Midweek UUpdate 4/24/25

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FYI 

 

Date Change: Birthday Party
The Connection Ministry announces that the monthly Birthday Bash scheduled for April 20 will be this Sunday, April 27.
 

Nerd Nite – Louisville / First U Evening Out  
Thursday, April 24 from 7 to 8:45 pm (6:30 doors open)
Gravely Brewing Co. / 514 Baxter Ave., Louisville 40204
As shared in last week’s “What’s UUp?” Did you sign up?  First U members and friends (and anyone you want to bring along) will gather at Nerd Nite Louisville – a monthly meeting at Gravely Brewing Co., There are 3 presentations on topics that each presenter is passionate about. Think of Ted Talks…but there’s beer. The topics are kind of a pot luck for the brain. Contact the office for more information.
 

Justice Information
See the Justice section below for several opportunities coming soon.
Investing in a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Future
To make a pledge for for the next fiscal year (July1-June 30), you may pledge online here. Thank you for all your generosity in all the ways you give throughout the year. The funds you pledge now will fund our ministry for the church year 2025 – 2026.
 

The UU Gathering: Online Monday, May 12
We come together across our faith community for spiritual grounding, political analysis, and to build the connections needed to take collective action as we continue to fight for a world where all people can thrive.  Join us every at 8pm E  on the Second Monday of the month. Click the March 10 link to hear a meeting. Join in:  May 12   June 9

 

Join Us Sunday, April 27, at 11:00am

Call of The Forest:
The Blessings of TreesSpeakers:
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
and the 7th Principle Team
With a nod to the documentary, Call Of The Forest – The Forgotten Wisdom Of Trees, featuring scientist and writer Diana Beresford-Kroeger, we will explore our evolutionary and spiritual connection to trees in honor of this month’s celebration of Earth Day. With our congregation’s 7th Principle Team, we will also investigate the actions, small and large, we can take to bring balance to our planet’s eco-system.

Weather permitting, we will participate with our neighbors, Calvary Episcopal Church, in a Blessing for Trees. The Blessing will take place in our parking lot during the worship service. Hence, wear comfortable shoes. Folks can also remain in the sanctuary’s silence or view the Blessing from the entryway.
 

The 7th Principle Team Welcomes You
Join Us! Have questions? Talk to one of the members Sunday or email the office.
Team Members: Kathy Gapsis, Kathy Kremer, Roger Ohlman, Valerie Schwartz, Kelli Selzer and Margaret Pearce
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.

 

Upcoming Services

 
May 4      Inviting Imagination
Speaker:
Shameka Parrish-WrightMay 11     Beyond Imagination:
A Mother’s Day Pondering
Speaker:
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin

May 18    To Boldly Go   
Speaker:
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin

May 25    Imagination:
The Gift of Poetry
Speakers: Poets of First U

Food after Services:
May 4 – finger foods
May 18 – Spaghetti lunch
 

Calling All Poets!
We will be honoring verse on May 25 during the service, “Imagination: the Gift of Poetry.” During this service, a handful of poets from our very own congregation will be sharing their poems. So if you, too, have a small poem you have written we encourage you to spread your wings and share it with your welcoming First U community at a Poetry Slam during the coffee hour after the service! If you would rather have someone else do the public speaking, consider asking a friend to read your poem aloud for you. Seriously consider reciting your work, though- poetry comes alive when shared aloud!

If you have a poem already written or can get one ready for the last weekend of May, RSVP for the Poetry Slam! Please time yourself speaking the poem aloud, and send your RSVP and the timed length of the poem to the office. We’re looking for pieces that are 3 to 5 minutes long, but please email to ask any questions.

 

RE: Religious Exploration

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
 

April 27, 2025 – Nerd Morning, A Nerd Nite Recap
We’re hitting the road. For those willing and able, we’ll meet at Gravely Brewing Company on Thursday evening April 24 (people start arriving around 6:30 pm) for the monthly Nerd Nite. (It’s like three 20-minute Ted Talks, but with beer.) Someone will take notes on Thursday to recap things on Sunday for those who don’t make it to Nerd Nite and then we’re going to try to make sense (without beer) of that learning experience on our terms as UUs.
This could be amazing. It might be a fiasco. Either way, can you afford to miss it?

May 4, 2025 – Chalice Circle One-Time Sampler (Imagination)
Are you still curious about our small group ministry program, “Chalice Circles,” and don’t know enough about it to commit to it? Are you uninterested in commitments but would still like to take it out for a test drive? If you have any curiosity about small group ministry and are not already active in a Chalice Circle, join us for a one-time, no obligation 45 minute session on May’s worship theme, “Imagination.” (If you’re in a circle and want to join, you’re welcome as long as there’s room.)

 

Justice Information

 

KUUJAN All Network Gathering Thursday April 24
UU activist and organizer Chris Crass will join us for the topic, “How We Show Up.”  The Gathering is April 24  at 7:30 – 9 Eastern. Here’s the zoom link.
 

Medicare for All Act
Next Tuesday, April 29, a trio of health justice champions will re-introduce the Medicare for All Act in Congress. Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Debbie Dingell will sponsor this landmark bill in the U.S. House and Sen. Bernie Sanders will sponsor similar legislation in the U.S. Senate.
The “Medicare for All Act of 2025” is a crucial piece of legislation that would establish a single-payer national health program in the United States.
With your support, PNHP has been laying the groundwork for fundamental reform and the American public has been speaking out about their frustrations with our profit-driven system. We need to mobilize that energy to make sure every member of Congress hears from their constituents about Medicare for All. Whether your congressperson is a longtime single-payer supporter, a finger-to-the-wind moderate, or a sworn opponent of public health care, they must hear a loud and unmistakable message of support for the Medicare for All Act. Ask your legislators to co-sponsor Medicare for All! 
 

Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice
If you want to help us grow the base of white people showing up for racial justice in partnership with the multiracial struggle for a more just society come join us! We must work collectively to build the people power we need. We encourage you to consider getting involved in one action this month! LSURJ monthly meetings are the second Wednesday of each month from 7-8pm. We focus on Political Education, Leadership Development, Action and Base Building. To get our newsletter and email alerts, click here.