First Unitarian Church Weekly Newsletter

January 6, 2022

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INSPIRE LEARN CONNECT SERVE

This Sunday at First Unitarian Church

"Environmental Justice"
Rev. Dr. Kate Walker
Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25)

The intersection of the climate crisis and racial justice are clashing in painful and horrific outcomes all around the world. What can First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh do to mitigate the harm? What would a year of congregation-wide study and action look like?

NEWSLETTER NEWS

Reopening for In-Person Worship

At the December meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to give me discretion on when to reopen for in-person worship services. I deeply appreciate the trust of the board and the Reopening Implementation Working Group. They have successfully used their collective wisdom and expertise over the past many months to help ensure the safety of all members and friends. They have done an extraordinary job of careful research and reflection.

Moving forward, they laid the ground work for the safety precautions that must be in place in order to help mitigate the spread of Coronavirus in our community.

Safety precautions are: 

1. All attendees must: 

Provide proof of full vaccination, either upon each entry to the church, or by electing to have their vaccination status stored by the church;    
Booster shots and/or 3rd doses are strongly encouraged, but not required to satisfy full vaccination status 
Provide information for contact tracing, either verified by name through Breeze or upon entry into the church; and 
Wear masks that fully cover both mouth and nose.

2. Church seating must support social distancing. The front pews are reserved for participants in the service. 

3. The church’s HVAC/ventilation system must be on during church services in the sanctuary. 

4. Singing by congregants will not be allowed until explicitly approved by the Board of Trustees. 

The question before me is when can we safely implement these precautions, while maintaining quality worship for those attending in person and for those viewing on YouTube?

In consideration of the current high infection rates, including break through infections for those who are already vaccinated, I do not think this is the time for a full reopening. I’m hoping we can reopen in March. By then, hopefully we will have some, if not all, of the technical equipment permanently in place. The current set-up is essentially a broadcast studio, not ideal for in-person attendance.

I’m also keenly aware that some of you are really suffering, and a delayed reopening may be too hard to bear. By March it will be two years of isolation, loneliness and anxiety. Being able to worship in person can make a big difference for emotional and spiritual health (which impact physical health). Starting this Sunday, January 9, I would like to invite a limited number to worship in person. Here are the parameters:

No more than 30 people
Everyone must follow the safety precautions listed above
I leave it to you to self-identify on your need to be in person
Please recognize, this will not feel like “normal.” Cameras and microphones are carefully placed around the sanctuary. Unless you have a personal device, you will not be able to see any videos we are showing, but you can hear them on the house speakers.
If you are medically compromised, in your decision making, please consider the church’s ventilation system is limited. While the sanctuary's ventilation (0.35 air changes per hour) meets the minimum building code standard for pre-covid, low-occupancy residential spaces, it is not effective for reducing viral transmission for higher occupancy (this would be a minimum of 4 air changes per hour).  This information may be important to you in deciding whether to attend events in the sanctuary, particularly if you are medically vulnerable.  We are working to find solutions for this issue.
Please seriously consider wearing a KN95 mask rather than a cotton one. KN95, or comparable, are significantly more effective in protection.

If you decide you want to join us on Sunday, we will welcome you with a smile and an “air” hug, but you must email me with a photo of your vaccination card kwalker@first-unitarian-pgh.org. If I get more than 30 reservations, I’ll take the first 30, and then begin to rotate requests on the following weeks. If I receive less than 30 reservations, I’ll open the door on Sunday to those without reservations, who must also follow protocol.

I know many of you have questions that I have not addressed, I’ll do my best to respond in a timely fashion, email me kwalker@first-unitarian-pgh.org, or call 412-621-8008, ext. 101.

Thank you for your patience while we all figure out how to manage what appears to be a long-term pandemic with many changing variables.

With faith and love, Rev. Kate

New Ministry Start-Up Retreat January 8

Please mark your calendar for our New Ministry Start-Up Retreat to be held via zoom on Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. This afternoon session, led by Reverend Sunshine Wolfe from the UUA, will provide an exciting opportunity for us to plan for how our congregation, leadership, staff, and senior minister will work together to "start well" and assure a successful ministry. Your participation and input is critical as we come together and look to the future. Stay tuned for more information!

