| First Unitarian Connection |
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| February 22 - February 28 |
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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, February 25 - 11:00 am
"COVID and Cacti of Love"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
During “candidating week” a UU minister candidate typically gives two sermons. The first is intended to introduce the candidate to the congregation (“Who Am I?”) and the second is focused on who the congregation and minister might be together (“Who Might We Be?”) In our final weeks together, I will return to my first two sermons through a lens of parting: “Who Have We Been” and “Who Are You Becoming, First Unitarian?”
During this service, we will also welcome our newest members, who've joined since September 2023.
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leader: Rev. Dr. Diana K. Davies, Lead Minister; TFAA: Tim Atkins, DLRE; Call to Offering: Sundra Flansburg; Music: 1UC Choir; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka" Ezeakacha; Accompanist:
Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft; Testimonial: Emily Dunagin; Membership Chair: Lorriana Lee-Knapp; Ushering Team: Members of the 1UC Alliance
The Alliance serves the social and spiritual needs of the membership and wider community through fellowship, group expression, and programs of education, service, and action while upholding the philosophy of liberal religion. Membership is open to all adults and annual dues are $10. The Alliance meets on the first Tuesday of the month from September through May. They gather near the noon hour for a program/presentation, followed by fellowship. The program will be available both in person and online. Past programs have included presentations on black history, library resources, computer fraud, mental health, the pandemic, etc. All guests are welcome.
For more information contact Maureen Harvey.
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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, February 25, 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, February 25 - 10:00 am
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour (in-person)
Join us for “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 donut and a cup of coffee, and chat with your fellow congregants about whatever’s on your mind. Come back after the service for more social time.
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Sunday, February 25, 12:10 pm, Eddy Room
New Friend Gathering
Have you visited us once or several times and are ready to learn more about First Unitarian? This is the event for you!
We invite you to the New Friend Gathering on Sunday, February 25 at 12:10 pm in the Eddy Room. If you would like to hang back in the sanctuary after the service, one of our greeters will show you where to go. We look forward to meeting you!
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
March
March 3 - "Farewell: a Celebration of Our Time Together"
March 10 - "Chiron Redux: Returning to the Wounded Healer" (Rev. Diana's final sermon at 1UC)
March 17 - Guest sermon by Rev. Jonalu Johnstone
March 24 - Welcoming transitional minister Rev. Suzanne Redfern-Campbell
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Supporting What We Love
If you’ve already made your pledge – Thank you!
So that the congregation’s leaders can draft the 2024-25 budget in time for the spring congregational meeting, we hope to receive pledges by the end of February. If you can’t pledge this year or need to decrease your pledge, we hope you will reach out to Rev. Diana for support, which may include aid from the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. At First Unitarian, we are there for each other, in good times and in hard times.
Pledges can be paid by check, credit card, or automatic withdrawal.
You can pledge online by using this QR code, or go directly to https://1ucokc.breezechms.com/... .
Alternatively, you may mail in the paper pledge form that you received in the mail, place it in the collection plate during a service, or contact our Office Administrator, Marlies Grogg (405-232-9224; mgrogg@1uc.org).
Thank you for all you do for our beloved First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City!
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Transition Tracker
Who Actually Chooses the Minister?
The short answer is: You do!
The exact procedure, however, varies based on whether it's the Targeted Ministry Program, an interim minister or a settled minister. A "Targeted Minister" (or "transitional minister") fills a gap in professional ministerial leadership of no more than three months, between the previous settled minister and the interim. Interim ministers typically serve for two years and assist the congregation in preparing to conduct the search for a settled minister, which is an open-ended, "called" position.
For both the Targeted Ministry Program (i.e., Rev. Sue Redfern-Campbell) and an interim minister, the UUA's "Transitional Ministry Handbook" says that the Board will assemble a search team which "...is usually a task force of the Board with 3-5 members who are trusted by the full Board..." For both of these searches, our search team is composed of Cathy Webster, Marshal Gimpel, Ann Meeks and Deborah Shinn. They are, of course, Board members elected by the congregation.
For the Targeted Ministry Program, the UUA Transition Team recommended one candidate to the search team who they felt was a good match for us and had abundant qualifications. The search team reviewed the candidate and decided to recommend her to the board; the board then approved and made the offer to Rev. Sue.
For an interim minister, any number of candidates may look through the materials we submit in the application process and decide if they want to apply for our position. The UUA will then screen those candidates and recommend one or more of them who they feel would be a good match for our church. If there is more than one, the search team will rank them. They will conduct online interviews and make a recommendation to the full Board. The Board then gives final approval and makes an offer to the candidate. (All of these proceedings, by the way, are confidential until the offer has been made and accepted.)
