E-Octagram
January 15, 2021
|
|
*~*~* UUC HAPPENINGS *~*~* |
|
Important Information
we are adhering to guidelines of avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people (and proving how flexible we are!), we are continuing to offer Sunday services via Zoom. We would love it if you would join us. We appreciate everyone's support, kindness and patience, and invite you to sit back and enjoy the service from the comfort of your home.
The Zoom link is the same one for all upcoming Sunday services.
Join Zoom Meeting @ 10:30 am, Sunday, January 17, 2021
Meeting ID: 967 1190 1492
You can also join from your landline or cell phone by calling 301 715 8592 and entering 967 1190 1492 when prompted to enter the meeting ID.
Sermon: Rev. Dave
"Imagine Loving Your Enemy"
Worship Associate: Ed Kraemer
Technical Support: Jeremy Dillow
|
|
NOTE: IF YOU MISS A SERVICE, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE -- we typically post them the week after the service.
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARTY PELHAM!
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Watertown, NY, and First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse are pleased to invite you to attend the ordination of Marty Pelham as a Unitarian Universalist Minister. The service will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2021, via Zoom. The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/96096294198
|
|
New UUC Congregational Safety Policy
The UUC Board of Trustees approved a new policy, a Congregational Safety Policy, on Dec. 16. The policy is posted in the Members section of the UUC website here.
The new policy, which primarily focuses on the physical aspects of safety at UUC, combines several existing policies on building and grounds, disruptive behavior, firearms and inclement weather. It adds some existing protections, including the establishment of a Safety Team with a focus on emergency preparedness.
The new policy also states that UUC will refrain from indoor in-person gatherings and will continue to meet virtually until the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled, as defined by Pinellas County guidelines. It enshrines our core value of inclusivity, stating that once in-person attendance resumes on a regular basis, UUC will continue to offer online access to worship service, after-service fellowship and congregational meetings.
The Congregational Safety Policy was developed by the Policy Review Task Force, which is working on updating additional UUC policies so that they are in keeping with current practices, including online meetings. UUC board member Margie Manning is facilitating the task force and offers deep gratitude to task force member April Cook and former task force member David Anderson for their dedication and thoughtful work.
|
|
News from the Transition Team and Your Transition Minister
Loss, Transition and Grief
It's not too late to join in the last session of the Loss, Transition and Grief group experience with Rev. Roberta and the Transition Team. It will be held on Tuesday, January 19th @ 7 pm, and you can sign up by following this link:
Or you can simply email Rev Roberta (revroberta@uuc.org) and let her know which session you would like to attend. These groups are carefully structured and facilitated so that all who choose to participate can safely explore their feelings and experiences of sadness, grief and a sense of loss.
What Makes Your Heart Sing?
Join Rev. Roberta for an interactive Zoom workshop that will help you discover something inside of you that calls you to service and leadership. Together we will dispel some of the stereotypes about leadership and examine the very diverse characteristics that are actually needed in a community of faith like ours. How can you find your particular niche? The opportunity for service and leadership that takes best advantage of your particular talents and interests? Join us as we explore these questions together on Thursday, January 28th @ 7 pm.
UUC Host is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Adult Ed - What Makes Your Heart Sing?
Time: Jan 28, 2021 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 727 531 7704
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,7275317704# US (New York)
+13017158592,,7275317704# US (Washington D.C)
|
|
Open Issues
Sunday, January 17, 2020
This Sunday at Open Issues Mr. Watson L. Haynes II, President of the Pinellas County Urban League, will be speaking to us about their work during the lockdown.
Join us via Zoom at 9:30 (you can join a few minutes early):
**New Zoom link: Join Zoom Meeting**
|
|
Introducing Covid-19 Community Outreach
The Social Justice Council (SJC) recognized the great need of local non-profits for financial support during these difficult times. With the approval of the UUC Board, the SJC has voted to start a project of financial support to a selected local non-profit. Each month, the SJC will select a worthy organization doing good works in our community to be the recipient of a month-long collection of donations.
During January, the recipient will be the Pinellas County Urban League (PCUL). Established in 1977, the PCUL has a 5-Year Strategic Vision to: Expand services and programs to the Tampa Bay Area; Be a catalyst for community revitalization through housing and training programs; Increase the graduation rate of African American children; Train and develop entrepreneurs; Grow small and minority businesses; Expand and create new youth development, education and career training opportunities; and Support the reduction of crime through collaboration. They also have a Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Pinellas County Urban League was awarded the 2020 Neighborhood Builders Award for their 2020 Plan. For more information about the Pinellas County Urban League, please visit their website: https://www.pcul.org/
If you would like to help us with this effort, you may donate online:
Text Giving is also possible: (727) 500-2410
Be sure to choose "Pinellas County Urban League" from the drop-down menu.
|
|
SPIRITUAL POTPOURRI RESUMES TODAY
January 15, 2021 @ 1:00 PM via Zoom
Friday, January 15, we will invite people who have had experience with the COVID-19 vaccination efforts going on now to share their experiences.
And we will have time to talk about this other "elephant in the room", the news from Capitol Hill...our thoughts. perspectives and feelings about "all this". Maybe we can bring out hopes to get us over these dark moments, perhaps accessing our Creativity?
