Our 2021-22 Pledge Drive is about to begin! Your pledge packet should have arrived in the mail, and it is available online. Be sure to read it to learn about this year’s accomplishments and our hopes for the upcoming year and to decide how YOU can contribute to the Fire of Commitment for our future!!

Join Us on Zoom - Saturday, Feb. 27th at Noon for a Family Picnic! Set up in your living room or backyard and join us for a collaborative family meal. We'll play some games, show off our cool lunches/picnic baskets, and enjoy time with one another. Let’s break virtual bread together!! https://zoom.us/j/96151665279

New Member Sunday, March 7. Is it time for you to become a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno? Our next (virtual) New Member Sunday Service is coming up on March 7. If you are considering membership at this time, or if you have any questions about our process, please contact our Coordinator of Congregational Life Patty Bennett at [email protected] or 559-322-6146 ext.15.

Look Who's Watching - Join in the 3rd Sunday Food Collection Food Palooza!!! Starting Tuesday, Feb 23. The food bin will be in front of the Church Office daily, between the hours of 9:30am - 3pm.

We are partnering with Wesley United Methodist Church and Valley Children's Hospital in their food distribution to people in need and families who stay in the rooms with their children. Items needed are: tuna, canned corn, peanut butter, cereal, non-refrigerated single-serve meals of any sort including soups, vegetables, fruits, beans, etc., preferably with "flip-top" type cans if the item is a canned item, nothing perishable, and nothing that has expired. Instant meals such as oatmeal or other meals that can be put into a microwave are best. If you have questions regarding acceptable food items contact Steve Sacks at [email protected].

Serve Gratefully with Us at Balderas Elementary on February 22 for our 4th Monday Food Distribution. We meet at 2:30 and finish around 5:00. To sign up and get details, contact Vicki G: [email protected].

Linda Santigian Continues to Grow Stronger in a physical rehabilitation center after an extended hospital stay. Notes and cards can be sent to her at 2304 E. Palo Alto Avenue, Fresno CA 93710.

Our thoughts are with Marc Wise on the death of his father, Stanley, due to complications brought on by Covid-19. Notes and cards can be sent to Marc & Carrie Wise at 1203 W. San Jose Avenue, Fresno CA 93711.

The Pastoral Care Team is available to serve congregants with short-term needs. For more information regarding the services we offer, visit the UUCF website. To contact the officer on duty call (559) 322-6146 ext 16.

The Pastoral Care Team Calls Your Attention to a Food Resource for Anyone in Need: Boxes containing nonperishable food items will be distributed at the following locations during February. Allocations are based on the number of persons in the household. No proof of need is required. All distributions start at 3 pm.

Join the Movement to Beautify Fresno! We have two more events coming up in the month of February - Sign up today

OR contact us with ideas for your own cleanup or beautification project! Call 559-621-8626 or email [email protected]!

Sat. 2/20 – Parkway Drive Clean Up (Sign up HERE)

Sat. 2/27 – Highway City Clean Up (Sign up HERE)

Interfaith Scholar Weekend (ISW) 2021 Webinar Series - This year, instead of our usual in-person weekend event, The Fresno Interfaith Scholar Weekend invites you to join us for our six-session virtual 2021 Webinar Series entitled, “Bearing Witness from Fresno’s Mason-Dixon Line.” We will host interfaith conversations about Fresno’s history of redlining and racism for six consecutive Mondays at 4 pm (Feb 15 - Mar 23). All Zoom sessions are free! Weeks 2-5, as part of our Series, we will take a deep dive into Eddie S. Glaude’s New York Times bestselling book, Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own. For more information and to register for this timely interfaith Webinar Series on racial reckoning go to https://interfaithscholar.org or rsvp https://bit.ly/ISW_rsvp21

Recommended by Bookstore staffer, Sylvia Woodburne: 'Rule Makers, Rule Breakers' by Michele Gelfand. This 2018 analysis of why some cultures cling to order while others enjoy more ambiguity, “Fits interestingly with the culture-awareness the church has been working on.” Contact Jeanine King, [email protected] to order the book, or contact Wendy to share another recommendation. [email protected]

The Lioness Tale Prison Project is a local effort that aims to reclaim our inner light in an effort to free ourselves from the prisons that bind us; figuratively and literally. They will be offering opportunities to learn from the volunteers of the project and from women who, though serving life sentences in prison, have found the courage to reclaim their inner freedom. If you sense this may be a growth opportunity for you, please consider joining their next circle; details at https://thelionesstalecircle.org/ CEU’s available for counselors and social workers as well. More information: Russell V Jensen, [email protected].

Women & Religion PCD (Pacific Central District) VIRTUAL Retreat Saturday, March 13, 8:30 am to 8 pm on Zoom. Theme: HANGING IN, HANGING ON. Cost: $25. To be added to the retreat email list, send a blank email to: [email protected]. We will email you when registration is open.

UUCF Board of Trustee meeting minutes and monthly financial reports are available for those who would be interested in reviewing them. In an effort to minimize unwanted email communication, if you are a church member and would like to automatically receive board meeting minutes and/or financial reports upon acceptance and approval, please contact Cindie Gonzales, Administrative Assistant [email protected]. Additionally, a digital archive of UUCF board minutes and monthly financial reports are maintained with the church administration and are available to members upon request.

Teresa Damey * Nancy Wallace * Helen Anderson * Anne Betancourt * Kathy Boudinot-Johnson * Dianne & Charles Hanzlicek * Sydney Story * Sally Carroll & Paul Hanf

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Pledge: A “Pledge” contribution is for those who have made a financial “Pledge of Record” for a given July-June fiscal year. The majority of our annual operating budget is determined by the pledges that are received during our Annual Pledge Drive.

Non-Pledge Donation: A donation without restrictions that supplements the yearly operating budget.

Sunday Offering (Plate) via Cash App, PayPal, Credit Card or Check: Sunday offerings or plate donations are an act of generosity for our Sunday Services and support our annual operating budget. They are an important additional source of income each week.

We Care Fund: “We Care Fund” is a discretionary fund that Rev. Tim utilizes to provide needed financial support to members and friends, especially needed in this time of Pandemic. Examples include gas cards, gift cards for clothes or other needed items, assistance with bills, emergency rent assistance, and other expenses that arise, especially during the Pandemic when more people are financially vulnerable.

Pastoral Care Team Food Fund: This fund allows the Pastoral Care Team to provide purchased and delivered meals to members and friends who are in need of support during illness, family death, or other life events. It can also assist with basic grocery purchases, especially during this time of Pandemic.

Minister’s Discretionary Fund: The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is utilized by the Minister for a multitude of purposes and can fund unexpected church expenses (emergencies arise) and church purchases (for instance, broadcasting equipment for virtual services, needed equipment for our fire alarm system, etc.). It can also be used to assist those in financial need.

In Honor of and In Memoriam: You can make a special donation in honor of something (for instance, appreciating Monday yoga class) or to honor a person who is living. You can also make a financial contribution to honor a church member or other person who has died.

to our GIVING page at www.uufresno.org.

For additional information about our church, services or activities, please contact us at (559) 322-6146 or visit our website at www.uufresno.org. If you are interested in reading or listening to past sermons, look under menu item "Worship" and you will find both audio and written sermons to choose from.