Midweek UUpdate 8/20/25

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  • Sunday, August 24 – Hope is a Verb Speaker: Rus Funk
  • Chalice Circles  Sampler Session in RE August 24
  • Children’s RE this Sunday: Theater Games! 
    (We’ll leave the service after the Moment for all Ages)
  • September 12-14: UU Campout 

FYI 
 

First U Glitter Blessings at Louisville Pride – Saturday, September 6
The First U Ministry Council is organizing a First U booth at this year’s Louisville Pride on Bardstown Road on Saturday, September 6 where UU clergy – and some laypersons – will be offering free (biodegradable) Glitter Blessings. We are organizing this with cross-coordinated teams that you can be a part of:

  • Movers and Shakers, responsible for load-in and load-out;
  • the Ministry of Information who will share your UU stories and printed information about First U and Unitarian Universalism;
  • the Blessers which, under the guidance of Rev. Liz, will make sure that glitter blessings are performed by clergy and laypersons are sacred and fun for all ages
  • the Support Squad to make sure we have enough glitter, ice and bottled water, pamphlets, Kleenex, and other supplies.

Most of these opportunities involve only a two-hour shift. Contact the office if you want to help create this moving experience.
 

UU Campout – September 12-14  Our annual campout includes:

  • Fun: sports, workshops, music, dancing, nature hikes, scavenger hunt, campfires, storytelling, and more
  • Bunkhouse camping at O’Bannon Woods State Park in Corydon, IN; (click on park link for photos and directions)
  • Five dining hall meals and snack breaks
  • Indoor and outdoor activity areas (rain or shine)
  • Meet and get to know our members and friends;
  • Family-friendly pricing

Costs:

  • Park Entry $7-$9
  • One-day $20 (includes meals) per person or $30 for a family.
  • Cost for the campout on Friday, Saturday overnight, and Sunday morning $30 for one person, $50 for family.

DEADLINE for Registration: Monday, September 8
Checks and Credit Card registration acceptable at the link in the Midweek Update, Facebook Chalice Page, or see Brian Daly to learn more and join the activities. There’s also a display at church.
Checks and Credit Card registration acceptable at LINK.
Link to our online reservation to learn more and join the activities.  See our display at Church or send your questions to Connections.
 
 

Chalice Circles Return Soon: Registration Now Open
Sampler Session: August 24 at 10am in the Library
Are you seeking a closer connection to other folks at First U? Do you crave conversation beyond coffee hour chit-chat and a chance to explore some of life’s biggest questions with other extraordinary people? Do you wish for a way to get involved in congregational life?
You can register here or by scanning the QR code.  The on-line registration provides a link to the Participant’s Guide which has more details. You can also complete the paper registration. Those forms are available on the counter in the Volunteer Office area..
 

August Ends With Color (Plus a First Fundraiser!) Sunday, August 31
Join us for a special fundraising event, a “Friends and Family” art reception, on Sunday, August 31th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm with free food and wine bar. It’s featuring the works of Jerry Wright, Kathy Sams Wariner, Carol Brenner Tobe (current UU member), Cheryl Ulrich-Barnett, Sarah Tobe Andres, and Stanley Bogue (former UU art teacher).

There’s no admission fee. For each of Stanley Bogue’s pieces sold, the gallery will donate 70% to First Unitarian Church.  For all other works sold, the gallery will donate 20%.  Music will be provided by Mr. Kris Bachman and other UU artists. It’s at Kleinhelter Gallery, 701 E 8th St, New Albany, IN
 

Church Auction Fundraiser – Save the Date – October 12!
The annual First U auction will be Sunday October 12 – mark your calendars now and start to think about how you can help!  There’ll be a silent auction featuring donated gently-used household items, tools, and what-nots.  A sack lunch will be available so you can be nourished while you browse. Following that, a live auction ensues featuring meals or events in member’s homes or out, homemade foods and desserts, etc.   These 2 auctions + an online auction raise significant funds for our church community, so stay tuned for how you can help.  Can you teach a musical instrument or craft? Provide a ride to the airport? Have an unused gift card?  Contact the office with questions!
 
 

Welcome, Rev. Liz! Would you like to schedule a meeting?
Rev. Liz Weber has officially started as our Minister. She is excited to be here! Liz invites you to meet with her to get to know each other. Pick a time at her scheduling page. You can reach Liz for other matters here.  For general church questions, please continue to contact the office.

