This Sunday, April 28

10:30 a.m. Sunday Service in-person & online: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/99246541303?pwd=VnFBenNFYnB2WEZBUE9kQW81Rk1zUT09 

"Peace from a Palestinian Perspective?" 

- Dr. Philip Farah, Ph.D.

with Rev. Carl as liturgist

Music: Sea Raven & Susan TenDyke Holt

Special Guest Speaker:

• Philip was born in Jerusalem four years after his family joined the majority of Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their towns in 1948, and barred from returning to their homes by the new state of Israel. Three of Philip’s grandparents were from Gaza and some of his relatives are among the victims of Israel’s bombing of the Gaza Church of St. Porphyrius on October 19. 
• He taught at several schools in Jerusalem and at Birzeit University before emigrating to the US at the age of 27. 
• He holds a doctoral degree in environmental economics from the University of New Mexico. Philip has recently retired from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, where he served for 35 years. He lives with his wife in Vienna, VA.
• He is a founding member of the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (2012.) He has addressed audiences across the United States on Middle East peace and justice issues. His writings have appeared in several publications including Mondoweiss and the Huffington Post. 

12:00 p.m. Opportunities after the Sunday Service

Art Show Closing (Gallery/Rooms 113/115)

UUCF Knitting Circle (Room 123)

Death Café (Sanctuary)

3:00 p.m. Atheists/Humanists/Agnostics Group (Zoom)

https://zoom.us/j/95648996114? pwd=L0ZFZjhvYnhvZWFoRkFHK08zQ1kzZz09; EXCEPT third Sunday of the month, NOON in room Chapel

Please spread the word

to anyone you know who may be interested in the above opportunities.

Check our homepage for

upcoming classes, events, and Zoom links:

frederickuu.org

General Announcements

UUCF's Blanche Ames Art Gallery: The Exhibit runs through April 28. To learn more about our artist, Mary Garwood, go to the UUCF home page, tap “Visit.” Then tap painter’s palette icon. You also may visit the show at UUCF on Tues., Wed., Thurs. mornings 10:00-12:00 or by appointment at BAGallery@gmail.com. Send name, phone #, date/time of desired appointment. Enjoy the show!

Split-plate Nominations! It’s time to make your nominations for the UUCF’s Split Plate for 2024-25. Nomination forms can be found on UUCF’s website at frederickuu.org/splitplate. To learn more about Split-plate nominations, visit here. Please complete and return your nomination by April 30, 2024; selection of the recipients for 24-25 will be made at the May Social Action Committee meeting, May 7, 2024.

Chair Yoga with Renée Wimer: Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. Reservations required (Chapel) The last session of chair yoga for the season will be May 1. We will pick back up in the fall. Those interested in donation based pre-recorded sessions for summer in home practice can email Renee at healingintheshadows@gmail.com for more information.

Connecting through Poetry Group: Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom.

UU Thursday Buddhist Meditation: 7:00 p.m. Dharma talk or reading, meditation, discussion. Beginners welcome. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2544372955?pwd=VVBUNElZcWRMOG94dWhudnZDZyt6Zz09.

"UUCF 101: Pathways to Membership”: Saturday, May 11, 10am-1pm (Zoom). Are you considering becoming a member of UUCF? Join Rev. Carl for an exploration of UU history and principles, sharing of our individual spiritual journeys, and learning more about our congregation. To register, email minister@frederickuu.org with (1) the first & last name of each person signing-up, (2) preferred phone number for receiving a text reminder about the class. Note that with our increasing options for digital accessibility (live-streaming Sunday Services and joining meetings/classes via Zoom, you do not have to live near UUCF geographically to become a UUCF Member. You only need to be committed to participating regularly (either online or in-person) and supporting the congregation.

The UUCF Book Club will be reading the following:

• May 17 - Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder, in person at UUCF, Room 125
• June 21 - The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, in person, location TBD
• July 19 - Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffa, in person, location TBD

Meetings begin at 7:00 PM. For more information contact Diana Pitcher - djpitcher4@gmail.com.

The UUCF Antiracist Book Group invites you to read works of nonfiction and fiction from diverse communities. We seek insights into systems of oppression, and inspiration for acts of change, healing, and repair. Weekly readings are 50-100 pages, depending on the text. Discussions are held on selected Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm on Zoom. We will next discuss The Night Watchman, 2021 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, by Louise Erdrich, from May 21-June 18. This historical novel was inspired by Erdrich’s grandfather who motivated Turtle Mountain Reservation to resist Indian termination policies of 1940s-1960s. All are welcome! Please contact Barbara Schectman barbschgma@gmail.com.

UUCF 2024 Frederick PRIDE Booth for June 22 We're looking for help with everything from logistics to setup, staffing the booth, and everything in between. Reach out to Willow (Laurie) if you're interested: egbert.laurie+uu@gmail.com or 3016930680 (WhatsApp friendly/NO group SMS).

Two UUCF Job Openings: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter: (1) ASL Interpreter for the weekly Sunday Service and reception afterward, 10am-Noon. Each week in advance, we will provide as much as possible of the spoken words and lyrics to music. (2) ASL Interpreter for weekly Sunday Children's Religious Education (R.E.) and reception afterward. Pay: $50/hour with two hour minimum. Requirements: Certification or proof of proficiency. Apply: Email a letter of interest, a recent video of you interpreting (if available), and a resume with three references to minister@frederickuu.org. (We will reply within 24 hours to confirm receipt.) Deadline: open until both positions are filled. Start date: ASAP. Details: frederickuu.org/ASL. Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested and qualified for this position.

