Midweek Update 10/30/24

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Midweek Update October 30, 2024
Time Change Next Sunday, November 3
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday. Remember to “fall back” and grab that extra hour of sleep! We have five different opportunities to gather during Election Week.
 

FYI
Lunch menu Sunday November 3: Veggie pot pie, cole slaw, spice cake dessert

Kitchen Crew Call for First Sunday Luncheon 
If you’re looking for something to help with at church that doesn’t take much time but really helps the church and is one way to get to know people,  join us this Sunday in the kitchen washing dishes.  Now in its third year, First U is cutting back on disposables that end up in landfills by using reusable dishes, thanks to the Kitchen Crew.  So eat lunch first and then join us in the kitchen for less than an hour’s worth of friendly chaos. You’ll be doing the church and the planet a big favor.  From the Seventh Principle Team.

 
Search Survey: Please Respond by October 31
An important part of the ministerial search process is polling the congregation to gather information for the team to use as they fill out applications, interview prospects, and make decisions in conjunction with the negotiating team and the board.  Please take 10 minutes (or less) and fill out the anonymous survey between now and October 31. We need as many voices as possible, so fill it out yourself and ask your friends at church to do the same!  Click here to complete the survey. 
Cottage Meetings: Sign up Now
The ministerial search team is holding facilitated listening session called Cottage Meetings over the course of the next weeks.  Please pick a time that works for you and come talk to the team about what you appreciate, what you want in a new minister, and a dream for the future.  We would like as many folks as possible to participate, so if these slots fill up we’ll add more!  Members and active friends welcome.  Sign Up Now! 
In Person:
1. Nov. 3rd 9am-10:30am
2. Nov. 3rd 1:00pm-2:30pm
3. Nov. 10th 9am-10:30am
4. Nov. 10th 1:00pm-2:30pm
5. Nov. 10th 1:00-2:30pm
Virtual Event:  Nov. 14th 6:30pm-8:00pm (ticket has zoom link in it)

 
First U Women’s Alliance: Saturday, November 9 at 10am
The next meeting of the Women’s Alliance will be held in the church social hall on Saturday, 11-9-24 at 10:00 a.m. ALL women in the church are welcome to attend!
WA member and church archivist Kathy Kremer will share some information with us about the history of the Women’s Alliance at First U. This will be followed by a brief business meeting, and then we will celebrate the pending arrival of our newest and youngest UU’s, and we will honor the mothers who will soon be birthing them!  Refreshments will be provided by the Steering Committee. We hope that many of you can attend. If you have questions feel free to contact Mary Ballard 502-594-9347. 
Food Drive + turkeys!
Central Louisville Community Ministries is again hosting a food drive to collect all those items that complete a holiday meal: stuffing mix, canned vegetables, gravy mix etc.  Food donations can be brought to church on Sundays and placed in the blue basket in the sanctuary, or dropped off at church Monday-Thursday from 9:30am-noon.Financial donations are also being collected for the Great Turkey Giveaway, so that 300 of our downtown neighbors can enjoy a happy Thanksgiving.  You can sponsor a turkey at $25 each by sending a check to the CLCM office (809 S 4th St, Lou, KY 40203) or at the CLCM website.

 
Update on John Peabody
John has been in the hospital for the past 2 weeks with a series of medical issues. He’s not up for visitors.  He seems to be stable but is very weak, and will be transferring to inpatient rehab soon. Get well cards can be sent to his home: 3502 Bob Davenport Dr, Masonic Home KY 40041 – his wife Lue will be sure that he receives them. 
Getting Ready – Details Coming Soon

  • The Women’s Alliance pie sale Sunday, November 24 after church
  • First U Thanksgiving Potluck November 28
  • Order Poinsettias for Vespers
Special Election Week Activities Nov. 3-7
including Sunday morning
ELECTION WEEK @FirstULou: Gatherings for Mind, Body and Spirit
We have five different opportunities to gather during Election Week. Please let Peggy Muller know if you can help with welcoming or other practical aspects of these gatherings. I hope you can join us for one or all four of these opportunities for communal gathering. Thanks, Rev. MAM
Don’t forget  the time change! 
November 3 at 11:00am

Practicing Repair:
Democracy and Election ReflectionsSpeaker: Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
 

In his poem Election Promises, Reverend Mark Belletini writes,
Right now, I am going to vote
For love that does not have
to run in someone else’s circles
in order to be love.

