It is the time of Summer Solstice, when our days in the Northern Hemisphere are the longest of the year, and the Earth seems alive with new life and new possibilities. How shall we celebrate, in this year of change and challenge?
Following the service, join us for our last Online Coffee Hour (10:45 a.m. at bit.ly/3j4RxJ9) or Sunday Circles (11 a.m. at bit.ly/3gYMJqG).
Join Sunday Circles After the Service
Gail Beck and Hope Baker-Carr
Sunday Circles (formerly Coffee Hour Circles) continue this Sunday, June 20 after the service (11 a.m. to noon). Offering a time for deeper connection, with the assistance of a facilitator and other attendees, the group takes time to reflect on the sermon topic and where they are in the present moment. As an alternative to coffee hour, Sunday Circles follow a structured format where participants take turns speaking and listening.
NOTE: To join Sunday Circles after the service, use this link: bit.ly/3gYMJqG. You do not need to go to Coffee Hour first. For audio only, call 646-558-8656 (meeting ID: 891 6404 8291).
Interfaith Summer Solstice Labyrinth Walk
Carol MacDonald, Labyrinth Ministry
At the UU Labyrinth on the FUUSB grounds
Monday, June 21 at 5:30 p.m.
We invite you to the Labyrinth for a time of quiet introspection and shared celebration marking the longest day of the year and our ability to gather in person. The gathering will begin with an invocation and blessing. Social distancing will be practiced. Members of the UU Labyrinth Ministry will lead the Labyrinth walk. All are welcome. Rain or shine. Free.
An "Act for Justice" Request From the Immigration Justice Team
Bernie Carver, Immigration Justice Team Chair
Karim Golding is a 36-year-old Muslim man from Jamaica who came to this country as a child. He has been in ICE detention for the past 4 years at the Etowah County Detention Center in Gadsden, Alabama, known to many as one of the worst immigration prisons in our country. When he was 21, Karim was sent to prison on drug and weapons charges, a sentence that an Appeals Court later ruled lacked evidence. Instead of being allowed to return to his family, Karim was turned over to ICE where he has contracted COVID twice and is a COVID long hauler with multiple other health issues. More info about his case is at bit.ly/freekarimnow.
Email ICE Field Director Diane Witte ([email protected]), and request that ICE free Karim immediately. Please include his alien number in your correspondence (A# 206552755).
Call Deputy Field Office Director John Hartnett at 225-892-4013 or 318-992-1594 and demand that ICE free Karim immediately.
Update on the Live Streaming Project
Woody Fulton
It has been a while to say the least since the congregation has been together in a Sunday morning service. But most everyone knows about the "Beyond These Walls" project that will enable First UU to live stream starting in the fall when we all hope to be able to host live services in the Sanctuary again.
Here is the next step. We need to put together a team to do the tech work on Sundays. There will be training involved to get us up to speed. I envision that on most Sundays, especially to start, we will need two people; one person to manage the cameras (there are two to start, both PTZ: pan, tilt, zoom), and one person to manage the streaming and audio. For most Sundays it will be straightforward, but there are times when we will have several mics to manage for plays, special readings, and music. There will also be videos to project, based on the success Erika has had with stories from picture books.
Please let me know if you would be willing to join us on the Tech Team or could suggest someone who might be interested. I am looking forward to getting together to learn the ins and outs of all of this and to present a professional Sunday morning program!
We began planning for streaming in November 2020 and consulted with Audio Visual Environments (AVE), who designed and installed our present audio system in 2014. We worked through many possibilities, situations, and costs, and came up with a plan to install equipment that will do what we need now and allow for many future scenarios. The cost came in at about $32,500. Hence, the $35,000 fundraiser on May 16.
Equipment was ordered, some has been delivered, and installation work is progressing. The projector has been permanently located hanging from the balcony over the west aisle. The control desk is located in the balcony next to the organ console.
I know we already have at least one new member who has signed the book virtually and lives in Colorado, and folks are watching our recorded services from Alaska. Weddings, memorial services, musical events, speakers - all of that becomes possible with live streaming capability.
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Did you know that FUUSB has a Discretionary Fund? This fund was created to offer small grants to members and friends who are in need of financial assistance. It has been used to help folks with the cost of food, fuel, rent, medical needs, utility bills, etc. If you or someone you know could use a little financial assistance, please contact Christina at [email protected].
This fund is replenished by personal contributions and by a percentage of the Christmas Eve collection. If you would like to make a contribution you may do so by sending a check to FUUSB with Disc. Fund written on the memo line or by going to onrealm.org/FirstUUSociety/-/give/now and choosing Discretionary Fund. Thank you!
Updating Your Group's Zoom Schedule
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
If your team, chalice circle, or other small group has been meeting on Zoom, please let Mary know if you will not be meeting regularly over the summer. Send your last Zoom meeting date (or specific dates when you will not be meeting) to [email protected], so our calendars can be updated. Thank you!
If you need to schedule a new Zoom meeting, please submit this Zoom Meeting Request Form. It can also be found on our website on the Space Use page or the Forms page.
Upcoming Services
Sunday, June 27, 10 a.m. UUA General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship