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April 22, 2021
 
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This Sunday at First Unitarian Church

April 25, 2021
Who’s Behind the Mask?

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

Hello!  Nice to meet you!  Who are you?  Who am I?  Can we take off our masks?  Taking off our real masks may not be an option, but what about our metaphorical masks? We will do the best we can in this time of a pandemic while we invite trust in a new relationship. 
 Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker

Our Candidate for Settled Minister at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 
Rev. Dr. Kate Walker

The Ministerial Search Committee is thrilled and excited to present Rev. Dr. Kate Walker as our Candidate for Settled Minister at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. We know that you would love to get to know her, so please go to her website: https://www.revkatewalker.com/
The Committee invites you to Candidating Week: April 24th - May 2nd. The details and itinerary are being finalized.
Your Ministerial Search Committee:
Christine Beregi – Arranger
Mary Denison – Congregational Survey and Process Observer
David Doorley – Website
Brian Junker – Chairperson
Peggy Parsons – Documents Packet
James L. Reitz – Treasurer
Michael Safran – Communication
Please send questions or comments to 
search@first-unitarian-pgh.org

The Board of Trustees reached the following decision
 Based on current local epidemiological data and with regard to our denominational values of equity, inclusivity, accessibility, interdependence, and care for the vulnerable, all church-sanctioned meetings during candidating week will be virtual.

 
NEWSLETTER NEWS
Notice of Special Congregational Meeting

Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 2, to vote on calling the Rev. Dr. Kate Walker as our new settled minister.

Voting will be by anonymous electronic ballot. We need at least 107 members (40% of all members) to submit an electronic ballot, either personally or by an authorized proxy, or an absentee ballot. An affirmative vote by 90% of those voting is required to call a minister.

Please see below for additional information about voting procedures.

About Rev. Kate
Our candidate for settled ministry at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, the Rev. Dr. Kate Walker, currently serves as senior minister at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. She previously served as senior minister at the UU Church of Meadville, PA.

For Rev. Kate, worship is comprised of small and large moments tied together with bonds of joy, sorrow, lament, and most of all love; and pastoral care is the heart and soul of her ministry.
Rev. Kate has co-authored an adult curriculum, Facing Death with Life, which is available on the UUA website. Her doctoral dissertation is on faith formation of UU youth and young adults. She currently serves as a UUA Advocate, a UUA Transitions Coach, and with the UUMA Ministerial Conference at Berry Street. She has also been active with her congregations in the larger community in social justice and anti-oppression work.

Learn more about Rev. Kate on her website

Voting Procedures
We will vote using the Election Buddy electronic voting system (which we have used twice in the past). Ballots in Election Buddy are secret. The system reports who voted and vote totals, but not how any individual voted.

For those who wish to vote but cannot attend the Special Congregational Meeting, electronic voting will open at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 2. You will receive instructions for submitting your electronic ballot by email shortly before 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 2.

If you don’t want to vote electronically:
• You may vote by absentee ballot, or
• You may authorize another member of the church to vote on your behalf as your proxy representative.
• Absentee ballots must be received at the church office (by postal mail or hand delivery) by Friday, April 30.
• Completed proxy authorization forms must be submitted to the Board Secretary (by postal mail or email) by Friday, April 30.

Please contact Board Secretary Eleanor Mayfield (elmayfield@verizon.net; 412-422-1406) to request an absentee ballot or proxy authorization form.

Annual Congregational Meeting
The First Unitarian Church Annual Congregational Meeting will occur on Sunday, May 23, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please make sure that this important event is on your calendar!

Important business to be conducted at the meeting will include
• Electing three new members each to the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee, and
• Approving two amendments to the church Bylaws.

Voting during the meeting will be by anonymous electronic ballot. Members who are unable to participate in the meeting via Zoom or do not wish to vote electronically using a link sent to their email address will have the option to vote by absentee ballot or by appointing a proxy to represent them. We need at least 67 members (25% of all members) to vote.

Questions? Please contact Board President Scott Smith or Board Secretary Eleanor Mayfield elmayfield@verizon.net.

General Assembly June 23-27 - Delegates Sought!

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 by May 8 with your full name, email address, phone number, and a few words about why you wish to be a delegate. The Board will decide delegates at the May 19 meeting.

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.

SERVE
 Important Primary on May 18th.

Thanks to PIIN (PA Interfaith Impact Network) congregations and dozens of other community organizations, the May 18th Primary Ballot includes two criminal justice initiatives.

Click on these links to learn more:
1.
End abuse of solitary confinement in the Allegheny County Jail
2.Ban no-knock warrants in the City of Pittsburgh.

Do you want to work to pass the criminal justice initiatives?
PIIN is planning a Day of Action: Sunday, April 25 from 1-3 PM Register here

· Canvass: Meet Alliance for Police Accountability (APA) organizers at Pittsburgh Mennonite Church parking lot at 1 pm (2018 South Braddock, Swissvale, PA 15218)
· Phone Bank: When you register, you will receive a Zoom link and training and support from APA organizers.
· Text Bank: When you register, you will receive a Zoom link and training and support from APA organizers.

