The Pledge Drive-Why we contribute

April 2, 2024April 2, 2024 / Martha H / Leave a comment

Each year The Pledge Drive gives some of our members an opportunity to share the importance of 1U in their lives. The following are excerpts—

A mother of two children offered the following: Know that when you support 1U you support families who need this village and children who need us to say “I’m so proud of you.” You’re supporting programming that teaches children to act on their values and speak out about their beliefs, making positive changes in the world.

Today I give to 1U and volunteer with the RE program because I want our children to have a loving community. We give our UU children a space where they can be themselves and not only be accepted for who they are but supported and celebrated. Our children need us. They need to know we’re here and we’re on their side. And my message for the youth here is: What you do matters. You are making a difference. And I am so proud of you.

A grandfather shared: “As we traveled around the country building houses with Habitat for Humanity, Here’s what we found — As we worked side by side with future home owners – We found that our gift of helping them was also their gift right back to us – it was a gift that lifted our spirit and filled our hearts.

I think the Unitarians have gotten it right all along – that spreading love and justice, and helping others, is a necessary part of our spiritual journey. — It completes the circle from looking inward to reaching out.”

A dedicated climate change activist shared: My experience at 1U affirms that our church community truly affirms that the environment is vital and that we are all part of the interdependent web of life. That was brought home to me by the support I received when I brought up the new idea of a solar co-op.

A meeting on May 15, 2015 that started solar co-ops in this Sanctuary happened because I received an immediate “Yes” when I asked Dan H. if he would be interested in hearing about solar co-ops, an idea I had heard about on NPR which sparked a “light bulb” moment. And, next I received another supportive “Yes” when I asked Rev Kathy, our minister at the time, for her OK to use the Sanctuary for a public meeting to launch the solar co-op.

Now looking forward, I have aspirations for THIS church-that we install SOLAR panels on THIS Sanctuary and our other rooftops so that we reduce our energy footprint and serve to encourage others in our community to consider the solar option.

And, then we have a long time member person share how the Unitarian Universalist principles support her life path: She reminded us about the worth and dignity of each person, compassion for all, the value of a personal philosophy, the importance of democracy, and that all the nations of the world and the natural world are interconnected.

A dedicated Justice member said: I’ve been invited to speak with you this morning about JUSTICE and GENEROSITY. 1U has a reputation in Central Florida as

a place where justice is our core principle, a place where justice happens. So, anything we do to support the existence and life of this church is an act of justice . . . So, here’s the GENEROSITY part. One of the major ways we support this church is by being generous with our money. To keep justice alive at 1U, we must pledge as much money as our circumstances allow. . . . LIVE YOUR VALUES, TAKE OWNERSHIP OF 1U IN YOUR HEART, AND PLEDGE ACCORDINGLY.

Congregational Meeting means lunch and 1U’s Mid Year Report

February 13, 2024 / Martha H / Leave a comment

A powerful service focused on the world and UUSC’s partners, lunch for all and a Congregational Meeting filled our Sunday. We heard reports from Rev. Margalie and Judith Stein-Farrell, John Hartgering from Finance and the Strategic Planning committee reported on the Vision, Mission and Values asking for support of the months of work by multiple teams with a vote. See Meeting report. Look forward for more information .

Congratulations to Rev. Margalie for earning Full Fellowship accreditation from the UUA

January 30, 2024February 6, 2024 / Martha H / Leave a comment

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On November 2, 2023, Rev. Margalie attained Full Fellowship from the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC). This status was recognized by 1U on November 19, 2023 during the Sunday morning worship service. Paul Knight, President of the1U Board of Trustees, performed the honors.

Full Fellowship is conferred when a UU minister in Preliminary Fellowship has satisfied the requirements as outlined by the UUA. The credentially exercise for a parish minister includes the minister, their mentor, and the congregation(s) they’re serving at the time that they go through the process.

The First Unitarian Church participated in the process for Rev. Margalie by, both the Board of Trustees and the Committee On (Shared) Ministry, completing and submitting evaluations on her to the MFC. This is a significant step in a minister’s professional life. The entire fellowship process (both preliminary and Full) involves ongoing education, reports, conversations and formal interviews. Congratulations Rev. Margalie!

Bookstore Grand Re-Opening at 1U Paired Many Readers with New Books

October 30, 2023October 31, 2023 / Martha H / Leave a comment

The Nora Staton Bookstore re-appeared with its 200+ books after being closed for the past 3 years due to COVID. Sunday’s members and friends had the opportunity to see these books, published by Skinner House and Beacon Press (publishing arms of the UUA), on a variety of topics. Ken and Carolina L. have been running this bookstore for members and friends at 1U since 1993. If you have questions, email bookstore@orlandouu.org.

1U Leaders back in person this year!

August 15, 2023August 18, 2023 / Martha H / Leave a comment

The four members of the Leadership Development Committee (Kathy H., Cat R., Mary Ann H. and John H.) conducted a three hour workshop in Gore Hall with Rev. Margalie, Judith S-F and 21 other church leaders on Saturday August 12. Leaders met in small groups during the workshop to evaluate their own groups and our leadership program using the SOAR model (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results) which has also been adopted by the Strategic Planning Team. There was lots of energetic and thoughtful discussion during the meetings and as many of the ideas were shared on newsprint during the session.

Leaders will be meeting again on Zoom on August 26 for the second orientation workshop, including the “nuts and bolts” training to support a successful leadership experience.

