| First Unitarian Connection |
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| September 21 - September 27 |
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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, September 24 - 11:00 am
"Holy, Broken Pieces"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
Jewish scripture tells of the time when Moses first received the Ten Commandments but shattered the tablets upon which they were written when he saw his people worshipping an idol. Those broken pieces were placed in the Ark, along with the second set of (unbroken) tablets. But why? What is it about brokenness that can be holy?
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leaders: Rev. Diana Davies, Lead Minister; TFAA: Tim Atkins, DLRE; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka" Ezeakacha; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Music: 1UC Choir; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft
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| On Preparing to Say Goodbye - A Letter from Rev. Diana |
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Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
October
October 1 - Animal Blessing
October 8 - "Your Life" (National Coming Out Day)
October 15 - "Heretics and Holy Troublemakers"
October 22 - "Quiet Leaders: In Praise of Introverts"
October 29 - Halloween
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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, September 24 - 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, September 24, 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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Saturday, September 30 - by 12:00 pm
Animal Blessing Service Slideshow
For those who will be joining us online or in person and want to include your animal companion in the slideshow for the October 1st Animal Blessing service, please send photos of your animals to Rev. Diana (ddavies@1uc.org) by the morning of Saturday, September 30.
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| Lifespan Religious Exploration |
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Sunday, September 24
RE Classes
RE Classes have begun!! Everyone begins in the worship service this week, teachers and students alike.
This year our class locations will be:
- PreK-1st
Grade in Incredible Edible Lab
- 2nd-4th Grade in Kaleidoscope
- 5th-7th Grade in the Game Room (formerly known as the Rhythm and Roll room)
- 8-12th Grade downstairs in the Youth Room
Classes end at 12:30 pm – parents have half an hour after service but before pickup time for coffee and chat!
We’re happy that most of our families have registered! We ask for folks to fill out registration forms annually, just to make sure no important info has changed. You can register on our website at www.1uc.org or see article below.
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Saturday, September 23 - 9:00 am
The Gardening Covenant Group Work Day!
The GCG is excited to announce a work day at the church! We would love to have you join us! We will be doing weeding, vine removal, pruning and hedge trimming. (We need someone to bring electric or gas-powered hedge trimmers.) We hope you will join our warm, friendly group!
If you have questions email Barbara Gallivan, bgallivan@cox.net.
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Fellowship Dinners
It is time to sign up for a popular social activity, Fellowship Dinners! There will be four dinners, in November, January, February and March. You and your partner will be placed into a rotation schedule where you will have dinner with three other couples or singles, different people each month. If you are single your participation is welcome. And if you can pair up with another single, that enhances the experience.
The beauty of this program is getting to know people of our church whom you may not know now in a small-group setting. Some of us have participated for decades because we enjoy it so much!
There are four parts to each meal, and each month you will bring one of the components. This will also rotate, so that one month you will be the host, opening your home and providing hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Next you will provide the main dish. Another month you will bring a vegetable and dessert. The fourth assignment is salad and bread.
Your home or dining spot doesn’t need to be fancy; just do what is comfortable for you. Please don’t let a concern about that deter you from signing up! Signup begins now and will close on October 15.
To sign up or to ask questions, please email Barbara Gallivan, bgallivan@cox.net please Include your name, address, phone number and email address or call Barbara at 405-209-7386. If you are signing up but need to make a note, such as “I will be out of town all of January,” include that information. There will also be a signup opportunity on Sundays during coffee hour in Daniel Hall.
I look forward to dining with you! -Barbara
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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.
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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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September Change for Change
For the month of September our Change for Change partner is First Parish Malden – Gender Affirming Health Care Programs.
Their Mission: To advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Promoting justice, freedom and equality in the larger society. They speak out when the rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are at stake.
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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.
NEWS FROM UUSC (UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SERVICE COMMITTEE) - Learn more about how our partners provide a compassionate response to this mass displacement that has affected over 7 million people. They are working tirelessly to meet immediate survival needs as well as develop changes to the immigration system so that all families can find security and freedom.
For example, Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Roma Culture (ARCA), works to preserve bonds of belonging by creating a new generation of Roma leaders. Alliance for Black Justice in Poland provides transport between cities and border areas, offers legal advice for those opting to stay in Poland, and connects people with healthcare, safe accommodations, and other essential services. UUSC’s grant (their largest) helped bolster them at a critical moment and inspired them to continue the fight supporting LGBTQ+ and refugees of color.
Alliance for Black Justice in Poland describes the organization as a clear lifeline for so many people — their only real “home” in Warsaw. They provide not only a “place to cry” for Black and African descended people, but also ongoing community-building activities with the African diaspora who reside in Poland. Their work beautifully showcases the diversity of cultures among them while fostering a deep sense of shared space in their new home.
UUSC does so much for the refugees fleeing Ukraine and other war-torn nations. If you would like to read the full reflections of those impacted, click here!
NEWS FROM CAIR (COUNCIL ON AMERICAN/ISLAMIC RELATIONS) - CAIR-OK’s revised publication contains essential details about the basics of Islamic belief, common Muslim religious practices, a comprehensive overview of Islamic centers and educational institutions in the state, and records showcasing the active engagement of the Oklahoma Muslim community in various social and civic endeavors.
Check out the Guide to Islam and Muslims in Oklahoma Second Edition: Click here!
FROM OK WATCH: Indian Schools Abounded in Oklahoma -
Oklahoma was home to at least 76 Indian boarding schools, according to a 2022 Dept. of the Interior list. Indian boarding school were around for 150 years. Last year’s Interior Department investigation determined the United States government forced generations of Native American children to attend boarding schools for two reasons: to assimilate Native Americans into white culture and to claim tribal land for the country's westward expansion. The Oklahoman
summarized the findings last year; The New York Times
dug into it about two weeks ago.
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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)
- Radical Welcoming Team – Thursday, September 21, 6:30 pm (contact Lynn Ann Wagner for information)
- Gardening Covenant Group Work Day - Saturday, September 23, 9:00 am (contact Barbara Gallivan for informtion)
- Fiber Connections – Saturday, September 23, 10:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- VOICE – Sunday, September 24, 9:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Maureen Harvey for information)
- Board of Trustees Meeting – Tuesday, September 26, 6:30 pm (contact Marcia Woodward for information)
- Membership Meeting – Thursday, September 28, 6:00 pm (contact Lorriana Lee-Knapp for information)
- 1UC Alliance Brown Bag Lunch/Program – Tuesday, October 3, 11:30 am, Daniel Hall (contact Maureen Harvey for information)
- UU Book Club – Thursday, October 5, 7:00 pm (contact Steve Gryglewicz 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 Coba Neitzel Doug Vincent
Committee on Ministry
Rebecca Daniels Lori Jervis Liz Pillar-Little Tom Peryam James Vaughn Derrick Wagner
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