Midweek UUpdate 9/10/25

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Join Us September 14

 
Save the Dates (follow links for information)

FYI 
 

Speaking of Belonging…  Do you like to sing?
The First Unitarian Church Choir would love for more people, especially lower voices (tenors and basses), to join and sing with us! While we do sing from sheet music, ability to read music is NOT required, as we also record individual parts to listen and practice along with. Rehearsals are Thursday nights in the sanctuary from 7pm to 8pm. E-mail our music director Ethan or find him after service on Sundays for more information!
Women’s Alliance Fall Meeting-Saturday, September 20
10-11:30am in the Social Hall.
The Women’s Alliance invites ALL First U women to its Fall Meeting and Brunch.  Our guest speaker will be Margaret Dickinson, a recent Bell Award recipient. She is a member of Calvary Episcopal Church and the founder and coordinator of the Food Pantry located at Calvary and a part of the services provided by Central Louisville Community Ministries (CLCM). Margaret will be sharing her experiences and the lessons learned during the 50+ years of her life that she has dedicated to serving neighbors living in the 40203 zip code, one of poorest urban zip codes in the United States.
  • In support of her work, attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to this gathering.
  • In order to make it easier for mothers of young children to attend, childcare will be offered beginning at 9:30 am. Those needing childcare must RSVP to the office by Saturday, September 13th.
The Women’s Alliance has been in existence in various forms since the 1830’s.  Its Mission is to advocate for women, children and families within our congregation, our community and beyond. We carry out our mission by giving financial support and volunteering to organizations that are centered on the needs of women and children and offering programs that promote the self-care for our members. More information about the Alliance can be found at the First U website under the “Connections” tab.
 

UU Campout – September 12-14 (Deadline to sign up: Wednesday Sept.10)
The campout at Wyandotte Woods Group Campground is Friday to Sunday morning, September 12 (3:30) to 14 (noon). Day visitors welcome.
Includes:

  • Bunkhouses with lots of space, electricity, fans, single & bunk beds, & restrooms
  • Meals – Friday evening, Saturday (3), and Sunday continental breakfast
  • Saturday: In- and out-door games, workshops: theater, movie making, tie dye & crafts, Art Therapy, and a hiking scavenger hunt
  • Friday-Saturday Evening Campfire – story-telling, music, plays

What to bring:  single bed linens, white t-shirts (etc). for tie dye, musical instruments, flashlight, an adventurist spirit.
Costs: Overnighters ($30 single, $50 family). Day visitors ($20 single, $30 family)
Park Entrance: $7-$9 per car.
Signup at Church or at the attached link. – Checks and cards accepted
Questions? Email Connections.
 

Mark Your Calendar: Church Auction, Sunday, October 12
For 20+ years, auctions have raised significant funds to benefit our church’s programs. They’re fun and exciting and offer something for everyone!
12:00pm: Lunch and Silent Auction in the social hall
1:15pm: Live Auction   (Child care provided; ending time by 3:00pm)

For this auction, we’re especially seeking donations of dinners and events hosted by church members and friends. Bidders will buy individual spots at these.

We’re also looking for donations of services!
– drive someone to the airport?
– let someone use your cottage or timeshare?
– donate theater tickets?
– get a gift certificate from a hotel, restaurant, hotel, other?

Let us know what you’ll do to help!

Can you cook a meal? Repair a lamp? Paint a portrait? Babysit? Teach a skill? Rake leaves?

  • For the Silent Auction, we’d like donations of items that are new or in excellent condition. This is a great chance to pass along things you’ve been meaning to regift or that you bought and have never used!
  • To donate goods or services, email text or call Kathy Gapsis 812-989-9152. And save the date on October 12!
 

Central Louisville Community Ministries
CLCM has 2 exciting announcements to share.

  • The long-time manager of CLCM’s affiliate food pantry, Margaret Dickinson, has been chosen as a 2025 Bell Award winner! Margaret’s 50+ years of dedication to the pantry is truly remarkable.
  • Give for Good is CLCM’s major fundraiser each fall. This is a wonderful opportunity for member congregations (like us!) to support CLCM’s work with downtown neighbors in need of emergency rent or utility assistance, food, clothes and more. A donation can be made on Give for Good day, Sept 18, here.  Prefer to avoid online donations?  Your check can be mailed at any time to CLCM, 809 S 4th St, Louisville KY 40203 – any amount is greatly appreciated.
 

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.
 

Meeting with Rev. Liz
If you’d like to meet with Rev. Liz to get to know each other or about something at church, pick a time. If you want to meet for pastoral care, please email her for an earlier time. If you have an urgent pastoral need (new illness or injury, bereavement), please call her cell (available in the church directory).
 
Chalice Circles  
You’re still welcome to register for Chalice Circles. We’ve identified the available time slots based on the registrations received through last Sunday. We will be placing new registrants into the circles that are forming.
Learn More   Register here, by scanning the QR code or complete the paper registration. Forms are available on the counter in the Volunteer Office area. See the Participant’s Guide for more details.  Email the Organizers Nancy M or Jim H.

Join Us Sunday, September 14, at 11:00am
 
Building Belonging
Speakers: Peggy Muller, Valerie Schwartz and Barb Kaminer

“Building Belonging” is the theme for September. We begin this month with a discussion on loneliness and its impact on us, and how we move forward to belonging.
“To focus on such things is to wonder if, maybe without us fully noticing it, our whole society has become a land of lonely belonging, where no one is allowed to live without burying at least one part of themselves. The words of Carl Jung capture this well. He wrote, “Loneliness does not come from having no people around, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself.”

So where does this leave us? Well, perhaps it’s an invitation to understand that the work of belonging begins with developing an intimate relationship with its opposite: loneliness. And opening ourselves to the idea that loneliness may not always be just a burden, emptiness, or a source of depletion, even though it can feel that way. Perhaps sometimes loneliness is also a source of wisdom, arising from a caretaking part of us that tries to tell us, “This is not the way to live!”

So, friends, this month let’s listen to our loneliness more closely. Because it appears to be the key to the unique kind of belonging that each of us needs. ” Rather than a traditional sermon, we will participate in exercises that guide us toward a sense of belonging. This comes from Soul Matters and has been adapted for use.
 

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
 
Join Us Next Week: September 21
             

Being and Belonging

              Speaker: Rev. Liz Webber
Unitarian Universalists believe in the inherent worth and dignity of each person. And we often say we need not think alike to love alike. All are welcome. How does this translate into our own belonging? And what are the implications for belonging given today’s rising authoritarianism?

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
Contact Jim for Adult RE class information
Click here for Fall Children’s Classes
 

Adult Religious Exploration (RE)

  • Every Sunday – 10 am – in the Library / Check-ins start at 9:45
  • No preparation. No homework. No RSVP needed.
  • Members, friends, visitors, curious people, and people lost in the building are all welcome.
  • Childcare is available beginning at 9:30 am. Children are welcome with us in the Library, too.
  • Click here for more information
 

Children’s RE 
Fall Religious Exploration classes have started!  Children are NOT required to attend every Sunday- just come as you are able. It is important that caregivers complete a registration form for each child. You can click here to do so.  Here are the Classes:

  • The Nursery: Tadpoles will be open for babies and pre-k  from 9:30am-12:15pm on Sundays.
  • The Raccoon Room: Pre-K – Grade 2. Room 212. Teacher: Ms. Loren & guest teachers will begin in the sanctuary with their families and then head upstairs with their teacher after the Moment for All Ages. Class ends at noon, parents will come up and get their children following the service.
  • The Fox Hole: Grades 3 and up Room  202. Ms. Christina & guest teachers will begin in the sanctuary with their families and then head upstairs with their teacher after the Moment for All Ages. Class ends at noon, parents will come up and get their children following the service.
  • Youth Group: Grades 5 and Up We hope to meet on a regular basis at the church and around town.

Please complete one registration form for each child you would like to participate in Religious Exploration in the coming year. This includes the nursery.

Justice Information
 

KUUJAN All Network Gathering Monday, September 22 at 7:30pm
Join the Kentucky UU Justice Action Network as we vision what we can do or be going forward. Please join us if you can.  This will be a really important conversation and your voice matters! Join the ANG over Zoom here.
 

League of Women Voters Democracy in Action: September 15
6:00 -7:30 at League Headquarters 115 S Ewing Avenue.

Constitutional Crisis:  Are Our Rights in Jeopardy?

Is there a Constitutional Crisis in the United States? What can the average US citizen do to respond to assaults on rights guaranteed in The Constitution?
The Observer Corps of The League of Women Voters invites you to observe Constitution Week at the September 15 Democracy in Action

This program will be a conversation about citizen concerns about the current state of the Constitution. In the face of many executive orders aimed at the rights of voters, green card holders, federalization of police, attacks on education, how should citizens respond?  What Constitutional Rights do you consider in jeopardy?

  • Cathy Hinko, JD, former Director of the Metropolitan Housing Coalition and staunch advocate for human rights, will moderate this program. Two experts in law will address specific issues in education and immigration:
  • David Tachau, who is representing Jefferson County Public Schools in the case before the Kentucky Supreme Court
  • Rep. Nima Kulkarni, an expert in immigration law.

Then the floor will be open to conversation. Attendees are encouraged to raise their concerns about the state of the Constitution and the guardrails that are supposed to protect the rights of US citizens, so bring your questions.

Please find the Zoom link and information for the program here
Meeting ID: contact the office      Passcode: contact the office

This program is part of the Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative of the League which seeks to mobilize 8.5 million citizens to participate in our democracy. The program is free and open to the public. For further information contact the League at 895-5218 or Gail Henson, co-president, at 648-2201.
 

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