Join Us Sunday, August 24, at 11:00am
 
             Hope is a Verb 
         Speaker: Rus Funk
We often refer to and experience Hope as something that we find or give. In the noun form of the word – as if hope is something outside of ourselves that we come across.
What if we change our relationship to hope and experience it as a verb – something that is embodied within ourselves and which we practice? What if we relate to hope as something that we do – which it is! Practicing hope is so critical in days such as these, which seem so challenging, dark and threatening  In this service, we will explore the practice of hoping and hopefulness in ways that encourage our living hope (as individuals and in our collectives).

About the Speaker:
Rus Funk is a long-time UU, having got his start in the UU community at the Sojourner Truth Congregation in Washington, DC.  Rus is a long-time activist and organizer both in the United States and in several other countries.  He is currently the director of the Justice Center at All Peoples, where he works to engage and mobilize interfaith efforts to advance justice more broadly. Rus lives in the highlands with his partner, their teenage child and a cat who belongs to himself.  He enjoys long walks, hiking, gardening, and good conversations with friends.
 

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.

Looking Ahead at Future Services: 11:00am
Save the Date: September 7
 
Honoring Sanctuary

Following the murder of Breonna Taylor, protesters from around Louisville took to the streets. For five days during that time, First U Lou opened our doors in support, culminating in providing overnight Sanctuary when a curfew was declared.
First U Lou opened our doors in support, culminating in providing overnight Sanctuary when a curfew was declared.
We will remember First U Lou’s role in those days. The service is followed by lunch and a workshop  (1:00—2:30 pm) to continue the conversation. All are welcome.

Our Black Lives Matter banner above the sanctuary windows.
taken by Del Ramey in 2023.

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

Kids RE This Summer 11am Sundays  Contact Loren

All Ages Children’s Religious Exploration continues through the summer, but instead of classes we will focus on fun and delight.
  • AUGUST 24: Theater Games (Because why wouldn’t we?)
  • AUGUST 31: Water Day (It’s Water Communion Day!)
 

Upcoming Adult RE Plans
Contact the office for Adult RE class information

  • August 24 – Chalice Circles Sampler 
    With the new Chalice Circles groups forming, we’re offering a chance to “kick the tires” and take the Chalice Circles experience out for a brief “test drive” as we explore August’s worship theme, “Coming Together.”
  • August 31 “Adult RE” is the Topic
    To kick off the start of the church year, we’re going to consider what we are trying to do in Adult Religious Exploration (RE) at First U. We have some ideas, but you probably have some ideas too! Let’s discuss what we’re doing and hoping to accomplish, and poke at the ways our adult religious exploration experiences are (hopefully) different from adult education classes.

Justice Information
 

Following the film, Mayor Craig Greenberg will join filmmakers Tim Hashko and Don Sawyer as well as James Mathy and Eric Collins from Milwaukee County to discuss ways that the city and each of us as citizens can support a permanent supportive housing model in Louisville.
 

La Casita News: La Casita Center works intentionally to build a thriving community based on mutual support and respect built on the vision of connecting people through solidarity, to be one community. Priority needs; ways to give; jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
 

You’re Invited to join Voices of the ‘Ville (A Community Group)
Wanna sing/learn to sing/improve your singing? Then join the Voices of the ‘Ville! The group’s mission is to lead sing-alongs with audiences from a diversity of situations. Participation is as much or as little as you can. Sing once or sing a thousand times. Rehearsals and songs will be catered to all levels of singing abilities. Performances will be in support of services for the unhouses prioritizing singing at shelters and encouraging those being sheltered to sing along.
Weekly rehearsal TBD – currently available to travel to you and teach songs!
Contact Charlie Walsh or call 502-377-5376. He’s at 1300 S. 4th St. Suite 250, Monday-Friday 9am-3pm.  If you can’t reach out, sign up and he’ll reach out to you!
 

Request of Gift Cards from Kentucky Refugee Ministries
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, a local organization that resettles refugees and provides services to immigrants, is currently asking for donations of gift cards.  These cards are a great help to immigrants who are experiencing a slowdown in finding employment caused by employers’ reluctance to hire immigrants under this new Administration. The grants KRM once had access to for gift card aid has dried up due to federal withdrawal of funds.  Gift cards to Aldi, Walmart, Kroger, or Visa gift cards in $50 donations would be appreciated and can be delivered to KRM, attn. Joseph Caminiti: 969-B Cherokee Rd, Louisville, KY 40204.