| 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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| BBB Party!! |
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We will gather to celebrate with a night of Bingo, Bar-B-Q and Beer (aptly named the BBB) on Friday, May 12, 2023! Dinner and drinks at 6:30 pm! Bingo will begin at 7:30 pm!
We will have fried chicken and baked chicken, coleslaw, macaroni salad and chips for the kids! Beer, wine and ROOT BEER! Cookies and watermelon for dessert! Of course, we'll also have some great prizes for our bingo winners.
Adults: $25 (includes dinner and 3 bingo cards)
Children 12 & under: $12 (includes dinner and 3 bingo cards)
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| Sundays at First Unitarian Church |
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Sunday, May 14 - 11:00 am
"Coming of Age"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube (not Zoom).
Join us this Sunday for the Coming of Age service.
Throughout the church year, our 8th graders and up have been participating in a Coming of Age program, where they learn more about Unitarian Universalist history and beliefs. They spend the year working on a personal credo statement, and they will be sharing their credo statements with the congregation during this special worship service for all ages.
Service Leaders: Tim Atkins (Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration); Rev. Diana Davies (Lead Minister); Choir Director: Chukwuebuka (‘Ebuka) G. Ezeakacha; Music: Dianne Broyles, 1UC Bell Choir and 1UC Choir; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Chris Gonzales
Coming of Age Participants: Blake Bynum, Charlie Peryam, Jules Rutel, Gena Weaver
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| It's not too late to make or increase your pledge for our next church year! |
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
May
May 21 - "Life at the Threshold: Bridging"
May 28- "Tongues of Fire: On Spirit and Social Justice and Why It's Not Either/Or" (Rev. Diana)
June
June 4 - "The Transient and Permanent in Unitarian Universalism" (Rev. Diana)
June 11 - TBD (Rev. Diana)
June 18 - "What Is Sikhism" (Guest: Saurabh Singh)
June 25 - NO SERVICE! All are invited to participate in the Pride parade and watch the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly worship streamed from Pittsburgh.
July
July 2 - Lay-led service (Suzanne Broadbent and Deborah Shinn)
July 9 - Lay-led service (Rebecca Schaller and Zel Scott)
July 16 - Lay-led service (Joan Chambers and Celeste Flemming)
July 23 - "What Is Baháʼí" (Guest: Terri Angier)
July 30 - TBD
August
August 6 - Lay-led service (Lori Jervis and Paul Spicer)
August 13 - Lay-led service (Clare Auwarter and Susan Bishop)
August 20 - TBD
August 27 - Seeker Series Part I (Rev. Diana)
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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, May 14 - 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, May 14 - 10:00 am
Adult Ed in the Eddy Room
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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| Annual Meeting of the Congregation |
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The Nominating Committee Is pleased to announce the following candidates or church leadership positions for 2023-2024 church year:
Our nominees for officer are:
Catherine Webster, President Elect
Deborah Shinn, Clerk
Ron Wasson, Treasurer
Jeanne Parkhurst, Moderator
Gordon Greene, Parliamentarian
Our nominees for new board members are:
Coba Neitzel – term expires 2026
Doug Vincent – term expires 2026
Ann Meeks, replacing board member mid-term – term expires 2025
Our nominees to serve on the 2023-2024 Nominating Committee with Immediate Past-President, Marshal Gimpel and Board appointee Jean McLaughlin are:
Chris Gonzales (second term)
Ruth Gordon (second term)
Sarah Gray (first term)
Our nominee for Endowment Fund Committee is: Linda Wasson – term expires 2026
Respectfully submitted by the Nominating Committee,
Chris Gonzales, Ruth Gordon, Lynn Ann Wagner and Zel Scott
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Monday, May 22 by 5:00 pm!
Annual Reports Due!
