Articles

Welcome Back from your RE Director!

Welcome to another year at First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Fall is just around the corner and change is in the air. Our Ingathering Sunday September 11th at 11am marks the official start of our Religious Education program. On this date we will return to our regular schedule of 9am and 11am services.

On Sunday September 11, children ages 3 - 11 will join their teachers in the Little Chapel at 10:50am before we proceed into the sanctuary to join the full congregation for an inspirational intergenerational service. After the opening segment, we will exit and head to classes in our assigned rooms.

Throughout the year, infants and toddlers will gather in their space, Room 109. Our professional staff, Trinity Taylor and Erin Cowley, return for the 2016-2017 church year to provide excellent childcare. Childcare will be provided free of charge at both the 9am and 11am services. We do ask that parents provide all necessary items for diaper changes.

This year our RE theme is World Religions / Building Communities. Children ages 3 - 11 will be taught by volunteer teachers in their assigned classrooms. We are inviting guest speakers who represent other religious faiths to join us during the year to share their traditions. Complementing our program, we are also inviting several artists who will contribute to the theme of World Religions.

Here’s a preview of other RE features:

• We welcome Lissa Lander to our RE team as she replaces Nancy Moos. We are beyond grateful to Nancy for her years of dedicated service, and we are excited to have Lissa join the RE team with her energy, enthusiasm and dedication to our program.
• Childcare only will be provided at 10am services on August 28 and September 4th until Ingathering on September 11th, when we return to our 9am and 11am services. No RE classes are scheduled until September 11.
• Children ages 3 - 11 will meet each Sunday beginning with Ingathering in the Little Chapel at 11am for our own Chalice Lighting and Welcoming Words. After community sharing, we will adjourn to our classrooms until parent pick-up, between 12 noon and 12:15pm.
• The First Sunday of each month, children ages 3 - 11 will meet in the Little Chapel and then join the congregation in the Sanctuary for the opening of the service. This year, we will ask for children to be joined by their parents or guardians as they light the Chalice in the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of each month. We will refer to this as Sanctuary Sunday.
• OWL—Our Whole Lives—curriculum will be taught in the Spring 2017. This session is for 1st and 2nd grades. OWL is a comprehensive sexuality education program run by trained volunteer teachers. At the lower age level, parents or guardians who register their child(ren) will be asked to attend each class (7 - 8 weeks). Registration for this class will open in early February 2017. 1st/2nd grade OWL classes will be scheduled on Sundays, from April 2nd through May 28th.
• Sixth graders are moving up! Yes, this year we are going to have our 6th grade students join with 7th graders in the middle school classroom at the 11am service. Questions? See Matthew, Lissa or Julie.
  Family Fun Nights will continue on the first Monday of each month (6 - 7:30pm in Eliot Hall, childcare provided free of charge) except during the months of December and January. This year promises to be a busy one, with lots of exciting plans in the works. It will be a pleasure to reconnect with you and your RE team—Matthew, Lissa and Jillian. I Look forward to working with all of you again this year.

Peace and Blessings,
Julie Miller
Director of Religious Education

Environmental Ministry News (8/29/2016)

Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change: Toward Right Relationship with America’s Native Peoples Workshop

Indigenous leaders are calling on people of faith to raise awareness about the historical and ongoing injustices committed against Native Peoples, and to seek ways of building right relationship with them in accord with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In response to this call and with the advice of Native American educators, the Indigenous Peoples Concerns Committee developed a 2-hour workshop called, “Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change: Toward Right Relationship with America’s Native Peoples.” Workshop participants enact a 40-minute script and then reflect on and share their responses in a “talking circle” or worship-sharing format. A Resource Kit is provided so that groups can pursue further study of the issues and consider what “right relationship” might mean in their own circumstances. In the Doctrine of Discovery we find the roots of Injustice. In the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples we find the seeds of change. How can we nurture these seeds to bring forth the fruits of right relationship among all peoples? This workshop is a deeply moving and impactful experience. It will change you. And it will change how you understand history and the injustices committed against Native Peoples. 

Paula Palmer, director of Toward Right Relationship, a project of the Indigenous Peoples Concerns committee of the Boulder Friends Meeting (Quakers), created this workshop and facilitates workshops and facilitator trainings throughout the country. Dr. Brown and Ms. Gregory are both trained workshop facilitators.

To REGISTER: Send an email to Joan M. Gregory: , put “HSI WORKSHOP” in the subject line and include: your name, cell phone number, and email address. Attendance is limited. Sign up now to reserve a place. Suggested Donation: $10+. Donations are appreciated, but not required, and will be gratefully accepted at the workshop. All donations will go to support the work of the Toward Right Relationship Project. Questions: Joan M. Gregory, Co-Coordinator, Environmental Ministry, CELL: 801-949-2906, EMAIL: .

This Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change: Towards Right Relationship with America’s Native People Workshop will be offered as a pre-conference workshop at Compassion, Connection and Response-Ability, the Human Science Institute Conference  to be held in Salt Lake City, September 8-10, 2016. Conference attendance is not required for the workshop, but a special one day conference rate is available for those who may be interested.