JOB OPENING: Director of Religious Education (DRE): The ideal candidate will coordinate a high-quality Religious Education program for children and youth (nursery through high school). 25 hours/week; $36,625 - $40,687/year (depending on previous experience). Benefits: Health insurance (UUCF pays 50% of premium), Professional Expenses (10% of salary), Retirement contribution (10% of salary after first year). Resumes will be received through Thursday, May 16 (or until position is filled). If you know of someone who may be interested and qualified, details at frederickuu.org/dre.

Joys & Sorrows

Tom Moore's Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 5, at 2:00 pm (Sanctuary). All are welcome to help celebrate Tom's wonderful life!

Items Loaned to Derail? If you loaned any items to Derail, they are now in the Office next to Rev. Carl's (labeled "Rabbi") Room #104. You may come by during the weekdays, Tuesday thru Friday, between 9 to Noon to pick up. (Or get them on a Sunday morning.) Otherwise, Polly, will be able to help. Please remove your items ASAP. Whatever remains will be donated to loving people.

"It Takes a Village":

the UUCF Religious Education (R.E.) Program

Dear UUCF Members and Friends,



I am writing to you as the chair of the relatively new Religious Education committee. The committee began meeting in February with the intent of supporting our DRE (Director of Religious Education) and also of supporting growth of a robust, diverse and inter-generational RE program. We grew out of the Paula Cole Jones seminar about a Community of Communities and found ourselves asking, "What would happen if the whole congregation put some attention and priority on RE for 1 year?"

We believe that the goal of creating a stronger community at UUCF requires more meaning-filled relationships among ALL ages and that it is especially important for UUCF adults to support the emotional and spiritual growth of our young people. Adults who help with RE report that they enjoy the opportunity to get to know kids and their parents and to hear the perspectives of young people. They also report that they learn a lot about Unitarian Universalism.  Right now we only have one class for K thru 4th grade and a class for 5th - 8th grade and no high school class. Our goal for fall 2024 is to have enough volunteers for three elementary-age classes, middle school (6-8) and high school so kids can have classes with age / grade peers. We also are going to introduce a new curriculum for Middle Schoolers called Coming of Age in Fall of 2024 and continue offering OWL (Our Whole Lives - Lifespan Sexuality Development) in the Spring of 2025. Obviously, we are eager to get a new DRE onboard to help with all of this planning and work, but we also need humans like you! 

We invite you to attend an after-service gathering on May 19 to learn more and do some training re: volunteering for RE. Use this QR code or link to register for the meeting and see some of the opportunities available to you with RE. Mark your calendar for May 19 from 12 - 1 in the chapel.

We are increasing the amount of information and communication about RE so we invite you to get curious! Hear what we are working on or check out the information on the RE webpage and get connected. The QR code (below) and May 19 are great places to hear more and to see all of the great ways you can support youth, support a healthy congregation, and have a great time doing it. If you are unable to attend on the 19th, but would still like to participate, me at the email address below. 

The R.E. Committee has core members who have committed to attend monthly meetings and do some tasks for the cause but the meetings are open to everyone and we really want to hear your input and have you present. You could also represent your committee or group to find out how that entity can support RE.

Signed, 

Lisa Bromfield  ljbromfield@gmail.com

Frederick Covenant of UU Pagans (FCUUPS) April Classes & Activities:

Meeting the Heathen Gods: The Vanir Sunday, April 28th, 6 PM At the UUCF and on Zoom Join Ash Glasse, the Gothar (spiritual leader) of Elk Ridge Kindred, for an in-depth exploration of the Heathen Gods! In April, we’ll focus on the Vanir: Freyja, Freyr, and Njordh, the deities associated with the natural world, abundance/prosperity, and the elves. This class will occur both in person at the UUCF and on Zoom. Please email FCUUPS (at) gmail (dot) com for the Zoom link. Donations are appreciated, but never required. Your presence is what truly matters! We suggest a donation of $10 if you would like to contribute financially. Please bring cash or donate online at https://tinyurl.com/FCUUPS. Write in your donation amount, select frequency, and add the note “FC-Heathen” Elk Ridge Kindred practices #inclusiveheathenry and seeks to foster openness and inclusivity both individually and through our religious practices.

Frederick Vigil for Palestine: every Saturday noon 'til 1:30 pm, Patrick and Market Streets., Frederick

End the genocide, End U.S. complicity. For more info, visit Frederick Palestinian Solidarity Movement on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2337953122950418/) or contact Carol Antoniewicz ecacres@comcast.net, 301-606-9235

Frederick County League of Women Voters has published their pdf version of Vote411 on their website. It contains responses from each candidate to several key questions on current issues. It is especially interesting to review regarding the 17 candidates for the 3 positions on the Board of Education. Another source of information is the Maryland State Board of Elections website. Go to Hot Topics 2024 Primary, local offices, Frederick County Board of Education. You can export to Excel all the candidates, their website and email addresses. Interesting reading, very informative. The FCLWV's website also has dates, times and virtual connection information for their live candidate forums occurring scheduled through this month.

Follow UUCF on Social Media!

Announcements for our weekly e-newsletter are due by each Wednesday noon. Please keep your announcement 50 words or less. If you have a graphic for the group or organization, please include that as well. Email to office@frederickuu.org