Sunday, August 11, 11:00 am, Sanctuary

“Transience and Permanence in our Modern Era”

Join us in person or watch on YouTube.

One of our foremost theologians, Rev. Theodore Parker, gave an ordination sermon in 1841 about the “transient and permanent” in Christianity. How does this idea of the transient and the permanent reflect in modern day Unitarian Universalism? How is related to our new Article 2? How is it related to our everyday lives? Note: Kids will begin in service this week for a special Time for All Ages Blessing of the Backpacks Ritual! Folks of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks/work bags with them.

This week we are having a special blessing of the bags ceremony as a Time for All Ages. Students are invited to bring their backpacks! You can bring your work laptop bag! You can bring your purse! Whatever bag you bring with you on a regular basis, it’s getting blessed this Sunday. We’ve got special charms for your bags (if you can’t make it this Sunday, we will have more charms during our first week of RE classes in Mid September.) Note that all ages begin in the service this Sunday, and children and youth will process from service to their classrooms after the Bag Blessing.

Participating in today’s service:

Service Leader: Tim Atkins, DLRE; Worship Associate: Scot Harvey,  Chalice Lighter:  David Moore;  Song Leader: Elliysa Ravencroft;  Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson 

Sunday, August 11, 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, August 11 (immediately after the service) Daniel Hall

Coffee, Lemonade and Conversation

Join us after the service in Daniel Hall for coffee, lemonade and conversation.

2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month - 6:00 pm

Wednesday Night Meditation

Interested in meditation but can't quite make it on Sunday mornings? Or maybe you just want more meditation? We are adding a Wednesday night session to our schedule (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm) in the meditation room in the lower level (Corley Commons).

For more information contact Larry Little.

Thursday, August 8, 7:00 pm

UU Book Club

UU Book Club will be meeting on Thursday, August 8th this month and will be discussing "What You Are Looking For Is In the Library" by Michiko Aoyama (translated by Alison Watts).

Our book selections for the next few months are:

• September: The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
• October: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
• November and December: The Covenant of Water: Abraham Verghese
• January: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88051248829?pwd=dHhUZjJIenozazJ1K1pNNEVOWHhlUT09

Meeting ID: 880 5124 8829

Passcode: 398265

For question or more details contact Steve at stgryg@yahoo.com

Summer RE Program

This week all ages begin in the Sanctuary for a special time for all ages. Please bring your backpacks or school/work bags with you this week! After the ritual our children and youth will be sung out of the service.

Our elementary aged students will head upstairs to learn about solar energy! Throughout August our focus will be on sustainable living and climate change.

Our middle and high school students will head downstairs to build community and play the game Spoons!

Classes will end at 12:15 this week due to the Blessing of the Bags.

August Events

1UC Summer Youth Activities (6th grade - 12th grade)

Saturday, August 10 - Volunteer Day at Other Options, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, Contact Tim Atkins for information.

Friday, August 30 - Lock In at 1UC, 6:30 pm (pick up is 8:00 am on Saturday August 31), Contact Tim Atkins for information

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 and visitations.

Even though the work of our church relaxes during the summer while a minister is taking time for reflection and study, the work of Befrienders continues. We may not meet in person, but we continue to offer cards of well wishes, meals, transportation and visitations. Remember that Befrienders offers short term care to our congregants and friends of First Unitarian Church.

Our Befrienders team consists of:

Lana Henson and her team of well-wishers with cards

Kathy Nighswonger and her team of visitors

Patti Kate and her team of drivers ready to help with transportation

Ginny Boykin and her team ready to provide receptions for memorial services

At First UU, we are all Befrienders to and with each other because we care about you!

Change for Change

For the month of August our Change for Change partner is Girl Scout Troop #3115/Classen SAS Middle School Food Bank

Classen SAS Middle School provides weekly, and as needed, food from their Food Bank to their own families and students. The Regional Food Bank partners with Classen SAS Middle School to accomplish this. Each year the Girl Scout Troop #3115 provides the food for a Thanksgiving Dinner to 10-20 Families of the school. The Troop members plan and deliver the special T’Giving Meal to each of the Classen SAS Middle School Families requesting help celebrating this holiday. The money from 1UC C4C would help buy these Thanksgiving Meals.

The GS mission is building girls courage, confidence, and character, in order to contribute to a world that is a better place. Girl Scouts girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Girls grow courageous and strong through a wide variety of enriching experiences, such as field trips, skill-building sports clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardship. GS helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

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 be found in Breeze.

WE APPRECIATE IT WHEN CONGREGANTS NOMINATE WORTHY COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THANK YOU!

Updates on COVID 19 & the Flu

Dear Church Family,

As we navigate through the late summer, it’s essential to stay informed about the current health situation in our community. Here are the latest updates on COVID-19 and influenza in Oklahoma:

COVID-19: 

• Current Status: Oklahoma is now providing weekly COVID-19 updates to give a comprehensive overview of the pandemic. Recent reports indicate stable case numbers, although localized increases have been observed.

• Vaccination: Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available, targeting the latest variants. It’s crucial to keep up with vaccination schedules to ensure the best protection against the virus.

Influenza:

• Current Status: Influenza activity is on the rise compared to last year. The state has reported an increase in flu positivity rates, signaling the importance of early vaccination.

• Vaccination: The CDC recommends getting your flu shot as soon as possible to protect against multiple strains expected this season.

We encourage everyone to maintain good hygiene practices, stay updated with vaccinations, and monitor local health department updates. For more detailed information, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s COVID-19 https://oklahoma.gov/covid19.html page and the Viral View https://oklahoma.gov/health/flu.html dashboard.