Save the Date!
Installation of Rev. Dr. Kate Walker,
Sunday May 15, 2022 at 3 PM

We're looking for help to host this grand event! Please email kwalker@first-unitarian-pgh.org if you’re able to lend some organizational skill and time.

INSPIRE

Themes and Conversations

Starting this month, I’m offering a deeper reflection on a featured theme for each month, September through May. Many Unitarian Universalist Congregations offer this as a way to invite deeper reflection on important life questions and issues. I’ll explore theological implications, and how the theme interacts with our UU Principles and Purposes, I’ll raise the theme in my sermons and weekly reflections, and offer resources for further education and contemplation.

The Themes for January-May 2022:

January: Intersectionality

February: Identity

March: Abundance and Inequality

April: Earth

May: Devotion

The intersection of justice, the climate and systemic racism can be overwhelming and daunting. Yet, there are many ways that this religious community can help mitigate the impact and untangle this web of destruction. We are holding two community conversations about how to understand and frame this intersection, and what work we are inspired to do. Both follow worship services focusing on environmental justice (January 9), with the second (January 16), more specifically focusing on the Unitarian Universalist Association proposed 8th Principle.

The first conversation, "Environmental Justice":

Sunday, January 9, 1 – 2:15 p.m. hosted by Rev. Kate Walker and Rev. Stephanie Gannon

And the second conversation: “Theory and Reality of Racism” 

Sunday, January 16, 1-2:15 p.m. Hosted by Rev. Walker

The Unitarian Universalist Association and the 8th Principle

Zoom links for the conversations will be included with the Order of Service emails. If you aren't on the Order of Service email list, and would like to be, please email me at kwalker@first-unitarian-pgh.org

.
Love, Rev. Kate

UPCOMING SERVICES

January 17
Theory and Reality of Racism
Rev. Dr. Kate Walker

Unitarian Universalists are being invited to add an Principle to the current 7 Principles guiding our Association. This proposed Principle, about dismantling white supremacy, is raising the bar on expectations for action and accountability. Are we ready for a challenging public statement about racism?

January 23
We're in This Together
Rev. Dr. Kate Walker & Rev. Sunshine Wolfe

Reverends Walker and Wolfe look at how to start and sustain a healthy ministry in the 21st century. What challenges do we face, and what vision inspires us

CONNECT

Humanist Group Meeting

"Promises and Perils of Artificial Intelligence"
Tuesday, February 1 at 7 pm on Zoom
Presented by
Illah Nourbakhsh
K&L Gates Professor of Ethics and Computational Techniques
School of Computer Science, CMU
and
Dr. Jennifer Keating
Senior Lecturer Department of English &
Writing in the Disciplines Specialist
at the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences Writing Institute, University of Pittsburgh

Our presenters are the authors of “AI and Humanity”, MIT Press, 2021, an examination of the implications for society of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence systems, combining a humanities perspective with technical analysis: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/ai-and-humanitys.
The January meeting, "Some Early 20th Century Unitarian Humanists", has been rescheduled for next week,Tuesday, January 11 at 7PM via zoom. Contact Stewart Hastings at s ph@pitt.edu for the links to either or both programs.

Videos of our previous programs and an introduction to humanism: https://pitt-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/sph_pitt_edu/EoVt_Bwm5vJJq5_EMctvqjIB_axA8r-Y3x2ePXV2GHoonQ

Racial Justice Task Force

Racial Justice Task Force Meetings

The First Unitarian Racial Justice Task Force meets on the third Sunday of every month from 3:00 - 5:00 pm ET via Zoom. If you have any questions about the Task Force or would like to get involved, please email Sonia Wellington at sonia.wellington@gmail.com. And please stay tuned for more information on our upcoming book club, movie nights, and much, much more.