The search for a settled minister is a longer, more deliberative process with more involvement of the congregation. The search team in this case is elected directly by the congregation. The list of candidates for the search team is put together by the Board only after extensive canvassing of the congregation for recommendations. Search team members are not limited to Board members; they can be any congregation member. The search team will receive training from the UUA on how to conduct their search. More details on the stages of this search will be a subject of future Transition Trackers. But the end result of the year and a half of effort will be the search team's recommendation of a candidate to the congregation, and then, finally, a vote of the entire congregation. So this consequential process begins and ends with the voice of the congregation.
--Marcia Woodward
President of the Congregation 2023-2024
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| Thursday, February 22, 6:00 pm |
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| Join Us for the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma Annual Dinner! |
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Thursday, February 22 at 6:00pm
Venue: Sikh Gurdwara of Oklahoma
4529 NW 16th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73127
Check-In at 5:45pm
Program 6pm - 8pm
Suggested Donation - $50 per person
Buy tickets HERE.
Please RSVP by Saturday, February 17, 2024
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Saturday, February 24, 2:00 pm - Eddy Room
Fundraiser Brainstorming Session!
Are you positively overflowing with sweet ideas for this year's spring fundraiser? Please join us for a spot of tea, some sweet treats, and a fun brainstorming session about fundraiser options. All are welcome! Saturday, February 24, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Eddy Room.
Contact Marcia Woodward for more information.
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Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 pm
Board of Trustees Meeting
Everyone is invited to the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 pm.
View board documents here.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97199144268?...
Meeting ID: 971 9914 4268
Passcode: 541007
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News from Befrienders
Befrienders relies upon donations. Those donations are used to provide cards, stamps, 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.
Befrienders have teams assigned for specific roles.
- Lana Henson leads our Cards of Well Wishes team and can always use extra hands to write cards to our members who are ill or who are recovering from surgeries.
- Ginny Boykin leads our Memorial Receptions team. She calls on folks to bring food for the receptions.
- Patti Kate leads our Transportation team and is looking for folks to be added to her list of people willing to be drivers for anyone needing a ride to a doctor’s appointment, therapy appointment, etc. She is actively recruiting for folks to be on her team.
- Kathy Nyswonger leads our Visitation team. She, along with others, actively go out and visit with members who are unable to get to church or some of the social events. She is actively recruiting for folks to be on her team.
- Meal Trains – we don’t have a team leader yet for this team of people willing to step up and provide a meal to an individual or family. Much of the work of the leader is organizing the Meal Train on line. If you are interested, please contact Susan Bishop for more info,
If you are interested in joining any of these teams, please let Susan Bishop know at sdbishop50@gmail.com.
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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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Every Wednesday - 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.
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February Change for Change
For the month of February our Change for Change partner is Exodus House.
Mission: The Exodus House is a key part of Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries. Its mission is to offer opportunities for ex-offenders to have a healthy, nurturing, and accountable environment where they may begin their life again. Individuals are accepted into our program while still incarcerated through an application process. We have individualized treatment plans and upon completion of our 6 month program they can take all furniture and household goods to their new residence. While living at Exodus House, residents are responsible for paying their utilities. Rent is not charged but monies are collected each month and deposited into a savings account and returned to them upon leaving or graduating.
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The next meeting of the Council will be February 4 at 9:00 am in the Eddy Room.
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!
NEWS FROM UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee): - FROM THE HILL: This month began with UUSC President Mary Katherine Morn, alongside UUSC staff, partners, and members, visiting representatives from nine Congressional offices to advocate for climate justice.
FROM BURMA: February 1 marked the three-year anniversary of Burma’s attempted military coup, which our partners and people across the country continue to respond to and resist. This reminds us all what’s at stake and how we can keep the world’s attention focused on securing justice for the people of Burma.
UUSC RESPONSE to the ICJ DECISION on GENOCIDE: Following the international Court of Justice’s recent ruling on the humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza, UUSC calls on the United States and the rest of the international community to provide financial support to relief agencies attempting to save lives on the ground in Palestine. CONNECT AND LEARN FROM BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Throughout February, we're lifting up the courageous work of Black-led organizations, such as UUSC partner Alliance for Black Justice Poland. They are a beacon of hope that fills a crucial role in aiding Black and Brown individuals during the Ukraine crisis, providing transportation, legal aid, healthcare, and other support.
