ANNOUNCEMENTS — November 10, 2019
Visitors: You are invited downstairs after the service for coffee and, if comfortable, asked to take a blue cup which indicates you would enjoy conversation with members. Please also visit the Welcome Table where you can find information on Unitarian Universalism and our church. All visitors, their friends and relatives, and friends and relatives of members are welcome to attend all church functions and social events.
Assisted Listening Devices and Large Print Orders of Service are available in the church entryway for your use. Greeters can direct you to these resources.
Please sign in on the pink sheets in each pew. This is much needed information which we use to follow attendance trends and recognize visitors.
Parking: Parking is directly west of the church in the surface parking lot or on the street. We want to save the surface lot for those who need to park closer. You may park in the Midtown Crossing Parking Garage to the west of the church lot. The entrance to the parking garage is on Farnam Street. You must have your ticket validated for free parking. Have your ticket validated downstairs in the Common Room. Find the ticket-validating machine on the south side of the Common Room on the bookcase. Questions? Contact the church office at admin@firstuuomaha.org
Children: The sanctuary foyer has a speaker and comfortable chair for those who need a place to comfort a child during the service.
TODAY
Flowers: Today's flowers are in loving memory of Mary Johnson Major from Harriet Major and Jamie and Sandy Major.
Bridge Group
This group meets the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month after the service in the conference room. All are welcome.
CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans) Meeting
Sunday, Nov. 10 at 7pm in the Common Room. At this meeting we will elect the next officers of CUUPS, plan next year's rituals, and discuss the direction of our chapter in the coming year. Questions? Email CUUPS@firstuuomaha.org.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Smoke Free Campus
The Board of Trustees voted at the October Board meeting to make the First Unitarian Church of Omaha a smoke and vape free campus. This includes the grounds and the building. This policy will go into effect on November 1st. The Board would like to thank all of you who gave your feedback during the decision-making process. They appreciate your taking the time to talk with them and comment on the proposed change over the last couple of months. This decision will align First Unitarian with the UUA's suggested smoke-free policies. Thank you for helping to make First Unitarian a smoke and vape free campus.
Inclement Weather Cancellations
In the event of bad weather and a church service or event is cancelled, the church office will email everyone on the enews list, update the church website, and post on the church Facebook page. When in doubt, play it safe.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women's Alliance
Monday, Nov. 11 at 6:30pm in the Common Room. Meal: Greek food with vegetarian options. Please indicate preferences (meat, veggie, allergies, etc.) in your RSVP. Freewill donation: We ask for a free will donation of $15 which goes to the cost of food and the Merritt Education Fund. Please let us know if you're a first time attendee. Please RSVP by Monday, 11/4 to Louise at for food and childcare. Program to be presented by the Sierra Club. Come learn more about the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign goals to: phase out all coal plants in the US, work to replace the majority of retired coal plants with clean energy solutions, and keep coal in the ground in places like Appalachia and WY's Powder River Basin.
Women's Religious Studies Group
This group meets every Thursday (except the 3rd week of the month) at 1pm in the Merritt Lounge. Our new book is Misquoting Jesus by Bart D. Ehrman. If you're interested, please contact Linda at lparkerlib@gmail.com.
Dharma Chautauqua Group
Every Thursday, 6pm to 7:30pm in the Whitney Young Classroom.
More information can be found here: dharmachautauqua.drycreekhost.net
Atheist, Humanist, & Agnostic Meeting (AHA)
Thursday, Nov. 14 in the Common Room. Doors open at 6pm for "Bring Your Own Dinner," and the meeting starts at 7pm. Please join AHA as we meet with the Ministerial Search Committee. What characteristics would you like in our minister? Come and express your questions and insights representing your atheist, humanist, or agnostic views so they will be considered in selection of our next minister. This will be the last focus group so don't miss this opportunity! All are welcome.
Leadership Talk Back
Sunday, Nov. 17 during Coffee Hour in the Common Room. Join members of the Board and Ministry Team Council (MTC) at a table, have coffee, and get your questions answered. Church leadership wants to hear from you!
Compassionate Communication Group
This group meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Common Room. Next meeting: Nov. 19. No prior experience is necessary. Click here for more information.
Transgender Day of Remembrance & Resilience (TDORR)
Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. This program is open to all ages and is free and provides an opportunity to gather and honor those individuals whose lives were lost to violence, as well as recounting personal stories of survival of similar violence.
Women's Religious Studies Covenant Group
Thursday, Nov. 21 at 1pm in the Merritt Lounge. This group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our book is titled On the Brink of Everything by Parker J. Palmer. We welcome all self-identified women.
First Steps: A Class for Visitors
Sunday, Nov. 24 at 11:45am in the Whitney Young Classroom. Join us for an introduction to First Unitarian Church and Unitarian Universalism. This session is run by Carrie, our membership coordinator. All are welcome to attend. RSVP to coordinator@firstuuomaha.org. If you need childcare, please let us know.
