| 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 27 - 11:00 am
Seeker Service Part II - "Now I Am Become…? Science and Unitarian Universalism"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
Robert Oppenheimer once said during an interview that, at the time of the first atomic bomb test, he recalled a line from the Bhagavad Gita: “Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds.” As Unitarian Universalists, we celebrate science, and it is one of our key sources, but how do we understand and relate to the violence and destruction that have been unleashed by some scientific discoveries? How can the values of Unitarian Universalism inform an ethics of science and technology?
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leader: Rev. Diana Davies; Worship Associate: Frank Victor Roesler III; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka (‘Ebuka) G. Ezeakacha; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
September
September 3 - Seeker Services Part III - "Ghosts in the Machine: AI and Unitarian Universalism" (Rev. Diana)
September 10 - Ingathering/Water Ceremony
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September 10
Official Start of the New Church Year - Join Us for Ingathering!
The official start of our new church year is September 10. Once again, this service will feature a water ceremony. In this ceremony, everyone brings a small container of water that represents a journey (real or symbolic) they’ve taken over the summer. It might be water from a trip to the ocean, or from a favorite fishing hole. It might be rainwater collected after a storm, or water from a beloved pet’s bowl. We gather all these into one container, to symbolize the way we come together as individuals on our separate paths but form one community. Please join us for this special day.
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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 27 - 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 27 - 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 -
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| Lifespan Religious Exploration |
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RE Begins September 17!
It's time to register your students for the upcoming RE Program Year! We ask for these annually to make sure no medical info has changed. Please fill it out online (just click on the "register here picture")
Read all about this year's program, including our curriculum, in our family guide below!
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Friday August, 26 - 6:00 pm
Youth Lock In
We're having a lock in for our middle and high schoolers to kick off the program year! We get things started 6:00 pm this Friday!. We will run through Saturday morning with pickup by 9:00 am. With all lock-ins, we need some extra volunteers to make it happen who like being night owls!
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News from Befrienders
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.
John Yarbrough was recently admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. He is now home, recovering nicely. Cards of warm wishes are always welcome.
Contact information can be found in Breeze.
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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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| Saturday, September 2, 9:00 am |
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| OKC Beautiful "iNaturalist Training and Nature Walk" |
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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.
WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY is celebrated in the United States on August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment (Amendment XIX) to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. It was first celebrated in 1971, designated by Congress in 1973, and is proclaimed each year by the United States President. It is regrettable black women had to wait years before they earned the same privilege.
NEWS FROM OK POLICY INSTITUTE: Searching for 'forever chemicals' in Oklahoma's drinking water: Before you take a sip of water from a public water supply, it runs a gauntlet of tests to make sure it’s safe for you to drink. But in about half of America’s public water supplies lurks something regulators haven’t been testing for — a family of so-called “forever chemicals” or PFAS (pronounced Pea-fas). Dr. Kenneth Ede, a PFAS consultant and retired OSU professor, explains these manmade chemicals were introduced to the world 85 years ago. [KGOU]
Last but not least: Happy 94th birthday Vera Miles! Best known for her role as Lila Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Miles got a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 1960. She was born on this day in 1929 in Boise City.
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| Saturday, August 26th - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
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| The Freedom Sessions |
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The Freedom Sessions conference is a one-day convening of 2SLGBTQ+ communities from around the state where we learn and develop best practices for organizing, community care, power building, and sustaining our movement for liberation together. The conference is virtual with in-person options and centers 2SLGBTQ+ folks of all ages.
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Earth Academy 2023- 2024
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Do you know a high school student who is passionate about the environment and service to community? Encourage them to apply!
What is the Earth Academy Program? - The Earth Academy program is a unique opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to connect with the community and the environment. Participants gain an understanding of a variety of environmental topics through monthly interactive sessions and service opportunities.
Complete the application below to apply for the 2023 - 2024 Earth Academy class!
Application Deadline: September 11, 2023
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Welcome new Committee!
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)
- 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)
- Youth Lock In – Friday, August 25, Youth Rooms (contact Tim Atkins for information)
- Fiber Connections – Saturday, August 26, 10:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- 1UC VOICE Meeting – Sunday, August 27, 9:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Maureen Harvey for information)
- UU Book Club - Thursday, September 7, 7:00 pm (contact Steve Gryglewicz 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 2023-2024
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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