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Events for Wednesday, April 22
through Tuesday, April 28
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SUNDAY SERVICE
Celebration of Life
"What We Bring Reflects What We Believe"
Rev. David Carl Olson
11 a.m. in the Sanctuary
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This Week
at First Unitarian
Click on the event name to see the complete calendar listing.
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Book Group
Thursday, April 23
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
The Book Group meets to discuss James Carroll's novel, Warbug in Rome. Set in Rome in the aftermath of the Allied liberation in World War II. Accourding to a National Public Radio reviewer, "Warbug's Rome is a morally fraught landscape where the forces of light and darkness battle for and within each human soul. The fate of millions hinges on the decisions made by his protagonists but, as in those other fictional settings, the enormity of the stakes overwhelms moral certainty. WE are plunged into a murky world where heroic action often backfires and conflicting moral imperatives give rise to unsavory compromises." The same reviewer faulted the book on character development, but the Book Group has found that even a flawed book can be a good read and generate a good discussion. Click here to read the review. Or here for another thoughtful review.
The Book Group meets in a home in Mt. Washington. Contact Mike Franch at books@firstunitarian.net for more information. You don't need to be a regular Book Group member to attend and participate in the lively discussions.
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Downtown & Southeast Neighborhood Circles Dinner
Friday April 24th
Please join us for dinner at Lumbini's Restaurant at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24th. Lumbini's is located at 322 N. Charles St. http://lumbinirestaurant.com/. They serve outstanding Middle Eastern food. Please RSVP to mariannefr@aol.com by Thursday the 23rd if you plan to attend.
All are welcome!
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Beginnings Class
Sunday, April 26
An orientation to Unitarian Universalism and to the First Unitarian Church is being offered on Sunday, April 26 after coffee hour. The session will take place from12:45 to 2:15 in the classrooms adjacent to the Parish Hall. A light lunch is served. For more information call Nancy Benjamin at 410-235-7338 or e-mailnancyb235@comcast.net
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MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE: VOLUNTEER!
The First Unitarian Church of Baltimore’s reputation as a beacon of social action is growing in our community. We need volunteers to maintain that momentum and help with the need for community service.
In addition to volunteer gardeners at Dayspring, the Poverty and Homelessness Ministry is seeking a volunteer/s to coordinate children’s activities initiated by our congregation with the kids at Dayspring—such as a Mother’s Day gift-making event. Contact Linnea Anderson.
Dale Lantz needs helpers to assist him in the yoga, meditation and focusing sessions he’s beginning with Dayspring clients. Contact Dale Lantz.
Experienced knitters are needed to teach needle work to Dayspring mothers.
We’ve met delightful young students at East Baltimore’s William Paca School through the Social Action Clearinghouse’s partnership. More volunteers are needed to read with, tutor and mentor children. Contact Roberta Van Meter.
A few good men: Many of the youngsters we work with at Dayspring and Paca School could use strong male role models. Here’s a call for First Unitarian men to volunteer with our social action programs. Contact Karen Bovie.
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From the Social Action Clearinghouse (SAC):
Change for Change Nominees Needed:
Do you know of a non-profit working to change lives in Baltimore City? Please consider nominating the organization to be a Change for Change recipient. If selected, half of the undesignated funds in our collection plates will go to your nominee. Forms are available at the SAC table during coffee hour or you may fill out the online form. Questions? Contact: Roberta, msvee505@gmail.com.
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New This Year in Stewardship
- Pledge Wall – Once you’ve pledged, come get your picture taken for the pledge wall!
- Chalice Thermometer – As we go along, you’ll be able to see how much we’ve raised!
- Group Canvassing – We’ll send a representative to talk to you in your groups about pledging and your vision for the church. If you’re not in a group, please expect to receive a phone call.
- Wrap-up Potluck – We will be offering a potluck on May 8th at 6:30pm for anyone who is not reached by our group canvassing who would prefer to be canvassed in a group setting. Even if you’ve been canvassed, you’re still welcome to come—come, and share why you pledged!
- 5-5-5 Appreciation Party – 3 ways to receive an invitation to this exciting event: Be in the top 5% of donors, give 5% of your income, or increase your pledge over last year’s pledge by 5%. There will be beer, wine, music, and even a food truck, so don’t miss out!
Stewardship Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m not a member. Can I still pledge? Can I still come to the 5-5-5 Party if I qualify?
A: Yes! We welcome pledges from all supporters of the church.
Q: How did you come up with your goal of $200,000?
A: The Stewardship Committee has developed a 5-year plan to strengthen the church’s finances and get our fundraising on track to accomplish our dreams for the future of the church—including the exciting upcoming Bicentennial celebration!
Q: What’s the deadline again for getting my pledge in to qualify for the 5-5-5 Party?
A: Friday, May 15th. While Sunday, May 10th will be the official end of the pledge campaign, you have until 5/15/15 to get in your pledge if you’d like to be considered for the 5-5-5 Appreciation Party.
Q: What do I have to do to get an invitation to the 5-5-5 Party again?
A: You can get in by either being in the top 5% of donors, by pledging 5% of your income—as self-reported on the pledge form—or by increasing your pledge by 5% over your pledge from last year.
Q: What if I didn’t pledge last year? Will I still be able to qualify for the 5-5-5 Party?
A: Don’t worry! If you didn’t pledge last year for whatever reason (you’re new, you were suffering a hardship, you were away, etc.), any pledge you make this year will qualify as a 5% increase.
