Sunday, November 12 - 11:00 am

"Water from the Source: On Mysticism"

Join us in person or watch on YouTube.

St. Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun and mystic. Her writings are considered to be classics of the contemplative tradition. In “The Interior Castle,” she writes about two forms of inspiration or transcendence. One is like a basin that is filled from an outside source: this basin represents the inner peace that comes about through intentional spiritual practice. The second basin is one that fills from within, from an interior source like a natural spring. This basin represents the experience of mystical transcendence that can happen with no work at all. As Unitarian Universalists, we tend to prioritize reason and rational thought, but the mystic, contemplative tradition has much to offer, including a concept of peaceful transcendence that can come to us through no work on our part, simply through grace.
Each year, Rev. Diana offers a “pick your own sermon topic” as an item in the spring auction. The theme of this week’s service has been chosen by last year’s winner, Tom Peryam.

Participating in Sunday's service: 

Service Leader: Rev. Diana K. Davies, Lead Minister; Worship Associate: Janice Martin; Call to Offering: Marshal Gimpel; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka" Ezeakacha; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Music: 1UC Choir; Technical Support: Caleb Pinson

Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am

November

November 19 - "The Peace of Thanksgiving"

November 26 - "In Gratitude for the Animals"

December

December 3 - "Hanging of the Greens"

December 10 - "In the Bleak Midwinter"

December 17 - "Jingle Bells"

December 24 - Family Pageant

December 31 - New Year's Eve

Sunday, November 12 - 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, November 12, 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.

Volunteers Needed!

First Unitarian is hosting this year's Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on November 21 (7:00 pm). This service is a beloved tradition in OKC going back over 75 years and in years past it has filled the sanctuary with interfaith guests. In order for this to be a success, we need a large group of volunteers. Please sign up to help if you can. We need you!! 

Sign up using the sign-up genius link HERE or reach out directly to Marlies Grogg or Rev. Diana.

Specific volunteer roles needed:

• 2 people to direct traffic
• 2 crossing guards (helping people to cross 13th St.)
• 4+ people to bake a dozen cookies each [We have enough people signed up, but we won't turn away extra cookies!!!]
• 4 people to take the offering
• 4+ people to serve as ushers/greeters
• 3+ people to wash dishes and manage recycling
• 4 people to help with set up
• 4 people to help with clean up
• 2 people to lock up the building

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 are interested in performing in the concert, please let Rev. Diana or 'Ebuka know by November 19. (No need to provide specific information about music at this point, we just want to know about general interest.) 

The hiring of our short-term (three-month) minister under the UUA’s Targeted Ministry Program is proceeding on course. The individual’s resume has now been looked at by the Sub-Committee that is working on this. This individual has had a great amount of professional experience that is very relevant to the assignment at our church.

The Sub-Committee’s next task is to write up the contract. The UUA provides templates for this type of contract, but each situation is unique and thus it will require some work to tailor it to our needs. One important part of the process is working out the salary, housing allowance, and benefits and making sure that these expenses fit within our budget.

Once the contract is ready, it will be voted on by the full Board and the formal offer will be made. Assuming the minister accepts, we will then be able to release the name and full information about the three-month minister (expected to serve mid-March - mid-June) to the whole congregation. Stay tuned!

Marcia Woodward

President of the Congregation 2023-2024

Saturday, November 11

Volunteer Day at SISU Youth Services

I'm sure you're already familiar with Sisu Youth Services. 1UC have already done some volunteer projects with them. They're a shelter for at-risk youth and explicitly welcoming of LGBT clients.

Sisu are attempting to prepare some apartments for some of their clients to move into, but they've had a hard time gathering enough workers. We've had two previous dates cancelled so far due to lack of signups. An issue is that they need to really trust volunteers doing this (since they'll know WHERE clients will live!) and have done a background check.

Their volunteer coordinator asked me, after I suggested asking the Unitarian community, whether I could solicit help for a Saturday, November 11th, 2023 apartment cleanup date. I posted on the 1UC Facebook group about it but wanted to reach out here because I know not everyone is on social media. Sisu's volunteer signup form is https://www.sisuyouth.org/

If people sign up there and mention 1UC and the apartment project they should contact them back about the background check process and next steps.

News from Befrienders

Susan Bishop is experiencing vision difficulties. She’s being seen by the experts at Dean McGee Eye Institute but at the moment, please call her (like we used to do) instead of texting or emailing. She’s unable to read the screens but can certainly hear a friendly voice..

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

December 3, 10, 17 at 1:00 pm

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. 

Tuesday, November 14, 11:30 am

Adult Ed Class: Tuesday Discussion Group

Debbie Allen will facilitate the next discussion on "How brain parasites change their host's behavior" with Jaap de Roode.

Watch the video and then join the discussion: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how...

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87347818173?pwd=MTkfvZPopWm42hlPR47eoJ7m0bXphU.1

Meeting ID: 873 4781 8173
Passcode: 9Agq6y

Jody Horn will facilitate on Tuesday, November 21 and Beth Landon on November 28.

Please let Ron know  wassonr@sbcglobal.net know if you have something you would like to present in December.

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.

UUSC - Visiting Eastern Europe’s Grassroots Organizations: Responding to Community-Identified Needs (Part 2)

Part two in a series examining the work and impact of UUSC’s partners in Eastern Europe - Read it here!

GREEN MINUTE

I think that one of our biggest obstacles to achieving a low carbon footprint is the constant, relentless brain-washing we receive to be voracious consumers. And, especially targeting women, the fashion and beauty industries are at the top of my Worst Offenders List.

I learned that fashion in Europe began when women competed to catch the eye, etc., of the ruling monarch. However, for centuries, people were limited to goods that could be made by hand, often requiring much time. That changed with the Industrial Revolution. Not only wealthy women, but those in the middle and working classes were subject to relentless propaganda. Advertising still hammers us constantly to buy, and buy, and buy again.

I especially detest how fashion dictates what is ‘’in style’’ each year, as if that is important. Women actually rebelled against this tyranny in the 1980s. I remember that the Fashion Industry had decreed all women would wear mini-skirts, regardless of age or personal preference. And women rebelled. We did not want to return to crossing our legs while sitting down or bending over to retrieve a dropped pen. Ever since then, I’ve chuckled over ‘’wear whatever length of skirt fits you best’’.

One method that helps me resist unnecessary merchandise, is to wait to purchase the item, whether a day, a week, a few hours or even minutes. Impulse buying is, I think, bolstered by our lack of time. When I’m shopping online, sometimes it’s easier to click something into my cart than ask myself if I really want that 7 yards of linen. If I’m needing to decide in a physical store, it helps to walk around, sometimes with the item in my basket. And yes, I did need the linen.

If you have a suggestion for the Green Minute, please contact me, Lonney Corder-Agnew, lacorderagnew@cox.net.

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!