| 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, July 16 - 11:00 am
"On Friendship"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
Joan Chambers, and Celeste Flemming, will discuss friendship, trust, and how to accomplish it in person, and virtually in our post pandemic times.
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leaders: Joan Chambers and Celeste Flemming; Music: Kalista Grizzle (soloist) and Gabe Ryes (piano); Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Faith Nagel
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
July
July 23 - "What Is Baháʼí" (Guest: Terri Angier)
July 30 - "What is Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhism" (Guest: Rev. Kris Ladusau)
August
August 6 - "On Overthinking" (Lori Jervis and Paul Spicer)
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, July 16 - 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, July 16 - 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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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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| Lifespan Religous Exploration |
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Summer RE
We're looking for volunteers for Sunday Morning RE during the Summer time - July and August. Our plan is to have two classes - one for elementary aged students, one for middle/high school aged students. And the "curriculum?" It's all about games and community building and fun over the summer time! If you've got a lesson/activity you want to lead, let’s do it! And if you need help, Tim is here to help plan it. We're looking for two volunteers to be with each class. Ideally, over the summertime is when we have volunteers from the whole congregation so our regular RE volunteers can have a small break. You can sign up for one or more Sundays to help out. Sign up with Tim!
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| Adult Education Classes & Courses |
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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 -July 18 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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Sunday, July 23, 9:00 am
1UC VOICE
The
1UC VOICE Team is on a break until July 23rd when we will meet at 9:00 am in the
Eddy Room. Later that day we’ll attend the Delegates Assembly at 3:00 pm,
location to be announced.
Rebecca Schaller and I will be attending the 5 day
Leadership Training in Denver, July 10 - 15th, so I’m sure we’ll have a thing,
or two, to share!
Join us if you’re interested!
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Update!
UU Book Club
In the last UU Book Clube meeting, we came to realize that the library has very limited availability for Endurance by Alfred Lansing.
Therefore, in August we will be discussing The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See.
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July Change for Change
For the month of July our Change for Change recipient is the Free to Live Animal Sanctuary
Free To Live is a non-profit sanctuary for stray, abandoned and mistreated dogs and cats. It is the largest no-kill sanctuary in Oklahoma. They are a small group of animal lovers who have been carrying on the mission of their founders, Bill and Pat Larson.
They rescue stray, abused and abandoned dogs and cats and give them care and sanctuary until they are placed in forever homes. Those who are not adopted due to severe medical and/or temperament needs live their life with companionship, care and love from their team of devoted volunteers and staff. Through these life commitments to animals in need they teach humane animal care to the community, state and beyond.
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Social Justice Corner
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 CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations)
A Muslim leader said he was shocked to discover he had been listed as a member of an advisory group recommending that copies of the Ten Commandments be placed in public school classrooms across Oklahoma. Masood Abdul-Haqq, of Oklahoma City, current board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Oklahoma, said he didn't want to be a "pawn" for the Oklahoma Advisory Committee on Founding Principles which publicly named him as a member during a meeting where the group's recommendations were presented by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. The committee is being chaired by the Rev. Stephen Hamilton, pastor of St. Monica Catholic Church in Edmond.
NEWS FROM OK POLICY INSTITUTE: $34,300
Median annual income for Black families in Oklahoma with their own children under age 18 living in the household. This is less than half of the median annual income for white families ($77,700) who have their own chidlren under 18 in the household. [KIDS COUNT]
Following the Tulsa Race Massacre, government and city officials, as well as prominent business leaders, not only failed to invest and rebuild the once thriving Greenwood community, but actively blocked efforts to do so. No one has ever been held responsible for these crimes, the impacts of which black Tulsans still feel today. Efforts to secure justice in the courts have failed due to the statute of limitations. Ongoing racial segregation, discriminatory policies, and structural racism have left black Tulsans, particularly those living in North Tulsa, with a lower quality of life and fewer opportunities. [Human Rights Watch]
Reproductive Justice News
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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)
- Qigong - Every Monday and Friday, 12:15 pm (contact Janice Martin for information)
- Tuesday Discussion Group – Every Tuesday, 11:00 am (contact Ron Wasson for information - see article above)
- Family Board Game/Potluck and Ice Cream Social – Saturday, July 15, 5:00 pm (contact Keith Daniels for information)
- SLO Meeting – Sunday, July 16, 10:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Rob Hamm for information)
- Healthy Lifestyles – Monday, July 17, 7:00 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider for information)
- Racial Justice Class: “White Privilege”- Tuesdays, 6:30 pm July 18 through August 22, via Zoom (contact Rebecca Schaller or Maureen Harvey for information)
- BRUU – Wednesday, July 19, 7:00 pm (contact John Schneider for information)
- Exploring Spirituality – Friday, July 21, 6:00 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider 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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