The January pot-luck is scheduled for Saturday Jan 23. It’s schedule is different this month because of birthday celebrations that will take place this special evening. It could be a bad idea for you to miss it.
Ballroom dance lessons are in our future… probably Friday nights. Stay tuned for more information. Stay toned for good dancing. It is a good workout to go ballroom dancing.
The Three Cranes group will meet at Blacklick park on Jan 31.
A new group will be using our space starting next week: HJCC. Humanistic Judaism embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines the celebration of Jewish culture and identity with an adherence to humanistic values and ideas. It offers a nontheistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life. It was established by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan, to provide a home for humanistic, secular, and cultural Jews.
…and they have invited everyone from UUCE to join them at 2pm Jan 24. The program, however, starts at 3pm. This week: *Good without God* a discussion of the new book by Greg Epstein.
Posted 2 years ago at 1:58 am. Add a comment
Between December 9th and 18th, 180 world leaders will meet in Copenhagen in an attempt to hammer out a reduction in global levels of greenhouse gases (especially CO2). There is real urgency behind this meeting; representatives of island states and sea-level nations warn that their countries could actually disappear before the end of the century if global warming is not arrested. Additionally, climatic changes due to warming, coupled with unchecked population growth has reduced the world food supply to a near record low – with no new “green revolution” in the offing. Increasing droughts and loss of arable land will mean starvation, mass migration, war, and human suffering on a scale never before seen.
The 350.org group will be holding a candlelight vigil in Copenhagen to show the world’s leaders that we understand the seriousness of the threat the entire planet faces. The Reynoldsburg UU Fellowship and members of the local community will join First UU in our own candlelight vigil at 7 PM, Saturday, December 12th at First UU.
Please join us to show support for a strong international response to the growing global climate emergency. Future generations are depending on us. If the weather is mild, we will walk the blocks from Weisheimer to Henderson and back; so dress warmly. If the weather is bad, we’ll gather in the Worship Center.
Thank you,
Tom Baillieul, Chair
The First UU Green Team
Posted 2 years, 1 month ago at 3:15 pm. Add a comment
The grounds committee met Nov 14, 2009 after services. The committee decided to try to sub-divide that task into managable regions with Becca as overall coordinator. Each region will manage its own planning and maintenance.
Regions:
Overall grass: Will be mulching the leaves in place instead of raking them for ease of maintenance and smaller carbon footprint.
Fire Pit: Will be mulching leaves because it is kind to the earth
Pond: Will begin planning
Memorial area: Will begin planning
Two flower circles: Will continue planning
Rectangle bed under the sign: Will begin planning
Area by street in front of railroad ties: Planning? What is Planning?
Posted 2 years, 2 months ago at 2:02 am. Add a comment
The below quoted text is describes one Action Issue our congregation will vote on. The source of this information comes from the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations web site. For more information click to http://uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/index.shtml. – Marco
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Proposed CSAI-2 (2008-2012)
Issue: Should the Unitarian Universalist Association work with other faith communities to advocate a dramatic reduction in the world’s nuclear weapons inventories, primarily those of the United States and Russia, in favor of reinvigorated nuclear arms control agreements and principles, such as those embodied in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty?
Background and Reasons for Study: Two hundred well-placed nuclear weapons could drive civilized society back to the Stone Age. Each of these weapons can kill more than 100,000 in populated and targeted areas. The Nunn-Lugar Act, funded by Congress in 1994, allows money to be spent to help Russia stabilize its large number of unsecured weapons materials facilities and to identify, destroy, and dispose of a portion of its nuclear weapons.
Significance to Unitarian Universalism: Russia and the United Sates and by the national policies that appear to provide in perpetuity for the maintenance of large numbers of nuclear weapons. Advocacy of a position against nuclear weaponry is highly consistent with UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) principles, which show support and respect for the interdependent web of all life and for the goal of world peace.
Possible Study Questions
- What is the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, and what is the United States policy on nuclear weapons?
- At present, who are those engaged in nuclear proliferation, and what are the prospects of using diplomacy to reduce the threat of use of weapons of mass destruction?
- How much nuclear deterrence is enough; and how did we get to the point of having the level of nuclear bombs and weapons that we have?
- Could a mutual reduction be encouraged and negotiated? If so, by what factor might it be possible to reduce the “overkill” potential of the United States and Russian nuclear arsenals for mutually assured destruction?
- What actions might make nuclear weapons reduction possible politically, and how long would it take to accomplish such a reduction under different scenarios of funding and political support?
- What is the Nunn-Lugar Act, and what have its accomplishments been? What level of funding has been provided for this Act, and what can be accomplished with the amount currently requested and authorized?
Possible Actions
- Form a nuclear weapons study group and become familiar with reliable sources of information.
- Appoint study group members or experts to report to the congregation on the various study questions at congregational forums.
- Promote adoption at district meetings of non-proliferation and anti-nuclear arms control statements of policy and conscience.
- Form a social action group to develop informed opinions to lobby politicians and to write letters to the editors of local papers (individually or on behalf of the social action group).
- Collaborate with district or area congregations in offering study opportunities and forums.
Related Prior Social Witness Statements
From 1961 to 1986 there were twenty-seven Unitarian Universalist resolutions of various kinds that included a nuclear weapons component. Nineteen of these were specifically concerned with nuclear weapons. The most representative and recent resolutions are:
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Posted 4 years ago at 3:53 pm. Add a comment
The below quoted text is describes one Action Issue our congregation will vote on. The source of this information comes from the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations web site. For more information click to http://uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/index.shtml. – Marco
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Proposed CSAI-1 (2008-2012)
Issue: Religious organizations throughout the world have discussed the production, distribution, and use of food. Some people enjoy many food choices while others remain hungry. The food industry produces wealth, but small farmers and farm workers are often poor. Food production and transportation contribute to many environmental problems.
Background and Reasons for Study: This Congregational Study Action Issue is inspired by the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee with Equal Exchange and the involvement of our congregations with both human rights and environmental protection issues.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and Equal Exchange work together so that small farmers can receive a fair price for coffee, tea, and cocoa. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee supports economic justice and safe and sustainable agriculture.
Hunger is both a community problem and an international problem that can be approached in a variety of ways. There is a need for political advocacy in support of government programs that try to feed the hungry. There is a need also for involvement with service programs that deliver food to individuals and families—for example, Meals on Wheels programs.
Significance to Unitarian Universalism: Unitarian Universalists have a vision of environmental justice. One of our principles acknowledges “the interdependent web.” Others affirm the importance of human rights. Together our principles form one holistic statement that helps to define liberal religion.
Possible Study Topics
- There are different religious teachings concerning the production, distribution, and use of food. Why is food so important in religion?
- There are environmental concerns and concerns about animal rights and human rights. What moral guidelines, if any, should govern food production?
- Some people have too much food and some have too little. How should congregations address issues like poverty and hunger, nutrition education, and health promotion?
- What guidelines, if any, govern the purchase and use of food and beverages in your congregation? Do you pause for a blessing when you serve food?
Possible Actions
- Support sustainable agriculture and farmers’ markets. Encourage organic community gardening.
- Volunteer in support of community food pantries, Meals on Wheels programs, and similar projects that address the problem of hunger.
- Become an advocate for social and economic justice. Support labor unions, farmers’ cooperatives, “fair trade” associations, and other organizations that help the farmers and other workers who produce and distribute food in the global market.
Related Prior Social Witness Statements
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Posted 4 years ago at 3:52 pm. Add a comment
