Preserving A Cultural Treasure (PACT)

Don't miss out on the opportunity to receive a tasteful PACT sticker to decorate your name tag and to show your support of our lovely building.  Pledges of any size are most appreciated by the roof and peeling window frames!  Misplaced that PACT pledge card you meant to turn in?  Extras are available outside the church office.

Love Reaches Out Workshop 

Save the date, Friday, November 7th at 6:00 pm in the Clara Barton Lounge, for a potluck supper & Love Reaches Out workshop.

This workshop is part of a UUA initiative to help congregations find their "sweet spot", the spot where their interests & energy intersect with the needs of the community they serve. Input from the congregation is vital to this visioning process, which is a continuation of the work begun at the October 18th Leadership Assembly.

Please bring a dish to pass at 6:00 pm. The workshop will begin at 7:00 & end at 8:30 pm. Childcare will be provided, if you let us know one week in advance. All Are Welcome!!

New Additions to the Church Bookstore Table

Some new books, freshly ordered from the UUA Bookstore, are available for sale at cost by the Library Committee's bookstore during coffee hour.  The new books are -

THE SELMA AWAKENING: How the Civil Rights Movement Tested and Changed Unitarian Universalism by Mark Morrison-Reed.  He is the foremost authority on Unitarian-Universalist African-American history, and was co-minister of First Universalist Church along with his wife Donna.  In this book he tells how Unitarian Universalists had largely failed to live up to our professed beliefs about racial equality and social justice, and how this was changed by the hundreds of UU ministers who joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Selma march in 1965.

WAR ZONE FAITH: An Army Chaplain's Reflections from Afghanistan by George Tyger.  Another book by a former minister of this church.

RECLAIMING PROPHETIC WITNESS: Liberal Religion in the Public Square by Paul Rasor.   This book is recommended by the UUA to members as the 2014-2015 Common Read.  Rasor affirms liberal religion as an alternative to conservative Christianity as a guide to social policy and political action.

THE CATHEDRAL OF THE WORLD: A Universalist Theology by Forrest Church.

THE GENEROSITY PATH: Finding the Richness in Giving by Mark V.  Ewert

BLESS THE IMPERFECT: Meditations for Congregational Leaders edited by Kathleen Montgomery

A LONG TIME BLOOMING: Meditations by Marta I. Valentin

A good selection of other books are available on the bookstore table, including other meditation manuals and introductory books on Unitarian Universalism and liberal religion.  In addition, we have a freestanding bookshelf with donated books for sale for 25 and 50 cents each.

Homeless Tent Sanctuary

The homeless tent sanctuary has moved from Washington Square Park to a grassy site near the Fredrick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony bridge. The residents, nearly 25 people who used to sleep in the Civic Center Garage, need men's clothing, boots, hats, gloves, blankets. You can drop these items off at The House of Mercy, 725 Hudson Ave, phone 546-2580. Plans are underway to open a new shelter before deep winter sets in.

Thank You

A big thank you for all who brought bread last Sunday and for the warm response from members, friends and guests. The community spirit demonstrated Sunday is what makes our church special for so many of us.

This Week at First Universalist

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR OCTOBER 26, 2014:

NEXT SERVICE: Sunday, November 2: All Saints, All Souls, All Life. Halloween, with its deep meanings and opportunity for shared joy, is the perfect holy day for Unitarian Universalists (especially the Universalist part). Guest Speaker Peggy Meeker.

NEXT DROP-IN DISCUSSION: Sunday, November 2: Election 2014.  We'll talk about the forthcoming election, who should win and what it means.  Phil Ebersole will facilitate.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Kids ages four and older join us every week in the sanctuary for the first portion of our worship service. Children's Worship begins after the Message for All Ages. Nursery care for babies and younger children is on the second floor provided throughout the service. We also have seating in our second floor foyer, where parents can hold their little ones and listen to the service via speaker.

ARE YOU NEW TO FIRST UNIVERSALIST?  Have you come a few times and want to find out more about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation?  Then stop by the Welcome Table  in the Clara Barton Lounge during coffee hour.  You'll find friendly folks there every Sunday who are eager to talk with you!

PACT (Preserving A Cultural Treasure) PLEDGES: Don't miss out on the opportunity to receive a tasteful PACT sticker to decorate your name tag and to show your support of our lovely building.  Pledges of any size are most appreciated by the roof and peeling window frames!  Misplaced that PACT pledge card you meant to turn in this morning?  Extras are available outside the church office.

BOOK CLUB: TODAY, Oct. 26, 12:15 pm in the Adult Lounge. The selection is The First Muslim: The Story of Mohammad, by Leslie Hazelton. Come and enjoy. Sarah Singal or Shirley Bond can give you further information.

CHANGE IS COMING!! Save your quarters, dimes, and other change, and bring them to church on November 2 or 9. We'll pool our change and help to support our church's programs, both within our walls and out in the community.  Watch for the change collection table in the Clara Barton lounge.  Contact Ann Rhody or Lauretta Young with any questions.

LOVE REACHES OUT WORKSHOP: Save the date, Friday, November 7th at 6:00 pm in the Clara Barton Lounge, for a potluck supper & Love Reaches Out workshop. This workshop is part of a UUA initiative to help congregations find their sweet spot, the spot where their interests & energy intersect with the needs of the community they serve. Input from the congregation is vital to this visioning process, which is a continuation of the work begun at the October 18th Leadership Assembly. Please bring a dish to pass at 6:00 pm. The workshop will begin at 7:00 & end at 8:30 pm. Childcare will be provided, if you let us know one week in advance. All Are Welcome!!

For more information, contact Lisa Gwinner, Newcomb Losh, Connie Valk, or Nancy Gaede Presented by the Communication Committee

INSTALLATION CEREMONY of Reverend Celie Katovich is Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at First Universalist Church. A reception will follow the service in the Clara Barton Lounge. 

A BIG THANK YOU for all who brought bread last Sunday and for the warm response from members, friends and guests. The community spirit demonstrated Sunday is what makes our church special for so many of us.

PEACE VIGIL: Weekly, Sunday Noon-to-1 PM, at Goodman Street & East Ave. Your choice of peaceful signs to hold, if you will.  Just show up or contact Hal Bauer.

OUR (PAPER) OUTLOOK, NOW IN COLOR! The monthly newsletter, often referred to as the Paper Outlook, is available online. You can view it by going to the Learn More box of our website and  clicking on the Monthly Newsletter link.

EASTMAN LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES: Beginning October 23, concerts will be held each Thursdays at 12:15. They are free and open to the public.

A CARING COMMITTEE REMINDER: When a family member enters the hospital, needs emergency meals, needs transportation to church, or wants home visits; please contact Ruth Fitzgerald [email protected] 225-0555,or Eileen Fernandez, [email protected].

HEARING LOOP IN SANCTUARY: Please use the T setting on your hearing aid or see an usher for a receiver.