Your Weekly Update notices are due each Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.

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This Sunday, September 13
click here for eMail version

Before Worship

Movie Talk – 9:30 a.m., Zoom

The ambitious movie Radioactive (Marie Curie coined the phrase) on Marie’s discoveries of, and the implications for, polonium and radium, is streaming from several providers including Amazon. It should provide more in-depth discussion than Jon Stewart’s recent political comedy. After Radioactive, you may want to watch the HBO series on Chernobyl. Zoom will likely boot us off after 40 minutes, but log-in again using the same link to return to the discussion pronto.

 

Worship — 10:30 a.m. online via Zoom and Facebook Live

The Renewal of Community

Rev. Samuel Schaal / Sarah Gray / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario

Like a living stream constantly renewed with fresh waters, our community is refreshed as we begin another year together. We will experience our traditional water communion virtually.

Service streamed at 10:30 a.m.: Click here for the Facebook page of First Unitarian Church of Orlando or Click here for Zoom. Video on demand at https://www.orlandouu.org

 

After Worship

Informal Fellowship — 11:30 a.m., Zoom

Join us for fellowship fun!

Link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/92261786137
Password:  189674

 

Welcome Center for Newcomers — 11:30 a.m., Zoom

Are you new? Would you like to learn more about our congregation? Join us to learn more and ask any questions you may have!

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87592586779?pwd=QW11eTVmTXhVR2xYZGlaZklZcmRaUT09 

Meeting ID: 875 9258 6779
Password:   1U

If you would like to sign up to be on our mailing list, please fill out this form

 

Volunteer Opportunity Fiesta Begins Today!

Explore this year’s virtual Volunteer Opportunity Fiesta where groups in the congregation have prepared informative flyers and virtual “exhibit tables” for browsing online. Take a closer look at the wide variety of interest groups, opportunities and options for service this active congregation has to offer. The event is hosted by the Leadership Development Team.

 

UUCM Hosts Virtual Concert  to Support New Florida Majority — 6:00 p.m., YouTube

The UU Congregation of Miami is focused on getting out the vote this November. So they are offering a free virtual concert event Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. on YouTube. The concert is free. You’re invited to donate to the New Florida Majority Educational Fund which emphasizes registration and voting. Among the performers: Emma’s Revolution, Lea Morris, and Three Sheets to the Wind. See the concert at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCamVVHLvAbJfiuCr8cW7Ufw?view_as 

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Religious Education for Children and Youth

At-home religious education is getting ready to launch Sept. 20! To sign up to receive a supply kit, please contact Sarah at REcoordinator@orlandouu.org.

Our Family Connection & Support Group is moving to a new day and time! Join us on Fridays at 3:30 to check in and play games!

The weekly Dungeons & Dragons sessions continue on Thursdays at 5 p.m.

Want to contribute a video for at-home RE, lead a game session, or work behind the scenes to support RE this fall? Please contact us to let us know how you can help!

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This Week

 

Friday– Sept. 18

Virtual Bonfire Party — 7:00 p.m., Zoom

The Mystic Grove is 1U’s pagan affinity group. Gather around the “virtual bonfire” with your device to share your jokes, poems, stories, songs, and more! This fellowship event is almost like a “bardic circle lite.” Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org to register, no later than 24 hours in advance for Zoom connection details to be sent to you on the day. Your turn is 5-7 min long and you may perform. pass, or you can request a performance from someone else in the circle with the understanding that they might decline.

 

Saturday – Sept. 19 

Herb and Mask Giveaway — 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Zoom

Want some fresh herbs from the 1U Garden? We’ll harvest them today and give them away to anyone who drives by between 9  to 10 a.m. There’ll be basil, rosemary, oregano and more. It’s all free of charge. We’ll also have other give-aways to anyone who wants them: aloe vera sprouts and homemade masks sewn by 1U volunteers. Bring a container for herbs. If you want to pot a cutting, bring a pot with dirt. Questions? Contact Rene Stutzman.

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Ministerial Search Committee Hosts Beyond Categorical Thinking Oct. 16-18

We will be (virtually) hosting the Beyond Categorical Thinking anti-oppression program the weekend of Oct 16-18. This is two 90-minute Zoom sessions with a worship service that Sunday. Also during late-September and October we will be Zoom-hosting small group meetings to further the conversations.  Some of these gatherings will be focus group meetings, where we invite specific groups. We will also be hosting cottage meetings open to everyone.  All meetings will be small groups including the same questions, and last about an hour. We want to make sure everyone has a chance to be heard. Watch the Weekly Update and 1U website for sign up opportunities soon.

