Banking on Climate Chaos 2024: Fossil Fuel Finance Report Card is a joint effort of the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), Oil Change International (OCI), Reclaim Finance, the Sierra Club, Urgewald and others to document the on-going support that banking and investment firms provide for the fossil fuel industry. It is hoped that by pointing out these direct ties, individuals, pension programs and other investors with money in the banks and investment firms providing the greatest fossil fuel industry support can ask their institutions to consider other investment opportunities. The group preparing these annual reports has asked others to endorse their effort. Your UUFC Financial Oversight Council (FOC) and Climate Action Team (CAT) are well aware of these concerns and trying to do what they can with UUFC monies to step away from fossil fuel industry support. The FOC And CAT have endorsed the report. This endorsement falls within UUFC endorsement guidelines of not endorsing a candidate; does not require a financial contribution or commitment nor work commitment. The endorsement supports the UUFC mission to inspire action for a better world for all and its commitment to divest from fossil fuels. If you have questions about this endorsement, please contact Michael Hughes, Board, CAT and FOC member, or Russ Karow, FOC Chair.
david
We Need One More Grass “Eater”
Your UUFC lawn mowing crew needs one more member for the front lawns team. This soul-refreshing task (outdoors; fresh air; focused work for which you get immediate gratification) will require no more than 90 minutes of your time, once every four weeks. We have a state-of-the-art electric lawn mowers so you can easily listen to your favorite podcast or music while “working.” If you have interest, please email Russ Karow and we can arrange to talk further about this opportunity to be a member of the UUFC’s volunteer corp. Thanks for your consideration!
First Quarter Birthday Celebration, 3/31
Join us in celebrating January, February, and March birthdays in the Social Hall after the service on March 31. Cake will be served. Thank you to volunteers Bonnie Morihara, Jack Elder, and Irja Galvan.
“SO Much More to the Stories,” 3/31/24
Unitarian Universalists have wrestled with the Easter story for centuries. Should we focus on its pagan roots, its ample metaphors, its timeless insight into both human frailties and human strengths? Luckily there is not just one answer, because like all good stories, it opens so many possibilities. And, there is so much more to the story, especially in the history and evolution of its telling. What might we learn this year?
Rev. Jill McAllister
These Ancient Modern Stories
The Jewish and Christian traditions are foundational in the long evolution of stories which have shaped Unitarian Universalism. It is now the season for two of the most important of those stories: the exodus of the ancient Hebrew people from Egypt – the Passover story, and the death and resurrection of Jesus – the Easter story.
The Passover and Easter stories do not shy away from the hard realities of human suffering. They include graphic descriptions of plagues, armies, murder, brutality, loss, and devastation. They are stories which arise in times and places of oppression and violence, of the power of a state to use oppression and violence to sustain its greed. They are stories of people terrorized and killed and pushed to the edge of endurance, and they are stories of endurance and perseverance and un-extinguishable dedication to justice and love. Stories we can understand so well, because we live in these times too. The stories of Passover and Easter are stories for our time.
One thing I’ve learned from working with these stories for so many years is that I can’t fully understand what they mean on my own – I don’t meaning alone. I make meaning in relation to others – listening, hearing, considering. I need the perspectives of others, because there are so many pieces of truth. This is why we work together, why our justice and connections and learning work is led by teams.
I’ve also learned over and over again that the human story remains so much the same. Which is good, because the human story always includes new life, new ways, and the persistence of love and truth over and over again. What makes sense to me now has made sense to many others in the midst of times of devastation. Like so many others before us, in our lives now, we are called to let go of old ways and begin again. To be able and willing to accept new life as it comes, even if from the ashes of the old.
In April of 2020, just a few weeks into the world-wide pandemic shutdown, UU minister Kendyl Gibbons said this: “This Easter, as never before in many of our lifetimes, we are invited to seek the strength to let go of an old way of life, and discover what else might be possible.” May this be our aim this year as well.
May Worship Workshop, 5/3 and 5/4
Building New Ways in Worship – May 3 and 4, 2024
The world changes. Unitarian Universalism changes. The Fellowship changes. If you are interested in being part of a review of worship at the Fellowship – what it is for us, what we need from it, how we accomplish it, plan now to join in a series of conversations beginning with a two-session workshop on Friday evening May 3 and Saturday morning May 4. Not merely a survey or collecting of opinions, this project will include conversations, practice, and training in the arts of worship. Let Rev. Jill McAllister know if you are interested.
Connect-up Campouts – 4/14 at 11:45am
Continuing the discussion from March 24: Are you interested in camping? in camping with other UUFC members? Knowing about great places to go camping? We would like to plan some camping connect-ups for the summer and fall as well as a UUFC Group campout in August and would love your input! Several people will be sharing information on sites they have explored.
Making Sauerkraut Workshop 4.21.24
Sunday, April 21st at 3:00 pm
at John Larsen’s home. Register to be notified of address.
The Home Craft group will be hosting its inaugural meeting to learn how to make Sauerkraut! Sauerkraut is a simple method of fermenting cabbage to create a tasty product. You can come as you are to participate. If you would like to participate you can bring a fermenting jar and cabbage. Your fermenting jar needs to include a fermenting lid and weights.
Hosted by John Larsen and the Home Craft group. This is a Connect Up activity!
Film: Where Can We Live in Peace?, 5/18
Saturday, May 18, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
in the UUFC Social Hall
Award-winning Canadian film maker Judy Jackson brings the moving story of the ABBA House migrant shelter in Celaya, Mexico. Founded by Pastor Ignacio it helps tens of thousands of migrants, many of whom are women and children. They are fleeing violence, crime, climate change and corruption in Latin America, and are desperately searching for a place where they can bring up their children in safety. Watch preview.
Hosted by the Immigrant and Refugee Support Team, a part of our Justice Council.
UUFC Camp Out Discussion Meeting 3/24
Are you interested in camping? in camping with other UUFC members? Knowing about great places to go camping? Then please make plans to attend a discussion session on Sunday, March 24, at about 11:45 (following the service and coffee) tentatively schedule for room 9. We would like to plan some camping connect-ups for the summer and fall as well as a UUFC Group campout in August and would love your input!