It is getting close...the Annual Meeting of the Congregation is Sunday, June 4 (immediately after the service). If you are the chair of a group or head of a committee, please make sure you email Marlies your annual report no later then Monday, May 22.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Marlies at mgrogg@1uc.org.
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Befrienders has set up a meal train for Wendy Pitt who broke her foot and had surgery this week. The meal train can be found at https://mealtrain.com/qnz39l. The train will fun for two weeks beginning Thursday May 11th. Befrienders appreciate it when our church steps up to help others in need.
Services for longtime member, Anne Marie Grassmann, will be held at First Unitarian Church on June 10, Details to follow.
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Celebrating 50 Years of Chalice Camp
The 1UC Art Committee and the Alliance are delighted to present our next art show, which will open in Daniel Hall on Sunday, May 7. It celebrates fifty years of Chalice Camp - a 1UC tradition of fun, community building, songs, crafts, and experiencing nature.
Prior to 2006 the summer camp was known as Vacation Church School (VCS) and some will remember it by that name. The tradition has continued through the tenure of several Minsters and Directors of Religious Education/Exploration. Except for 2020, the camp has taken place every year since 1972. That makes 2023 the fiftieth year of Chalice Camp, a landmark worthy of celebration!
Generations of children from our church have taken part, with many returning year after year. Children are eligible to be campers from the age of four through the end of fifth grade. Older children develop valuable leadership skills by transitioning to junior counselors (sixth to eighth grade) and senior counselors (nineth to twelfth grade). This year’s camp will run from June 5 to June 9.
The exhibition includes photographs, crafts, and other memorabilia from Chalice Camp over the years. We hope that former campers, counselors, parents, and helpers will share their own reminiscences, and a memory board is provided for that purpose.
On Sunday May 14, (in the previous newsletter the date was incorrect, May 14th is the correct date)Terry Ward, Elizabeth Mueller, and Marilee Peryam will lead an interactive discussion. Special camp snacks and activities will also be provided.
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| Lifespan Religious Exploration |
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June 5th through June 9th
SAVE THE DATE for Chalice Camp!
Every year in early June, we host a week long day camp called "Chalice Camp" that's been going for almost fifty years.
The dates for this years Chalice Camp will be June 5 through June 9! Mark your calendars!
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| Adult Education Classes & Courses |
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Social Justice News!
Isle de Jean Charles in southern Louisiana once was 22,000 acres. Today, climate change has diminished the land to a mere 320 acres.
On a recent visit to meet with UUSC partners in the region, I spoke with several people who call the Gulf Coast area their home. Former Chief Albert Naquin of the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation told me how historically “up the bayou” Tribes were once considered inland. Now, the coast has come to them.
Decades of soil erosion from levee construction, oil extraction, and rising sea level has caused the land to sink and become a saltwater marsh.
Parish residents like Dwight have been forced to adapt to their changing environment by raising their houses on stilts and finding new ways to replace lost income from damaged fishing habitats.
The challenges that Gulf Coast communities are facing directly result from the climate crisis, yet their calls for support and accountability are largely ignored by state and local governments. That’s why UUSC and our grassroots partner in Louisiana, Lowlander Center, are working to amplify their voices and solutions.
Last year, leaders from four Louisiana tribes joined one from Alaska facing similar climate impacts to give testimony before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
UUSC’s commitment to centering Indigenous voices is a critical part of our Climate Justice work. Your support allows us to bring the wisdom and experience of Indigenous communities to international decision-making spaces.
Indigenous tribes within the United States remain structurally and systemically violated by the federal government. This is especially true for the at least 400 non-federally recognized tribes throughout the nation. For these tribes, federal support is scarce and fails to adequately respond to the needs of Indigenous citizens in community-informed and sustainable ways.
Five Indigenous tribes in Louisiana and Alaska partnered with UUSC and EarthRights International to highlight U.S. government mistreatment and neglect in the face of climate disaster.
