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Welcome back potluck this Friday
Come have dinner with First U friends – new and longtime – this Friday, September 20, as we gather around the tables for our first potluck of the new church year. Come early and enjoy the art opening in the Atrium. Dinner will be served at 6:15pm, followed by some brief remarks at 7:30 by Rev. Liz and Prudential Committee Chair Cheryl Bartholomew. Entertainment by our own Community Band.
If you haven’t already registered, please do by clicking here so that we will be sure to set a place for you at the table.
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Food for the Soul by Rev. Liz
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One of the most important things a congregation offers its members is a sense of connection and the strength which can be found in shared community. This Sunday, we will explore the rich diversity within our small group ministry and reflect on what it means to all of us at First Unitarian.
The Community Collection this week will benefit the Community Food Share Pantry.
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Welcome, children and youth
 Our volunteer teaching teams are waiting to welcome your family this Sunday. Be sure to register your child for the Spiritual Pathways program for children and youth. You can sign up in the Atrium before church or in your child’s classroom. Registration is ongoing and must be done each year.
This Sunday, young people begin in small groups in classrooms and worship in Chapel. Childcare is open for infants to three-year-olds in the Parish House.
Feel free to reach out to our Religious Education Director Cathy Seggel by email at dre@firstunitarianprov.org or by phone at 401-421-7970.
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Experience a Circle this Sunday
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As we look for deeper connections with each other and enhanced spiritual growth, here’s an opportunity to try out a small group experience to see if you might like to join one. This Sunday, you can sample an abbreviated Chalice Circle or Soul Circle after the worship service.
Chalice Circles and Soul Circles provide an intimate, accepting community for reflection and shared experience. Most of the small groups start in October. You can sign up on Sunday following the samplers, which will be held in small groups throughout the Auditorium and Meeting House.
To get a sense of what group times and themes will be offered or to sign up, please visit https://forms.gle/fUXPDQk12pGsV6Gr9. For more information, you can contact the registrar for Chalice Circles, Janet Downing-Taylor, at jdtaylo39@verizon.net or the volunteer staff leader for Soul Circles, Cynthia Rosengard, at soulcirclesfirstu@gmail.com. |
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Ruth Arellana memorial service this Sunday, September 22
All are welcome to a memorial service for Ruth Arellana with a reception to follow on Sunday, September 22, at 3pm here at First Unitarian. To read Ruth's full obituary, click here.
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Thanks for your generosity
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Funding for additional projects and fair wage salary increases for our church staff are now possible due to the generosity of this congregation. The Prudential Committee would like to offer a heartfelt thank you.
After passing a motion at the annual meeting in May regarding surplus money from the budget income, we can now also contribute funding toward Imagine the Future, Loaves & Fishes, Black Lives Matter, the Legislative Committee agenda, recycling bins, racial justice programs, lay ministry, strategic planning, promotion of endowment growth, and the David Smith music experience.
For details of the additional programs receiving funding and a copy of the motion passed at annual meeting to make this possible, click here.
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Help prepare for 300th celebration
Does researching or writing about the people and events in our congregation’s past interest you?
Please join us on Sunday at 12:15pm in the History Room as the History Committee works to develop ways to share our rich history with the congregation. In collaboration with the 300th Anniversary Committee, we are helping to plan the celebration of the congregation’s founding in 1720.
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Imagine the Future coming soon
How can we understand our future as a growing church? How does our growth affect worship and our Meeting House? What is the role of social justice in our congregation? During October, we will have an opportunity to share our thoughts about these and other questions as we gather to Imagine the Future, a major initiative of this church year.
The purposes of Imagine the Future are to build community, to better understand one another’s diverse perspectives, and to provide guidance to our church leaders for long-term planning. Led by UU facilitators from outside our church, the workshop is designed to allow open discussion of ideas in a non-judgmental setting, in large and small groups.
Members and friends can choose a convenient time from one of three two-hour sessions offered: Saturday, October 12, 9-11am; Thursday, October 24, 6:30-8:30pm; and Sunday, October 27, 12-2pm.
