| First Unitarian Connection |
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
| This Sunday: Please bring photos, pictures, or other representations of your loved ones you'd like to remember, as well as flowers and small pieces of art to decorate our altar |
|
|
|
| Sundays at First Unitarian Church |
|
|
|
Sunday, October 29 - 11:00 am
"When the Veil Is Thin: Remembering the Dead"
Join us in person or watch on YouTube.
According to ancient and modern Pagan traditions, at this time of year, as we move into a time of cold and long, dark nights, the veil between the living and the dead becomes thin and it becomes easier to communicate with those who have passed from this life. Many cultures build shrines to honor their loved ones who have passed on. During our multigenerational service today, we’ll make our own shrines and memorials and remember the ways that those who have died still have a part to play in our lives.
Please bring photos, pictures, or representations of your loved ones you'd like to honor, as well as flowers, small pieces of art, anything you'd like to add to our shrine of remembrance. Items can be picked up after the service and moved to the Eddy Room, where we will have tables set aside for memorials that will stay up through the coming week.
Participating in Sunday's service:
Service Leader: Rev. Diana K. Davies, Lead Minister; Time for All Ages: Tim Atkins; Worship Associate: Cathy Webster; Choir Director: Chukwuebuka "Ebuka" Ezeakacha; Accompanist: Steven Elkins Kennedy; Music: 1UC Choir; Technical Support: Tammy Epperson and Ellisya Ravencroft
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Sunday Morning Services - 11:00 am
November
November 5 - "Well, Whaddya Know: On Gnosticism"
November 12 - "Water from the Source: On Mysticism" (2023 Auction-Winning Sermon)
November 19 - "The Peace of Thanksgiving"
November 26 - "In Gratitude for the Animals"
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Sunday, October 29 - 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, October 29, 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.
|
|
|
|
| Lifespan Religious Exploration |
|
|
|
|
This Sunday (October 29) after our Multigenerational Worship Service at First Unitarian OKC at 11:00 am, we will have our annual TrUUnk or Treat!
But it's going to rain! And it's going to be cold! So we're going to go ahead and make plans to move Truunk or Treat inside. We're going to be in Daniel Hall!
Each person who signs up will get a rectangular table to decorate to hand out candy! (And if you're the kind to have inflatables with your car, I mean, Daniel Hall does have power outlets...)
We hope to see in the range of 30-40 trUUnk or treaters.
Planning on coming and decorating a table for TrUUnk or Treat?
Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAFAA2DAAFCC61-45569376-truunk
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to all who attended our first Ministerial Transitions town hall after the service last Sunday. The Board appreciated your thoughtful questions and comments! At this point, the application for a three-month Targeted Minister has been submitted to the UUA Transitions Office and the Board sub-committee for transitional ministry will be working with UUA staff to identify a qualified person to fill in during the gap between Rev. Diana's departure in March and the arrival of an Interim Minister in August. Members of the Board sub-committee are Marshal Gimpel, Ann Meeks, Deborah Shinn, and Cathy Webster. We will have additional town halls and informal information sessions coming up over the next several months. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact a member of the Board or a member of the Committee on Ministry (see below) if you have questions about the ministerial transition process.
|
|
|
|
Sunday, October 29 - Eddy Room
All Souls Day
We will have tables set up in the Eddy Room on October 29th for memorials in honor of “All Souls Day.”
Bring a photo, flowers, and some memorabilia. It can be for any loved one you want to remember.
For more information email Maureen Harvey at mharvey5@cox.net
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 11
Volunteer Day at SISU Youth Services
I'm sure you're already familiar with Sisu Youth Services. 1UC have already done some volunteer projects with them. They're a shelter for at-risk youth and explicitly welcoming of LGBT clients.
Sisu are attempting to prepare some apartments for some of their clients to move into, but they've had a hard time gathering enough workers. We've had two previous dates cancelled so far due to lack of signups. An issue is that they need to really trust volunteers doing this (since they'll know WHERE clients will live!) and have done a background check.
Their volunteer coordinator asked me, after I suggested asking the Unitarian community, whether I could solicit help for a Saturday, November 11th, 2023 apartment cleanup date. I posted on the 1UC Facebook group about it but wanted to reach out here because I know not everyone is on social media. Sisu's volunteer signup form is https://www.sisuyouth.org/
If people sign up there and mention 1UC and the apartment project they should contact them back about the background check process and next steps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We need ushers, greeters, traffic directors, cookie bakers, and general helpers to make this event a success! Please let Marlies or Rev. Diana know if you're able to help in any of these ways.
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 26 - October 29
Dracula!
1UC member, Lana Henson is performing in the play "DRACULA", Hidden Gems first production! Six Performances. One Weekend.
