Midweek Update 2/20/25

•

Central Louisville Community Ministries Opportunity
First U was one of the founding members of CLCM over 50 years ago, and assisted in creating a ministry that would respond to the emergency rent and utility needs, food, clothing and more of our downtown neighbors in crisis. Today, opportunities are available for our congregation members and friends to assist in this life-affirming work. Would you like to learn more about volunteer positions open with CLCM? Contact the office for information.

Save the Date: March 15
Brush up on your cards, Scrabble, Pictionary or your favorite games and bring them to “Game Night at First U” on Saturday evening, March 15!  Details to follow.

Mardi Gras Toga Party Openings
There are still have 10 openings for the Mardi Gras Toga Party that was offered at the Service Auction. It will be Sunday, March 2 from 4-7. Contact the office to register.

What to expect: Masquerade Masks, Bead tossing, seafood gumbo, Hurricanes and a King Cake decorating contest – Everything you need to celebrate Fat Tuesday.
Tickets are $35. You can pay at the door. Please come dressed in your TOGA! Those who come without may end up with a Sponge Bob sheet! :)

Upcoming Services:

February 23 at 11:00am

Inviting Inclusion: Wicked Dancing

Speaker: Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Corporate Executive, author, speaker, and diversity consultant Verna Myers states, “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.”

This simple statement evokes many questions: Whose party is it? Who does the asking? What if they don’t like how I dance? What if I don’t want to dance? Rev. Mary Ann does, indeed, plan to use some popular culture references to the movie Wicked. She will not sing Defying Gravity nor perform any aerodynamic feats.

 

Join Us at 11:00am

March 2 – Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Inviting Trust: Living the Undivided Life in a Divided Country
Quaker thinker Parker Palmer expresses, “If we are willing to embrace the challenge of becoming whole, we cannot embrace it alone—at least, not for long: we need trustworthy relationships to sustain us, tenacious communities of support, to sustain the journey toward an undivided life.” How do we build trustworthy relationships during these times? How do we strengthen our community by keeping love at the center as people of faith? Join us for this worship service, followed by our monthly luncheon.

March 16 – Lady Vanessa
The Celebration of the Spring Equinox is one of joy as the Earth begins to visibly renew herself in bringing forth an abundance of beauty and nourishment for all creatures. Join us on March 16th for celebration of sowing the first seeds of the season to feed both the body and soul.

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.

RE: Religious Education

Contact Loren Crawford, Director of Religious Exploration (DRE)

Learn About More Upcoming RE Opportunities Here
10am: Adult Religious Exploration
Families Welcome / Childcare Available beginning at 9:30
Contact the DRE for more information
February 23 – REsUUrrection (Adult RE Brainstorming)
We’re going to brainstorm what adult and family-friendly religious exploration should look like at First U. What do you think of having one-time sessions that you can count on every Sunday morning? What are more involved series you’d like to explore? What does it take to pique your interest? What will satisfy your mind, your heart, and soul?
March 2 – Anatomy of Trust  10:00am
The worship theme for March is Trust so we’re going to dissect the anatomy of trust: Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Nonjudgment, and Generosity (BRAVING) to possibly find ways to stitch up trust issues we have with people, including ourselves. We only have 45 minutes, so we won’t work miracles but maybe we’ll take first steps.
March 2: originally February 16 (after lunch)

Contact the DRE for more information
The Power of No: How to Set Healthy Boundaries to Protect Your Space,
Energy, and Peace

Discover how to establish and uphold healthy boundaries across all aspects of your life, without feeling guilty.
This engaging workshop will provide practical tools to safeguard your time, energy, and well-being, while promoting stronger and more fulfilling relationships.

Justice Information

February 20: World Day of Social Justice
KUUJAN – All Network Gathering Tonight: February 20
Kentucky Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network
Join us 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm (EST time)  Our next ANG will feature. Charles Booker who will lead us in a conversation of staying persistent in the midst of what’s going on. Here is the zoom link
Room In the Inn Project
If you are interested in supporting RITI, but not up to pulling a shift at the shelter, there are two ways you can help:

  1. provide a monetary donation to support us buying food for meals. The monetary donation can be by check to First U, or on our online donation site, just be sure to specify it is for RITI.
  2. help prepare a meal. If interested in helping prepare a meal, please contact the office for more information.
Sustainability Tips: Bigger Steps: “Civic Steps: Find Your Elected Officials”
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 Team      

 

LaCasita Center
La Casita Center provides support and empowerment based on the needs of the community, using a ground-up strategy to help the Latinx community access services and overcome barriers. Volunteers and donations of diapers, food and clothing are needed and welcomed. They are located near the church at 223 E. Magnolia Avenue, 40208. Reach them by phone (502) 322-4036, by email, or on the web. For more information, to read their monthly newsletter, or to sign up to receive the newsletter directly, click here.

First U Contact Information

In Case of Bad Weather:

We have a professional crew that clears our parking lot, ramp, and steps. First U will notify local media if there are closings. Additionally, check on Facebook or email. If you have a friend that doesn’t regularly check such things, please pass on the word!

Bad Weather Office Policy: When JCPS cancels classes, the church office is also closed. When in doubt, please call first to make sure someone is available if you need in the building. (That’s a good idea, no matter the weather!)
 
NEW Way to Donate
We now have a QR code on the back of the bulletin which offers an additional way for you to make your donations. As always, donations may be made on our website, automatic banking set up with your bank, or by phone using a mobile app.
Fake Emails Continue to Surface
Phishing emails that claim to come from someone you may know about and are asking for information continue to arrive. A common email asks for directory information  or information about staff or a church member, whether online or the phone version. Even if it claims to be from a church staff or Board member, do not respond if you aren’t positive.. They use a different email address but you may not know that. Do Not give out that information. A true request must be confirmed through  a secondary line of communication such as a verbal request. If you are unsure of whether or not an email is from the person it claims to be from, feel free to forward it to Building Superintendent, Kristi Drehmel, or the Office for review.