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November 10, 2022
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This Sunday at First Unitarian Church
November 13, 2022   
Livestreamed  at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25)
“How High and When?”
I’ve had my brain and heart turned inside out while learning to work with members of the military, active duty, and retired.  While it was powerful for me, not all UU’s have had this experience, and indeed, historically, UU’s have had a challenging relationship with the military.  How does our faith inform us today about the military members who sit in our worship?  
During the month of November, we will be sharing our weekly offering with a wonderful human rights organization: the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, or UUSC.
UUSC works in the US and internationally, supporting grassroots movements on behalf of people who are confronting unjust power structures and challenging oppressive policies. UUSC's focus, as a smaller human rights organization, is on the needs of people who have been overlooked by larger aid agencies.
During WW2, both Unitarians and Universalists helped people escape Nazi persecution in Europe. Later the 2 U's joined together to form the UU Service Committee. Since then, UUSC has developed a model of "partnering" with organizations in places of crisis, conflict, and oppression. Partnering means being an ally, supporting community leaders, lifting up local initiatives, and centering the voices of the people most affected by injustice.
Donate
How has Unitarian Universalism Changed?
From Rev. Kate
When: Sunday, November 13, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Undercroft Gallery (bring your own lunch and drink) and on Zoom 
Unitarian Universalism has changed and evolved since its merger in 1961, so let’s talk about some of those changes. In anticipation of the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly at the Pittsburgh convention center, June 21-28, 2023, I’m hosting a few periodic bring your own lunch discussions about changes in this church and Unitarian Universalism.

What changes have you noticed? What changes excite you? What changes have you been a part of? What changes are you concerned about? How have the changes impacted First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh? How have the changes impacted you?

(https://zoom.us/j/94386635711?pwd=MGk4cVNpajgxMEFsNXpHcHFzV0U4Zz09)
This weekend at First Unitarian Church
Learn more and register
Pittsburgh UU Cluster Choir A One-Weekend Choral Workshop in conjunction with the Annual Cluster Gathering of UU Pittsburgh First Unitarian Church in Shadyside Saturday, November 12, 10am-3pm Click here to learn more
Come for the Cluster Meeting, stay for the Rupurt Wates and Dan Petrich concert! Click to learn more
NEWSLETTER NEWS

November Board of Trustees Meeting

The Board of Trustees continues to hold its monthly meetings via Zoom. The next meeting is on Wednesday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m. Members and friends of the church are welcome to attend.

If you would like to attend a Board meeting as an observer, please contact Board Secretary Kate Snow (katesnow@katesnow.com) 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.
 

Matilda Theiss Toy Drive 
As has been our tradition for many years, First Unitarian Church is once again proud to be coordinating a toy drive for local children who receive services at the Matilda Theiss Health Center. This year you can participate by taking a tag(s) off the Christmas Trees that will be located in the sanctuary at church from November 13 through December 4, OR you can sign up to donate toys here: 

All gifts should be unwrapped and dropped off at church or at Shelley Ross' house or Heather Masterson's house in the East End (address to be provided after sign up) no later than Sunday, December 4. 

In addition to collecting toys, there will be a Hat & Mitten Tree set up in the Garden Lobby at church. You are welcome to place unwrapped hats and mittens on this tree that will be donated along with the toys.

 
A Message from your LRED

We had a wonderful Sunday on 10/30 with several projects and the spirit of celebration! The Pumpkinfest, our kids' pumpkin decorating project, is back for the first time since 2020! We decorated pumpkins and showed them off in the Undercroft during coffee hour, raising over $180 to give to the East End Cooperative Ministry shelter. Our kids were passionate about helping create a better world and received enthusiastic support from the congregation.  Thank you!

Meanwhile, the 7th - 9th graders built 3 air filters for our classrooms. These air filters are considerably cheaper than the commercial ones, yet just as effective in making our air safer to breathe! They will be making 2 more. Much thanks to the leadership help from Sue Oerkvitz on behalf of the Environmental Justice team, who did the recon for this project.

Please enjoy these pictures from our two neat events, and thank you again for supporting our children and youth as they take action to live their values!

Finally, there were three of us at our first Sesion de la Mesa Blanca on Friday, 10/28. We had a wonderful and renewing ritual and will hopefully offer it again. 
Sincerely, Erica. 
Book Discussion Sign up

 

Sunday Coffee Hour Hosts Needed ONE SUNDAY PER MONTH

As the weather turns cooler, coffee hour will once again be held indoors.

Please sign up to be a coffee hour host after service one Sunday per month, beginning in November.

Hosting entails setting up a table before service with a tablecloth, coffee, tea, mugs, napkins, cream, sugar, and any snacks that have been contributed. Orientation to the kitchen provided.

This is an easy and fun job. Please join us in bringing warm and welcoming hospitality to our members, friends, and visitors! Contact Jean (jaschmidt.pgh@gmail.com) to volunteer.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Intro To UU
Want to learn more about the history of Unitarian Universalism? About First Church? How do we celebrate together? What paths do we offer to individuals who search for truths and meaning in life? Join us Sunday, November 20, from 11:45-12:00 for our monthly Introduction to Unitarian Universalism. Please register at https://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/about-us/new-visitor/intro-to-unitarian-universalism/
Email womensalliance@first-unitarian-pgh.org if you need the zoom link or want to attend the meeting in person. All are welcome.
Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 7:30 pm at Third Presbyterian Church.
Join members of Beth Shalom, Temple Sinai, First Unitarian Church, Third Presbyterian Church, and members of many spiritual traditions as we come together in one of Pittsburgh's most beautiful places of worship to give thanks and praise as a diverse and powerful collection of spiritual communities. Reverend Karie Charlton of Third Presbyterian and Reverend Liddy Barlow of Christian Associates of SWPA will offer prayers. Cantor David Reinwald of Temple Sinai will lead us in songs in Hebrew and English. Mr. Lenny Young, Ms. Raquel Winica, and Mr. Michael Hammer of Third Church will offer service music. Reverend Kate Walker, pastor of First Unitarian, will speak about her church's work on anti-racism initiatives. No RSVP is required. For more information, contact Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman at mgoodman@bethshalompgh.org .
Committees, Teams & Group Activity Contacts
 Pastoral Care Team
                       Jim Cunningham, Kathy Miller, Christine Beregi, Marty Lieb, Bob Sullivan, Jan Carlino. 
  

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/.

Information about upcoming events will be included on a timely basis. If you have questions, please get in touch with 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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605 Morewood Ave. Pittsburgh Pa. 15213

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