color logo on left and church name
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland E-Blast
February 5th - February 19th
In This Issue
 
 
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland
21600 Shaker Boulevard
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122

 
 
FAIR TRADE SALES
Sun., February 7
after the service
Chocolate bars, cocoa and coffee, will be available for purchase. Chocolate$4, cocoa $5, and Coffee $9.All organic & fair trade.
See you then!
ALL-CHURCH BREAKFAST
Sunday, February 14 9:30 am to 10:45 amin Fellowship Hall
chalice
MONTHLY PRAYER SERVICE
Wednesday, February 10
7:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary

The Church will be closed on Monday, February 15 in observance of President's Day.

Inclement Weather Closings
Check Cleveland.com
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland closes whenever Shaker Schools Close. (Including cold weather without snow.)

We never close on Sundays.
 

MULTIGEN CHOIR

Sunday, February 7 at 10:00 am
in the Sanctuary

Come be a part of the Choir for all ages on Sunday, February 7 for the multigenerational service. There is no weeknight rehearsal for this group, just come to the sanctuary at 10:00 am on Sunday, February 7. Mike will teach the group a couple of easy-to-learn songs and the Multigen Choir will sing them during the service that same morning. All are welcome!

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UU BOOK GROUP

Sunday, February 14
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
in Fellowship Hall

Book to discuss:  The Republic of Imagination: A Life in Books by Azar Nafisi. Questions? Contact Brian Larson.   

STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE 
IS A PUBLIC ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN THAT SEEKS TO HARNESS LOVE'S POWER TO STOP OPPRESSION. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE  UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST
ASSOCIATION 
AND ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN.
Visit 
http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/
for more information.
Worship Services
 
Sunday, February 7 at 11:00 am
Teacher Appreciation Sunday:
"Treasure Seekers"
Ms. Bethany S. Ward
 
How is the philosophy of liberal Religious Education being shaped as we move toward the future?  What are the goals of our Faith Development for Children and Youth program? Join us for this all-ages worship service as we recognize the tremendous work of our Youth Religious Education volunteers.
 
 
Sunday, February 14 at 11:00 am
"Love Will Guide Us"
Mike Carney & The Chancel Choir
 
Is it true that "All You Need Is Love?" Do you believe that "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" or are you more in the "Love Is a Battlefield" frame of mind right now? There can be no denying that love is powerful, inspiring, deeply emotional, a driving force in our lives, the glue that holds countless families and communities together, and so much more. Join music Director Mike Carney, along with the Chancel Choir and other special guests for a service centered around music and poetry celebrating that best and strongest of emotions. We'll take a closer look at the many types of love and some of the ways love can change our lives and our world for the better.

Multigen Choir

This Sunday, February 7 
10:00 am
in the Sanctuary

Come be a part of the Choir for All Ages on Sunday, February 7th for the multigenerational service. There is no weeknight rehearsal for this group, just come to the sanctuary at 10:00 on Sunday, February 7th. Mike will teach the group a couple of easy-to-learn songs and the Multigen Choir will sing them during the service that same morning. There will be fun interactive elements and rhythm instruments for kids (and adults
) to play. Everyone is welcome!

Community Forum
Sundays: 9:30 am-10:45 am
in Fellowship Hall

February 7
Reflections on the Cleveland Orchestra: Strategy, Growth  and the Future
 
The Cleveland Orchestra has reached new listeners locally and with long term residencies in Miami and Europe.  By incorporating opera, ballet, movies, neighborhood concerts into programming, they have gained new audiences.  How has this been accomplished?  Gary Hanson , Executive Director (recently retired), Cleveland Orchestra and Interim Director, Cleveland Institute of Music.     
How did we AnteUUP?

The Auction is over! Thank you to the 68 different families who donated items, and to the 90 families who purchased them! Over 100 attended, and about 45 events were created for smaller groups to get together throughout the year. We raised over $13,000! A big thank you goes to all the volunteers who made this a terrific ALL-church event, with a special shout-out to the kitchen crew! For all items, Don Stimpert has created a consolidated bill that you can pick up at Coffee Hour on February 7 or 14. Payment can be made at that time as well (cash or check). Bills that have not been picked up by the 14th will be mailed. All payments are due by February 28th. Donors can also pick up a listing on the 7th or 14th of what they donated and who bought the items. It will be mailed if not picked up. 
Midwinter: Cleansing and Inspiration

