CUUPS: Witchy Crafts Night:  Come and join the CUUPS group in the Common Room on Friday, April 19th from 7pm-9pm for a night of witchy crafts with great conversation and fantastic people. We will be painting witchy symbols on wooden disks. You may bring a magickal craft you're already working on or participate in the craft we provide. If you are able, bring a dish, snacks, or drinks to share. Questions? Email CUUPS@firstuuomaha.org 

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Upcoming Discussion Will Dive into Racism

The phrase “Multi Cultural, Anti Racist, Beloved Community” is seen often in UUA publications. Let’s enter into discussion about racism in our group and personal history. Do we qualify as anti racist? Or, how can “Anti Racist” status be achieved? Is a white person oblivious of “white privilege” a racist?  The questions above are just a “toe in the water” of this racism issue. Please bring your questions, comments, good will and understanding, and join us in this UUA direction-Discussion Group Meeting!

When: Saturday, April 20 at 10am online via Zoom

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/83695089422

Comments and questions to: jaimealexander@cox.net   

Please RSVP at the Sign up link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FA4AF2FAB9-45912500-ahagroup#/

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Family & Friends Game Night:  Join us on Saturday, April 20 at 4pm in the Common Room. All are welcome. Questions? Email aha@firstuuomaha.org 

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Town Hall Meetings
Your Board of Trustees is seeking congregational input on priorities for the care of our building and budget. Join us Sunday, April 21 (after church, in lieu of Coffee Hour with light snacks provided) in the Common Room or Monday, April 22, 2024 via Zoom at 7pm. Zoom information:

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Townhall Online Meeting
Time: Monday,  Apr 22, 2024 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting:  https://zoom.us/j/97746070717
Meeting ID: 977 4607 0717

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CUUPS Book Circle:  Come join the CUUPS group on Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30pm in the Merritt Lounge for the Book Circle. This month we are reading "The Witch's Book of Spellcraft: A Practical Guide to Connecting with the Magick of Candles, Crystals, Plants, & Herbs" by Jason Mankey, Matt Cavalli, Amanda Lynn, and Ari Mankey. We will be discussing chapters fifteen through seventeen (pages 217-288). Questions? Email cuups@firstuuomaha.org 

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The Evolution of God: Book Study Group:  Join us as we continue our book study on The Evolution of God by Robert Wright. This book explores how human conceptions of God have changed over time. As society has evolved from hunter-gatherers into more complex social systems, our concept of God has changed. The book starts by looking at primitive gods, and then looks specifically at the development of Abrahamic monotheism, evolving understandings of Jesus and the Christian faith, and the changes in understanding of Islam. Jody Petrow will lead this group.  ​We will meet at 9:30am in the Common Room on the 4th Sunday of each month. On April 28th, we'll discuss part 2; May 26th--Part 3; June 23rd--Part 4, and on July 28 we would read the last section, Part 5. Questions? Email Jody at jspetrow@gmail.com

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Come Join Our Circle of Sharing

These small groups are open to all! Monthly themes, readahead materials aka “packets,” and additional information can be found on the Sharing Circle area of the church website: www.firstuuomaha.org/sharingcircles

April Theme – Healing

Full session: Sunday, April 28 in the Merritt Lounge, 1150am-1:50pm.

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Special Class Offering:  Membership Coordinator Melissa Gibson is offering a one-time, online workshop about moral injury. This is a free event and open to all. Join in on Sunday, April 28 at 6pm (CST) to learn about moral injury. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mifinalmg. This event will be recorded and submitted as Melissa's final project for class.

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The First Unitarian Book Club:  The First Unitarian Book Club will next meet on Monday, April 29 at 7pm on Zoom to discuss Democracy Awakening; Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox Richardson.

