|
Sunday, March 18: Guest Preacher The Rev. Clyde Grubbs |
 |
 |
 |
|
We wanted to give you some advance notice of an exciting upcoming sermon:
Sunday, March 18, 2012, 10:30 am
"Discovering America, Once Again"
Guest Preacher: The Rev. Clyde Grubbs
Liturgist: The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
In the 15th century, Christian Europe asserted the right to conquer and subjugate the non-Christian peoples of Africa and the Americas. Genocide and slavery left their scars on our nation's soul. Unitarian Universalists are preparing for Justice GA in Phoenix, Arizona. What can we do to re-discover our Land, and build a nation of peace and justice?
 Rev, Melanie's friend Clyde Grubbs is a UU minister who has served our congregations in Indiana, Quebec, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, and California. He presently serves as Minister-at-Large of the Tuckerman Creative Ministries for Justice & Healing. He has been a member of the Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUMM) for 15 years, and is currently DRUUMM co-president. Clyde has served on the UU Ministers Association executive team as its portfolio holder for Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, and Multiculturalism. He was recently in New Orleans as part of the UUA Board of Trustees, where he serves at-large.
Clyde honors his Native American heritage (Texas Cherokee), which informs his spiritual understanding and practice, and his anti-racist and anti-oppressive commitment. He has worked for peace, justice and equality since he was in the Unitarian Universalist youth movement, Liberal Religious Youth, back in the day. We are delighted to welcome this warrior for justice to our pulpit. |
|
|
Sunday Worship, January 29, 2012, 10:30 am (return to regular time) |
|
|
|
"Radical Hospitality"
Jyaphia Christos-Rodgers
Nearly every Sunday, we end by calling for "radical hospitality." What does that theological term mean for us UUs and for us at First Church? |
|
Next FULL Group Meeting - Jan. 31 |
|
|
|
|
The next meeting of the Feeling Ultimate Life and Love group (FULL) will be held on Tuesday, January 31st, 6:30 pm in the Large Classroom. We will for this session be following a format from an article on the Alban Institute website, called "Theological Reflection in a Small Group" by Abigail Johnson.
If you are planning to attend this session, please go to the article and read it, going through Steps 1 through 6 as your "homework assignment" -- then come to the meeting on January 31 prepared to share your reflections. A few copies of the article will be available at the session, but it will work better if you have read it in advance and have done the personal reflection piece on your own.
As always, the FULL group is open to newcomers and is not limited to people dealing with an addiction or addictive behavior, but is for any person who wants to experience a deeper level of spirituality and community. |
|
UUA President reflects on recent trip to New Orleans |
|
|
|
|
The UUA Board of Trustees meeting was held in New Orleans this year. After returning home, Rev. Peter Morales wrote a blog post about his third visit to the city post-Katrina:
"The healing is not yet finished. However, it may be easier for an outsider who comes every couple of years or so to see progress more clearly. The story of our congregations in the New Orleans area is a story of resilience. Along the way they have engaged in important social justice work in the community. Our brothers and sisters in New Orleans deserve our admiration and continued support."
Read the full article. |
|
No Resistance & Transformation class this Saturday |
|
|
|
|
Dear folks of the three congregations of GNOUU,
Because of the heavy press of responsibilities from last week's visit by the UUA President, Moderator, and Board, we did not have willing and able facilitators for the planned session this Saturday, Jan. 28. So this week's session is cancelled and classes will resume on Sat., Feb. 4.
Watch your email for a promo of this session as it approaches.
See you at R&T!
Rev. Melanie |
|
Valentine's Day Fun with CEL! |
|
|
|
|
 The Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal, of which First Church is a proud partner, is hosting a Valentine's Day Dinner and Music fundraiser. There will also be a silent auction. Think massages, jewelry, hotel stays, etc. Come with your partner/lover or a good friend. Kathleen North is selling tickets after Church the next 2 Sundays - contact her if you have any questions, at 504-994-2107 or kathleen2north@hotmail.com. Please support CEL and have a good time doing it!
The info: Celebrate Love- A Valentine’s Day Event with dinner and music for lovers and friends. Enjoy delicious cuisine and Jazz vocalist Cindy Scott. Treat your valentine at the silent auction held during cocktails.
Where: 6690 Fleur de Lis Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana (in Lakeview)
When: Tuesday, February 14 @6pm
Suggested Donation: $30 per person- includes dinner, music and a glass of champagne. Vegan option is available.