Saturday, February 6 at 6:30 pm
in the Sanctuary

Join Valerie for the second in series of intimate services around earth-centered spirituality.  On Saturday, Feb 6th at 6:30 we will meet again in the sanctuary for Midwinter: Cleansing and Inspiration. What inspires us to create change in our lives?  How do we find the "fire in our belly" that causes us to go on even when times seem tough?
If you are willing and able, please bring a short poem, short text, song, or piece of artwork or music not to exceed five minutes in length to present. It can be one of your own creation or one that inspires you. Or just come and enjoy, no requirements! For questions, please contact  valerie@firstunitarincleveland.org.  
Newcomer
Coffee Chat

Sunday, February 7

Attention New Members, Guests and Visitors!  Please join us in the Library for Coffee and Conversation on Sunday, February 7 immediately following the service.  We look forward to getting to know you better.
Spiritual Conversations

Wednesday, February 17
7:15 pm to 9:00 pm in the Baker Room

Meets 3rd Wednesday of each month 7:15 pm to 9:00 pm in the Baker Room .  

Bob Adams will lead us in a discussion on "Exploring Boundaries on Different Tolerances." Join us for an evening of exploration of our spiritual nature. We will enhance our understanding of ourselves, our relationships to others and to the universe on a deeper, more profound level. All welcome! Questions? Contact Katarina Cerny or Sandy Wilson.
Standing on the Side of Love with  Greater Cleveland Congregations

Our Anger into Action: 
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM ON TRIAL 

Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 pm
Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple

Greater Cleveland Congregations: Sign up to take action! 

Prosecutor McGinty and Michael O'Mally, his opponent in the 2016 Prosecutor race, will attend.  Candidates will respond to GCC demands for permanent, systemic change in our  justice system. We need 1000  members of GCC Congregations to be counted at this event. Sign-up and be heard!

WHEN:  Tuesday, 2/16, 7:00 pm (seated at 6:30 pm)

WHERE:  Anche Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood

SIGN-UPS:  At coffee hour on 2/7 and 2/14.  Carpooling from First Unitarian will be available.

Congregational Conversation:
Standing on the Side of Love Sunday

Sunday, February 21 
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Fellowship Hall

Join us as we mark Standing on the Side of Love Sunday with a congregational conversation with GCC Organizer Khalilah Worley. Learn about the February 16th Action to hold the candidates for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor accountable for needed changes to the criminal justice system, and hear about the ways Greater Cleveland Congregation helps us live into our value of justice-seeking on an inter-faith level. We will have an opportunity to reflect together on how we can use our involvement in GCC to listen deeply for ways we can effect change with our neighbors!


12:30-2pm in Fellowship Hall, Feb. 21st

Lunch will be provided!
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
2016 General Assembly
Heart Land: Where Faiths Connect 

June 22-26
Columbus, OH
Registration begins March 1st

This year the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association will be held close to home in Columbus, Ohio! This is a wonderful event that is open to everyone. If you do register, please let us know as we will organize a carpool as well as plan other events for our members.


Don't forget to inform us upon registration. 
You may do so HERE.
UU College of Social Justice

The UU College of Social Justice is offering three Activate youth justice trainings this summer! High schoolers can sign up for Activate Boston: Climate Justice (July 9 to 17), Activate Tucson: Immigration Justice (July 23 to 31), or Activate New Orleans: Racial Justice & Beloved Community (July 30 to August 7). Generous financial aid is available for those who need it. For more info visit http://uucsj.org/youth/
Home Permaculture
Design Course
 
Thursdays at 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm
March 10-April 28 in Fellowship Hall

Our goal with this course is to teach you fundamental permaculture principles and help you apply them to a project you can implement. Previous students have redesigned parts of their front or back yards. This will be our seventh iteration of the course (three previous at First Unitarian and one at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and all to positive reviews, including such comments as "life changing"). Cost: $175, with 20% going to the First Unitarian Permaculture Garden. Contact: Tom Gibson

Family Spaghetti Dinner:
Let Us Serve You!
 
Saturday, March 12
In Fellowship Hall
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Youth Religious Education Committee presents its second annual 'All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner; Let Us Serve You!'

Bring your family! No cooking. No dishes. All fun!
See you there!

Junior High  OWL 
(Our Whole Lives) 
 
Continues  through February 28 
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm,  Senior High Room.

Don't forget your lunch!  A healthy snack will be provided as well, but certainly not sufficient to feed your growing bodies! 
YRE Calendar
 
February
February 7: RE Sunday/Teacher Appreciation   (No RE Classes)
February 14: RE Class
February 21: RE Class
February 28: Re Class

March
March 6: YRE Class
March 12: YRE Family Dinner
March 13: YRE Class
March 20: YRE Class
March 27: EASTER

April
April 4th: YRE Class
April 10th: YRE Class
April 17: YRE Class
April 24th: Senior Sunday (no YRE)