Friday News – December 8, 2023

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This Week
“The Presence of the Present”
Sunday, December 10
with Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley
Amidst the frenzied activity of the season, and the constant bombardment of dire news from outside, it can be hard to find any sense of the peace of the season. What are the spiritual tools we can use to be present to the gifts already with us?

Attend in person or online at 10am! Our monthly theme for December is Mystery, and our Sunday Plate offerings support our 2023 Holiday Appeal Campaign.
Holiday Tradition
For more than 31 years the Caring Team has given Holiday Cards to the Staff.   Come to Beach Hall this Sunday to add your name to the cards to wish them Happy Holidays.
7th Annual Sorrow at This Season Service
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 5pm

For some of us, the idealized holiday season only reinforces the heartache, loneliness, and isolation we may feel. Please gather as we create a sense of welcome, trust, and understanding in what can be a very painful time of the year.

We invite you to join David Maywhoor and Revs Suzan McCrystal, Kathleen Fowler and Terasa Cooley in this contemplative and comforting service as we create sacred space to hold our grief.

If you have any questions please contact Rev. Kathleen Fowler, 614-264-8364
All Soles Dance
Saturday, December 9th 
Beginners’ Session 7:30–8:00pm
Dancing 8:00–10:30pm
We will dance to the calling of Susan English and the music of The Old Grey Cats.  Susan’s name may be familiar to you because she calls the dances at Summer Institute.  The Old Grey Cats are Dave Notman (fiddle), Margaret Goodman (flute and whistle), and Harold Cheyney (piano).
We welcome new dancers.  All dances will be taught and no partner is needed. Snacks will be available in the kitchen area and contributions to the snack table are welcome. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.
Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12-25.  We hope you will join us for the last local contra dance of 2023!
From the Staff
Holiday Happenings at First UU!
Keep your Hanukkah sweater or Santa hat handy for more festive happenings later in the month, including our annual Music Sunday Holiday Concert and Cookie Fair on Sunday, 12/17. There will be no morning service on Sunday, 12/24, but please join us for the family Christmas Eve service at 5pm or the candlelight service at 9pm. And while there will be no formal service on New Year’s Eve, you are welcome to come walk the Labyrinth in our sanctuary all that week.
Upcoming Concerts at First UU
Saturday, December 16, at 4pm – Carpe Diem String Quartet will return to First UU with “Around for the Holidays” featuring guest violist Jacob Shack and music by Brahms, Bunch, and a world premiere by Akshaya Avril Tucker, as well as holiday favorites. Tickets are available at CDSQ’s website, and church members receive a $10 discount!

Also be sure to join us for our regular 10am church service on December 17 for Music Sunday, which will feature all choirs and the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah. Choir members have been preparing this grand work for months and will be accompanied by a string ensemble. Don’t miss it!
Quick Board Update
First UU’s Board of Trustees has decided to shift our December meeting to Wednesday, January 3rd, at 7pm. This meeting will be online only. The Finance Committee is shifting their meeting this month to Wednesday, December 27, at 7pm.  Email a Board Member or a Finance Committee Member if you’d like to attend.

Also, please set the date for our congregation’s Mid-Year Meeting, happening after the service on Sunday, February 25th, at 11:30am! A member quorum is required in order to do the business of our congregation. In the event of poor weather that day, this event may shift to online only.
Classes and Groups

For a complete listing of our groups & contact information, download a copy of our
Fall Engagement Catalogue.
Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Support Group
Our Trans and Gender Non-conforming Support Group is a compassionate and accepting community where people of all gender identities come together to share, learn, and support one another. We believe that everyone deserves a space where they can express their authentic selves, free from judgment and discrimination.