Three U.S. government officials were also in attendance, representing the Department of State, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of the Interior Office of Indian Affairs. While the State Department representative cited the United States’ “commitment to honoring the principles of tribal sovereignty and self-determination,” he and his colleagues failed to lay out any concrete actions for ensuring the federal recognition of all Indigenous Tribes to ensure support for frontline communities. Further, the State Department underscored the non-binding nature of the 2016 American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which lays out the rights that the countries of the Americas must uphold in commitment to the First Nation peoples whose land we occupy.
From November 6-18, the 27th Conference of Parties will be held in Egypt. During the conference, the U.S. government is expected to commit to supporting its Indigenous citizens by supporting various climate change initiatives. Stay tuned and
follow UUSC on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for updates on the event as we hold the United States accountable.
ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION PASSES: SB 613 was signed into law last week. The Senate used the lives and health of trans kids as a pawn in a political power game. And, as expected, the folks who lost are Two Spirit, trans, and gender nonconforming (2STGNC+) youth; medical providers; and families of 2STGNC+ kids. Governor Kevin Stitt signed SB 613, making a ban on transition-related physical healthcare for trans Oklahomans under 18 effective with an emergency. There is a six month tapering off period for people currently receiving care, and the promise of litigation
we asked from litigation orgs to have ready for this very possibility. And we know that’s still too much harm and uncertainty to have to bear.
- The bill bans specifically physical care related to gender transition for those under 18. It specifically does not impact mental healthcare.
- There is a 6 month tapering off period, so no treatment should be immediately impacted. Keep your appointments, and reach out to us if there's a disruption to your care. We have built a section under the health resource page on our website to continue to share updated information in the weeks ahead.
- Lambda Legal, ACLU of Oklahoma, and ACLU have promised legal action, and we will continue to update you on that forthcoming effort.
- Affirming crisis support exists, including through resources like Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860 and The Trevor Project (866) 488-7386. You can find more mental health resources on our website.
Two Spirit, transgender, and gender nonconforming people have always been and will always be in Oklahoma. We belong here. We deserve access to best practice medical care. Without government interference
If you are interested in becoming involved in social justice programs and activities, please contact Susan Bishop at (405) 623-4017 or sdbishop50@gmail.com
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Wednesday, May 17
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHO)
International Day
against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHO) is May 17 and the day
aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights
violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. To learn more
about IDAHO, please visit https://may17.org/.
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May Change for Change
For the month of May our Change for Change recipient is the Thick Descriptions.
Thick Descriptions disrupts traditional educational methods with anthropology to help humans thrive where they are building stronger communities. Thick Descriptions partners with educational institutions and community organizations to teach the skills needed to build healthier and more sustainable communities.
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| Green Sanctuary/Green Minute |
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IMHO, plumbing is one of the greatest of human inventions, and the shower is one of our most under-appreciated pleasures. Every time I step inside the shower, I am grateful for the delightful sensation of adjusting the water temperature to my wish. Most royalty has not had that pleasure. Come to think of it, not that many had flush toilets! Having visited family who lived on farms in the ‘50s, with an outhouse and a chamber pot, I also deeply appreciate those.
Unfortunately, like most pleasures in our dystopic present, it is fraught with ambivalence. Standing under the warm water, although relaxing, can also waste that water. We switched to a low-flow shower head, and take what I’ve heard called Navy showers: rinse, turn off water. Shampoo & soap up; turn water back on and rinse again. Do not dawdle!
There are also options for shampoos and conditioners in bar form, which save water and packaging. I am trying one of each now, and they seem to work well.
We have a low-volume toilet, although I have not yet decided to practice the next level, “If it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown flush it down.”
On that note, please let me know if you have an idea for the Green Minute, and be sure to buy Fair Trade chocolate and candy! I am Lonney, lacorderagnew@cox.net.
If you have a Green Tip, please send it to me at lacorderagnew@cox.net.
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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 (Lori Jervis, Dex Marble, Tom Peryam, James Vaughn).
