FYI 

August Ends With Color (Plus a First Fundraiser!) Sunday, August 31
Kleinhelter Gallery, 701 E. 8th St. New Albany, IN
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.

Honoring Sanctuary September 7
Click here to read about the service at 11:00 and here to learn about the afternoon workshop.

NEW: Transformative Action People
Are you interested in making our church a more spiritual and intentional force for good in our community and world? We are seeking members to join us in this task.  Interested? Send an email or sign up at church during coffee hour to learn more.

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

• 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.

About the Louisville Pride Festival
From the CJ: Highlighting the diversity and spirit of Louisville’s LGBTQ+ community, the 2025 festival will feature over 100 vendors, two stages with musical and drag performances and a wellness and family activity tent.  For information about the festival, click here.

• Where: On Bardstown Road, in the Highlands, between Longest Avenue and Grinstead Drive
• When: Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cost: Free

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 contact the office 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.

Follow-up from the August 24 Service: Hope is a Verb!
The August 24th Celebration of Life was centered on hope in hard times. Hope is a verb! There were a few pieces of music that Rus Funk wanted to share with us that he wasn’t able to due to technical difficulties.
Please feel free to take a moment now and be inspired by them.

• The Freddy Jones Band
  “In a Daydream”
• Melissa Ethridge “Pulse”

• Andra Day ““Rise Up 
• Michael Franti and Spearhead
  I Work Hard and Be Nice

A Note from Valerie: Rus was in a car accident driving home after that service! He is okay, but probably feeling pretty darn sore at this point. We offer him healing vibes. Practicing hope as a verb can be as simple as letting someone know we are thinking of them.

First U Book Club:  Monday, September 8 at 6pm
It’s never too late to join the First U Book Club! We meet every month, (usually) on the second Monday at 6 pm in the church’s library (the room between the offices and the sanctuary). At our September 8 meeting, we’ll be discussing this month’s book, Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Come, even if you haven’t read the book, and see what we’re all about!

Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness – September 4

Join the Coalition for the Homeless, Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Louisville Downtown Partnership, Metro United Way, and Metropolitan Housing Coalition for a special screening at the Louisville Palace of Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness, a powerful film that sheds light on homelessness, the urgent need for permanent supportive housing, and provides a roadmap for cities to move toward solving unsheltered homelessness.

After the screening, stay for a panel discussion featuring the filmmakers and local leaders working on real solutions.

Together, we’ll explore how to create lasting change for our most vulnerable neighbors. Learn more here

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.

BLM Sanctuary Workshop: 5 Years Later
Sunday, September 7, 1:00-2:30 pm In the sanctuary
After Breonna Taylor’s death in 2020, First U Lou joined with Black Lives Matter protesters. Our support included opening our doors to provide overnight sanctuary when curfew was declared. This workshop is a time to remember those days. All are welcome, whether you participated or not. Come share your stories or learn from your fellow congregants. Community members who participated are warmly invited as well. Let’s honor this time together.

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 Adult RE Plans
Contact Jim for Adult RE class information

• 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.

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.

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.