First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati

Please join us this Sunday, October 29, 2023 for “Always Believe the Donkey!” from Dr. Alexander Riegel. Nasruddin is the holy fool in the Islamic tradition. Holy fools teach great wisdom through humor. In this sermon, Dr. Riegel will share with us some of his favorite Nasruddin stories and explain the wisdom they contain.

Every person's narrative is different than all other people's narratives. The "male" narrative differs from the "female" narrative, both of which differ from the "nonbinary" narrative. Similarly, the "white" narrative differs from the "nonwhite" narrative, while all "nonwhite" narratives differ from each other. This sermon will demonstrate how the "white" narrative differs from the "black" narrative and suggest that such understanding is indispensable to racial justice work.

Whom Should We Revere Every person's narrative is different than all other people's narratives. The "male" narrative differs from the "female" narrative, both of which differ from...

This Sunday (9/24) Dr. Riegel begins another three part sermon series, this time on the issue of race in our society. He begins with a sermon entitled, "Once Upon a Time," which will explore how narrative determines one's understanding of oneself, i.e., who one is and what is one's place in the world. Come join us this Sunday! (10am at First U, Cincy)

This looks like it will be good...
Kommuna Lux, a Ukrainian Klezmer group, will be playing at St. John's UU Church Sunday, Sept. 24 at 7pm. (All seven musicians are sons of Odessa, the Pearl of the Black Sea.)
Free-will donation at the door; suggested $20

I once heard it said that people are nothing but a collection of stories. If that's true, member Vivian Kline, at 98 years old, has more stories than most. Join us, Friday, September 15, 2023 at 7 PM via Zoom, as Vivian shares just a few of her stories in her Tad Talk* "Recipe for a Long and Happy Life." To attend, just register by days end, Thursday, September 14 at https://tinyurl.com/mv58j29k.

Please note, this talk will be recorded and posted to First Unitarian Church’s YouTube channel.

*Tad Talk - Like a Ted Talk, but a Tad Different

How does a religion without scriptural, ecclesiastical, or denominational authority call itself a religion? Dr. Riegel answers this question using the metaphor of walking the high wire without a net beneath oneself. Curious? Come join us this Sunday!

Our Sunday School and Youth Group Classes start Sunday, September 10th! The focus this year is on 'current events.' Here is what our Jr. High Youth (5th - 7th Grade) and Sr. High Youth (8th - 12th Grade) can expect...

We are working towards hiring a new youth advisor to work with both our Jr. High and Sr. High youth (on alternating weeks). In the meantime, the Jr. High and Sr. High youth groups will meet together, along with volunteer Doug Plummer for “White Christian Nationalism, The Bible, and You.” Doug will answer any questions the youth may have with an anti-oppressive reading of the Bible.

Interested in having your youth join one of our Youth Groups? You can register for our Family Faith Development program here: https://tinyurl.com/5n7yf45a

Would you like to develop the understanding and skill sets necessary to walk the talk of beloved community? Well, now is your chance! On Saturdays, Sept. 16, 30, and Oct. 14, from 10 – 11:30am, Rev. Dr. Riegel will be conducting a set of hybrid workshops titled “Building Our Beloved Community,” on behalf of the Committee on Right Relations and Lifespan Faith Development (an optional 30 minute Q&A session will follow each workshop). Interested? Register now through Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at https://tinyurl.com/5fhy4j6t

Please note, we will be recording this set of workshops via Zoom for later viewing. However, it is best to attend in person, if possible. Snacks and childcare will be provided to all in- person attendees.

Our Sunday School and Youth Group Classes start Sunday, September 10th! The focus this year is on 'current events.' Here is what our Elementary age children (Kindergarten - 4th Grade) can expect...

Just like our Infant – Preschool classroom, our Kindergarten – 4th Grade class is open every Sunday there is not an All-Ages Service. So, families have a choice between keeping their children in service (all elementary children start Sunday in the service), or bringing them to Ms. Kymm after the Time for All Ages (a moment in worship which occurs roughly 15 minutes after the start of service – children are sung out of the sanctuary). Ms. Kymm is another one of our paid classroom leaders. Her kindness and compassion make her classroom a warm and welcoming place to learn and explore. This year, your child will learn about the new Unitarian Universalist (UU) values proposed by the Article II revision, compare those to our UU Principles, and decide amongst themselves if the Article II revision should be adopted.

Interested in having your little one join Ms. Kymm's class? You can register for our Family Faith Development program here: https://tinyurl.com/5n7yf45a

Attention! Attention!

[ID: An image of a pocket calendar announces "Other Key Dates." These dates are "September 3rd - Water Communion Ceremony & Water Play Day," and "September 10th - Blessing of the Backpacks."]

First Unitarian Church is seeking a part-time youth advisor. The youth adviser is responsible for creating engaging and safe youth groups for High School aged and Middle School aged youth at First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati. Primary responsibilities include the creation and facilitation of weekly gatherings; communication with family, staff and volunteers; classroom management; and presentation of Unitarian Universalist values. Applicants must value a variety of spiritual and ethical viewpoints and identities, be able to pass a background check, and have a clean driving record - driver’s license and transportation necessary. Prefer one year of experience working with youth. This is a 4-10 hour a week position that includes a mix of onsite, community, and work from home hours. Weekend hours expected. Pay starts at $17/hour. To learn more, visit our website at https://firstuu.com/news/job-openings/. To apply, submit your resume to [email protected].

Join us! August 15, 22, 29 and September 5, from 7 to 8:30 PM via zoom, for a 4-part discussion of "Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism."