Online registration is now open by clicking here. Please register early, and no later than one week in advance of your chosen date, so that the planning team can arrange for food and childcare. Questions can be directed to Caroline Mailloux at caroline.mailloux@gmail.com or in person after worship services in the Atrium.
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Rev. Liz reflects on summer, new church year
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The trip to Transylvania. Time with her husband, family, and friends. Heartbreak and joy. Coming back to our beloved community with gratitude for all we are doing.
Rev. Liz shares her thoughts in a reflection, the first in a series by First U staff and leaders. She writes, “Ultimately, it was a summer when love, relationships, and commitment took many forms in many places. So, I don’t know why I’m surprised that those three – love, relationships, and commitment – are again at the forefront of my experience now that we’re beginning our new church year together. Maybe I should’ve expected it. But because I wasn’t, I think I appreciate it even more.”
To read Rev. Liz’s entire reflection, click here. |
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Atrium Bookstore celebrates
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Our own Atrium Bookstore is celebrating its 12th year of operation of the Atrium Bookstore. Payment by credit card is now always available.
You’ll find new titles along with standard favorites. Please stop by to see what we have and tell us what you think we should have but don’t see on the table.
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25 free tickets to 'Funny Man'
 We are invited to the premier staged reading of “Funny Man” by playwright and First U member Rose Pearson. The play, about an actor who fell from stardom but found his way back with the help of his family, runs Thursday, September 26th, and Friday, September 27th, at 7:30pm at the Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell Street, in Providence.
“Be our guest,” says the Writer’s Guild, a nonprofit agency that produces new works. “The church has supported many Writer’s Circle events over the years, and it’s our way of saying thank you.”
Enjoy refreshments and live music before the 7:30 curtain. Parking is free in the Wheeler School lot. No reservations are necessary. Tell the box office lady you are a member of First Unitarian.
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Thanks for First U Times feedback
Thanks to all of you who have given us such positive feedback about the new First U Times. We continue to refine our communication methods, based on research that showed our previous communication methods were not proving effective.
We will continue to create new, effective ways to keep you informed. Meanwhile, don’t miss any Thursday issue. Each contains a wealth of information about what’s going on and what's coming at First U.
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Path to Membership classes begin October 2
If you’re thinking about joining First U or would like to learn more about the church and Unitarian Universalism, the next Path to Membership class is scheduled for Wednesday evenings, October 2, 9, and 16 from 7-9pm.
Offered several times during the year, this three-session course is led by our minister, Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay, Director of Religious Education Cathy Seggel, and Membership Coordinator Jenn Nardone.
Registration forms are available in the Newcomers’ Café and on the Membership Board in the Parish House hallway. Childcare will be provided if requested in advance.
If you are interested in this class but unable to attend the Wednesday evening sessions, please let Jenn know for future planning. For questions or more information, feel free to contact Jenn by email at mem@firstunitarianprov.org or by phone at the church office, 401-421-7970. On Sundays, you can find Jenn in the Newcomers’ Café, the parlor next to the kitchen in the Parish House.
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Thursday, September 19
Sanctuary Coalition – 7pm
Friday, September 20
“Relics” peace art opening reception – 5pm
Parish House Potluck – 6pm
Sunday, September 22
Worship service – 10:30pm
Chalice Circle sampler – 12:15pm
History Committee – 12:15pm
Ruth Arellana memorial service – 3pm
Campus UUs – 5pm
Prostate cancer support group – 7pm
(note: we are now receiving email alerts of Providence events which may affect travel to First U. As of press time, no events are scheduled for Sunday)
Monday, September 23
Zendo – 7pm
Harry Potter – 7:15pm
Tuesday, September 24
Reimagining Religion – 7pm
Wednesday, September 25
Side with Love – 7pm
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Every Tuesday at noon
Deadline for submitting materials for each Thursday's First U Times is noon on Tuesday at the latest. Even earlier is better. Submit your article and photo or graphic to Nancy Forsstrom at admin@firstunitarianprov.org.
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Women's Alliance – Monday, October 7
Spirit in Life – October 9
Mindful Grieving – October 13
UU Men’s Group – October 13
David Smith music workshops – October 17-20
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