10/26 7:00 pm
10/27 7:00 pm
10/28 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
10/29 2:00 pm & 6:30 pm
(Bram Stoker's Dracula adapted for the stage by Liz Lochhead. This has been modified to a PG rated production.)
Located at 1111 SW 89th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73139 Building 12!
For tickets click here.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
December 3, 10, 17 at 1:00 pm
Blue Christmas Circle: Grieving Over the Holidays
For many who are experiencing profound loss, grief, or sadness, the winter holiday season can be especially painful. We will gather (in a small group) over three weeks to share feelings and experiences and support one another through this difficult time. Because the group must be limited in size, and because participants are expected to do their best to attend all three sessions, please be sure to register in advance, as soon as possible. Please contact Rev. Diana or Marlies Grogg if you are interested in signing up or learning more.
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
| Adult Education Classes & Courses |
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 31, 11:00 am
Adult Education Class: Tuesday Discussion Group
Barry Watkins will facilitate next Tuesday's discussion on efforts to achieve trans-species communications:
"Can we learn to talk to sperm whales?" with David Gruber
https://youtu.be/Qm02X0aE8uU?s...
"Could an Orca give a Ted Talk?" with Karen Bakker
https://www.ted.com/talks/kare...
Watch the videos and then join in on the discussion.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/8250...
Meeting ID: 825 0596 8136
Passcode: 0tirfC
On Tuesday November 7, no class due to the Alliance Brown Bag Lunch/Program.
Debbie Allen will facilitate on November 14--- please let Ron Wasson know if you have something you would like to present on November 21.
|
|
|
|
Thursday, November 2, 7:00 pm
UU Book Club
Join us Thursday, November 2, at 7:00 pm, where we will be discussing, Horse by Geraldine Brooks.
Our book for December will be Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
For more information please contact Steve Gryglewicz at stgryg@yahoo.com
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8805...
Meeting ID: 880 5124 8829
Passcode: 398265
|
|
|
|
October Change for Change
For the month of October, our Change for Change partner is Freedom Oklahoma.
Freedom Oklahoma advocates and organizes across Oklahoma and within the 39 sovereign tribal nations that call this land home to build a future where all Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and fuller spectrum of people whose sexuality or gender or romantic identity exists beyond a heteronormative, binary framework (2SLGBTQ+), have the safety to thrive.
|
|
|
|
|
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) - When we arrived at our partner Nomada’s office in Wrocław, it was inviting and busy. Nomada operates a welcoming “open space” for anyone in migration to come for assistance in solving just about any problem you can imagine. Legal issues, accessing housing and healthcare, employment assistance, gender-based violence support, reproductive rights, mental health services, and more.
We also saw Nomada’s crisis housing — an apartment which has several bedrooms and provides shelter for families in critical situations for up to a month. Most individuals arrive at Nomada’s door after having been displaced from Ukraine, although the organization has been working at the Belarusian border for several years prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In Poland, they have been advocating for more resources to triage immediate needs as well as long-term work calling for the local government to develop an immigration policy that centers the rights of people in migration.
In response to the increased demand for services, they’ve expanded from a team of nearly 12 before the war to a team of about 50 now. Part of UUSC’s emergency grant provided a “mobile response” vehicle (shown above), which will be equipped with a generator and other supplies, allowing the Nomada team to more easily reach communities outside the city center.
Our visits demonstrated clearly how UUSC’s approach to grantmaking ensures communities themselves identify what resources are needed to produce effective change. As funders, we must listen intently and respond.
PEACE FESTIVAL IS COMING! PEACE FESTIVAL IS COMING! - Starting your holiday shopping early? Mark your calendars now for November 11th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel 417 S. Meridian Ave in OKC. There will be booths selling wonderful items and First Unitarian will be selling our free trade coffees, teas, chocolates, and bumper stickers. This event is free and open to all. Don’t miss this annual event! This is a family friendly event.
TURKISH FOOD FESTIVAL – Because of the current political climate, Raindrop Turkish House has chosen to cancel the Turkish Food Festival this November. They will hopefully re-schedule it for another time.