Q: When is the 5-5-5 Party?
A: We’ll be hosting this event near the end of May. Look for your invitation!
Q: What if I have a question you didn’t address here?
A: Please speak with Ginny Slothour-Hudnall or email her at vslothour@gmail.com if you have any further questions.
Please click here to download a copy of the Pledge Form.
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From the Nominating Committee
Your Nominating Committee has been working hard to prepare a slate of officers and trustees for our next church year and beyond. Do you know anyone in our broad and diverse community who has the knowledge, skills and commitment to serve on our Board of Trustees? We are currently seeking expressions of interest from members who are committed to First Unitarian’s mission and understand the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of serving as a Trustee.
If you or someone you know is interested in being considered, please speak with any member of the Nominating Committee (Paul Sturm, Jodie Munderloh, Gwyn Degner, or Jennie Milstein), or e-mail psturm@execpc.com.
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Baltimore ADORE
A Dialogue On Race & Ethnicity
Friday , May 1, 2015, 6 -9 pm
Potluck and Discussion in the Enoch Pratt Parish Hall
You are invited to join us in beginning A Dialogue On Race & Ethnicity as we work to deepen our understandings and strengthen diverse community. This first session follows the March 29th gathering with Paula Cole Jones on "Black Lives Matter: Our Unfinished Business." We thank everyone who participated in that event and who signed up to continue the dialogue.
Friday , May 1st will be the first Baltimore ADORE session. We will take a look at how racism was institutionalized in the United States through the institutions of housing and finances. The evening's feature film is, Race:The Power of an Illusion part 3, "The House We Live In." This film was chosen to give us a common starting place for an ongoing conversation about how the construct of race influences our lives and how we can make progress in building The Beloved Community.
Facilitators:
Melissa K. Feliciano is a Juvenile Defender in Harford County, a trained Mediator and a Member of First Unitarian of Baltimore.
Paula Cole Jones is the Founder of ADORE. She is currently serving as the Racial & Social Justice Consultant for the Joseph Priestley District of the UUA.
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Come Work and Play in the Gardens at Dayspring!
Saturday May 2nd Work begins at 10 AM and Family Fun at 1 PM!
Please bring the seedlings you have been nurturing and newspapers you have been saving and join the families of Dayspring for a great day in the gardens.
In the morning, we will be planting, building a weed barrier and mulching and building raised beds.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy snacks and fun activities.
Hope you will join us! For more info, please contact Kathleen Flahive at kmfandjmf@gmail.com or 410-375-3659.
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UU Unity Weekend
Saturday, May 2
10 a.m. and throughout the Day
Service Project at Daysprings Program in E. Baltimore, a transitional housing facility and program for women with children experiencing homelessness and addiction.
"Daysprings Gardens" is a community garden initiated by the Poverty and Homelessness Ministry of First U to build community among Dayspring present and former residents, to grow fresh vegetable and flowers, and to mentor children in their own care for the earth.
UUs from the Greater Baltimore cluster and beyond are welcome to participate.
Contact: Kathleen Flahive at 410-375-3659 or kmfandjmf@gmail.com
Sunday, May 3
4 p.m.
Union Service Commemorating the Baltimore Sermon
(Ministers, Interns, and Seminarians invited to robe at 3:30 p.m.)
Guest Preacher will be Rev. Dr. Helen Lutton Cohen
Combined choirs of the Greater Baltimore UU Cluster
Colleagues who wish to have a role in the service should contact David Carl Olson at (410) 350-9339 (text) or minister@firstunitarian.net
Musicians who wish to participate should contact James Houston at (410) 225-3269 or jhouston@ccbcmd.edu
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Jewish Discussion Group Begins on May 10
The intersection between Judaism and Unitarian Universalism is an interesting one, and so the Adult Religious Education Committee is sponsoring a new discussion group. On the second Sunday of each month, we will meet at 12:45 p.m.in the downstairs classrooms to talk about the essays from the book, Jewish Voices in Unitarian Universalism. The book is available on Amazon and in the UUA Bookstore We will begin with the first essay on May 10 and continue through the book, chapter by chapter. (It’s a good idea to read ahead.) Led by Mark Hart. Questions? Ask Laura Laing at llaing@comcast.net.
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Our Change for Change partner for March & April
Our Change for Change partner for March and April is Interfaith Power & Light (D.C., MD.NoVA) which works with congregations of all faiths to save energy, go green and respond to climate change. First Unitarian is a member and we have IPL light switch reminders posted in our church. Recent advocacy work includes support of offshore wind legislation in Maryland and speaking out against the Cove Point export facility. More information is available during Fellowship Hour at the Social Action Clearinghouse (SAC) table.
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Support Your Church When You Shop On Amazon
All you have to do is click here or you can access the link on the church website (scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the Amazon logo). Any time you buy a product or gift card from Amazon, First Unitarian gets a percentage of the price of your purchase -- at no additional cost to you.
Thank you again for all of your support!
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Spread the Word
about Your
Church Event!
Here's how to submit your items to Happenings, the church calendar and Sunday announcements. Any special formatting will be changed to fit the current format standards in place.
1. CALENDAR ONLY: Click here to complete the online form. (Allow 48 hours for your event to be approved and added to the calendar.)
2. HAPPENINGS AND VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY: Submit your announcements by emailingoffice@firstunitarian.net, by noon each Tuesday.
3. SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLY: For announcements that you want in the Sunday Order of Service, please email office@firstunitarian.net by 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
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