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Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church
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A Letter from Your Minister
Rev. Mary Frances Comer
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Dear Beloveds,
Since the world witnessed the public execution of Mr. George Floyd, age old trauma has once again been reignited for our siblings of color. People of conscience can not rest while any parent worries about the safety of their brown or black children every time they venture out of their homes--to simply walk or jog down the street, to drive a car, or to go to a park. Protests around the country and even in other parts of the world point to the sickness of a nation plagued not by one but by two deadly viruses...
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- Donate to Black Lives Matter or Black Lives UU.
- Contribute to the Charlotte Bail Support via CASH APP: $WereStillHere or VENMO: ResistanceisBeautiful. The Bail Support Number is 980-224-2097.
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CLICK HERE
to email the mayor and city council members who will be voting on the police budget this MONDAY, June 8th. If you consider this a moral issue, ask members to DEFUND chemical weapons used for crowd control and dispersal. Please send your emails before Monday. This will only take a few minutes of your time.
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"What Does Revolutionary Love Look Like Now?"
Excerpt of a letter from Valerie Kaur who writes:
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"...To my black sisters, brothers, siblings: We witness the pain you are feeling in your body. Grief. Rage. Fear. Hopelessness. Numbness. Because you are just so tired. Those of us who are not black cannot feel what you are feeling, but we sit in this darkness with you, and take your hand and say: You are grieving, but you are not grieving alone.
This moment may feel like what your parents and grandparents had to fight. But something new is happening: There are more of us with you than ever before. More than in 1968. More than 1992. Never before have so many non-black people of color and white allies and local leaders exercised their voice to say: Black lives matter.
We are calling out the centrality of anti-black racism in America. I don’t know where this will lead, but I do know that we are rising up with you. And that means you do not need to do all the labor alone, not anymore. May you take time to breathe and rest and take care of your body, your children, and your families. Your revolutionary act is to love yourselves in a time the world wants to make you strange to yourself. Breathe before the next push...."
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"Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They're Okay — Chances Are They're Not"
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Exerpt: "Over the last few months, Black people have not only watched their friends and family members die at higher rates from the coronavirus, they have also watched people who look like them be gunned down while going for a jog, be murdered in their homes, threatened while bird watching in Central Park, and mercilessly choked on camera..."
Read the entire article here
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11 Things To Do Besides Say ‘This Has To Stop’ In The Wake Of Police Brutality
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Want to end police brutality against Black people? To paraphrase Angela Davis, it’s not enough to *not* be racist — you need to be antiracist."
Highlights:
- If you see an act of police brutality happening, speak up and safely make your presence known
- Educate yourself rather than placing the burden on Black people to be your teachers.
- Engage with racist people you know; speak up. And encourage others to do the same.
- Call the District Attourney's office as well as other local officials (sheriff, city council, etc.
- Do more listening than talking.
- Check your own behaviors and thoughts (your unconscious and learned behaviors)
- Donate! Donate to anti white supremacy work (see some options above)
Read the entire article here.
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"Basic Security Protocols for 1st Time Protestors" (from Malcolm X Grassroots Movement)
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Excerpt:
1. Pair up, and always carry your I.D.
2. Have a meet up point in case of separation or chaos
3. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes (rubber soles). Avoid attire that can be held easily or cause injury (e.g. hoodies, hoop earrings, etc.)
4. Carry a light backpack with water (stay hydrated!) and a snack. If hypoglycemic, be sure to take glucose tabs.
5. Include an umbrella (to protect against rain or pepper spray) and a First Aid Kit.
6. Due to COVID-19, wear a mask, bring hand sanitizer, gloves, and try to maintain social distancing when possible. Limit your time in crowds.
Full list on the image below.
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A National Eulogy and Interfaith Service of Mourning on June 8th
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In addition to regular service on Sunday, we invite you to tune in to this service at 10:00 that will feature Revs. Barber and Theoharis and Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Imam Omar Suleiman and Valerie Kaur. This service will recognize the more than 100,000 who have died as a result of COVID-19. For more information on this and the upcoming Moral Monday (June 8th), click here:
https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/event/national-interfaith-service/
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A Letter from Your Ministerial Intern
Holly Brown
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Dearest Members,
It is difficult to comprehend how fast the first half of my internship has gone. I will be away most of July and August, but I am looking forward to returning for my second year serving as your intern. You needn’t worry that I will not have enough to do this Summer during my time away, rest assured that I will be extremely busy. In August, I will be moving and more importantly my packet is due. This packet holds ALL the documentation required by the UUA to move forward in the process. This packet informs the upcoming interview with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee via Zoom in October. This will be the most important Zoom call of my life!
We have faced everything this year has thrown at us together from illness and death locally to global pandemic and national protests for justice. It means so much to me to have had the loving support of all of you as I have worked through nerves, last minute changes, mistakes, and most importantly the growth you have helped guide. In our time together, my resolve to become a minister has been reinforced over and over again.
May you be well, Holly
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The Process of Dying—Zoom Sessions Led by Pema Tara
Presenting the Tibetan Book of the Dead understanding of dying for our English language and our contemporary times. For info and to register: 413 358 2626. Dates and times to be announced soon.