TRIBAL NATIONS NEWS - 'Killers of the Flower Moon' brings up historical trauma, but there is mental health help: In anticipation of the release of Killers of the Flower Moon, the Osage Nation's health care system has set up a hotline for citizens. People may experience past trauma that the movie may bring up. "Trauma is not the end of our story," a tagline reads along with the hashtag #whazhazheheals on the nation's website. [KOSU]
FROM OK POLICY INSTITUTE: 30% - More than 51,800 Oklahomans in the service industry (restaurants, home health aides, etc.) receive food assistance through the SNAP program. This represents about 30% of the nearly 173,000 SNAP recipients in the state last year. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
4 Ways SNAP Provides Key Benefits to Workers and Their Families
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, helps more than 40 million people put food on the table each month. While two-thirds of participants aren’t expected to work because they are children, adults over age 60, or people with disabilities, SNAP plays an important role in supplementing workers’ low or fluctuating wages or helping them during periods of unemployment.
|
|
|
|
| Radical Welcoming Committee |
|
|
|
Resources for Transgender People and Their Loved Ones
October 22-28, 2023 is Ace Week. Each year Ace Week recognizes and celebrates asexuality in all its forms. Founded 13 years ago as Asexual Awareness Week, the goal is to celebrate and educate for greater understanding of asexual-spectrum identities. Check out these websites to learn more.
What is Ace Week?
The aromantic umbrella - Learn - Aces & Aros (acesandaros.org)
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 26
Intersex Awareness Day
Happy Intersex Awareness Day! October 26th marks the 27th anniversary of the first public demonstration by intersex people. On October 26th, 1996 intersex persons and their allies arrived in Boston, MA at the annual conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics. They demonstrated and shared their pain in a very public way, denouncing non-consensual infant genital surgeries and demanding that the medical industry take notice. Doctors dismissed the activists as a vocal minority in a 1997 New York Times article covering the intersex action. The tides are slowly changing.
Many people ask, what does “Intersex” mean? Intersex is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. Intersex people are born with these differences or develop them later in childhood or adolescence. There are many possible differences in genitalia, hormones, internal anatomy, or chromosomes, compared to the usual two ways that human bodies develop. Intersex people are diverse, coming from all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders and orientations, faiths, and political ideologies.
Why do we celebrate Intersex Persons Day? Because Intersex persons are subject to violence, discrimination, and abuse on the basis of their sexual characteristics. Many intersex persons, including children, experience invasive, unnecessary, and sometimes irreversible medical procedures. Infant intersex surgeries violate principles of informed consent, bodily autonomy, and self-determination.
Today intersex people and our allies are organizing and fighting back in cities in the U.S. and around the world.
In the United States, at least 5 states have seen bills to prohibit infant intersex surgery although none have passed yet.
We hope by bringing awareness, Intersex Rights will be seen as Human Rights!!!
|
|
|
|
1UC VOICE
There’s a lot going on the 1UC VOICE Team. We’re working on 5 issues: Predatory Lending, Criminal Justice, Education, Mental Health, and Housing.
We’re keeping a close eye on the new Thunder Arena plans and our annual fund-raiser “VOICE Gala of Gratitude” (or click on the picture below for tickets) is coming up on Friday, October 27. See Maureen Harvey or Sundra Flansburg for tickets.
Contact Maureen Harvey for more information (mharvey5@cox.net).
|
|
|
|
| The Green Minute/Sustainable Living |
|
|
|
|
Thanks to all of you at First Unitarian for such a positive response to the new composting and recycling. However, we must ask everyone to follow the posted rules on what goes where. Two of our friends had a most unpleasant time cleaning spaghetti out of broken glass. Please remember that glass must be separate from other recyclables, in its own container, and compost also has a separate container.
Although Norman has a facility for recycling Styrofoam, it must be thoroughly cleaned or it will not be acceptable. Because of that, we recommend avoiding Styrofoam whenever possible. I know; one more thing to remember. Between carrying grocery bags, permanent straws and leftover containers, I sometimes feel like either the Joads or the Clampetts, especially when making a trip to Goodwill. All we need is Grannie on top of the car. Like taking reusable bags to the store, this just takes time to develop the habit. Oklahoma City’s rather fluid policy of what is or is not acceptable complicates it further. If we think about it, we call to ask if a restaurant we’re considering to visit has cardboard doggie bags before we visit. That also gives us a chance to urge the business to be conscious of its carbon footprint.
If you have a suggestion for the Green Minute, please send it to me, Lonney Corder-Agnew; lacorderagnew@cox.net.
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
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)
- Membership Meeting – Thursday, October 26, 6:00 pm (contact Lorriana Lee-Knapp for information)
- Fiber Connections – Saturday, October 28, 10:00 am, Eddy Room (contact Paula Geisinger for information)
- TrUUnk or Treat - Sunday, October 29, 12:00 pm, Daniel Hall (kids come dressed in your costumes)
- UU Book Club – Thursday, November 2, 7:00 pm (contact Steve Gryglewicz for information)
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
**********************************************************************************
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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 Doug Vincent
Committee on Ministry
Rebecca Daniels Lori Jervis Liz Pillar-Little Tom Peryam James Vaughn Derrick Wagner
|
|
|
|
|