“A vital and urgent call to action about the precarious state of American democracy, charting its historical challenges and current threats, from one of our era’s most important and insightful historians. An excellent primer for anyone who needs the important facts of the last 150 years of American history–and how they got us to the sorry place we inhabit today."   During this month we will also be selecting our May book. Please submit your nominations to Dave Richardson at drichardson821@gmail.com no later than Friday, April 12. Ballots will then be sent out by email. Voting will end no later than Friday, April 19th. The winner will be announced the following day. Keep on reading!!

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People's Film Festival Screenings:

Monday, April 15 at 7pm in the Common Room. We will watch the documentary Home. Click here for the Facebook event. 
 

Monday, April 29 at 7pm in the Common Room. We will watch Genius: Einstein, episodes 5, 6, 7. Click here for the Facebook event. 

Monday, May 6 at 7pm in the Common Room. We will watch I Am Woman. Click here for the Facebook event.

Monday, May 21 at 7pm in the Common Room. We will watch Genius: Einstein, episodes 8, 9, and 10. Click here for the Facebook event. 

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Monday, May 27 at 7pm in the Common Room. We will watch Food, Inc. 2. Click here for the Facebook event. 

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CommUUnity Night:  We meet at 6pm in the Common Room the 1st Friday of each month. Our next meeting is Friday, May 3rd.  If you haven’t participated before, CommUUnity Night is a fun, laid-back all church event. We gather for a potluck and we don't worry about who is bringing what. Kids are free to play. If you're too busy to bring something, don't worry. All we really want is YOUU! 

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Heart & Hand Auction Event: Mrs Roper One Act Cabaret
Saturday, May 4 at 7:30pm in the Common Room 
Mrs. Roper has become an unlikely beacon for community and bonding. Come join the Offbeats for a hilarious One Act Cabaret celebrating Mrs Roper and her particular brand of sarcasm, and channel your inner Helen with us.

Everyone is encouraged to dress like Mrs. Roper for this inclusive event, she comes in all shapes and sizes! Tickets $15 available at the door, with Karaoke available after the show on demand.

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Annual Congregational Meeting; Sunday, May 5, in place of the service at 10:30am. This meeting, hosted by the Board of Trustees, will include important business, electing officers, and awarding members. Click here for more information. 

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3F Book Bonanza Group:  This group meets monthly at 7pm in the Merritt Lounge on the second Wednesday of the month. ​Next meeting: May 8. Please email questions to Sheri Conner at ksvortex@msn.com

Books for this year: 

May - Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

June - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? By Philip K. Dick

July - The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

August - The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara

September - Foster by Claire Keegan

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Fiber Arts Night:  Do you crochet? Knit? Sew? Embroider? Count stitches?  Do you like to play with yarn, fabric or string? If so, come join the First U Fiber Arts Night. We meet in the church basement to chat, share ideas, and work on our individual projects. Come share your talent with others, learn from each other, and get to know your fellow fiber artists. We meet the second Sunday of each month in the Common Room from 6pm to 9pm. Next meeting:  May 12.  Please direct any questions to Catherine Plumlee at catplumtree@gmail.com 

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Save the date! Sanctuary Singers Concert to happen on Sunday, May 19 at 10:30am: The group, under the direction of William Miller and accompanied by J Gawf, will showcase a variety of choral works. We are excited to share our gifts with you and look forward to seeing you at the service.

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Save the date!  Roll the Dice on Volunteering: Join Us at Our Monopoly-themed Team Fair on May 19th!  Are you ready to make a real difference in your community and have some fun while doing it? Then join us at our Monopoly-themed Team Fair on May 19th, following the Choir Concert Service, at noon in the Common Room.
At our fair, you'll have the chance to meet and interact with several amazing volunteer teams, each dedicated to a specific cause or project in our church. By attending our fair, you'll not only have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of others, but you'll also gain new skills, make new friends, and improve your own life (volunteering has been proven to increase a person’s fulfillment). And most importantly, you'll have fun while making a meaningful impact in your community!  Questions? Email MTC@firstuuomaha.org to reach the organizers of this event. 

