March 26, 2023, Livestreamed at 10:30 am
“Power of Silence”

Silence is elusive in a noisy world, yet life reveals itself between the sounds of grinding tectonic plates, the growls of the bear, and the whispers of the leaves answering the wind. Can we humans develop the capacity to sit in silence and hear life’s call?
Rev. Dr. Kate Walker

Share the Plate for March is Reading Ready Pittsburgh

Donate Now

Tai Chi Master Eric Randolph is back by popular demand. Partnering with the Lifespan Religious Education Program at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh! Simple and easy yet powerful Tai Chi lessons and practice are open to church and community members. This program has a sliding scale and suggested donation; pay what you can. Thank you for supporting diverse programming at the church! Suggested donation: $5-20 for church members; $10-25 for non-members. This Sunday, in the Schweitzer room from 11:45-12:45.

Want to learn more about the history, varied theologies, and organization of Unitarian Universalism? Want to learn more about First Church and what happens here seven days a week? Then join us this Sunday at 11:45 in the Priestly Room for an Intro Session led by church staff and representatives of the Membership Team. Register now

The Art show "ENVISIONING OUR FUTURE" has been a wonderful event, but we must make room for the next group of artists. Please collect your work this Sunday, March 26, from 12:00 until 1:00 after the service. Thank you! The Art Committee.

On March 5, Members attended a meeting the Board of Trustees held to discuss the proposed changes to the Bylaws. The attached document contains a summary of the discussion. The Special Congregational Meeting to vote on the proposed bylaws changes will be held on Sunday, March 26, at 12:30 PM on Zoom. The Zoom link will be shared on Saturday, March 25.

Learn More

This Saturday at First Unitarian Church

From Your Board of Trustees

Brief Report of Motions Passed at March Board of Trustees Meeting

The Board of Trustees met via Zoom on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Sue Oerkvitz joined as a guest.

Ratification of email vote on February 26, which was to approve new members to the Program Endowment Committees: Christine Michaels (Music Endowment), Julie Downs (Endowment for Ministry, Children, and Youth), Jennifer Adibi (Campus Ministry Endowment) and Sonia Wellington (Social Justice Endowment). Having been moved by Raeann Olander Murray and seconded by Heather Masterson, it was approved without objection.

A motion to change the language of the GA Delegate Selection Policy from “seven Principles” to “eight Principles” was proposed by Kyle Gracey and seconded by Nick Izzo; it was approved unanimously.

A proposal to approve Jean Schmidt and Kyle Gracey as delegates to GA was moved by Nick Izzo and seconded by Chris Milcarek; it was approved without objection, with Kyle’s abstention.

A motion to approve the expenditure of up to $17,000 for 5 air filters for the sanctuary was proposed by Rob Schwartz, seconded by Bob Mitchell, and approved unanimously.

Newsletter News

Take The Strategic Plan Survey
As we create our next 3-year Strategic Plan, the VIM Committee wants to hear what you value at First Unitarian Church and what you would like to see the church prioritize over the next 3 years. Just 15 minutes of your time will help shape our goals:
Take the Survey

March is Membership Month.
You, too, can be an evangelist for First Unitarian Church. Follow these simple steps:
1. Think of friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers you might invite to a service or an event
2. What might interest them specifically?
a. Check the Sermon topics for March
b. Check the activities for March
c. Consider Music, Religious Education, Humanist Group, etc.
3. If they ask, who are Unitarian Universalists? Give them Reverend Kate’s Elevator speech: We’re a multifaith community where all religious beliefs are welcome, where diversity is celebrated and questions are expected.
4. Offer to accompany them to service or an event as feasible and appropriate
You can do it!

https://www.uua.org/ga/congregations

Lots of Gratitude to our congregation for the generous donations you provided for our Welcome Home Set up for our second refugee family as they moved into their new home in Pittsburgh! This past week, we set up a new home for a family of five (mom, dad, two sons ages 7 and 2, and one daughter, age 5) from Burundi who moved in last Thursday! We were able to supply all that was needed (minus furniture) for this family to have a complete and welcoming home ready upon their arrival to Pittsburgh- This is our second family, and we look forward to continuing our participation in the “Welcome Home” settlement program. Again, many thanks for your caring and generosity!The First UU/ JFHS Refugee Program Team: Joan Harvey, Pat Schuetz, Louise Jencik, Mary Redford, Betty DuQuesnoy, Peggy Bonnell, Betsy Mullaugh, Linda Fleming, and the Women”s Alliance

March Events

Meet Khasi Hills Guests , March 26th 9:00 am

Learn More about SongSpace Presents House of Hamill with special guests Pairdown on April 1, 2023 at 7:30

“The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil” Afternoon workshop, 1- 3 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Undercroft, lunch provided 12 p.m.
Donations welcome.
The goal of this workshop is to give everyone common tools with which to engage conflict as an individual, in our interpersonal relationships, and as a whole congregational system. Rev. Cooley will delve more deeply into brain science, systems thinking, and psychology to help us understand why conflict can create challenges, as well as how to overcome those challenges in a healthy, life-giving way.
Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley is a UU minister with over 30 years of experience in congregations and in the denomination. She is an Accredited Interim Minister who currently serves the Neighborhood UU Congregation in Pasadena, CA.
Please register

Our April 4, 2023 speaker is Anita Peters, a Humanist who has promoted the concept of Humanist Celebrations as an essential part of our lives as Humanists - or humanists or almost humanists. We'll give you more information next week, but meanwhile, mark your calendar! This meeting will Take place on Zoom only at @7:30, as Ms. Peters lives in Connecticut. For the Zoom link, send an email request to Humanist HumanistGroup@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/.

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

Copyright © *2022* *First Unitarian Church*, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
605 Morewood Ave. Pittsburgh Pa. 15213

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
First Unitarian Church · 605 Morewood Avenue · Pittsburgh, PA 15213 · USA