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2020 Auction Update
We plan to have our Goods and Services Auction this year in November and expect that it will be an online auction with posted photos of items which will be available for bidding for one to two weeks. Then, hopefully we'll consider a second live auction next spring. There may be fewer businesses donating this year due to challenges during Covid-19, so we definitely need to be creative and innovative! We will keep you updated on our progress.
Your assignment is to begin thinking outside the box for items to donate! Instead of having a dinner at your house, maybe offer a complete delivered meal to one family to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other event. How about an online class to teach a new skill? Fill a themed basket. Offer to weed a garden or mow a lawn (you can do this and still socially distance.) If you have any ideas or requests for items that you might like, let us know @ Thank you!
pat_and_doug_wall@hotmail.com
.
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Piedmont UU Church Members—Stay Connected on the Facebook Group
Did you know there's a Facebook group for church members? Stay in touch by joining the group. Just search for "Piedmont UU Church Members" on Facebook and ask to join.
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Scholarship to GA
We have a scholarship for one attendee to also function as a delegate. Interested? Please write
info@puuc.org.
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Mindful Mondays
Mindfulness Mondays with Holly from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Bring a quote or short excerpt or song to share as we discuss what's helping us get through the more difficult days.
Thankful Thursdays
Thankful Thursdays with Rev. Mary Frances from noon to 1:00 - Bring your lunch to the computer screen as we dine together and chat. We will begin with a check-in and sharing of something we are grateful for as we seek to focus our gaze on what is right in the world and what we're thankful for in our own daily lives.
Ethical Explorations
Meeting (online) Sunday mornings, this is an open group that collectively choose books, magazine articles, etc. to focus attention on various ethical questions. If you have questions or would like to be added to the group email list, please contact George Bame (
gbame@pobox.com
). The group is currently discussing
Every Time I Learn the Meaning of Life, They Change It
by Daniel Klein.
Coffee Hour on Sundays
Join us at 11:00 for a virtual coffee hour for both gatherings.
Or By Phone: 1-312-626-6799, 330592758#, 263333#
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Music Game Night
Wednesdays: June 17, July 8 (every third Wednesday, 7 pm-8:30 pm)
This Zoom gathering is a time to relax and have fun through leader-guided music games including Music Trivia, Name That Tune, and more. Contact
kaarin@puuc.org
for more information.
Sunday Music Mix & Mingle
SUNDAYS: June 7, June 28 (every third Sunday, 4 pm - 5:30 pm)
Every third Sunday, we gather to chat, check in, and learn something new. The first part of the Zoom meeting allows us a moment to share what’s going on in our lives and the second part gives us the opportunity to focus more deeply on a topic related to music. Contact
kaarin@puuc.org
for more information.
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Piedmont UU Church Financial Health: April 2020
Monthly Income $18,155
Monthly
Expense (
$19,747)
Monthly Mortgage Principal Payment ($1,670)
Monthly Cash Flow ($3,262)
Year to Date Income $68,860
Year to Date Expense ($78,056)
Year to Date Mortgage Principal Payments ($6,695)
Year to Date Cash Flow ($15,892)
Would you like to contribute to the financial health of our congregation?
Click here to make a donation now. Thank you for your generosity.
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The Board of Trustees and The Generosity Team
THANK YOU
for your generous and ongoing support
of our ministries.
Pledges and offerings for our shared plate
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This Month's Shared Offering Plate
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The Gender Education Network
This month's plate offering will be shared with The Gender Education Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to trans children and the information, education, and resources they need as they navigate the community and their own identities. This unique organization focuses on children under 12 and addresses their social, psychological, family, and health needs. GEN also provides "resources for care and education to families who just need a little guidance in loving and accepting their child for who they are" in a judgement-free zone! For more information, visit their website
here
.
As always, thank you for your generosity!
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Sunday, June 7, 2020
"What If?"
Rev. Amy Brooks
All around us the world seems to be on fire, or collapsing or...pick your word. But what if we already have what we need to address these situations? In this election year, in this time of pandemic, in the face of racial injustice, what if we dig deep into our faith, our spirits, our hearts and find what we need? Let's join together this Sunday and explore...What if?
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Sunday, June 14, 2020
"The Longest Day, The Longest Year"
Holly Brown
As the Summer Solstice approaches, we prepare to celebrate the longest day of the year in a year that has been tumultuous in so many ways. During all that is going on in the world in which we are called to do what we can, we must continue to observe physical distance to protect one another; thus it is necessary for us to find ways to create sacred spaces in our lives – places to reconnect and recharge spiritually so we may continue to DO THE WORK in our congregation, our denomination, and the world.
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Sunday, June 21, 2020
Joshua from Gender Education Network
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Sunday, June 28, 2020
General Assembly Service
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Piedmont UU Church Covenant of Right Relations
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Love is the spirit of this church
and service its prayer.
We covenant to honor all spiritual paths
with hospitality,
To assume the best of one another
from our highest selves,
To dwell together in peace through kindness,
And to serve others with compassion,
Honoring one another as members of Beloved Community.
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