Our next meeting is December 19, 2023, at 11:30 in the Library.
Calling all Pinochle Players
Do you play Pinochle? A virtual Pinochle group of mostly UU members and friends is looking for experienced Pinochle players to join in the fun of playing virtually online.  We use TricksterCards.com with video, which is downloadable for your device.  It is so much fun seeing friends while playing and it’s free and easy too!
For more information Email Maureen Keyhani.
Upcoming Events
Don’t Be Late!
For the 8th Principle that is . . .
Sunday, December 10 at 11:30 in Room 301

This Sunday is your last opportunity in 2023 to hear about the proposed  8th Principle. Don’t fall down a rabbit hole, Join the Anti-Racist Allies in room 301 for a 1-hour information session and Q & A session on the proposed 8th principle. Yes, we will vote on adopting it in 2024, but don’t dilly-dally and miss this end-of-the-year opportunity to discuss the rationale behind adoption. And don’t forget to wind your pocket watch and mark your calendar for 12/10/2023 @ 11:30 in 301.

(Also, feel free to take the First UU Proposed 8th Principle Survey to help our Anti-Racist Allies Team out!)
Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
BREAD Update: Housing

Monday, December 11th at 7pm
Join BREAD’s Research Kickoff at Church of Christ, located at
1889 Genessee Avenue.

Please plan to be involved in the beginning of our next Housing effort. It is exciting to work with people who are excited to work for justice!

Please contact the bread team with your questions.
Labyrinth Hosts and Musicians Needed
Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. We are hosting “Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth” in Worship Center from December 26 – January 4.

Please Sign up to host, help with labyrinth set up and takedown, or play music.  Musicians are invited to perform contemplative music to provide a meditative environment for labyrinth walkers. Contact Patricia Boughton for more information.
Sign Up Now
Little Parking Help?
We have had a “Good” parking problem recently – our lot has been full on Sunday Morning!

Did you know that we have an “East Entrance” to First UU Church?  If you arrive early and don’t mind walking through (or around) the building, please consider using our High Street lot to leave more space in the Weisheimer lot for new visitors.

The East parking lot entrance is between Olive & Lime and Chipotle restaurants. The East Door is open for entry until the Sunday service starts. After that, use the sidewalk to the south of building to get to the main entrance. It’s always possible to exit to the parking lots via the East Door.

Thanks for your help!
Petitions for Citizens, Not Politicians
We’re collecting signatures for a Citizens Not Politicians ballot initiative that seeks to ban gerrymandering and establish an independent redistricting commission made up of citizens. Petitions will be available to sign in Beach Hall after the Sunday service.

If you are interested in helping more, check the Citizens Not Politicians Website, get Training to gather signatures at Common Cause Ohio and then you can pick up petitions right here at First UU. Email the Democracy Team for more information.
Community News
Senior Gathering
Our sincere thanks go to the many volunteers who provided their time and energy to make the Senior Gathering a success: Donna Adassa, Marilyn Beerman, John Boyd, Eve Catus, Sandy Coen, Su Farnlacher, Bill Fiorini, Myra Hartman, Jack Holdford, Paula Hook, Florence Jain, Karen Keenan, David Krohn, Katherine Lawson,  Frank Phillips, Dave Richter, Karla Rinto, Andrea Smith, Chris Sullivan, Karen Torvik. We extend our appreciation also to those who provided the program – Sylvia Howe, Amber Scott, Dick Dawson, Brian Hagemann, Becca Morse, Myra Hartmann, and Georgia Glunt.

Save the dates! The next Senior Gatherings will be Thursday, March 14, 2024 and Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Family Activities
Happening This Sunday 12/10
  • 9:15-9:30am Breakfast for donation (A/B) arrive on time!
  • 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (room 101)
  • 9:30-10am Playground available until service
  • 9:30-11am 13-14yr OWL (rm 302)
  • 9:40-11am 10-11yr OWL (404), Neighboring Faiths (301)
  • 10-11am 6-7yr OWL Final Class and Celebration (402), Service
  • 10:15am-11am (after story until service ends), 3-6yr Spirit Play (102), 7-9yr Spirit Play (201), and 10yr-MS/HS Tools for the Journey (401)
  • Coffee Hour, snack after service – please sign the staff holiday cards!
  • 11:30-12noon Peace Pals rehearsal: holiday concert songs (sanctuary)
  • 11:30am-1:30pm Youth Group meeting (402)
  • 12:30-2pm Navigators Scouting Hike (offsite)