The challenge for the earth is how its most powerful experiment, humanity, will respond to self-destruction. Can humanity’s greatest assets, perseverance, creativity, compassion and vision, among some, save us from ourselves? The theme for February is “perseverance.”
Nominating Committee News
Valentine's Day is coming! Wouldn't it be sweet to nominate yourself, or another church member you would recommend, to serve on First Unitarian Church’s Board of Trustees? Now is your chance!
The Nominating Committee welcomes nominations of church members who would like to serve our church in the following capacities:
three (3) candidates to join the Board of Trustees (3-year terms),
three (3) candidates to join the Nominating Committee (3-year terms)
New Board and Nominating Committee members will be elected by the congregation at our Annual Meeting on May 19.
Please come to our Board Leadership Smorgasbord event after the worship service on February 11 to hear from current Board and Nominating Committee members and consider whether you, or someone you have gotten to know here at First Unitarian, might be interested in these opportunities to be involved in our Beloved Community.
The deadline for nominations is February 25.
For more information, or to nominate candidates, please contact Sue Oerkvitz (oerkvitz@verizon.net).
Religious Education News
What’s Happening in First UU Religious Education (RE)?
On Sunday mornings, you will find our preK/K children and 1st-3rd graders engaged in Spirit Play, a Montessori-inspired, hands-on exploration of our Unitarian Universalist values and stories.
1st-3rd graders have been delving into stories of our universe this January and will be exposed to different interpretations of prayer and houses of worship in February.
Our 4th-6th graders are using role play to think through the Building a Better World curriculum. They are exploring questions like “What is Your Power?” “Who Wants to Live Forever?” “How Much Do You Have?” and “Where Are We from?” This curriculum is appropriate for 7th-8th graders also and they are warmly welcome! (*See below!)
On Sunday evenings, our 9th-10th graders are learning about other faiths through the Building Bridges curriculum. This month will bring a visit to a local Hindu temple.
*Are YOU someone who loves hanging out with and hearing from early teens? Would YOU be someone inspired to guide these young adolescents to think about their place in the world and the impact of their decision making with an established curriculum? We've got a great group of 7th-8th graders who could use a Sunday morning adult in their lives for this spring! Contact cathylanerohrer@gmail.com for more information!
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Women's Alliance
Our Congregation and Us - Getting to Know Both Thursday, February 1
10:30 AM
Schweitzer Room and on Zoom
Did you know that WA includes and welcomes women who are not First UU members? We also have church members who joined a few months ago, and members who have been here for decades.
It's no secret that Women's Alliance is an integral part of the church. We support each other and help the church in a variety of ways. We invite you to share church activities that you participate in, or have participated in. This will help us all to get a fuller view of each other, and of the church.
Depending on how many people are there, and I hope we’ll has the great turnout of our January Billy Porter discussion, our time may be limited. We might ask you to speak for only two minutes.
If you don’t regularly receive Women’s Alliance emails, please ask for the Zoom link by contacting Denice Galpern (dgalpern47@gmail. com) or Mary Schinhofen (mary@schonhofen.net).
Some Black Humanists in Africa and America
February 6
7:30 PM
Join us in learning that not all African Americans follow the traditional black churches, and not all modern Africans adhere to the religions either of their ancestors or their colonizers. We will discuss three prominent African American thinkers, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, and Bayard Ruston, and an African born in the 20th century, Tai Solarin, all of whom became well known Humanists. And all paid a price for their beliefs.
March on Harrisburg
Tuesday, February 6
March on Harrisburg (www.mohpa.org), is holding a rally in Harrisburg to continue pressure on the General Assembly to pass the Gift Ban bill, HB 484, in this session and not let it die once again as they have been doing for at least the past six years. Some of our legislators are embarrassed that PA is one of only 3 states in the union that allows completely unrestricted gifts of money to our PA legislators. The other half LIKE receiving these gifts. So in addition to the partisan rancor that contaminates our democracy, this unlimited gifting adds to the inability of our state legislature to pass meaningful legislation, such as controls on fracking, on reproductive rights issues, on criminal justice reform, you name it!
Sewing Circle 10:30AM
Thursday February 8
Stunden Studios, Point Breeze
Please join us at the Sewing Circle on Thursday, February 8 to make pillow cases for Children't Hospital. We gather at 10:30 at Stunden Studios in Point Breeze. We are aiming to have 100 pillow cases to deliver by the end of July and we are making progress.
Experienced sewers can make two pillow cases in three hours, so five of us can make a big dent in our goal. If you took material home to make pillow cases, please bring the cases back on the 8th, or drop Annie Stunden a note to tell her what you still have. You need to bring pins and a small pair of scissors with youl to work on pillow cases at the Studio. All other materials (including sewing machines) are at the Studio for you to work with. If you have not been to Stunden Studios before and would like to work on this project, give Annie a call or text her and she will give you more information (412-992-1313). We have fun while we do this work. Join us!!
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 atfirstuupghombudsman@gmail.com
