeding frenzy, I wanted to talk about resisting the urge to go bankrupt, while enjoying the holidays.
Lee and I began seeing each other in 1982, while attending the Oklahoma City Friends/Quaker Meeting. The Quakers have long emphasized simplicity and economy as cardinal virtues. Friends no longer wear long, gray gowns and bonnets as a way to avoid dyes grown by slaves, but still emphasize thrift. Here are a few ways we used to decrease the money outlay and the guilt, especially if you have children.
The holiday celebration was not confined to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but all December. We had one holiday job each week in Advent. E.g., the 1st
Saturday, we decorated the house; the next week we bought the tree. After trimming the tree, another favorite was to turn out the overhead lights and enjoy those on the Christmas tree, while drinking hot chocolate or cider. One tradition we have maintained is to have an annual Baking Day, where we cook treats.
One of our Friends eschewed wrapping paper for brown or white butcher paper. His children decorated the paper, making it priceless to grandparents. We gradually came to reusing the gift bags, adding name stickers each year. Or, buy your wrapping paper from the dealers of the Curbside Chronicle.
Another suggestion was to give renewing gifts, like magazine subscriptions. A different alternative was to give a Book of Chores, committing to several household tasks. Last year, our daughter gave our granddaughter special treats throughout the year, like seeing Frozen with her aunt.
This does not mean that we are terrible people when we spend money on gifts that our family requests, but that we enjoy the season while avoiding the greed. Happy Holidays to All.
If you have a suggestion for the Green Minute, please contact me, Lonney Corder-Agnew, lacorderagnew@cox.net.
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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)
- Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary (contact 'Ebuka Ezeakacha for information)
- Thanksgiving Dinner at the church - Thursday, November 23, 12:00 pm (contact Becky Tallent for information)
- Fiber Connections – Saturday, November 25, 10:00 am (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- VOICE – Sunday, November 26, 9:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Maureen Harvey for information)
- Board of Trustees Meeting -Tuesday, November 28, 6:30 pm (contact Marcia Woodward for information)
- Family Board Game/Potluck – Saturday, December 2, 5:00 pm (contact Keith Daniels for information)
- Hanging of the Greens Party – Sunday, December 3, 11:50 am, Daniel Hall (contact Tim Atkins for information)
- Blue Christmas – Sunday,, December 3, 1:00 pm, Eddy Room (contact Rev. Diana for information)
- 1UC Alliance Potluck/Program – Tuesday, December 5, 11:30 am, Daniel Hall (contact Maureen Harvey 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 Doug Vincent
Committee on Ministry
Rebecca Daniels Lori Jervis Liz Pillar-Little Tom Peryam James Vaughn Derrick Wagner
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