The Healthy Habits of Communication
- I tell my own story and let others tell theirs.
- When you communicate, speak for yourself and about your own experience. Trying to speak for others can be like a game of “telephone” where something always gets mixed up in the process. Your own experience is enough!
- I avoid “awfulizing” negative experiences.
- We sometimes tend to exaggerate negative experiences to achieve our goals (the goal may be trying to prove a point, trying to win an argument, getting sympathy, etc.) This can make something that was just a negative experience to seeming like something awful. Instead, try to state your experience just as it was and trust that you can still get your needs met.
- I say what needs to be said to the one who needs to hear it.
- No one can benefit from our feedback if we don’t share it with them. Don’t start a game of telephone by sharing your feedback with one person hoping it will somehow get around to the person who can do something about it. Who knows what the message will look like by the time it gets there! Your thoughts and experiences matter. Share them directly with the person who needs to know. It takes courage, and it is worth it.
- I devote at least as much energy to careful listening as to careful speaking.
- Intentional listening helps us understand others and softens our feelings towards them. It also opens us up to new ideas and perspectives. When we truly listen and understand someone else, we are changed by the experience. Let’s approach each interaction expecting to be heard and understood as well as to hear and understand others. We will all be changed for the better.
- If something prompts anger in me, I report it honestly in a way that invites positive solutions.
- We all feel anger. That is normal. And how we act on our anger matters. Anger can be useful because it tells us when there is work to be done. When we are angry, we must recognize it, acknowledge it, and then work to figure out what needs to be done. How can we turn it into something positive?
- I refrain from blaming and shaming.
- Blaming and shaming rarely bring us any closer to the solutions we seek. When we feel the urge to blame or shame, let’s work to slow down, take a step back, and remember to focus on our own experience, looking for solutions, and being the kind of people we want to be.
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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)
- Bell Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 5:45 pm (contact LaDonna Hunt for information)
- Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm (contact 'Ebuka Ezeakacha for information)
- Befrienders - Thursday, May 11, 12:00 pm (contact Susan Bishop for information)
- Health Committee - Thursday, May 11, 7:00 pm (contact Joan Cain for information)
- BBB Party! - Friday, May 12, 6:30 pm (contact Nathan Boone or Marlies Grogg for information)
- Reproductive Justice - Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am (contact Susan Bishop for information)
- Artist Talk – Sunday, May 14, 12:00 pm, Daniel Hall (contact Joan Cain for information)
- Fiber Connections – Sunday, May 12, 12:00 pm, Eddy Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- Healthy Lifestyles – Monday, May 15, 7:00 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider for information)
- Finance Working Group – Tuesday, May 16, 6:30 pm (contact Ron Wasson for information)
- BRUU – Wednesday, May 17, 7:00 pm (contact John Schneider for information)
- Radical Welcoming Team - Tuesday, May 18, 6:30 pm (contact Lynn Ann Wagner for information)
- Exploring Spirituality – Friday, May 19, 6:00 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider for information)
- Auction Item “Cookie Decorating” – Saturday, May 20, 12:30 pm (contact Lu Ann Faulkner-Schneider 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 (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.
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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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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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**********************************************************************************
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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CHURCH STAFF
Lead Minister - Rev. Diana K. Davies
Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration - Tim Atkins
Choir Director - Chukwuebuka ('Ebuka) G. Ezeakacha
Congregational Life Coordinator - Nathan Boone
Office Administrator - Marlies Grogg
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2021-2022
President of the Congregation - Marshal Gimpel
President-Elect - Marcia Woodward
Immediate Past President - Lynn Ann Wagner
Clerk - Deborah Shinn
Treasurer - Ron Wasson
Clare Auwarter Lorriana Lee-Knapp Larry Little Laura Lochner Ann Meeks Becky Tallent
Committee on Ministry
Lori Jervis Dex Marble Tom Peryam James Vaughn
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