| 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, December 8, 11:00 am, Sanctuary
"Love at the Center: Exploring UU Values"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
At General Assembly this summer, bylaws changes introduced us to a new set of UU Values: equity, generosity, interdependence, justice, pluralism, transformation, and at the center, love. Centering love roots back to our Universalist ancestors who followed a loving God. What does it mean today, though, to center love and hold to all our UU values? How do we live it out in this holiday season and throughout the year?
Participating in today’s service:
Service Leader: Rev. Jonalu Johnstone, Worship Minister and Pastoral Care; Worship Associate: Liz Pillar Little; Chalice Lighter: Cathy Webster; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka ('Ebuka) G. Ezeakacha; Music: 1UC Choir; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft: Ushers: Members of The Gardening Covenant Group
Our Ushers for the month of December are: The Gardening Covenant Group meet once a month, on the third Tuesday at 7:00 pm in members’ homes or at the church. As a Covenant Group we support one another when a person’s need arises. Each month we check in and connect socially, and we share gardening tips and ideas with each other. Occasionally we have educational and fun field trips, locally and out of town, such as a guided tour of Will Rogers Park and of the Dallas Arboretum. For the First Unitarian Church we provide limited gardening services for the grounds including the Memorial Garden. For many years we have provided an offering in the annual church auction when members of the Gardening Covenant Group agree. Contact: Barbara Gallivan for more information.
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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, December 8, 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, December 8, Daniel Hall (immediately after the service) Daniel Hall
Coffee, Lemonade and Conversation
Join us after the service in Daniel Hall for coffee, lemonade and conversation.
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Be an Elf!
Drug Court Christmas
It is that time again to make the holidays brighter for a child whose parents are a part of drug court. Stop by the display in Daniel Hall to select a child or two.
Make the holidays brighter for these children.
1. Take a gift tag that has the child’s information.
You may take more than one tag.
2. Each paper is numbered—sign your name by the
match ing numbers on the master list.
3. Purchase a gift or several small gifts that add up to $60—$70
4. Be sure to attach the child’s information slip to your
unwrapped gift(s) in a gift bag.
5. Place your gifts under the tree in Daniel Hall by Sunday, December 15.
Thank you for your help!
If you have any questions please call Genie Baumann at (405) 401-7531
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Mitten Tree
A tradition for many years, our Mitten Tree will be up in Daniel Hall through January 5.
Please help bring it to life with mittens, gloves, scarves, or winter hats (no socks please), which we will donate to those less fortunate to help them get through these cold winter months.
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Sunday, December 29, 12:00 pm, Daniel Hall
Stone Soup Sunday
It's
nearing the end of 2024, but we can't go out without our tradition of Stone
Soup Sunday. Yes, we are bringing back our last ingathering meal that we have
enjoyed over so many years prior to the pandemic.
So, save the date, Sunday, December
29th.
Save your leftover veggies, meats, and desserts from your
holiday festivities, and save room for a delicious meal with your fellow UU-ers
after church on the last Sunday of the year. Bring your items to the kitchen before the 11:00 am service so they can get into the soup pot so things will be ready to eat when church is let out.
We need a few volunteers to set up
and clean up. Please contact Betty Hepler Scott if you would like to help or if
you have any questions.
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| Lifespan Religious Exploration |
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Wednesday Nights 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Wednesday Night Social Youth Group
We are ready to announce a Wednesday night social youth group for middle and high schoolers! We will begin Wednesday, December 4th, and it will run from 6:30-8pm. We will have pizza for the youth at 6:30. Meet downstairs in the youth room.
This youth group will be social focused. We'll eat pizza, have a check in, and then free time to hang out, play games, etc. We'll see what the youth want to do - maybe there's a group what wants to do a weekly hour long DnD session, maybe art club, maybe board games, maybe chatting about life. We're thinking our youth might need a safe place to go midweek after the election, and we're honored to provide that.
We could still use another volunteer or two to help out as part of the team of volunteers who will rotate in to help. Reach out to me if you can!
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| Adult Education Classes & Courses |
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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 Mary Tate.
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Saturday, December 7, 10:30 am, Eddy Room
Racial Justice Team Book Club
Your Racial Justice Team will be hosting a book club. We have done this occasionally over time. Our upcoming book is "Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race" by Debby Irving. Rev. Sue recommended it to us. We have 9 people signed up so far.