Donations (items or services) to the Silent Auction would be very helpful. Also, we are looking too for grills and screens/dividers. We won't need them till the day before. |
|
Need a ride to NSUU for Resistance & Transformation class? |
|
|
|
|
The "Resistance & Transformation" UUA adult ed class is now moving to North Shore UU for the rest of the sessions. Leslie Runnels is offering a ride for South Shore folks who want to attend (whether you have been to previous sessions or not.) Thanks, Leslie, for being so generous!
The next session is February 4th - so please let her know if you want to ride together - she can fit herself plus four others. Contact her at 504-259-5317 or leslierunnels@yahoo.com
Leslie is also hoping that on one of these trips we can go to the Global Wildlife Center and see the animals (she loves the giraffes!!), or stop at the tea and scones shop for a treat.... |
|
January Letter from our Director of Religious Education |
|
|
|
|
Dear First Church Families and Friends,
After our break from our usual RE classes during the busy Winter Holiday season, we are excited to get back to our classes in the Flowers Wing! Our children continue to explore their Unitarian Universalist identities and beliefs through examining how love shapes our ideas and actions, while our middle school classes are examining philosophical questions that will guide them as they transition into their next curriculum "Heeding the Call: Qualities of A Justice Maker." Entering into the spring, all RE classes (even the nursery!) will be participating in a project themed around the national UUA campaign "Standing on the Side of Love."
We are also excited to continue the work of building our multigenerational spiritual community. On Saturday January 28, the RE Team will be hosting our second Potluck and Game Night of the year! All are invited to attend this fun all-ages event from 5-8 pm in the Sanctuary. Contact Neil Boris if you have any questions.
Finally, there are always ways to support Religious Education at First Church. We will be having an RE Committee Meeting on Sunday January 29th following the service in the large classroom to discuss RE's role in collaborating on fundraising for our congregation's operating budget. We are also still looking for someone to step into the role of youth adviser to our outstanding youth group. If you feel called to this transformative work, please contact me.
As always, I am happy to discuss any issues related to RE you may have.
See you Sunday!
In spirit,
Lydia Pelot-Hobbs, DRE |
|
First RE Team meeting for 2012 - Sunday, Jan. 29th |
|
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
Together with Sofya Belair, my co-chair of the FUUUNO Religious Education team, I want to announce our first team meeting of the year. The meeting will be in the large middle classroom at 12:00 on Sunday, Jan. 29th.
Among other things, we will talk about how the Religious Education Team can contribute to our intensive fundraising to ensure that we as a congregation do not need to cut our staff this year. We will come up with a family friendly project to help support the operating budget. We will also review the program activity for the year so far and plan our spring activities.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Jyaphia Christos-Rodgers |
|
"Exploring the UUniverse of Women's Spirituality" Conference - Feb. 2012 |
|
|
|
|
 SouthWest Unitarian Universalist Women (SWUUW) are holding their annual conference February 24-26, 2012, with speaker Meg Barnhouse. The conference will be held in the beautiful Hilton hotel overlooking Clear Lake and across from NASA Space Center. It is located 25 miles south of downtown Houston, 17 miles from Houston’s Hobby Airport and is a perfect place to relax, rejuvenate, reconnect and join us in Exploring the UUniverse of Women’s Spirituality.
Contact convener Lynn Young at conference@swuuw.org if you have any questions. Details can also be found on their website and their Facebook page as plans progress.
|
|
|
|
|
Our minister was born in New Orleans in 1952 to parents active in organized labor. Influenced by her activist parents, from an early age she was interested in politics and social justice. She began attending First Church in the early 1980s and was ordained during the church’s 160th anniversary, February 26, 1993. She has served in various congregations around the world.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious tradition that combines Unitarianism and Universalism. Unitarianism began with belief in the unity of God and later went on to stress the importance of rational thinking, a direct relationship with God, and the humanity of Jesus. The central belief of Universalism is universal salvation.
Renovation of the church building to support this work is ongoing. Contact the church office to learn how you can help in this effort. This includes our plan to share the First Church Community Kitchen with our partner The New Orleans 
For our family, FUUNO is about history and tradition—about being part of Unitarianism, which has been around for centuries, and being a part of a congregation that has been meeting for more than 175 years! As a father, this church is about setting a religious foundation for my kids—they learn about worship, friendship and sharing.
