THIS SUNDAY'S SERVICE
May 2
10:00 a.m.
Livestream Only

“Finding Our Song Line”
Rev. Dena McPhetres, Associate Minister
Rev. Kimberlee Tomzcak Carlson, Minister of Religious Education
Tristan Strelitzer, Choral Director
Amy Wilbourne, Worship Associate

In her book Storycatcher: Making Sense of Our Lives through the Power and Practice of Story, Christina Baldwin wrote “Story is the song line of a person’s life. We need to sing it and we need someone to hear the singing.” Stories tell us that we’re not alone, help us to dispel shame and build empathy. Stories tell us where and who we come from and empower us to change the song. If we share them, stories outlive us and are how we live on. Join us this Sunday when we explore the power of personal stories.

JOIN THE SERVICE LIVE ON FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY YOUTUBE HERE.

ZOOM COFFEE HOUR AT 11:00. Once you enter the Zoom meeting, Lynne will coordinate smaller groups of five or six for conversation. Members, guests, visitors are all welcome! Bring your own coffee. Link to Join HERE.

SANCTUARY REFLECTIONS AT 11:00. Feel moved by the Sunday worship service? Want to spend time reflecting with others? Come to Sanctuary Reflections every Sunday. We reflect on three questions and share our experiences with each other. Joyful, enriching, connecting. Just drop in. Join on Zoom HERE.
SUNDAY MORNING FORUM AT 11:00 A.M.  

“The Journey Towards a Calling, Passion & Transformation”
Markasa Tucker, Executive Director of the African American Roundtable.

Ms. Tucker will share her journey from growing up in the suburbs of Milwaukee, to attending college at Grambling State University in Louisiana, to her trek back to Milwaukee. Returning to Milwaukee, Markasa used her mass communication degree to pursue her career in television, which didn’t last extremely long. After leaving television, Markasa managed two child care centers on the city’s northwest side, where her eyes were truly opened by the many disparities facing Black women, children, and families in Milwaukee. This experience convinced her that she wanted to serve her community and help to change the conditions of Black people. Join us as Markesa shares her testimony and journey to her current social justice and transformation work in Milwaukee and beyond. On Zoom & YouTube Live HERE. 
MAY SHARE THE PLATE. Every year, our May Share the Plate recipient is chosen by the children in the RE program. This year they are supporting the Milwaukee Youth Services program which is part of Wisconsin Community Services. Active since 1912, Wisconsin Community Services’ mission is to “advocate for justice and community safety, providing innovative opportunities for individuals to overcome adversity.”

Currently, the young men and the Rashid boys shelter are raising money for the research and painting of a mural inside the shelter, inspired by the beautiful murals that have been painted all over Milwaukee during the global pandemic and movement for racial justice in 2020 and beyond. Their fundraising goal for the mural is $1,500. To donate specifically to the mural project, use this link: https://www.wiscs.org/programs/milwaukee_youth_services/mural_project.php.

To donate to the Milwaukee Youth Services Program, use this link and in the drop down menu that reads “Please direct my gift as follows” select “Youth Services” https://www.wiscs.org/support/donate/.
FAREWELL LILLIAN SCHLEY. Lillian Schley, who has been our RE Assistant for 4 years, is leaving her position at First Church as she has found a job opportunity that better fits her needs and life, her last day is May 6th. Lillian’s warm smile, guidance, and remarkable administrative skills will be dearly missed. If you wish to send Lillian messages of gratitude and goodbye, they will be gratefully received at the church and forwarded to her home. We will take this time to evaluate the RE staff before adding to our staff; then we will communicate our plan to the congregation.
MEET THE COVID RE-OPENING TEAM. The COVID-Re-Opening Team got right to work in late March on a policy for our return to in-person church options that prioritize safety, equity, and clarity. Meet the team and learn about its mission in this article on our church website at https://uumilwaukee.org/meet-the-covid-re-opening-team/.

Save May 16 on your calendar for the annual meeting and more information at https://uumilwaukee.org/event/first-church-annual-meeting-online/ where the team will take feedback on the draft policy.
NEEDED: NOMINATIONS FOR SHARE THE PLATE. We Share the (collection) Plate with non-profit organizations that meet our criteria. The committee will meet May 5 to select the organizations for the next year. Please submit nominations on our website at https://uumilwaukee.org/committees/share-the-plate/
COVID CANDLE ON SUNDAYS. Because of the ways our lives are touched by loss and grief during the global pandemic, we have a simple ritual during Sunday worship called the “COVID Candle” when it is needed. During this unique time, when people cannot gather with their family and community to mourn, we offer to light the COVID Candle for any death of a loved one of one of our members. If you have had a loved one die from COVID-19, or any other cause of death, and would like the COVID Candle lit in their honor during Sunday worship, please contact one of the Ministers.
PASTORAL CARE RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS.
  • If you would like to talk to a Pastoral Care Associate, please contact PCA Coordinator Jeri Pearcy at fuspastoralcare@gmail.com or 414-416-6036. If you’d like to talk to the Ministers, please call our Pastoral Care Emergency line at 414-216-3113.
  • For practical help, grocery shopping and delivery, or contactless meal delivery, please contact Jane Dorweiler, Pastoral Care Provider Coordinator at fuspcprovider@gmail.com or 414-839-3053.
  • For personal financial assistance, please contact Rev. Jennifer for the Ministers’ Discretionary Fund at jennifer.nordstrom@uumilwaukee.org.
  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please contact Rev. Dena immediately at 414-216-3113, so she can support you and our community.

LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
Past announcements are available on the website here at https://uumilwaukee.org/weekly-announcements/
WATCH SUNDAY SERVICES ONLINE AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS! You can watch Sunday Services live on Facebook or view a recorded version at any time. We will livestream this Sunday service at 10:00 a.m.

Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel and Like our Facebook page!

SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES & ANNOUNCEMENTS. Please use these helpful forms which will ensure receipt by the correct staff and a confirmation email to you. If you have questions about the forms, please contact Shari Wright at shari.wright@uumilwaukee.org. Also find links to these forms on the church website under the Members tab.
 
For weekly Announcements and the monthly Chanticleer, use our forms:



For Facebook or website posts, please contact: jean.johnson@uumilwaukee.org.
A place where freedom, reason, spirituality, community and social justice all come together.

414-273-5257