I'm back! My knee replacement surgery on January 27 was a success, and these last 3 weeks have been a much-needed time to recover, rest, and get acquainted with my remarkable new joint. I am profoundly grateful to the entire First UU staff, who allowed me this precious time while managing everything with their usual skill and grace. We are all so fortunate for their service!
Rowan and I had hoped to overlap for a week or so after my return, but the baby had a different timetable. (Many, many thanks to Martha Dallas for stepping in as worship leader at the last minute!) Look for news from Rowan about baby Seneca in this eNews. Rowan will be on parental leave until late April, after which she will return to complete the last few months of her ministerial internship with us.
I will be sharing this Sunday's worship service with Jon Sallée, one of First UU's wonderful team of Worship Associates. I hope you can join us at 10 a.m. via livestream - or, if you'd like to be there in person, look for the link to register below.
As a faith tradition, we encourage each other to seek and commit to personal spiritual practices. So what brings us together? Religious community brings us across the threshold of vitality, between predictable solitude and the chaos of the larger world, in which we can be held by our care for one another, while still challenging and being transformed in our faith practice.
We are continuing to invite a small number of (vaccinated, masked) people to attend worship in person on Sundays. To sign up for this Sunday, go to: rsvp.church/r/eJ7rm65u.
The service will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. The link will be shared on our website, uusociety.org. If you miss the livestream, a recording of the service will be available on our YouTube channel.
All are welcome to Zoom Coffee Hour at 11 a.m. at this link: bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Join the 8th Principle Conversation
Geoff Duke, Radical Welcoming Team
One of the goals for FUUSB’s developmental ministry is to “Actively and meaningfully welcome, support, and empower congregants who are black or other persons of color, LGBTQ+, have disabilities, and other congregants with marginalized identities.”
The new FUUSB Radical Welcoming Team believes that the proposed 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism represents a tangible, well-defined, and active first step to help our congregation move toward our developmental goal and radical welcoming. We hope that FUUSB will adopt the 8th Principle at this year's annual meeting. What would that mean for our Society? The Radical Welcoming Team is hosting virtual informational discussions to explore this topic.
The next discussion happens after the service this Sunday, Feb. 20, at 11:15 a.m.Click here for the Zoom link to join. Click here for Feb. 20 full Zoom details.
An additional discussion will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24. Meeting information for this discussion will be shared in the eNews and on the Society website next week.
No registration is required. Please mark your calendar and join us to learn more about the 8th Principle, voice your support and concerns, and get your questions answered. Email [email protected] with questions.
Happy News From Rowan!
From Rowan Van Ness, our Ministerial Intern:
This is Seneca Helen Tengwall Van Ness!
Seneca is a gender neutral name and we’re naming her for the women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY so she can continue to redefine gender, work for justice, and whatever else she decides to do! Seneca also means “ancient,” so we also hope that she’ll have the wisdom of our ancestors with her.
Helen is for Caitlyn’s very dear great aunt and is also Rowan’s paternal grandmother’s name.
Realm Tips
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Every month Christina will give you a little tip on how to make Realm work better for you! Realm is the main way that FUUSB is keeping in contact with you, so the more you use Realm, the more connected you will be. Once a Realm Tip has appeared in the eNews, it will also be put on our website: uusociety.org/realm-quick-tips
Stay connected to FUUSB wherever you go with Realm's mobile app named Realm Connect - For Our Church. It is available for iPhone and Android devices. This free app enables leaders to communicate with members in a timely manner, and it keeps members engaged throughout the week. Although you are not required to use the app to participate in Realm, it sure makes it a lot easier.
By using Realm Connect you can do just about anything you can do by logging into Realm on your computer: get your newsfeed, access group files, see the Realm directory, manage your notification settings, mark meeting attendance, chat, and so much more!
Download Realm Connect - For Our Church today:
On your iPhone or Android device, go to: onelink.to/connectapp. Feel free to share/text that link to the people in your group.
Come see old friends and new while we explore the monthly theme of Renewing Faith. Erika and Margo are working on a plan of dynamic interactive activities, stories and reflection. Check your eNews for updated information in the weeks ahead. Parents/caregivers are welcome to participate or not, but should be nearby if younger ones need help unmuting, etc. Click the link to join: Zoom Family Chapel
In Memoriam
We are sad to announce the passing of Sue Haman, Suzie McCoy's mother.