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Some device formats will shorten this email, and this is beyond our control. Be sure to click on "View Entire Message" at the bottom to see all of this week's news and updates.
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'Easter People in a Friday World'
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Even though our church buildings are closed, you can tune into this week’s First U Easter Sunday Morning Online at 10:30 by clicking here and then click on "play all."
Rev. Liz, Rev. Roger, DRE Cathy, and musicians Fred and Kristi each share brief Easter videos through YouTube. Feel free to light your own candle as we gather virtually.
The theme for Sunday is "Easter People in a Friday World."
If you would like to add a joy or sorrow to First U's virtual Joys & Sorrows book for Rev. Roger to read on his Sunday morning video, please submit it no later than 12 noon Saturday by clicking here, or you can call him at 401-965-1212.
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Don't forget to record your Easter video "Hello" message on your device and send it to Rev. Roger by clicking here. We want to see as many First U faces as possible!
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First U virtual coffee hour
 Children, youth, and adults are all welcome! This week at virtual coffee hour, show us a flower. Pick one, draw one, or find a picture of one to hold up. We are looking forward to being with you at 11am.
Liz Lerner Maclay is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: First U Coffee hour
Time: Apr 12, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/678114447?pwd=YjhZSEFSNkxvcU5kZlhrVXYvSnBSdz09
Meeting ID: 678 114 447
Password: 002841
Dial by your location:
Find your local number: https://uuma.zoom.us/u/acXfvrcex4
* Please know we are using safe Zoom practices. If there is a disruption, we will close the meeting.
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Easter hymn sing at 4pm
 Join Boston's Revels on Easter Sunday at 4pm for a Facebook Live streaming concert and hymn sing featuring David Coffin with our own Fred Jodry at the organ.
David's love of hymn sings came from growing up the son of Rev. William Sloan Coffin, senior minister of the Riverside Church in NYC. To join the live hymn sing and concert on Sunday at 4pm, click here.
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Easter messages with Partner Church
Rev. Liz recently wrote an Easter message to our Partner Church in Transylvania. Rev. Kelemen of our Partner Church in turn wrote an Easter message to our First U congregation.
Also of interest, Rev. Kelemen sent a second message describing how the people of Szentegyhaza are preparing for the arrival of Covid-19 and how the pandemic has already impacted their Unitarian church and town. You can read all three messages on our church website by clicking here.
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Bach at First U
 For the next four Wednesdays at noon beginning April 15th, Music Director Fred Jodry will present 45-minute lecture demos on Bach's organ works. He will also explain the mechanics of the First U organ.
Go to the First Unitarian Facebook page by clicking here, where you can follow live and write questions and comments. Or watch it later if you can't be there at noon. Don't miss this opportunity to join Fred and Johann for these special Wednesday events.
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Wednesday at 4pm: First U Tea
 Rev. Roger and our Membership Coordinator Jenn Nardone hope you will take advantage of a fun opportunity for us to be together via Zoom.
Join us Wednesdays at 4pm as we share in the gladness that we have our beloved community to hold each other in safety and care. Come enjoy some interesting conversation and every moment of joy we can find. All are welcome.
Make a hot cup of your favorite herbal tea, grab a small pastry, find a comfortable seat, and come enjoy a relaxing afternoon break. To join the tea, click on this link:
https://zoom.us/j/5340079573
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An invitation to First U women
 The women of First U are cordially invited to join the women of our partner church in Transylvania on a Facebook Group called Unitarian Women of Providence and Szentegyhaza.
The purpose is to get to know each other and to share information about our meetings and activities. While this is an Alliance initiative, any woman in our congregation may join.
You must have a Facebook account to participate. If you would like to join, please send your Facebook name to Nori Duncan (click here), or message her on Facebook (Norine Duncan) to receive an invitation.
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Book discussions on Zoom
 DRE Cathy will lead a discussion on the UUA Common Read this Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 pm. Click here to contact her so you can receive the Zoom invitation.
And Rev. Liz is hosting a Book Club on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, starting April 23. The first book is My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. Click here to sign up so you can receive the materials.
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First U on Facebook
 Don't forget that you can connect with friends from First U in our Facebook group. We have an open Facebook page for sharing news.
In addition, we have a private group, where First U members can share with each other. If you are on Facebook, contact Jenn Nardone (click here), and she can send you an invitation to the group.
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From the Nominating Committee
 While our physical campus is shut down, the work of the church continues. Staff are working remotely, PruComm is meeting on Zoom, and church committees and small group ministries are getting together virtually and continuing their work together. It has been a steep learning curve, but we are improving our communication efforts everyday.
If you are looking for ways to give to the church, please consider volunteering your time to some of the church’s elected committees: Prudential Committee, Board of Deacons, and Nominating Committee.
If you would like to serve in this way, please contact Merritt Meyer by clicking here or Ann Boyd by clicking here. They would love to hear from you.
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Community Collections
 Applications for next year's Community Collections are available now through April. This year, members and friends of First U have already contributed over $9000 to non-profit organizations in RI that support the issues important to our congregation.
Five collections are open each year. Applications must be supported by a First U committee or three members of the church. Click here to access the application.
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Many thanks
 Thank you to all those who donated cleaning products, personal hygiene products, or cash to buy these products to the Emmanuel House Shelter. Guests and staff were very appreciative when these gifts were dropped off. It was the only shelter in the state that had not yet had a guest with the Coronavirus!
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Tuesday noon deadline for Times
Deadline for submitting materials for each Thursday's First U Times is noon on Tuesday at the latest. Much earlier is better. To submit your article and photo or graphic to Nancy Forsstrom, click here.
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