Midweek UUpdate 8/12/26

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Proudly Progressive, Boldly Inclusive, Radically Friendly

FYI 

Gail Helinger: Memorial Service this Saturday

Gail’s memorial service will be Saturday, August 15th, at 3 pm here at church. A brief obituary is in the July 9 Courier-Journal. We hold all who cared about Gail in our hearts, minds, and prayers. Read more from Rev. Liz.

Please Note: Food Requests for Saturday
We have been requesting food donations of finger foods and small sweets but so far, have not had any volunteers. PLEASE contact the office to let us know if you can bring something and if you are willing to serve as a volunteer to assist. Thanks!

Children’s RE: August 16:  Cooking Day II

Create goodies for a donation-based lemonade stand. Proceeds go to CLCM. See the remaining Summer RE Plans for Children.
 

Sunday August 16 /10 am in the Library
Why Poetry Now? – A Reading and Group Discussion with Lennie Hay

In an August 29, 2021 New York Times Opinion piece, Tish Harrison Warren offers: “…I think a particular gift of poetry for our moment is that good poems reclaim the power and grace of words.”  

The Auction is Coming!

Each year, First U has an auction that raises funds to support our church community…and is a lot of fun!  Mark your calendar now for our silent and live auction, coming on Sunday October 18 beginning after the service and a light lunch.  It’s not too early to start thinking about what you may be able to offer to the auction. Can you donate your time offering a class in a skill that you have? Babysit? Give a ride to the airport? Weed a garden? Offer a meal in your home?  Let your creativity flow, and plan to attend.  Contact the office with any questions.

HELP – Coffee Hour Hosts

Looking for a way to get involved at church? Join our team of Coffee Hour hosts! This low key commitment is 11:50-12:45 one Sunday a month after service. If you are interested, please use our online form to sign up!

First U Book Club: See You Monday, September 14

The Book Club is taking a break in August. Join us the 2d Monday in September when we’ll be discussing The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George!

Reminder: You can still attend virtual GA Sessions for FREE

Click here for a FREE special opportunity to participate in sessions, workshops and worship services, even though GA is over in person.

Join Us This Sunday at 11:00am

August 16

A Question Box Service
Minister: Rev. Liz Weber
 

One of our hymns says: “Even to question truly is an answer.” What questions have you always wanted to ask your minister? What do you wonder about her? What spiritual, theological, or religious ideas have you been pondering? In this service, we will collect questions from the congregation that Rev. Liz will answer during the sermon.
 

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.
The Nursery: The Tadpoles Room will be open for babies and pre-k  from 9:30am-12:15pm on Sundays. Registration Forms. are required for each child, including those in the nursery.

Join Us for Upcoming Services

August 23

Speaker: Dr. Muriel Schmid
from KRCRC

The mission of KRCRC is to advocate for the right of all Kentuckians to exercise reproductive and religious freedom consistent with their beliefs.
 

August 30

Water Communion Service

Minister: Rev. Liz Weber
 

We celebrate one of our anchor rituals as Unitarian Universalists: water ceremony! All are invited to bring water from a sacred place, a place you love, or a place where you spent time this summer. (If needed, water from the kitchen sink can symbolize water from anywhere.)

Our collective waters will serve as our sacred water for the coming year.

Social Justice

Save the Date! August 14 CLCM Give Back Event

On August 14, Noble Funk Brewery is hosting a give-back event for Central Louisville Community Ministries.  Live bingo starts that evening at 6:30pm, and a portion of all food/drinks sold that evening will benefit CLCM.  This is a family-friendly event, and there’s plenty of free parking in their lot.  Come join the fun while supporting a great cause!

UU Justice Film Festival 2027 – Want To Help Make It Happen?

First U is looking for people who are interested in helping – in your own preferred way – to stage the second annual Justice Film Festival, in collaboration with the Justice Center at All Peoples. Do you want to help select films for the early 2027 festival? Do you want to help acquire viewing rights? Or maybe help with publicity or put together panels for the post-viewing discussions. If you’re interested in learning more and have skill or passion to participate in some way, click here.

UU the Vote:  Please Join Us!

We’re writing postcards to get out the vote for the November election. Come by the Social Hall after the service, or for more information, click here.

RE: Religious Exploration
Contact Loren Crawford, Director of Religious Exploration (DRE)
Learn  More About RE Here
Families Welcome / Childcare Available beginning at 9:30

Adult (RE) Contact: Adult Religious Exploration

Are you curious about Adult RE? Click here
All are Welcome: Members, friends, visitors, curious people, and people lost in the building are all welcome. Check-in begins at 9:45. Class meets in the Church Library at 10am.  top
 
Sunday August 16 /10 am in the Library
Why Poetry Now? – A Reading and Group Discussion with Lennie Hay
In an August 29, 2021 New York Times Opinion piece, Tish Harrison Warren offers: “…I think a particular gift of poetry for our moment is that good poems reclaim the power and grace of words.” 
 

Not everyone accepts her opinion or has specific ideas about how poetry is a gift for our moment. As a way to explore the question, Why Poetry Now? Lennie Hay will read selected poems from her collections: Lost in America (Broadstone 2024) and I Feed the Dead (Broadstone 2026). She will discuss where her poems come from and answer any questions the group may have about them. Then, following the reading, individuals may want to recall a poem/song lyric/hymn that has special meaning and use their examples to start the discussion. As Lennie facilitates, she will capture key ideas from the group about whether or not poetry matters today. She will also share some thoughts about how poetry is a part of her life.

Children’s RE Contact: Loren Crawford

Are you curious about Children’s RE? Click here
This begins in the sanctuary at 11:00 with the Moment for Ages. They leave during the Song for the Children.
The Nursery: Tadpoles will be open for babies and pre-k  from 9:30am-12:15pm on Sundays.

Registration Forms: Registration information is required for each child, including those in the nursery. They will join the older children in Summer RE as appropriate.

Summer RE for Kids!

AUGUST
  • 16: Cooking Day II: Create goodies for a donation-based lemonade stand. Proceeds go to CLCM 
  • 23 Jar Day: Decorate jars for Water Communion. Give to the congregation at coffee hour.
  • 30: Water Day III The Last One:  It’s Water Communion Day!
September 6: RE Classes begin