Friday, January 22... Meredith Olson, Transitional Director of Religious Enrichment (RE), will join us to talk about RE programming. She will especially share about Our Whole Lives (OWL) programs for people of all ages, and there will be plenty of time for your questions.
If you have trouble logging in please let Kathy Krohn know.
Everyone is welcome, always.
--> Contact Kathy Krohn if you have questions or trouble logging in! Hope you can join us!
Join Zoom Meeting (every Friday, at 1:00 PM)
Meeting ID: 984 4209 0304
|
|
Join us for Digital Coffee Hour every Sunday (right after service on Sundays). It's located in the same Zoom meeting as the service.
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE GIVING and PLEDGING
In lieu of our traditional collection baskets that you see during the Offertory on Sundays, we are trying out some different ways to make online donating easier. You may also try:
Text Giving
(727) 500-2410
If you prefer to donate online, feel free to click the button below.
|
|
You are also welcome to download, print and mail in a Pledge form here. |
|
A Message from the Care Circle
“In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be...This is the inter-related structure of reality.”
If you need short term assistance from the UUC Care Circle for your injuries or illnesses, please contact co-chairs Susan Hegner or Eloise Hardman, or the UUC Office (727) 531-7704.
|
|
PASTORAL CARE
Please remember that Pastoral Care is still available if you need it. To connect with one of our dedicated Pastoral Associates, please call the office (727-531-7704, Ext. 5). Rev. David Franks is also on hand to provide assistance to those who need him (contact a Pastoral Associate, who will help you get in touch with him).
Kathy Krohn: January 11 - January 17
Susan Hegner: January 18 - January 24
Sally Otto: January 25 - January 31
Kathy Krohn: February 1 - February 7
|
|
INTERFAITH TAMPA BAY
Annual MLK Day Presentation via Facebook Live
January 17, 2021 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
|
|
VIRTUAL Dr. MLK Jr. Day Program
Monday, January 18, 2021 @ 1:00 pm
As many of you know, UUC supports our friends at the NAACP as they gather each year to celebrate the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year's MLK Day celebrations will be held virtually. Please click here to see the attached letter from Zebbie Atkinson IV, Branch President, where he discusses the virtual event in more detail. |
|
SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING via ZOOM
Saturday, January 16, 2021
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
On Saturday, January 16th at 10 am, the Social Justice Council will be meeting by Zoom. We will be discussing the ongoing work of the social justice committees and new projects. There will be a discussion of the work of UU Justice Florida and the upcoming Florida Legislative session.
If you have a social justice issue that you would like to bring to the council or would like to participate on an ongoing committee please join us. For any questions, please contact Linda Stoller at lstol10403@aol.com. The zoom link to join the meeting is below.
Topic: Social Justice Council Meetings
Time: Jan 16, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Third Sat, until Jun 19, 2021, 6 occurrence(s)
Jan 16, 2021 10:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 978 6960 4806
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,97869604806# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,97869604806# US (Chicago)
UU Clearwater is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Also, please visit UUC's online calendar, as many Zoom meetings are posted there as a back-up to the E-Octagram.
|
|
"What I Learned from Valerie Kaur"
by Marcia Bailey
"A Sikh Shares Her View of America and Our Problem with Race
Based on See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love"
by Valerie Kaur
"Feeling breathless about all that’s going on means we are awake to what’s happening right now.
The Sikh ideal is the warrior sage: the warrior fights, and the sage loves. Truth is high, but higher still is truthful living. We are not responsible for our primal reflex but for the succession of conscious thought that follows. Strangers are people we do not know yet."
We also invite you to visit the Social Justice section of UUC's website ( https://www.uuc.org/social-justice) to read all of the recent works submitted by this dedicated group!
If you have any interest in authoring any other articles under the Social Justice umbrella, please reach out to Chris Mueller ( cem.hmm14@gmail.com) or Susan Allen (sallen915@aol.com). |
|
Religious Enrichment Resources & Opportunities
TORCH
Sexuality & Relationship Programs
We're exploring offering sexuality and relationship programs for middle-schoolers and older adults (50+) in the next few months. Normally, we would offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), but to call it "OWL," the curriculum must be delivered exactly as designed. We will probably make adaptations due to pandemic limitations. If you are interested in participating, please express interest here, so we can plan with your schedule in mind and offer as many groups as needed.
Using They/Them Pronouns
Using the pronouns that someone identifies with is a sign of valuing and respecting the other person. It can be hard to adapt to calling someone by a new name or different pronouns than you're accustomed to, but it's very important to honor others' identities. Here are a couple of videos to help:
Also, Meredith would be glad to talk with you about this!
Are You an OWL Facilitator?
Meredith is in search of those who have been trained to lead Our Whole Lives (OWL) at a weekend-long training with people from other congregations. If you are a facilitator or know someone who is, please let Meredith know at re@uuc.org.
RE Registration
The RE registration form for the 2020-2021 year is now available as an online form. Complete the online form or download, print, and return the PDF form to UUC. Once we receive your registration, you will be on our list to receive future event notifications and other resources.
Parents/guardians, please check your email to make sure you received your registration form. If you did not, please e-mail re@uuc.org.
If you have a question or are interested in Religious Enrichment at UUC,
e-mail Meredith at re@uuc.org or call them at (727) 531-7704, ext. 205.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