General Assembly 2023

July 3, 2023 / Martha H / Leave a comment

Boston, Mass. (June 26, 2023) – Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was elected to serve as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) with the support of more than 2300 Unitarian Universalist (UU) delegates at the denomination’s annual General Assembly (GA) from June 21st to June 25th. Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was appointed interim co-president of the UUA in 2017, and was the UUA’s first woman president. Now she will be both the first out queer individual and the first woman of color elected to the role. She succeeds the Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray and will begin her tenure on July 10th.

“Unitarian Universalism has a vital, liberating message for our time. Our nation and denomination are experiencing challenges in a time of significant division, change and radicalization,” said Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. “But together, I know we can serve one another, organize for justice, widen the circle of concern, collectively imagine new ways forward in community, and grow spiritually. I am looking forward to the continued work of radical inclusion, faithful witness, and the embrace of a wide range of voices and leaders for our faith.”

Additionally, UU delegates from all 50 states and Washington, DC traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for in-person participation. All in-person attendees were required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and to wear masks indoors. In total, 2593 delegates from 715 congregations participated in voting democratically on denominational business.

In addition to electing the new president for a six-year term, delegates contemplated new proposed bylaws for the association. Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws – “Principles and Purposes” – is the foundation for all of the work of the UUA, and its member congregations and covenanted communities. The process for examining and revising this core religious language reflects the faithful practice of Unitarian Universalism. It also reflects UUs understanding of their faith as a Living Tradition, rooted in democratic practice and engagement. Delegates voted to advance recommended changes to Article II, which last underwent a wholesale revision in 1987.

A final vote on the revised Article II will take place at General Assembly in 2024. More information on the Article II process is available online.

Voting on Actions of Immediate Witness was also among the business conducted during GA 2023. UU delegates overwhelmingly voted for social justice resolutions that support health equity (PDF 2 pages), ending the planned “Cop City” training center (PDF 3 pages) in Atlanta, Georgia, and protecting the rights of Dreamers (PDF 2 pages), those who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status. Additionally, Side With Love, the UUA’s organizing initiative, held a rally during the assembly that highlighted the work that UU congregations across the country are doing to support the UUA’s four justice priorities – combatting criminalization, supporting democracy, promoting climate justice and advancing LGBTQIA+ equity.

See entire Press Release here.

Article II Discussion-Unitarian Universalism- A Living Tradition

June 10, 2023June 10, 2023 / Martha H / Leave a comment

Discussion about the Proposed changes to the Bylaws concerning our Values and the Covenantal actions that are connected to them was held during Welcome Wednesday. Rev. Margalie summarized the changes and Rev. Kierstin, Affiliate Minister and Judith Stein-Farrall, Director of Lifespan Religious Enrichment, offered their views. Delegates from 1U will be voting on these changes. If 50+ percent of the delegates vote to approve the changes, the changes will be studied for another year and voted on again at General Assembly 2024 where it will need a 70 percent vote of approval. See here for more information. The UUA General Assembly will meet this month in Pittsburgh between June 21-15 in person and on line. 1U will have four voting delegates.

Safety at 1U and a Big Thanks

March 11, 2023March 20, 2023 / Martha H / Leave a comment

As we approach the spring congregational meeting, it seems a good time for 1U to thank the Building and Grounds Team, Safety Planning Team, Welcome Team, and other members who together are working to make our 1U campus a safer place for all. These efforts could not have happened without many volunteer hours, many meetings and several trainings, supported by thoughtful staff and member input.

Two members provided significant support to our safety planning effort. George H. researched safety protocols and prepared our Campus Safety Plan. The safety plan and our building handbooks are now on our website, and evacuation maps are posted in all our buildings. Ann P. developed a disaster planning schedule and reviewed our Hurricane Plan. When the work was near completion for the year, Ann and Bob P. generously donated a new, large capacity transit chair to 1U.

Please note safety additions on campus: radios for staff and volunteers; a voice-activated intercom system in most of our rooms, three AEDs ([automated electronic defibrillators], and three transit chairs for rapid evacuations and other uses.

Look for these additions in our buildings and be prepared to help as needed. As possible, sign up for trainings. The more we all know, the safer we are.

Situational Awareness Workshop at 1U

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023 / Martha H / Leave a comment

Church leaders attended a Situational Awareness presentation by the Orlando Police Department with neighbor Commissioner Patty Sheenan as our esteemed guest on Wednesday evening. The program helped attendees think about ways our Operations Team/Safety Team can improve the church safety plan and understand how our local police can support our efforts. A major take-away was the need for protocols, training, and reassessment as we grow.

Sandy C, Judith SF, DRE director, Kathyrn H, Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Rev. Margalie, Officer Eddie R. and partner

2022 Volunteer Opportunity Fiestas Are Coming!

September 9, 2022 / 1UBlogManager / Leave a comment

The Water Communion service on September 11, 2022 kicks off the new First Unitarian Church of Orlando 2022-2023 program year!

It also kicks off this year’s Volunteer Fiestas where you can learn about the different church ministries. Come explore all the opportunities available this year during coffee hour after the worship over the next few Sundays. Meet new people and come be a part of church life at 1U!

Sept 11: Worship and Music Ministries
Sept 18: Care and Religious Enrichment Ministries
Sept 25: Justice and Fellowship Ministries
Oct 9: Infrastructure and Other Ministries

This annual showcase event is sponsored by leadershipdevelopment@orlandouu.org.

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