We will meet in person in Eddy Room the first Saturday of the month: December 7, January 4 and February 1 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
The book is available through Half Priced Books, etc. I will try to explore ordering them in bulk through the book store once we have a number.
Text or call Becky Tallent at 405.882.8095 or email beckyktallent@gmail.com.
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Friday, December 13, 6:00 pm, Daniel Hall
Documentary Movie Night
Join us for the first of our new monthly Documentary Movie Night Series, hosted by DLRE Tim Atkins.
Our documentary movie night will be on the second Friday of every month in Daniel Hall.
The doors open at 6:00 pm: you're welcome to grab dinner out and eat it at the church! The movie begins at 6:30 pm, and after the movie, up to a half hour of discussion after.
For December, we're going to watch the documentary Bad Faith. BAD FAITH is a feature-length documentary that explores the dangerous rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. Part archival chronicle, part exposé, the film reveals the secretive political machinery that has relentlessly sought to weaken and destroy American democracy in order to promote its authoritarian vision.
Contact Tim Atkins if you have any questions.
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News from Befrienders
BEFRIENDERS WELCOMES REV. JONALU JOHNSTONE TO OUR MERRY BAND.
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. If you enjoy writing cards to people, let her know.
- Ginny Boykin leads our Memorial Receptions team. She calls on folks to bring food for the receptions. If you are a baker or cook, let her know.
- 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.
- 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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Change for Change
For the month of December our Change for Change partner is UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee).
Their mission: UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. Their work is grounded in the belief that all people have inherent power and dignity.
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 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 THE SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL:
BOHEMIAN CAFÉ is January 18th
7-10p. Come join with friends as we imbibe from the fruit of the vine, gnosh on wonderful tidbits, and dance to the sounds of Ms Brown To You. Mark your 2025 calendar now for an evening’s entertainment you don’t want to miss.
1UC’S CURBSIDE PANTRY needs donations. When you attend services or activities at church, please bring a can or other non-perishable food item and place it in our pantry along Dewey St. If you can’t bring food, consider making a financial donation to the pantry instead. We have a very helpful elf who does the shopping.
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Sunday, January 26, 9:00 am, Eddy Room
1UC VOICE
The 1UC VOICE Team will not be meeting until January 26th, 9 am in the Eddy Room, when we have a new Lead Organizer in place. Happy Holidays and Thanks for your dedication.
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| How to Contact Our Ministers |
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| Information for our Worship Minister and Pastoral Care - Rev. Jonalu Johnstone |
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You can email her directly at: jjohnstone@1uc.org
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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 Adult Ed: Tuesday Discussion Group - Every Tuesday, 11:00 am (contact Ron Wasson for information)
- Bell Choir Rehearsal – Every Wednesday, 5:45 pm, Sanctuary (contact LaDonna Hunt for information)
- Wednesday Night Meditation - 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, 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)
- UU Book Club - Thursday, December 5, 7:00 pm (contact Steve Gryglewicz for information)
- Racial Justice Book Club – Saturday, December 7, 10:30 am, Eddy Room (contact Becky Tallent for information)
- Fiber Connections – Sunday, December 8, 12:00 pm, Eddy Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- Alliance’s Sweet and Savory Sale – Sunday, December 8, Daniel Hall, 12:00 pm (contact Maureen Harvey for information for information)
- Radical Welcoming – Monday, December 9, 6:30 pm (contact Lynn Ann Wagner for information)
- HRWG – Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 pm (contact Cortney Custer or Kate Elliott for information)
- Racial Justice Team – Wednesday, December 11: 11:00 am (contact Becky Tallent for information)
- Stewardship Meeting – Thursday, December 12, 7:00 pm (contact Paul Spicer 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
Worship Minister and Pastoral Care - Rev. Jonalu Johnstone
Consulting Minister - Rev. David H. Messner
(from First Unitarian Church Chicago)
Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration - Tim Atkins
Choir Director - Chukwuebuka ('Ebuka) G. Ezeakacha
Accompanist - Steven Elkins Kennedy
Congregational Administrator - Marlies Grogg
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2024-2025
President of the Board of Trustees – Cathy Webster
President Elect – Sundra Flansburg
Immediate Past President – Marcia Woodward
Clerk – Doug Vincent
Treasurer – Ron Wasson
Cortney Custer Lorriana Lee-Knapp Ann Meeks Carrie Moore Mariliee Peryam Mairead Todd
Committee on Ministry
Suzanne Broadbent Liz Pillar-Little John Schneider Tom Peryam Derrick Wagner
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