THIS SUNDAY'S SERVICE
JANUARY 24
10:00 a.m.
Livestream Only
“Imagination and Creativity”
The Rev. Dena McPhetres
The Rev. Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson, Minister of Religious Education
Alissa Rhode, Lead Music Director
Paul Kosidowski, Worship Associate
Imagination starts with a question. What if? What about? Why not? What can I do with this thing? Curiosity, which children possess in abundance, is a lens that helps us see anew. We didn’t get out of the Stone Age because we ran out of rocks. Imagination is an invitation to play with things in a different way.
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.
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SUNDAY MORNING FORUM AT 11:00 A.M.
“Science, Law, and Criminal Legal System Reform,” presented by Kate Judson, Executive Director, Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences.
Forensic science is a powerful tool to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent. But criminal legal systems have been slow to adopt just and equitable approaches to it. Most people are aware that innocent people can be convicted when bad science is involved and that good science can sometimes make wrong outcomes right. But forensic science and its uses deserve deeper study and understanding because forensic science seeps into our criminal legal system in many hidden ways. CIFS is at the forefront of this effort. https://cifsjustice.org.
On Zoom & YouTube Live HERE.
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BUILDING A NEW WAY:
LISTEN & LEARN SESSIONS THIS SUNDAY 12:00 PM
WITH THE BOARD'S STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM
At First Church, we are currently in a season to plan and build. We want to plan for an exciting future and build on solid foundations, including financial stability and potential for growth in mission and membership.
The Strategic Plan Team and Board of Trustees invites you to learn about our consultant’s report. Then we will listen and learn from your responses to the info and recommendations. The Team wants to hear from our vital members before taking steps forward on finalizing a strategic plan for our congregation, which will be presented for a vote at our annual congregational meeting in May.
Please sign-up to attend today's Sunday session from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the link below. When you sign-up, we will send you links to read the consultant’s entire reports and bio, read a summary or view an 18-minute video summary. You will also receive the Zoom link to join the session in your RSVP email.
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T'AI CHI FOR BEGINNERS STARTS JANUARY 28. Sign up for beginner T'ai Chi with Deb Solis to explore a new spiritual practice this winter. T’ai Chi is an ancient Chinese movement discipline combining slow, graceful martial arts movements with relaxing deep breathing. Deb Solis, MFA is our Youth Program Coordinator at First Church and has been a T’ai Chi instructor for 38 years. This class will run for 6 Thursdays from 9:00-10:00 a.m. January 28-March 4 (no class on February 18.) $30 for First Church members and $45 for non-members. Register at https://bit.ly/UUTaiChiThursday. |
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JOIN US IN DEFENSE OF OUR DEMOCRACY. As someone once said, "Democracy is not a spectator sport." Recent events have demonstrated that our democracy is fragile and in need of defense, nurturing, and protection. Contact Kathy Rivera at lewrivera2013@icloud.com to join our efforts to:
- educate ourselves on our power and responsibility as citizens in a democracy; and
- work to counter voter suppression and achieve fair maps in Wisconsin.
Help shape our future!
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ALL IN THE FAMILY. We are very sorry to let you know that long-time church member Judy Anderson was recently diagnosed with liver cancer and is now receiving home hospice care where she lives at East Castle. The ministers are in touch with Judy for pastoral care. Judy enjoys receiving cards, but not emails. She also enjoys short phone calls. We hold Judy, and her family and friends, in loving care during this time. |
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CONNECT & REFLECT CONTINUES THIS WINTER. We gather on Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Zoom to Connect & Reflect with others from church. We share a short reading and then check-in with each other on how things are doing with our spirits. Then we reflect on a few questions from the reading. It's a drop-in, come-as-you-are gathering. Hope to see you sometime. Click HERE to enter you email and receive the Zoom link. |
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BIG HISTORY – THE STORY OF THE BIG BANG TO US! Every culture, religion, and child eventually wonders, “how did it all begin?” Big History examines how the universe began and unfolded over the past 13.8 billion years based on cosmology, geology, paleontology, anthropology, and history. Ken Solis, First Church member and lecturer and writer for the International Big History Association, tells how the universe eventually led to “us” and gives a Big History perspective on contemporary issues like racism and pandemics.
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m., February 3, 10, 17 and 24
$20.00 members/$35.00 non-members
(fee waivers available at dena.mcphetres@uumilwaukee.org)
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WARM UP WITH WINTER YOGA! Slow down and create space for stillness while nourishing joints, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. This winter, Morgan Engels offers two, 9-week yoga classes online, allowing you to participate from the safety of your home.
Monday evening class: January 25-March 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday morning class: January 27-March 24, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
$67.50 for First Church members / $81 for non-members.
Please register online; the link to join the class will be sent to you prior to the first session.
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NEW YOUTH GROUP MEETING TIME BEGINS JANUARY 14! Starting January 14, our First Church Youth Group will meet virtually on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Our format will have an extended check-in time and FUN community building activities. Preparation for Youth Service on March 7 happens in January and February. |
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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 Rev. Dena. |
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PASTORAL CARE RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS.
- If you would like to talk to a Pastoral Care Associate, please contact PCA Coordinator Jane Peterson at fuspastoralcare@gmail.com or 414-967-1471. 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, please contact Jane Dorweiler, Pastoral Care Provider Coordinator at fuspcprovider@gmail.com or 414-839-3053.
- For personal financial assistance, please contact Dena or Jennifer for the Ministers’ Discretionary Fund.
- 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.
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LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
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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:
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A place where freedom, reason, spirituality, community and social justice all come together.
414-273-5257
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