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Join us for worship on Sunday, March 4 at
9 a.m. and 11 a.m.!
Worship Lead:
Rev. Mara Dowdall
Worship Associate:
Maeve McBride
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Visit the publication
archives on our website!
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Join Us for Worship This Sunday
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Sunday, February 25
at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Worship Leads:
Racial Justice Task Force members
Andre Mol, Ministerial Intern
Worship Associate:
Judy Brook
"The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith"
In our commitment to embracing the presence and leadership of people of color, white Unitarian Universalists are still learning to decenter our whiteness so that people of color are brought from the margins to the center. Join us as we practice that work and promise a new way of being together. Our worship service on February 25 will center around the voices and experiences of Unitarian Universalists of color. What might these voices teach us to be better allies, better siblings in faith, and even better citizens in our community? This worship service was produced by members of our Racial Justice Task Force and our ministerial intern.
Our offering during the service will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (or BLUU), a national ministry for and by black-identified Unitarian Universalists. BLUU embodies a liberating community of all ages. A community that lifts up the lives, and stories and the leadership of those who have been marginalized and silenced. A community that brings hope, when hope is hard to find. And a community that calls us to wrestle with the gap between our theology and our practice in the world.
If we believe that our faith must become radically inclusive, justice centered, multiracial and multigenerational, then there is no better way to advance that vision than through our support of BLUU. The power and promise of Unitarian Universalism is waking up to meet fear and hate with radical imagination, transformative partnership, resilience, and joy. We make this possible through our commitment and generosity. Please come to the service prepared to offer your financial support for BLUU as part of our offering.
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Black Lives Matter Banner Update
and Link to FAQ
**Banner Raising Week: 2/25-3/4** |
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Last August, our FUUSB Racial Justice Task Force proposed that, as part of our commitment to racial justice, we "take a position in support of the broader Black Lives Matter movement and bear public witness to that support by hanging a banner and actively supporting local racial justice organizations led by people of color." The Racial Justice Task Force is our lay ministry team which carries out and creates opportunities for FUUSB members to act for racial justice. The team is comprised of about a dozen active First UU members (some long timers and some newer folks), and it carries out its mission with the guidance and support of Rev. Mara and Zoe Hart, our Justice and Outreach Lay Lead.
Over the course of the fall, the task force engaged in a discernment process with the larger congregation, that included a series of six open discussion forums, where we explored together what form this proposal might take. At these fall gatherings, the team heard your related excitements, wonderings and also some worries about raising a BLM banner. In the months since, the task force has reflected on the sum of this input, explored other UU congregations' experiences with BLM banners, and identified ways of addressing concerns raised about vandalism and safety.
Based on all of this congregational input and after further research and reflection, the team has proposed we join the more than 160 other UU congregations around the country who have raised Black Lives Matter banners as part of their public justice ministries. The team decided to focus its energy this year on getting a banner up (rather than crafting a statement of conscience around Black Lives Matter for a congregational vote) as an immediate and effective expression of our values, mission and vision in the public sphere. FUUSB has a proud tradition of raising banners on crucial justice issues of the day and having heard strong support from the larger congregation to express our commitment to racial justice through a BLM banner, last month, the team felt ready to move ahead. Rev. Mara and our justice ministry leaders view the lawn banner as a powerful and timely embodiment of FUUSB's mission and vision around justice.
Since that announcement, the task force, Rev. Mara and our staff team have been preparing for this act of social witness by communicating about it, both within and beyond our community, and handling the necessary logistics that come with a banner raising. The banner will first be unveiled in the sanctuary this Sunday, February 25, as part of the "Promise and Practice of Our Faith" service, which centers the words and experiences of people of color in our UU movement. The following
Sunday, March 4, the banner will be placed in front of the Meeting House, and we will hold a dedication ceremony following the 11:00 service at 12:30 p.m.
In anticipation of potential questions about the banner, your Racial Justice Task Force has prepared this FAQ. If the answer to your question isn't there, feel free to email Racial Justice Task Force co-lead, Gabriel Ely. We also know that the banner raising, as an act of public witness, has the potential to bring up powerful feelings and spiritual questions of many kinds. In the coming weeks, Rev. Mara, Andre, and members of our Care Network will be available to offer related pastoral support to members as needed. If you find yourself in need of some related spiritual care, please feel free to be in touch with Rev. Mara or Andre directly ([email protected],
[email protected]
). If you haven't already, we also encourage you to check out this month's edition of The Steeple, which came out yesterday. There, you'll find a related pastoral message from Rev. Mara, and some further reflections from the Racial Justice Task Force on the banner's meaning and the process the team followed in deciding to place the banner on our front lawn.
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| FUUSB Book Group |
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 The FUUSB Book Group will meet on Tuesday, March 13 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., and will be discussing A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. The Book Group meets on the second Tuesday of every month in the Susan B. Anthony Room. All are welcome!
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| From the Stewardship Team |
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Did You Know?
- Our congregation has about 500 members!
- Last year we raised about $468,000 in pledges.
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| From the Care Network Team |
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UPDATE FROM ALZHEIMER'S CANYON:
HOP ON THE MEAL TRAIN
Have questions about what it means to cook vegetarian or vegan or gluten-free meals? On Sunday, March 18 at 12:30 p.m. the Care Network Team will be hosting a guest speaker to help us understand these different ways of cooking and eating. Stay tuned! Delicious samples will be served.
HOW TO REACH THE CARE NETWORK TEAM
Please let the Care Network Team know if you are aware of someone in the community who could use some support. The email is:
[email protected]
HAVE A DESIRE TO HELP BUT AREN'T SURE HOW?
Share a meal with one of the following families. Nothing fancy is required. Your assistance does NOT have to be a 4-course gourmet meal. Anything helps. Bon appetit!
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Elz Curtiss is caring for her partner, Lynne Matthews, and would love
a meal once a week
on Mondays for herself. She is the sole caregiver for Lynne on the weekends, and so by Monday has exhausted her food stores and hasn't had time to replenish them.
* Kathy Bonilla has been fighting a long-term health battle and she and her two granddaughters truly appreciate the help that
a few meals a week
can be.
* Miriam (Tammy) Strauss is dealing with long-term health issues caused by being rear-ended by a cattle truck. One meal every week is a major support to her.
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John Lincoln had additional shoulder surgery right after Thanksgiving and his partner, Jill Stevens, also has some long-term health challenges. They welcome some assistance a couple times per week for several weeks as John heals.
On behalf of the Care Network Team,
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| Lost & Found Reminder |
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Hi folks, I'm wondering about many of you having cold fingers, ears, etc. Also, are you thirsty? How about,
"Where is that crock-pot or lasagna dish?" PLEASE take time to cruise the Lost & Found (green bin in the Community Room) and the basement kitchen. Water bottles and coffee mugs are above the first-floor coat rack; jewelry and glasses are in the office.
Many items have been around for 2-3 months or more; some even have names on them. All of them will be going away March 5, so please claim your stuff while you can!
Thank You! - Myra
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