NEWS FROM UU The VOTE: We are fighting for so much in 2024. The work before us requires our compassion, consistency and commitment. This year UU the Vote will strengthen our local partnerships with State Advocacy Networks and key movement partners. We will throw down in key states on ballot initiatives that will improve peoples’ material conditions. We will offer political and skill development alongside spiritual resources. Democracy calls on us all to mobilize towards our collective thriving. The promise of democracy has yet to be realized in this country, but each of us kindle the flame that ignites our growing social movements. Just like in 2022, again, we are activating every corner of our faith to engage in the democratic process because this is an issue on which we can cede no ground. This year, we’ll be showing up to combat criminalization, protect and expand healthcare including abortion and deepening local democratic practices from participatory budgeting to ranked choice voting.
My friends, this is the work. This is OUR work. Join us on Thursday, March 14 7pm ET / 4pm PT, to ground, connect and GET READY! Together our movements are strong. This year, we will mobilize our friends, our neighbors, our fellow UUs to generate a groundswell of democratic action and leadership towards a thriving future beyond Nov 5. Because we the people are the democracy. This meeting is via zoom so if you are interested, please go to UU the VOTE at the UUA website and register. It’s free!
CALLES DOS CINQOS IN HISTORIC CAPITOL HILL
invites senior high school students to apply for a True Sky Credit Union $3,000 scholarship. Please contact Daniel@trueskycu.org to get the application.
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE NEWS: Last week, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos frozen in in vitro fertilization procedures are “children” under state law, and that a person responsible for their destruction can be held liable. The opinion is a staggering attack on every facet of reproductive health, including the freedom of people experiencing infertility who use assisted reproductive technologies. It represents the culmination of a movement to enshrine into law the unscientific and purely religious claim that life begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg, supplanting secular laws with supposedly “biblical” beliefs
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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Help Us Keep Our Building Safe
Please, if you exit the building through a door that is locked, make sure that the door is completely closed and locked behind you. If you are one of the last people out of the building, please help us make sure that all doors are fully closed and locked. And if you are holding an event at the church, please do not prop exterior doors open or unlock them and leave them unattended. And when you are done, don't forget to lock the door!
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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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First Unitarian Covenant of Healthy Communication
“We need not think alike to love alike.” One of our Unitarian Universalist ancestors, Francis David, spoke those words more than 400 years ago to describe the foundation of our unity as a religious community. To this end, we, the people of the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City, agree to the following:
* I tell my own story and let others tell theirs.
* I use “I” statements when expressing my own views, always mindful that my thoughts, opinions, and experiences may not be shared by others
* I check the accuracy of my perceptions and assumptions.
* I avoid “awfulizing” negative experiences.
* I say what needs to be said to the one who needs to hear it.
Communicate directly with the person or group involved, instead of gossiping or speaking negatively about others in the wider community
* I devote at least as much energy to careful listening as to careful speaking.
Listen actively and seek to understand the perspectives and opinions of others
Be curious, appreciative, and informed about perspectives that differ from my own.
Recognize and honor the diversity of beliefs and spiritual paths within our community, including the words and ways people choose to express their spirituality
Honor the contributions and needs of those who have been historically marginalized in the larger world and in our congregation and seek growth in our ability to be welcoming.
* If something prompts anger in me, I report it honestly in a way that invites positive solutions.
Be forgiving and loving when I or others make mistakes
Apologize, when warranted, and seek to make amends
Call on congregational resources when help is needed
* I refrain from blaming and shaming.
Assume that others act with good intentions
Be respectful and kind in our words, tone, and body language
Use email, social media and other forms of electronic communication with respect, kindness, and special care.
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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)
- Wednesday Night Meditation - Beginning January 3 - Every Wednesday, 6:00 pm, Meditation Room - Corley Commons (contact Larry Little for information)
- Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary (contact 'Ebuka Ezeakacha for information)
- Membership Meeting – Thursday, February 22, 6:00 pm (contact Lorriana Lee-Knapp for information)
- Fiber Connections – Saturday, February 24, 10:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- Brainstorming Fundraising Tea – Saturday, February 24, 2:00 pm, Eddy Room (contact Marcia Woodward for information) All are welcome!
- New Friend Gathering – Sunday, February 25, 12:10 pm, Eddy Room (contact Lorriana Lee Knapp for information)
- Board Meeting - Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 pm (contact Marcia Woodward for information or see article above)
- VOICE SoUUp Cookoff - Friday, March 1, 6:00 pm, Daniel Hall (contact Maureen Harvey for information)
- Family Game Night and Potluck - Saturday, March 2, 5:00 pm, Daniel Hall (contact Keith Daniels for information)
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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 Emily Hildebrandt Lorriana Lee-Knapp Larry Little Ann Meeks Doug Vincent
Committee on Ministry
Suzanne Broadbent Lori Jervis Liz Pillar-Little John Schneider Tom Peryam Derrick Wagner
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