Today, UU congregations are grappling with a charge to dismantle white supremacy in ourselves, our communities, and our world. Co-authors Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin—a white minister and a lay person of color—explored five UU congregations’ journeys toward Beloved Community. In this book they shared the joy, disappointment, and growth these congregations found. To join the discussion just register by Friday, August 11 at https://tinyurl.com/4f8km8kc

Need a copy of the book? Pick up a free copy from First Unitarian Church’s library (while supplies last) , order a physical copy through the inSpirit bookstore, purchase a digital copy through Amazon Kindle, or listen to the audio book through your favorite app.

Our Children's gallery wall is coming along nicely thanks to the special efforts of Jaxen, Fiona, Lily, and Sierra this morning!

Does your child want to be featured on our gallery wall? Have them bring their artwork to Ms. Meredith or send Ms. Meredith a picture of your child and a note about something special they've done recently.

Keeping our church clean, organized, and beautiful requires many hands. Thanks to all those who came out today to lend a hand, and all those who provided lunch!

In celebration of Earth Day this year, First Church is offering a number of programs. Adult Faith Development hopes you will join us Friday, April 21, 2023 at 7 PM via Zoom for Phillip Schaefer’s Earth Day Tad Talk “Honeysuckle Sucks.” Learn about the health of our local ecosystem, as well as Phillip’s organizing and volunteering efforts for habitat restoration and invasive species removal. Just register by days end Thursday, April 20 at https://tinyurl.com/23ajdjsj.

To all of our Muslim members and friends!

Sending love and blessings to all who are observing the holy month of . Wishing all of you a season of fasting and prayer, charity and community ritual. May this be a season of deepening spirit, connection and generosity.

Adult Faith Development and Opening Hearts are teaming up! Join us for a discussion of Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Inspired by true events that rocked the nation, and exploring themes of racism, eugenics, classism, and ableism in 20th century United States, Take My Hand is a profoundly moving novel about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who blows the whistle on a terrible wrong done to her patients.

Due to increased demand, this book discussion is being offered twice! Join us Friday, April 14 from 7 to 9 PM via zoom, or Sunday, April 16 from 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM, in-person.

Register by days end Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Then, pick up a physical, digital, or audio copy of this book through Amazon or your local library. Or, pick up one of the remaining Library books we have at church, just check the bookshelf in the lobby! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/bddct3r8

We know it's only January, but looking forward to May Adult Faith Development (AFD) will be hosting a book discussion of the UUA's Common Read for 2022-2023. That book is Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism (Skinner House Books, 2019).

Today, UU congregations are grappling with a charge to dismantle white supremacy in ourselves, our communities, and our world. Co-authors Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin—a white minister and a lay person of color—explored five UU congregations' journeys toward Beloved Community. In Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism, they shared the joy, disappointment, and growth these congregations found.

Discussion to take place in May (Dates still TBD - Registration to Come). Order physical copies of this book through the inSpirit bookstore (https://tinyurl.com/36vdsfst), purchase a digital copies through Amazon Kindle (https://tinyurl.com/53b42m2d), or listen to the audio book for free via the UUA (https://tinyurl.com/33sthnwt).

The gift of extended years finds many people becoming elders with deep personal questions such as, Who am I now? and What will I do that is meaningful?

Hindsight, Humor & Hope: Who Me, An Elder? is a program developed by the UUA which "helps people as they begin to redesign their later years into a time of reflection, discernment, soul stretching, and new life possibilities." Interested?

Classes begins February 1, and will be offered both in-person and online, the first and third Wednesday, February through April, from 1 PM to 3 PM. Specific dates listed below. Register by days end Monday, January 30 @ https://tinyurl.com/2p8b9js5

Dates - Feb. 1 | Feb. 15 | Mar. 1 | Mar. 15 | Apr. 5 | Apr. 19

Universalist Congregations in the 19th and 20th Centuries shared a similar experience in the face of rejection, contempt, and persecution from orthodox (or mainstream) Christian churches and communities. Drawing from a short book about Universalists in Indiana and Ohio written by David A. Johnson (a member of the Bloomington, Indiana UU congregation) and other sources Tim Kraus will give a short Tad Talk on some of the struggles our Universalist ancestors faced as they practiced their faith in our region. Join us for To Preach and Fight: The Universalist Experience in Ohio.

Register by day's end Thursday, January 19, 2023 @ https://tinyurl.com/2pmmacwn

Please note, this event will be recorded and uploaded onto our congregation's YouTube page for later viewing.

After much consultation we have decided that it is not worth the risk to hold tonight's Christmas Eve service, or tomorrow's Christmas Morning service. In their place, we have a few recommendations for virtual/hybrid services being offered by UU congregations in other parts of the nation...

Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA is holding a no rehearsal Christmas Eve service at 5 PM. Their service will be a hybrid service. Their DRE, DawnStar Sarahs-Borchelt, says that if they get enough people participating via Zoom then zoom participants will be asked to hold up stars. The zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/99231466562. For those who may not want to participate, it will also be streamed via YouTube: https://youtu.be/zCvEFBcnes0

For those who may want a more traditional service, First UU Church of Wausau in Wausau, WI is holding a candlelight service of "Lessons and Carols" at 8 PM our time (7 PM their time). Their service will be streamed via YouTube: https://youtu.be/f0N5ZUtHuug

Finally, tomorrow morning, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke in Roanoke, VA, will present "Feast of Spirit - Christmas Day" at 11 AM. It will be streamed on their YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/

Please stay warm and safe as you celebrate this weekend with friends and family.