It takes a community – give a book, take a book !
Want to help 1U’s Little Free Library? Donate up to 5 of your favorite books that you want others to enjoy! Collection starts June 2nd in Gore Hall. Email lflsteward@orlandouu.org for more info!
Children and adults created art after Service in the Garden. Bev A. created the 8th Principle chalice and Lisa Marie ,a lifelong equesterian, shared her charcoal on paper titled Serenity and a digital piece titled “Wide Web.”
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario / Julia Chinnock
with 1U Choir and Mak “n” Cheez with guest appearances of Nicki and Rachel as the “Wild Things” as a storytelling Sunday treat.
One of the things that Jesus is known for is bucking the establishment of his time. He had a clear understanding that simply because something was law, didn’t make it just. Jesus accordingly resisted what was unjust. I venture to say that he was also stubborn and that helped in his cause. On this Easter Sunday, let’s explore the sweet spot between stubbornness and resistance as it pertains to the man, Jesus.
Childcare for children ages one thru four years old is usually available in the the Nursery on Sundays from 9:30 AM through 12 noon.
Generally, for late running congregation-wide events and meetings, 1U will be able to provide child care.
Currently, we have two childcare workers. Their names are Joey [on the left] and Laura. Joey is a third year nursing student and Laura works with autistic children during the week.
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connely – Candelario / Linnea Nelson / Charles Connelly-Candelario / Charlotte Kendall / Wendy Derrow / Joan Nelson
Come meet, connect with and honor the Reverend Mary Augusta Safford.
Our Mary Safford Historical Marker
Our Spring Congregational Meeting truly made history on March 19, as we dedicated a heritage marker honoring the Rev. Mary Augusta Safford — leader in the fight for votes for women, Unitarian trailblazer, and early member of our church. Following a special reception, Orlando District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan spoke about the marker’s significance and the essential role of voting in our democracy. She then joined Rev. Margalie, guests, and 1U folks to unveil the marker and cheer our church’s long commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality.
Commissioner Sheehan, who has represented our District 4 since 2000, is a trailblazer in her own right as Central Florida’s first openly gay elected official. Also representing the city were Jennifer Fritz-Hunter, Orlando’s historic preservation officer, and Kathleen Russell, the mayor’s special assistant for community collaboration. The event continued a Women’s History Month celebration that began March 7 with the unveiling of a sister marker at 37 N. Orange Ave. that honors Orlando as the birthplace of Florida’s Equal Suffrage Association in 1913. It also pays tribute to Safford as the association’s president.
Both Orlando markers are part of the National Votes for Women Trail, an initiative of the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites, with funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse, New York. The Trail includes more than 200 markers across the nation as well as an online database containing more than 2,200 sites related to women’s suffrage (for more information, click here).
The Rev. Safford led women’s suffrage efforts in Florida for most of the decade before the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920. She also led the suffrage movement in Iowa. Her friend since childhood, the Rev. Eleanor Gordon, was our church’s founding minister. Both women, who were part of the famed Iowa Sisterhood, moved to Orlando because of their friendship with Caroline Groninger Gore, the wife of Orlando pioneer Mahlon Gore and the inspiration for Gore Hall’s name.
At the March 19 program, 1U member Joy Wallace Dickinson also talked about the marker’s use of the women’s suffrage colors of white, violet , and sunflower gold. You’ll find the Mary Safford marker on the Hampton Street side of the campus, near the sidewalk leading to Gore Hall and the Sanctuary. It’s a great reminder that our present has strong roots in the past.
Written by Joy Dickinson
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario / RE Committee / 1U Players
Every day that a child is born is a miracle; an opportunity to recognize the power of love; a day to give thanks for the beauty of the earth; a day to recognize that no one is brought up alone, and that every person born is a savior to the world. 1U welcomes Sidney, James, and Nolan and their families.
“Each night a child is born is a holy night” by Sophia Lyon Fahs
After the Child Dedication, the Christmas pageant, Lighting our Corner of the Sky, shared with the congregation the joy of love, faith and hope around the world, through the years. Thank you 1U players: Maya, James, Lily, Ainsley, Esme, with help from Jade and other friends from the audience.
Friends of the New Image Youth Center are planning a Community Harvest Festival and Youth Talent Show for October 8 from 11:00am to 3:00pm in Gore Hall! Come visit the Justice Table in Gore Hall after service to learn more about how you can participate or volunteer. Talented kids needed!! Sign up now!
Talented Kids Needed!
Sign up on Sunday after service for the October 8 Talent Show, part of our Community Harvest Festival! No judges, no pressure, just you and the stage! If you’re under 18 and can sing, dance, tell jokes, do magic, play an instrument, do tumbling, or recite the alphabet backwards while standing on your head, we want YOU! Limited spots available; sign up in Gore Hall or email RECommittee@orlandouu.org
Until classes begin, outdoor childcare during Sunday service will continue except on days we have multigenerational service. If you want your children to participate in childcare, please sign up at the welcome table on Sunday morning.
Youth Group will meet in person on alternate Sundays in the Youth Room (Room #5 in the Enrichment Center) for spiritual conversation, fellowship, activity and fun! The next meeting will be Sunday, Oct. 2. On the off weeks, Youth Group stays in touch on their own Discord server and plays games online. Youth group is currently open to teens ages 13 to 18. If you want to join, email recommittee@orlandouu.org for info.
The Elementary Dungeons and Dragons group has ended as a church affiliated activity but Mr. Richard is willing to run a game for kids ages 9 to 12 just for fun if there is interest. It would be online because the original players do not live in Orlando. Please see Mr. Richard after Sunday service before the end of September.
The Family Connection and Support Group is now the 1U Parent Fellowship Group! We meet once a month before Sunday service for coffee and donuts while the children play and we are organizing regular parent and family outings throughout the year! Look for the 1U Parent Fellowship on Facebook or visit their table at the Opportunity Fiesta on September 25. Next group meeting is October 9.
Hello children, Youth and families… Welcome to a new church year!
I hope you had a wonderful Summer. You probably have heard by now that we have a new religious educator who will be starting at 1U on October 1. Her name is Judith Stein-Farrall and her title will be Director of Lifespan Religious Enrichment or DLRE.
I believe that there are many wonderful adventures ahead of us this church year as well as some challenges. We plan on starting RE for you soon and look forward to continuing to help you grow in our faith tradition, Unitarian Universalism.
Thank you for being a part of the 1U community and for your beautiful laughs filling our campus. Welcome back!
– Rev Margalie
Click here to read more of this week’s RE newsletter.
The Bridging Ceremony celebrates the transition of our youth from their high school experience into young adulthood. After not being able to do it during the earlier part of pandemic, we are so glad to be able to do the Bridging Ceremony this year.
Congratulations to our 2022, 2021, and 2020 Bridging Seniors who were able to attend their Bridging Ceremony in person and via slides on May 29, 2022! 1U wishes Julia, Alexisandria, Jane, Cammie, Julie, Katy, and Trevor well in their next chapter as emerging young adults. Yay, you!
We also congratulate Ethan, Maya, Chase, and Esme on crossing the smaller stepping stones in their scholastic journey that will one day lead to this larger Bridging milestone moment for them in the future. Starting elementary school, starting middle school, starting high school, or simply entering the next grade level are also reasons to celebrate!
Did you miss the 2022 Annual Children’s RE service? You can catch it on YouTube.
You can also view more event pictures on our SmugMug.
1U Blog 