Covenant Groups

Covenant group Opportunities

Consider joining or creating a virtual covenant group.
If you are interested in joining or creating a new covenant group, you can complete a Covenant Group interest form or contact Alice Bright: ab03@andrew.cmu.edu.

If your group wants to set up meetings using the church account, please contact Cicely Moultrie: cmoultrie@First-Unitarian-pgh.org

SERVE

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral Care Team Contact Information:
Christine Beregi: cberegi1@verizon.net Phone: 412-992-1888
Jan Carlino: jancarlino807@gmail.com Phone: 412-727-0200
Julie Childers: julie36pa@gmail.com Phone: 412-726-3590
Jim Cunningham: cunni@comcast.net Phone: 412-256-0205 (Co-Chair)
Kathy Miller: kathymillerotter@gmail.com Phone: 412-639-8012 (Co-Chair)
Bob Sullivan: r.sullivan13@verizon.net Phone: 412-952-7772
Church Office: 412-621-8008

LEARN

Adult Faith Development

Announcing the 2021-22 UUA Common Read:

Cover image "Defund Fear: Safety without Policing Prisons and Punishment" by Zach Norris

If you are interested in being part of a book discussion group for the UUA Common Read, please sign up on the adult faith development form.

Virtual Workshop for Parents

Family Circles
Will be rescheduled for the New Year! Please sign up if interested in updates.

Based on the practice of restorative circles, religious educator Sheila Schuh passes on how family circles helped her raise her own family and keep communication open in challenging times and schedules. She has taught workshops on family circles in several UU settings and at events such as the Liberal Religious Educators Association fall conference.

Sheila on family circles: "Family circles are one of many kinds of “restorative practices.” Circles of different kinds form a continuum of practices that a community might use in an effort to “restore” or keep the relational connections strong and healthy in a system. These practices may be short or long, simple or complex, and done with few or many, depending on the needs present. Structures for different restorative practices vary and have different levels of circle process and characteristics. When using the term, “restorative justice,” for example, these kinds of practices are used when there has been an offense or action of harm done, and a “restorative circle” or “community conference” is called to promote healing and responsibility."

This workshop is offered as the beginning of a series geared specifically toward parents of children in our congregation. You do not need to be a parent in the religious education program to join, but please just be aware that the intended audience are parents with youth or younger children in the program. There is no cost to attend.

The workshop will be 90 minutes, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. with a break via Zoom. You can RSVP to receive the Zoom link on the adult faith development sign up here: https://forms.gle/5dfWnCtK19kRDosb8

Religious Education for Children & Middle School Youth

Contact Erica Shadowsong for more information.
eshadowsong@first-unitarian-pgh.org

Chalice Weekly Newsletter Deadline and Information

The deadline for submissions for the Chalice Weekly Newsletter is Tuesday for the week’s Thursday publication. Please submit your items through the church website at https://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/blog/submit-an-article/

The “Chalice Weekly Newsletter” is organized around the four areas of our mission, with each of the areas featured on a rotating basis:

Inspire (first week of the month, with the month’s Sunday service topics, minister’s column, and news from the Inspire Council)

Learn (second week of the month, with lifespan religious education news, religious educator’s column, and news from the Learn Council)

Connect (third week of the month, with news about connections-related activities such as Covenant Groups, and other news from the Connections Council)

Serve (fourth week of the month, with news about social justice and service-related activities such as Green Sanctuary and Habitat for Humanity, and other news from the Serve Council)

Information about upcoming events will be included on a timely basis, ideally beginning three weeks or more before the event. If you have questions, please contact Cicely Moultrie, Communications Coordinator, at cmoultrie@first-unitarian-pgh.org.

OMBUDSMAN

Need an answer to a question and don’t know who to ask? Want to pass along some feedback and not sure who to contact? Reach out to your Board Ombudsman Ebe Emmons. Ebe will coordinate with staff, committees, and the board to get an answer or pass along feedback. Ebe can be reached at firstuupghombudsman@gmail.com

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First Unitarian Church · 605 Morewood Avenue · Pittsburgh, PA 15213 · USA