Younger generations are calling us to look at and abandon the relentless pursuit of ever upwards, optimistic expectation of human advancement. Instead, we are called to carve out hope amidst the daily struggles with pain and the discovery of joy. This is not a smooth ride! Life brings us bumps, bruises and crashes, along with breathless beauty and extraordinary acts of love. How we manage this journey matters for the future of all. Unitarian Universalists do not have easy answers, but we do have sustaining hope.
The Art Committee Opening
March is Women's History Month, where, across our nation, we commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. This month, we have the fortunate opportunity to view an exhibit that tells us stories of women's work in the Pittsburgh area who have made our community and our country a safer place for women. The exhibit is based on the work of our own Dr. Patricia Ulbrich, historian, archivist, and storyteller who has curated this exhibit, Pittsburgh NOW, A Blueprint for Feminist Action. Pat and her friends are hosting an opening reception in the Undercroft this Sunday, March 3, at 1 pm (following coffee hour). Pat has some surprises for us at this reception, Stay for the reception and learn more about the important work of the women of Pittsburgh as well as work yet to be done.
Pizza Party Social For UU Middle Schoolers Date: Sunday, March 3 @ 5PM-7PM in the Schweitzer Room
The RE Team is hosting a pizza social for the First UU Middle School Youth on Sunday, March 3 from 5PM-7PM. The purpose of this social gathering is to facilitate an opportunity for fellowship and commarderie amongst this age group. We will serve pizza and play games.
News from your Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees met on Feb 21, 2024. The following motions were passed.
· Minutes from the January 17 2024 Board Meeting were approved with edits
· The 2024 annual withdrawal of $39,214.58 from the Endowment Fund (3.5% of rolling 3-year average of fund total) to be deposited into the following accounts was approved:
$26,280 to the General Fund
$650 to the Music Major Repair reserve
$639.33 to the Office New Equipment reserve
$11,645.25 to Extraordinary Building Repair and & Maintenance reserve
· New Job descriptions for the Treasurer and Controller positions were approved
· The following nominees to the various endowment committees were approved
Children and Youth RE Endowment: Sarah Hooper (3 year term)
Music Endowment: Danny Rectenwald (3 year term)
Social Justice Endowment: Sandy Woolley (2 year term, due to a resignation) and Joan Harvey (3 year term)
Campus Ministry Endowment: Michael Safran (3 year term)
News and Updates
THE FIRST CHURCH BOOKSTORE IS BACK!
On Sunday, March 10th, First Church will reopen its bookstore. Location: At the bottom of the stairs at the entrance to the Undercroft. Time: After the Sunday service. Purpose: Edification, community, and delight. Cash or check--we take them both.
Sorry--no credit cards.
Medical Assitance program
Did you knowthat First Unitarian has a loan program for medical assist items? If you, a friend, or a family member has short-term need for crutches, a wheelchair, a walker, or other assistance items, please contact Ioulía at ioulia.k@verizon.net
What's Rev. Nangroi up to? In mid-February, our friend and colleague Rev. Nangroi Suting attended the 124th Annual Conference of the Unitarian Union North East India. He also delivered a sermon.
Although the organization dates back "only" 124, years, we know that The Unitarian movement in the Khasi Hills was started on September 18, 1887 by Hajom Kissor Singh.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Khasi Hills Social Hour Activities in March
As part of Share the Plate Month, the Khasi Hills Team invites you to celebrate our over 20-year partnership. We’ll have a display table in the Undercroft during social hour, plus these special highlights:
REV KATE INDIA VIDEO SHOWING – March 3 in the Schweitzer Room. Stop by to see the 12-minute video and enjoy some India treats, ongoing 11:30-12:30. Just pop in.
SIGN CARDS FOR TEACHERS – March 3 and 10. Share a welcome greeting with newly hired Daemika Marsharing and thank Lamborlang Syiem for his long-time service.
ENJOY LOCAL TEA – March 17. A team member will be brewing and serving the recent gift of organic looseleaf black tea, hand-picked in the state where our school is located.
VIEW INDIGENOUS DANCES – March 24. Team members will be showing a video featuring colorful dances native to the North East India region, some of which our Khasi siblings regularly participate in.
FIRST CHURCH HUMANIST GROUP 3/6/24
WILL YOU COMMIT CRIMES IN THE FUTURE? Courts in the US are adopting Risk Assessment algorithms in various phases of trials and in the execution of sentencing. This algorithm will take in information about someone and then spit out a score meant to represent how likely it is that similar people will commit crimes in the future. How should these algorithms be used, if they should be used at all? What does it take to demonstrate that these algorithms are or are not discriminating on the basis of race, gender, or some other protected class? Justin Shin is a current Ph.D. student in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh. His main interests center around Mathematics and Science in Law. Currently, he is working on causal modeling in discrimination law and the history of conversion therapy." HumanistGroup@first-unitarian-pgh.org.
MEN’S GROUP PROGRAM - March 13, 2024
The Wednesday, March 13th meeting of the Men's group will be from 7:30 to 9:00. It will be an - IN-PERSON meeting in our usual spot, The Priestly Room. Our leader will be Gordon Hargreaves, and we will discuss the topic of Brexit and how it is working. Britain formally left the EU on Jan 31, 2020. Progress has been made in most areas, but new issues have arisen. Come hear a splendid presentation. For more information, contact Jim Reitz, at j5650r@comcast.net
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
