June 13, 2021

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25) 

“Praises for the Journey”

One of my favorite hymns—may be my very favorite—is “Sing Out Praises for the Journey.”  As the lyrics remind us, we stand upon a threshold, facing futures yet unknown.  Some thoughts about life journeys and the journeys that have brought us together, as we go our own ways.

Homily by Rev. Connie Grant.  Music by Ellen Gozion, Instrumental Music Director.  Stephanie Pawlowski, liturgist.

If you would like to attend a Board meeting as an observer, please contact Board Secretary Eleanor Mayfield (elmayfield@verizon.net), who will arrange for you to receive the Zoom link to join the meeting.

If you have an issue that you would like to speak about at a Board meeting, please send your request to the Board Secretary along with a brief explanation of the issue you would like to bring to the Board’s attention.

Got a question for Rev. Kate?
Some information you think she might need from your group? Please contact a member of the Transition Support Task Force with your concern.

As you might guess, the purpose of the Transition Support Task Force is to assist Rev. Kate with any matter related to her transition to our church. The task force also serves as a conduit for questions and information for Rev. Kate from the broader church community. Since Rev. Kate will be extremely busy this summer winding up her ministry in Virginia and making the move to Pittsburgh, it's important that she relies on a small, centralized group of people for assistance and does not have to respond to individual inquiries.

The Transition Support Task Force members are Mary Denison, Julie Downs, Stephanie Pawlowski, and Jim Reitz. Rev. Connie will also provide transition assistance to Rev. Kate. Their contact information is in Breeze, the church directory.

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through the democratic process. Anyone may attend. To represent the congregation as a voting delegate at the GA business meetings requires approval by the church’s Board of Trustees. If you are interested in serving as one of our six delegates, please email Eleanor Mayfield at elmayfield@verizon.net.

This year’s theme is “Circle 'Round for Justice ● Healing ● Courage.” Sessions will include the basis of our theological roots, ideas about how to transform our faith, and inspiration for taking action in the world. A variety of workshops and special events will provide registrants with tools to live into our mission and continue the work of our faith—both within UU congregations and in the greater world. More information about workshops and other special events is here: https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/registrants.

For the second year, GA will be 100% virtual. The cost of registration is $200. Information about financial support for attending GA is available here: https://www.uua.org/ga/registration/financialaid/scholarships

All GA registrants have access to the GA Virtual Participation Portal, which combines multiple participant engagement modes that include chat, Q&A, and polling. Registrants can watch and ask questions in live sessions, including workshops and business sessions. Delegates can also propose amendments in the live business sessions, participate in debates, and vote in general sessions. More information about the role of delegates is available here: https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/registrants/delegates.

The UUs of Greater Pittsburgh Present

“8th Principle Conversations” Rev. Sunshine Wolfe, Keynote Speaker June 12, 2021 10a – 12p on Zoom

Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse, multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.

We warmly welcome you to join us for a morning of learning and conversation around the UUA's proposed 8th Principle. Our keynote speaker, Rev. Sunshine J. Wolfe, UUA Central East Region Congregational Life Staff, will share the history leading up to its creation and its importance for living our UU values and committing to dismantling racism and white supremacy in our congregations and society at large. Cluster congregations that have adopted the 8th Principle will have a few moments to share their journeys. Time is allocated for reflection and discussion in break-out rooms. BI-POC rooms will be available.

The first UUA-wide vote on adopting the 8th principle will be at 2023's UUA General Assembly in Pittsburgh. Let’s be a collective and informed voice in the conversation at that historic event!

There is no charge for this event, but registration in advance would be greatly appreciated

Register Now

Women's Alliance Update
This summer June, July, and August and we will meet by Zoom on the first Thursdays of each month to socialize. We hope to meet in person and outdoors on August 5th. Currently, we are researching locations.

Women’s Alliance meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month from September through May. Since March 2020, we have met by Zoom. We have a business meeting at 10:30 a.m., and a unique program of guest speakers from 11:00 a.m.— 12 p.m. on the first Thursday. On the third Thursday, after a business meeting, we check in with one another with a specific theme.

All are welcome! Contact Alice Carnes, co-chair, alice.carnes51@yahoo.com, or Alice Bright Membership Chair ab03@andrew.cmu.edu to include you on our group email list. Information about Women Alliance meetings is shared on our group email list and includes the Zoom meeting invitation.

Are you a member or friend of First Unitarian who needs practical help with getting vaccinated, or do you have questions about the vaccines? If so, please let the Re-opening Implementation Working Group know by emailing us at reopening@first-unitarian-pgh.org. Tell us what your problem or concern is. We’ll do our best to match you up with a fellow church member or friend who can help.

On the other hand, are you fully vaccinated and willing to help another church member or friend who’s facing barriers to getting vaccinated? If so, please let us know who you are and what kind of help you can offer. Email us at reopening@first-unitarian-pgh.org

Sharing the Plate!
Is there an organization you’d like to nominate to be the recipient of our third-Sunday Share the Plate offering? Please use this form to submit your nomination. The following information is needed:
Name of organization, Website address, or other sources of information, Is this a 501 (c) (3) organization (required)? What is your involvement with this organization? Why do you consider this an appropriate recipient for our Share the Plate offering? Preferred month (if any).

Helping Each Other
During these trying times, members of the church may occasionally need a helping hand. The Pastoral Care Team asks you to identify ways you may be able to assist. We expect you would be called only a few times during the year. Please contact a member of the team if you are able to help. 
You’ll be asked to indicate which of these you may be able to help with from time to time:
□ Transportation   □ Providing a meal for an individual or family   □ Shopping
In the event of a need in the congregation, you may be contacted to see whether you are available to help at that time. Your help will be appreciated!

June 20, 2021

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25) 

“The Light Within Us”

On the longest day of the year, we celebrate the presence of the sun, that keeps us alive.  Similarly, we celebrate the divine light within ourselves that guides us, comforts us, and keeps us engaged with life, during the high and low times.  Like the earth, we will draw on the sun's light to fill us, so that we may draw on it as it goes further away in the colder months.

Homily by Erica Shadowsong, Director of Lifespan Religious Education. Liturgist Alice Carnes. Music by Ellen Gozion, Director of Instrumental Music. The Dance Choir joins us by video.

June 27, 2021

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25) 

LGBTQIA+ Pride

Homily by Bekezela Mguni, guest speaker.  Music by Kris Rust, Vocal Music Director. 

Bekezela Mguni is a queer Trinidadian artist, radical librarian, community organizer, and educator. She holds an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh. Bekezela is a Boom Concepts studio member, a community space and gallery dedicated to the development of artists and creative entrepreneurs. She is currently an artist in residence at Artist Image Resource, focusing on screen printing, collage, and experimental design. Bekezela also serves as the Education Program Director at Dreams of Hope, which affirms the voices and leadership of LGBTQ youth through the arts.