Hearts and Hands Auction Coming February 4

1U’s major fundraiser — The Hearts and Hands Auction — is coming soon after the holidays, and we really need to know what item, service, and/or special event you can donate. The items could be those special gifts you got for Christmas but will never use, or you could offer a themed dinner at your house for a small group of people. Perhaps you have a special talent that others would pay to have taught to them or done for them? Not only do these donations benefit our church with money raised, they also offer fellowship and connections among members and friends.

The February 4 event, which runs from 5:30 to 9:30pm, will feature delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres (including a mashed potato bar!), and there will be silent AND live auctions — as well as live entertainment while we eat dessert and pay for our purchases. Tickets will be on sale the last four Sundays in January for $20 each; $25 at the door.

Check out our webpage for more details and a listing of donations to date. Questions? Contact auction@orlandouu.org.

Chalica Kits at Coffee Hour (Nov 20, Nov 27, Dec 4)

Chalica is a week-long celebration of our Unitarian Universalist Principles. The holiday first emerged in 2005 out of a wish to have a holiday organized around Unitarian Universalist values. Chalica begins on the first Monday in December and lasts seven days. Each day, a chalice is lit and the day is spent reflecting on the meaning of that day’s principle and doing a good deed that honors that principle.

Pick up a Chalica kit or a Chalica booklet to help you celebrate from Mystic Grove CUUPs at coffee hour on Nov 19, Nov 26, or Dec 3, 2022!

Donations welcome to benefit our newest church group — Parenting Fellowship group! Nobody turned away while supplies last. Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info.

You can download the sheet here.
https://tinyurl.com/ChalicaSheet

You can download a PDF of the booklet here.
https://tinyurl.com/ChalicaPDF5thEdition

 

UUSC Ukraine Response Support – Congregational Collections 

UUSC Ukraine Response Support – Congregational Collections 
Since our beginnings serving refugees displaced by Nazi aggression during World War II, the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) has been called to respond to unexpected crises and provide resources to communities whose needs are urgent and access to aid is limited.

Donating to UUSC’s Emergency Response Fund ensures UUSC is always ready to provide relief, including our developing work to protect the rights of refugees fleeing Ukraine right now.

UUSC’s first step is to send emergency relief funding to groups who are working on the ground in Eastern Europe. This will happen quickly, as UUSC has existing partners in the area from our Syrian Refugee work. This includes partners such as the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, who are already responding to the current crisis by providing free legal assistance, counseling, and representation so that Ukrainian asylum seekers receive temporary protection immediately. Following the relief grants, UUSC’s team will develop a strategy for longer-term recovery alongside these same partners. UUSC knows that our partner organizations on the ground are best positioned to identify the needs of affected communities and to respond to the most pressing needs in a way that leads to an equitable recovery and honors the right to self-determination.

And just as UUSC is being called to aid those impacted by the crisis in Ukraine now, their commitment to their partners facing displacement and violence in other parts of the world, such as Haiti and Burma, remains just as strong as ever. They recognize that systems of violence and oppression intersect and that what affects one, affects all. They also know how important it is to look to communities that are often overlooked when tragedy strikes and center the needs and experiences of those most impacted in their responses. Thank you for your support in this time of great need.
Here is a link for support to UUSC’s work: https://donate.uusc.org/emergencyresponse.