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The Compassionate Communication Group:  Hybrid meetings will be on first and third Tuesdays at 7pm in the Common Room.  (Contact Suzanne King nvcsuz@gmail.com for Zoom link) During our practices, we learn to transform the thinking, language and moralistic judgments that keep you from the enriching relationships and start to resolve conflicts with more ease, learn to ask for what you want in ways that ensure you’ll receive it, begin to hear the true needs of others with less effort, strengthen your personal and professional relationships and start living to your full potential.  Everyone is welcome. No prior experience needed.  

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Insight (Mindfulness) Meditation:  Insight Meditation hosted by the Mindfulness Outreach Initiative (a Nebraska 501c3) will meet on most Sundays at 4pm in the Common Room. The meditation will last about 40 minutes and there will be time for conversation and questions as well. Church member Mark Wiesman will host or Dave Reed. If you have questions, please contact Mark at oceanica3@cox.net or the church office. Click here to learn more.

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Bridge Group: This group meets at noon in the Common Room on the first, third, and fifth Sundays for about two hours of play.    If you know how to play, please join us. If you want to learn, join us. Talk to one of us -- Scott Kemper (scott.kemper@gmail.com, 402-981-7819), Tim Duggan,  Doug McIntosh and his wife Marie. All are welcome! 

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Save the date! Let us know you want to attend!

Making a Journal Class -- for ages 12 years and up! 

Please attend both dates: Sundays, June 2nd and June 9th, 1:30pm to 4pm in the Common Room. Cost: freewill donation to the church. 

 

Come join the fun and learn how to make a journal book that you will fill with your photos. Learn the basics of making the book from the spine up. Or purchase an unfinished book at Michael's and learn now to decorate it and create interactive pages for your book. Blank books that are 6" x 6" are also available from Tricia Piatt for a small fee. Class can be rescheduled if these dates/times don't work for those interested. Because the books are very detailed and intricate, please plan on attending both dates.

For a supply list and to sign up, please contact Tricia by text message at 402-812-3582. 

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Save the date!  Sunshine Social: Summertime Picnic Gathering

Join us for a delightful day of community and connection on Saturday, June 22 at Halleck Park in Papillion.  We will be at the Halleck Park Pavilion from 4pm to 10pm (address: 710 E Halleck St, Papillion, NE 68046). Get ready to soak up the sun and enjoy the refreshing breeze as we come together for an afternoon of fun and relaxation.

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We'll provide a delicious spread of main dishes, along with plenty of cool lemonade and water to keep everyone hydrated. Feel free to bring your favorite side dishes to share!

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Don't forget to pack your lawn chairs, blankets, and bikes, as we'll be setting up at the picturesque lakeside location. Whether you're lounging in the shade, enjoying a picnic on the grass, or taking a leisurely bike ride around the area, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

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While you're here, take advantage of the nearby playground for the little ones, or simply sit back and take in the serene beauty of the lake. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with friends old and new, and make lasting memories together.

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Mark your calendars and spread the word – we can't wait to see you there for a day filled with laughter, good food, and summer vibes! Questions? Email communitynight@firstuuomaha.org

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Save the date! Each month the Douglas County Historical Society sponsors a program called "Second Sunday."  It consists of a presentation focusing on some aspect of local history. Our church has been selected to do the presentation on Sunday, July 14th at 2pm at the church.
The program is tentatively titled:
A Midtown Masterpiece: The History of the First Unitarian Church of Omaha
Attendance at Second Sundays is normally around 35 to 50 people. Ordinarily, the DCHS charges non-members $5. We have arranged for church members to attend for free. We think this is a great opportunity to show off our church and let Omahans know more about us and our 155-year history in Omaha.
 
Bob Perrin and Dave Richardson will present the program. Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 14th at 2pm in the Sanctuary.

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Outside Opportunities from other nonprofits and churches can be found by clicking here.