Women's Alliance Annual Bake & Craft Sale
Sunday, Nov. 24 during Coffee Hour in the Common Room. Save the date for this sale. Join us during Coffee Hour on 11/24 to stock up on delicious Thanksgiving desserts, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, or treat yourself!
People's Film Festival
Monday, Nov. 25 at 7pm in the Common Room. We will watch On Her Shoulders, a documentary about Nadia Murad, who survived the 2014 genocide in northern Iraq.
Book Club
Monday, Nov. 25 at 7pm in the Merritt Lounge. Our book is titled Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow. Questions? Email Dave at drichardson821@gmail.com.
CommUUnity Night
Friday, Dec. 6 at 5:30pm in the Common Room. All are welcome! This casual potluck is a chance to hang out with friends. RE brings the main dish. If you don't have time to bring something with you, that's okay. All we want is yoUU!
The 3F Book Bonanza Group
Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7pm in the Merritt Lounge. We will discuss the book Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan. Questions? Please contact Sheri at ksvortex@msn.com.
Holiday Dinner-- RSVPs Required!
Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Common Room. Social hour at 5:30pm. Dinner at 6:30pm. A fabulous meal will be prepared by Attitude on Food Catering. Cost is $22/person. The deadline to RSVP is 12/6. See the insert in this Sunday's order of worship.
Notice of the Mid-Year Congregational Meeting
Save the date: Sunday, January 19, 2020
The Board of Trustees would like to invite you to our mid-year Congregational Meeting scheduled for Sunday, January 19 at 10:30am. This meeting will take the place of the Sunday service.
The purpose of this meeting is to bring forth new business that the Board, the Ministry Team Council (MTC), and other leadership is working on. We seek your input and welcome discussion.
We will also solicit next year's leadership slate (which will be voted on at our Annual Meeting--scheduled for Sunday, May 2). We hope the mid-year meeting will become an annual event. The board will provide light snacks. We encourage your participation.
Thank you!
First Unitarian Church of Omaha Board of Trustees
Email:
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Outside Opportunities
"We Refuse to Be Enemies" a talk given by Palestinian Christian farmer and Director of the Tent of Nations Project, Daoud Nassar. Monday, Nov. 11 at 7pm at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church. Address: 510 N 93rd St., Omaha.
Mr. Nassar will discuss his family's commitment to living a life of non-violent resistance and refusing to be enemies in the face of continuous obstacles. This event is free and open to the public.
Local Author Forum at Douglas County Historical Society
The Local Author Forum will be held on Sunday, November 17 from 2pm to 4pm at the Douglas County Historical Society located on the Metro Campus, Fort Omaha, in Building 11B. The address is 5730 N 30th St. #11B, Omaha, NE 68111. Our very own Dave Richardson will be there selling copies of our 2018 church history book, Pillars & Dreams. For more information about this event, visit
Meet & Greet with Maryanne Williamson, author, activist, non-denominational faith leader, and candidate for President, is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 17 at 6pm at Unity Church (3424 N 90th St.).
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WAYS YOU CAN HELP AND GET INVOLVED
YES Meal Prep:
Donations for YES & Volunteers for the 25th
Monday, Nov. 25 at 9am in the Kitchen. Help Kim prepare a meal for YES Shelter. Our menu this month is pulled pork (thanks to Wendy B.) and veggie salad. Donated desserts are always welcomed.
This holiday season we will collect holiday gifts for teenagers. Some ideas: ear buds, hair accessories, gift cards to fast food restaurants and to Target. YES hosts an annual holiday party for its youth. We have placed a small tree on display in the Common Room with paper ornaments with suggestions for gifts. No gift will be large and most are for either gender. You don't even have to wrap it! Let's make the kids' holiday shine bright! Gifts will be collected during the service on Sunday, Dec. 8. Want to help Kim with the November meal? Need more details about the angel gift tree? Please email Kim at kjcallaghan@hotmail.com.
Women's Alliance Bake & Craft Sale Looking for Bakers & Crafters
Love to bake? Make some yummy treats to be sold at the sale.
Love to craft? Make a few creations for the craft sale.
Don't have time to bake or craft? Show your support by purchasing a yummy treat or a special creation for your home or as a gift!
What To Do: Bring your items to the Common Room before the Sunday service on November 24th. Please price all craft items with "recommended prices." Label your baked goods with special ingredients (nuts, no nuts, gluten-free, keto, non-dairy, etc.) Purchase items at the sale immediately following the Sunday, Nov. 24th service. Questions? Email WA@firstuuomaha.org.
Holiday Decorating
Monday, Dec. 2 at 9am at church. Come help the Chalice Guild decorate the church for the holidays. Be part of the team of elves! Interested? Contact Kay Lynn at klgoldner@cox.net.
SISTER CHURCH EVENTS
To see a list of upcoming Sister Church events with Clair Memorial, please visit: www.firstuuomaha.org/sisterchurch
OTOC (OMAHA TOGETHER ONE COMMUNITY) EVENTS
To see a list of upcoming OTOC events, please visit:
Sunday services and forums can be found here: www.firstuuomaha.org/sundayservices