| 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, November 5 - 11:00 am
"Well, Whaddya Know: On Gnosticism"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
Gnosticism was an ancient heresy in the early Christian church. Among its primary tenets was the idea that secret knowledge could reverse the process of creation to get back to a state of perfect divinity. As a movement, Gnosticism was obliterated by the official Church, yet threads of Gnostic thought persist even now. What insights might this ancient belief offer us today? As a "heretical" faith, what special lessons might it hold for modern-day Unitarian Universalists?
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leader: Rev. Diana K. Davies, Lead Minister; Worship Associate: Marshal Gimpel; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka" Ezeakacha; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Music: 1UC Choir; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
November
November 12 - "Water from the Source: On Mysticism" (2023 Auction-Winning Sermon)
November 19 - "The Peace of Thanksgiving"
November 26 - "In Gratitude for the Animals"
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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 5 - 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 5, 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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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
- 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
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Good news: Information about our 3-month minister, selected for us by the Targeted Ministry program, is on the way. We will probably be able to report the details in the next Newsletter.
Meanwhile, Rev. Diana and the Board of Trustees have worked out the exact schedule for her departure. Her last service with us will be on Sunday, March 10. On or around that date, we will plan a celebration for the congregation to give her a proper send-off and ‘thank you’.
March 17’s service will be a lay-led service or a guest minister. We expect the new minister to begin here with the service on March 24, the Sunday before Easter. March 24 will be Stewardship Sunday, the culmination of our Pledge Drive.
If there are any questions or topics you would like to see addressed in this column, just send me an email.
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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| Saturday, November 5, 5:00 pm |
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| Game Night/Potluck |
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Come play games with other people! Bring some food or snacks! All-ages welcome.
We will gather in Daniel Hall around 5:00 pm to enjoy company, food and games!
Questions? Contact Keith Daniels at keith.daniels@gmail.com
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Don't forget to "fall back" this weekend!
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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.
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We need ushers, greeters, traffic directors, cookie bakers, and general helpers to make this event a success! Please let Marlies or Rev. Diana know if you're able to help in any of these ways.
(see sign up above)
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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, and we provide the receptions following memorial services.
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.
Susan Bishop is experiencing some visual problems and has asked for anyone who wants to contact her during this time to please do it by phone only. Please no emails or texts until her vision is back to normal.
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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.
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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, November 2, 7:00 pm
UU Book Club
Join us Thursday, November 2, at 7:00 pm, where we will be discussing, Horse by Geraldine Brooks.
Our book for December will be Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
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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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.
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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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: Rebecca Daniels, Lori Jervis, Tom Peryam, Liz Pillar-Little, James Vaughn, Derrick Wagner
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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)
- UU Book Club – Thursday, November 2, 7:00 pm (contact Steve Gryglewicz for information)
- Family Game Night/Potluck – Saturday, November 4, 6:00 pm (contact Keith Daniels for information)
- Fiber Connections - Saturday, November 4, 9:00 am, Meeting Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
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Alliance Brown Bag Lunch/Program – Tuesday, November 7, 11:30 am, Daniel Hall (contact Maureen Harvey for information)
- Racial Justice Team Meeting – Wednesday, November 8, 11:00 am (contact Becky Tallent for information)
- Fiber Arts Sale – Sunday, November 12, 12:00 pm, Daniel Hall (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- Befrienders – Tuesday, November 14, 12:00 pm (contact Susan Bishop for information)
- HRWG – Tuesday, November 14, 6:30 pm (contact Scot 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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