May Day March for Our Dreams

Lake Eola amphitheater was filled with central Floridians supporting constitutional freedoms and dreams. Many groups spoke, and our local congressman, Maxwell Frost, supported the many groups in attendance for coming together for the upcoming challenges.

Sharing LOVE in the face of state-sanctioned hate was the focus of this powerful rally. Giving hope to many marginalized groups – Dreamers, LGBTQ+, union organizers, resistance advocates – as we were reminded that we are working together for a better and fairer community.

IMG_3619IMG_3620

Go Green Mini Fair following Green Team Service

As though it wasn’t enough to lead a service, Green Team continued the message in Gore Hall. The Go Green Mini-Fair shared information about solar by Mary D. and Energy Ideas (ideas and ways to apply for IRA monies) for your home by Lisa R., Zero Waste products by Debbie M. and Lisa-Marie and fresh vegetables and seeds at the Mystic Grove table. If you want any additional information about these topics, ask Mary D. to connect you.

DSC09033DSC08900DSC09037DSC09040

Ready, Set, Solar Workshop!

The Ready, Set, Solar program on Sunday explained  the 30 percent federal tax credit available for nonprofits to help reduce the overall costs of installing solar energy for their buildings. The program was hosted by Solar United Neighbors of Florida (SUN) and the interfaith Environmental Alliance of Central Florida and took place in our 1U Sanctuary and on line.

Heaven Campbell of SUN also explained that Solar United will assist each nonprofit through the energy audit process and the paperwork.  Mary Dipboye and Michael Cohen of the 1U Green Team, founders of the Florida Solar cooperative initiatives, and greeted attendees and helped during the question and answer period.

Very interesting were the questions at the end of the program which displayed high interest in reducing utility bills and going solar. Everybody thanks 1U’s tech team for great sound and support.

IMG_1214Screenshot 2023-04-30 at 3.09.56 PMIMG_1249

Earth Day at Lake Eola

1U was there from beginning to end-Ready Set Solar Program on April 30, Solar Coop for Orange County Sign up, information about our liberal and energy conscious church and members, Right to Clean Water petitions at the League of Women Voters of Orange County table (350 petitions collected), and the Coalition of 100 Black Women table working with 1U on air quality as well as quality of life issues for the Parramore area, the Farmworkers of Apopka and Ten Thousand Villages.

We were able to offer free booth space because the organizer of the Earth Day Festival is Vegetarians of Central Florida who has hosted a monthly potluck at 1U for many years. As a thanks to 1U, 1U receives a free both at VegFest and Earth Day and invites us to give free booth space to a few organizations aligned with our mission.

A special thanks to our Volunteers: Mary wrote: Thank you for being an amazing team of 20+ for Earth Day 2023.We were blessed with your energy and good will as you brought the good news of 1U to hundreds at the Festival. Children and families so enjoyed the children’s activities and offer of seeds for planting and our new church brochure and our fans were a great gift for visitors.

FullSizeRenderDSC08750DSC08801DSC08799YDSC08783ZDSC08781ZDSC08780

Ready, Set, Solar! for Nonprofits Workshop

Hi,

I would like to invite you to this event sponsored by Solar United Neighbors of Florida and the Interfaith Environmental Alliance of Central Florida. The Inflation Reduction Act allows nonprofits to get cash payments in place of the Federal tax credits that individuals and businesses receive for going solar or improving electric efficiency. Many of us received the 30% credit when we went solar, now churches can save also.

At the present time First Unitarian Church of Orlando (1U) does not have a concrete plan to go solar and we have 10 years to access the Federal $; however, it would be good if our church leaders educated themselves about the opportunities and savings from the IRA.

If you are involved with other nonprofits, pass this invitation along!

Sunday, April 30th
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 East Robinson Street
Orlando, FL 32803

RSVP here to attend in-person or virtually

This is a workshop you can’t afford to miss! Here’s a list of who should attend.

  • Nonprofit organizations 
  • Community-based organizations
  • Faith-based organizations & places of worship
  • State & local government buildings
  • Public & private schools

We need your help to spread the sunshine! Please forward this invitation to anyone in your network who might be interested.

We hope to see you there!

Mike C.

P.S. Solar United Neighbors of Florida and IEACF both got their start at 1U!

Orlando Gay Chorus at 1U

The Orlando Gay Chorus performed at 1U as the last concert of the year of Orlando’s Milk District Salon on March 11, 2023 to a full Sanctuary.

The Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) is one of the largest mixed LGBTQ+ choruses in the country. Founded on Valentine’s Day in 1990, OGC has been a fixture in the Central Florida area for over 32 years. In addition to the full chorus, OGC has four small ensembles that performed at the annual concerts and cabarets, as well as at community and private events: OUTLOUD!, the oldest running ensemble; Nothin’ But Treble, the all-upper voices ensemble; Menage, the jazz ensemble; and Spectrum, the mixed ensemble.

The Orlando Gay Chorus is comprised of LGBTQ+ individuals (and many allies) from all walks of life, all ages, and all backgrounds. OGC warmly welcomes all who would like to join them in their goal of changing hearts and minds in Central Florida and throughout the world.

We thank the Music Team and our choir director, Aubrey C.

Look ahead to the 2023-2024 Milk District Salon Series.

DSC06883DSC06922DSC07002