 
Join us for this election-week Sunday Worship Service in which we will engage our November theme of the month— practicing repair. Whether repairing democracy or our own heart and soul, practicing repair invites us to explore our life commitments.. Timothy Snyder, author of “On Tyranny” and “On Freedom”, states “Freedom is the great American commitment; (yet) we have lost sight of what it means—and this is leading us into crisis.”

We will reclaim the courage that repair inspires and the love it allows. During the service, we will have special music to soothe the soul from Ethan McCollum and FirstULou’s Alice Culin-Ellison.

 
For the zoom link, Click here. The Meeting ID is 4508929882 if you can’t attend in person.  You will not need a password. Contact the volunteer desk if you have trouble getting online.

 
Sunday, November 3    5pm to 6pm
“Drumming Circle” with Jan Nelson, Reverend Mary Ann… and YOU?

  • in Sanctuary or Upstairs
  • Bring your own drum if possible.
  • The drum is akin to the heartbeat of mother earth.

Monday, November 4    6pm to 7pm
Gathering in Voice and Song Rev. Mary Ann and Ethan

  • With hymnals in hand we will have a hymn sing.  You choose the hymn and our pianist, Ethan, will lead us in song.
  • Also, you can select a reading from the back of the hymnal and read it (or have it read) as part of the evening’s content.
  • We will also have candles lit silently for joys and concerns.

Tuesday, November 5    Election Day

Wednesday November 6   (Zoom Only ) 6:30pm to 7:30pm 
Meditation and Check-In

  • Rev. MaryAnn will host this time of meditative reflection and sharing.

Thursday, November 7     5:30pm to 6:30pm
Evensong Meditative Service with Linette Lowe and Rev. Mary Ann

  • This will be a calming service for mind, body and spirit. Poetry, Simple Songs, Readings and Reflection

 
Justice Information (including voting)
Reminder: Election Day is Tuesday, November 5

  • Polls are open from 6am to 6pm. If you are in line at 6pm, State law says you must be allowed to vote.
  • Early voting: October 31 – November 2
  • Locations: Find your polling place and more at: vote.lpm.org

 
KFTC Update: Rides
Some people need rides to the polls. Volunteers with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth are offering free rides to the polls on Early Voting Days and Election Day. Click here if you’d like to help or for more information. Click here if you need a ride. 
How First U is Engaging with the Homeless Problem in Our Community
click here 
KUUJAN: Kentucky UU Justice Action Network
There are many ways to be involved. Email or go to the website for more information. 
Energy and Earth-Saving Tips from LCAN: Kitchen
The Louisville Climate Action Network shares tips and offers educational programs and workshops, provides energy-efficiency services to other Louisville-area nonprofit organizations and advocates for smarter public policies—all to cut carbon pollution and costs. Check it out here.
From the Seventh Principle TeamPast topics: Weatherizing  Carbon Calculator  Lighting Gardening 
Bigger Steps: Cars Ways to Make a Difference in Your Kitchen   Transportation Laundry  Landscaping Bigger Steps: Location
The Five R’s–Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and restore Thermostats
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency  Bigger Steps: Roofing

 
First U Contact Information

Interim Minister, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin [email protected]
Office Administrator, Barbara [email protected]
Volunteer desk [email protected]
Contact the Building Superintendent
Contact the RE Coordinator
Online See the First U webpage.
Phone (502) 585-5110. If you don’t reach someone, leave a message, including your email address, as messages are automatically emailed to the office.
 
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Reminders
1st U Mobile Directory
Is your information current or do you need to update? Need help accessing the directory? For information, email Claudia Runge. 
If you receive a phishing email (trying to get money/gift cards from you)
1. Never click any links or attachments in suspicious emails. …
2. If the suspicious message appears to come from a person you know, contact that person via some other means such as text message or phone call to confirm it.
3. Report the message to your email provider
4. Delete it. Click here for more information 
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or online at 988lifeline.org. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations.