Midweek UUpdate 9/17/25

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Save the Dates (follow links for information)

FYI 
 

Hey….   Word around the neighborhood is that there’s a really great “Moment for All Ages” this Sunday – you’ll be glad you were there!
Women’s Alliance Fall Meeting: This 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.
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.
 

Do you like to sing? The Choir wants to know…
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!
 

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, contact the office. And save the date on October 12!
 

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

  • Food Pantry – 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 THURSDAY!  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.
 

An Easy Way To Support First U – Free Money!
You need groceries, right? As you shop at Kroger, you earn points that earn you discounts on groceries and gas. But there’s more! Kroger sets aside a percentage to share with the place of your choice – which could be First U! It doesn’t cost you a cent, but it adds up. Each quarter, Kroger sends a check to First U for this money. Click here to sign up or ask questions.
 

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.
 
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.
 

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).

Join Us Sunday, September 21, at 11:00am
 
         

 Being and Belonging

 Speaker: Rev. Liz Weber

Unitarian Universalists believe in the inherent worth and dignity
of each person. 
 

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?
 

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
September 28
 
 Reflections on Belonging
from “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek”
by Kim Michele Richardson
Speaker: Rev. Ben Burton
How might a story of a mountain librarian teach us about our place among others? As we continue our theme of Belonging, join us as we consider how we might embody belonging and carry it to our communities.
 

Speaker Bio:  Rev. Ben Burton, Ben or ‘B’, is a native Appalachian who has called Louisville home since 2007. Ordained in the Baptist tradition, Ben found their way to First Unitarian Church in their continued quest for truth and beloved community. Ben is a hospice chaplain who finds meaning and transformation in shared stories. Ben and their wife Sara reside in Germantown.

to learn more about the history of the rural book distribution program
October 5: The Blessing of the Animals

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 H. 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
  • Just Show Up: No preparation. No homework. No RSVP needed.
  • All are Welcome: Members, friends, visitors, curious people, and people lost in the building are all welcome.
  • Childcare: available beginning at 9:30 am. Children are welcome with us in the Library, too. We provide coloring pages, crayons, fidget items and stickers. The stickers are mainly for the children, but if you need to dig into them, they’re there for you, too.
  • Click here for more information
 

September 21  We are continuing our deep dive into the monthly theme of “Building Belonging” as we consider the ways we enter different community or group spaces and feel expected to change or conform. What does it mean to have to deny or hide part of who we are to be accepted? Have you had to modify who you are to be part of a larger group? What does it feel like for a group to change itself to meet you where you are – and who you are?

September 28  We will get down to our Belonging brass tacks this Sunday as we examine what “belonging” means in a faith community – or at First U specifically. What are the experiences that you’ve had in the past where you felt like you belong? What are ways that you help create an atmosphere of belonging at church? What are some needs you have that would make you feel more like we all belong together?

October  The Anti-Racism Challenge (ARC) returns. We will explore ways we can lean into anti-racist practices and thinking collectively…and we will also come together to process together our individual efforts and explorations. We’ll poke at the racism all around us, from food deserts to incarceration and beyond. You can subscribe to the four weekly ARC e-mails via Listen. Learn. Act. at this link. If you have suggestions for our own First U ARC activities,  share them with Alexis, Jim and Matt.
 

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 by going here.
 

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.