Can’t make it on April 25? – sign up here for another date to canvass, phone, or text bank with APA: https://bit.ly/GOTVvolunteerAPA
Or just talk to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues and urge them to vote for criminal justice reform on May 18!

Important Primary Dates and Information to remember:
· If you are registered as an Independent, you can vote on the ballot questions but not for candidates. Four State-wide questions are on the ballot also. 
· Last day to register to vote: May 3, 2021.
· Request a mail-in or absentee ballot as soon as possible. Your completed application must be received in the county office by 5:00 PM on 05/11/2021. The deadline to return your voted absentee or mail-in ballot is 8:00 PM on 05/18/2021.

UU Justice PA
UUJUSTICE ANNUAL MEETING-April 23-24

The Annual Business Meeting will precede a performance by Pat Jordan as Rachel Carson for this Year’s Annual Meeting Friday Night Entertainment!

If you are not attending our Annual Meeting, the Zoom link will open for entertainment 10 minutes before the start of the show that will begin promptly at 7:45 pm. You must register for this event. Attendance at other parts of the Annual Meeting is not required, but all sessions are open to the public.

And, it does look interesting, doesn’t it? Particularly Saturday afternoon. The complete agenda is posted on our website: Check out what's happening and register for the entire meeting as well as the Friday evening's entertainment at www.uujusticepa.org.

Action items From the Reproductive Justice Team: The right to choose is an enormous decision and responsibility in so many ways. It can influence a woman’s physical and mental health, the emotional health of her family, and important community connections. As U Us, we seek justice for all. We believe no one has the right to judge or regulate a woman’s choice. The choice is between them, their family and their doctor. Join with the UUJusticePA Reproductive Justice Team in protecting all PA women and their right to choose. Current legislation of interest includes two bills the team does not support:

HB 118 Referred to HEALTH, Jan. 11, 2021 [House] "Unborn Child Dignity Legislation"

We are people who want all mothers to have a meaningful birth experience. Sometimes there are problems, and when they occur, we want them to be able to reduce the trauma that naturally arises.

Opportunities To Help 

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 to Tony Rutigliano (arutigl@comcast.net) on behalf of the Serve Council. 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!


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
Rev. Connie Grant: constance.l.grant@gmail.com Phone: 847-840-8542 (Church Office: 412-621-8008)
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INSPIRE
Upcoming Worship Services

 May 2, 2021

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

May the Circle be Broken   
Description: Who is invited in matters, as it should and must.  But into what are we inviting people?  Radical hospitality is not just a practice; it’s a world view that, for some, may require a paradigm shift.  If we’re going to envision a new world view together, we need to accept some things need to be broken before the healing can begin.
Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker

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LEARN 

Adult Religious Education
New Virtual Course: Building Your Own Theology
Tuesdays, 7 pm, starting May 18th.  10 Sessions.

Based on the assumption that everyone is their own theologian, this classic UU adult education program invites participants to develop their own personal credos, the fundamental religious beliefs, values, and convictions that inform and direct their lives. Gilbert Poses five developmental tasks in which participants come to terms with human nature, ultimate reality, history, ethics, and religious meaning. Begins with an introduction to our seven UU principles. Ten Sessions.
Lifespan Religious Education Director Erica Shadowsong will facilitate this course that will give you an opportunity to explore, discuss, and articulate your religious beliefs.  Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or not, this course will develop and strengthen your sense of spiritual grounding within this dynamic faith.  This will be a virtual class on Zoom.  Please let me know of your interest by emailing me at 
eshadowsong@first-unitarian-pgh.org.  We will choose times and dates based on participants' availability.   

Young Adults Religious Education 
Young Adults Small Group     
Weekly Meetings on Zoom
Please join us for our weekly meeting at 7 pm on Wednesdays, where we explore spiritual practice in our everyday lives.  Interested in joining us?  Email Erica at 
eshadowsong@first-unitarian-pgh.org 

Children and Youth Religious Education 
UUA Wide Virtual Easter Egg Hunt - Ongoing till April 30th!
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CONNECT 
Church Connection Opportunities 
 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 Rev. Connie Grant at Constance.L.Grant@gmail.com.
Community Connection Opportunities 
Central East Region's BIPOC gathering
If you identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC), you're invited to join us for the Central East Region's BIPOC gathering happening on two Mondays of the month at 6:30 pm ET. In our gatherings, we are joined by lay folks of color, lay leaders of color, and/or religious professionals of color to be in the community. Our conversations focus on topics like wellness and resilience and our goal is to center BIPOC experiences and create space to explore our UU experiences. Please email Sana Saeed, ssaeed@uua.org, or Paula Cole Jones pcolejones@gmail.com for zoom information. 
Dates for Spring Gatherings:  Apr 26, May 10 & 24, and June 14 & 28.

Beth Casebolt : she/her/hers  CER Communications Consultant and Operations Manager  740-232-9048 Schedule a phone or zoom meeting at calendly.com/bcasebolt
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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

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