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Thank You for Supporting the Sanctuary Renovation

Thank you to all who have given so generously!  We welcome additional pledges of support!

To Pledge: Please send an email to karen.ramberg@gmail.com 

To Donate: Please send a check to the Church Office and note Sanctuary Accessibility Project in the memo section.  Or use the Donate button on our website https://www.orlandouu.org/ and fill in the boxes next to CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONATIONS, with your amount  (in the first box) and Sanctuary Accessibility Project (in the second box)

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Our Compassionate Community 

The Care Team supports members and friends in two ways:

Caring Circle offers practical, tangible efforts to those experiencing significant joys, sorrows, or changes. Patty Reynolds now coordinates the group. Patty is the September contact. Caring Circle can also help you find a hurricane buddy. It’s that season—contact your hurricane partner now and make plans! Contact CaringCircle@OrlandoUU.org.
Lay Pastoral Associates provide buddy relationships of deep listening and care through difficult times. If you need a phone buddy, a pastoral associate will call you for special needs or just to stay connected. Contact PastoralAssociates@OrlandoUU.org.

Need a phone buddy? The Caring Circle and Lay Pastoral Care Associates will call anyone who wants to receive informal telephone calls occasionally, whether for special needs or just to check in and stay connected. Contact Patty at pastoralassociates@orlandoUU.org to have a phone friend assigned.

Joys and Concerns

To share your joys or concerns please send an email to joysandconcerns@orlandouu.org. 

We are grateful for continued witness across the nation for anti-racism.

We remember those suffering from Covid-19—those recovering from the illness and those whose lives have been impacted in other ways. Especially we remember our schoolteachers and staffs, and our children and youth, as the school year continues to ramp up in these challenging times. We hold ourselves gently as all of us are continuing this long journey through the pandemic—now six months old.  Let us be gentle with ourselves and with others.

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But Wait, There’s More!

Serving with Grace Book Group

7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Third Tuesday Each Month beginning Sept. 15

Serving with Grace by Erik Walker Wikstrom explores the idea that service can be a spiritual practice. We learn about our own strengths, ways to relate to others and where our passions lie. This series is hosted by the Leadership Development Team, and is open to all.

The discussions focus on one chapter per hour session. Join us for all, or one that resonates with you.  The sessions run from September through April (December will be skipped). Purchase a copy of the book independently (print or electronic), or request a copy be added to a 1U Bookstore order. That request should be made asap, since it takes a week or more for delivery. For sign-up, questions and book requests email leadershipdevelopment@orlandouu.org.

 

Pick free fruit and veggies in the 1U Garden

The 1U Garden is always open. We’re a free u-pick operation. What’s available for harvest right now? Peppers, eggplant, green papaya and sweet potatoes. Bring a bag and knife and, if you want sweet potatoes, a pitchfork.
Questions: Contact Rene Stutzman.

 

Sign Up Now for Oct. 3 Volunteer Opportunity at Second Harvest Food Bank

Our next opportunity to volunteer as a group at Second Harvest is Saturday Oct. 3. Saturdays are popular so sign up now at http://1uandmeetup.shfbcf.volunteerhub.com . You must: (1) wear a mask through the entire time period from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2) wear closed toed shoes and (3) preregister at their site: foodbank@orlandouu.org   Your time helping our hungry neighbors is very meaningful! Second Harvest is at 411 Mercy in Orlando.

 

How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi: Common Read
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sundays Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15

Join us for a series of three discussions, each session building on the previous session. How to be an Anti-Racist presents a groundbreaking approach to understanding and uprooting racism and inequality in our society—and in ourselves. The author Ibram X. Kendi is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, Boston University professor and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research.  Sign up here  for the Common Read and you’ll receive additional information and a Zoom link for the meetings.

 

21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge: Completed, But We Can Still Learn!

Wrestling with our Understanding of Racism successfully completed its 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge.  Posts are available on Wrestling with our Understanding of Racism facebook group   Or access the resources from 1U Racial Justice Challenge  google doc.

 

Calling for Nominations for Share-the-Plate

Orlando Solar Co-op Update

It’s too late to join the Orlando Solar Co-op 2020. The maximum 250 participants was reached quickly. Thanks to 1U members and friends who joined this Co-op or any of the previous six in Orange County.  You are creating the  momentum for our clean energy future. Sign up for the next Co-op in Orange County at solarunitedneighbors.org/waitlist

 

Sharing news by text, blog, Facebook?  Add one more share!

If you have signed up for the 1U Justice Googlegroup, please share justice information, meetings online, and links of importance by sending an email to 1UJustice@googlegroups.com. Not signed up?  Email socialjustice@orlandouu.org . We only need your first name and your email address.