Sounding the Alarm on Climate Change -submitted by Joan M. Gregory, Co-Coordinator, Environmental Ministry

Something quite amazing is happening … people … some significant people … are now writing, speaking about, and acting as if the climate crisis is indeed a crisis … a clear and present danger we should be paying attention to with urgency and alarm. This happened because of a lot of work and effort on the part of tenacious people who kept on delivering the message to key spokespeople … and the message has gotten through.

Where will you find this amazing news … check out the articles linked below:

· Bill McKibben (A World at War: We’re under attack from climate change—and our only hope is to mobilize like we did in WWII): https://newrepublic.com/article/135684/declare-war-climate-change-mobilize-wwii?utm=350org

· The Democratic Platform (page 45: We are committed to a national mobilization, and to leading a global effort to mobilize nations to address this threat on a scale not seen since World War II.): https://www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Democratic-Party-Platform-7.21.16-no-lines.pdf

· Green Party candidate Jill Stein calls for climate state of emergency: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/20/jill-stein-green-party-climate-state-of-emergencymate state of emergency

Clearly, words alone cannot address the enormity of the climate crisis, but words are definitely required to formulate the strategies and plans on which significant action must be based. If you are looking for an excellent source of news, updates, and investigative reporting on climate change, Environmental Ministry recommends: The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-change) with US, UK, Australian and International editions that you can read online.

In The Life…

I spent the last eight days in a Yoga Teacher Training and let me tell you...it’s a lot harder than it looks! Though I’ve been a yoga practitioner for going on seven years now and have trained as an assistant, getting up in front of a room full of people and giving clear, simple instruction on how to move from one pose to another...it’s no joke!

A big part of the training was referred to as “meditation and inquiry.” You see, memorizing the poses and their sequence is just part of what makes it tough. Showing up, getting clear on who I am, how I respond, what drives me and what I am committed to...that was the really tough work.

Oh sure, I’m sore. My forearms and shoulders still ache from simply repositioning my hands...just a few inches wider and turned a few degrees further out.

But my mind and soul ache, too. I’ve been stretched to consider how I show up in my life - at home, at work, and all throughout the world. I’ve been challenged to take responsibility for my reactivity and to reconsider my assumptions about the meanings of events, and to consider the gap between what I heard and what was said.

I’m not sure yet where and how this training is going to show up in my work and my world. I know it is up to me to be intentional about “doing the work.” I am grateful to you, the community of First Unitarian Church, for being a place where I can engage in this kind of development as part of my ongoing growth as a minister and leader.

And so, with aching body and soul, and with gratitude I say,

“Here’s to The Work!”

Peace, Faith & Passion,

Matthew

Youth Religious Education - If you haven’t heard, youth religious education is going through a bit of a reformat. All will resume during the 11 o’clock service on September 11 by participating in the procession into the chapel and then proceeding to their classrooms. We’ll have exact details (timing, rooms, etc.) by our next publication, but here’s the overview:

• 6th & 7th grade - will be exploring world religions this church year. Field trips will occur every few weeks to local religious communities. Drivers will be needed and times will vary depending on service times at the congregation we’ll visit.
• 8th and 9th grade - will be exploring sexuality education with the award-winning Our Whole Lives (OWL) program. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter it’s important to establish community and trust early on. This class may need to run a bit longer than an hour. Parent orientation and permission is a MUST for participation in OWL.
• 10th-12th grades - will be meeting 10:45-12:45 in the Haven and once a month on a Sunday evening (TBA). Teachers are working out monthly themes and we’re hoping to take a service trip to New Orleans in June 2017.

Small Group Ministry - Ever been a part of Small Group Ministry (SGM) at First Unitarian Church? These monthly, intimate gatherings are a great way to get to know other First Church folks and to nourish and challenge your spiritual and intellectual journey. Whether you’re brand new to First Church, a veteran or returning after an absence, SGM could be for you! Registrations will begin in early September with groups offered several times throughout the week at various locations in the Salt Lake City region. Interested in more information? Want to facilitate/lead, house or join a group? Contact this year’s Lead Facilitator, Derek Gersdorf at or 801.521.4791.

• RE Volunteer Teacher Training is happening Sunday, August 28th 11:00 to 1:00 in room 208.
• RE Classes resume Sunday for Pre-K - 9th grade on September 11th at 11:00 am.  10th - 12th grades will meet (beginning September 11th) in the Haven from 10:45 - 12:45. Childcare is available in the nursery room (Room 109) during both services (9:00 am and 11:00 am).

Announcements and Congregational Briefs (8/15/2016)

Congregational Life Help Needed

As always, the work of First Church takes many hands and hearts to make it real. If you have skill, interest and availability in any of the following areas please be in touch with Rev. Matthew Cockrum at or 801.582.8687 ext. 205:

• Ushering during 9 or 11 o’clock service - approximately 90 minutes monthly
• Newcomer assistance - anywhere from 90 minutes to 4 hours monthly
• Fundraising coordination assistance - TBA
• World religions Teacher - 6th & 7th grade - 2-4 hours monthly
• Small Group Ministry Facilitation - 4 hours monthly

Refugee Resettlement Committee

If you were a Chinese laborer in the late 19th Century, you had no chance to emigrate to the U.S. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 kept the door shut for more than 50 years. It was the first law to target a specific ethnic group.

If you are a Canadian laborer in 2016, you need not worry about a Canadian Exclusion Act or a wall along the border.

Times have (mostly) changed.

The Refugee Resettlement Committee is busy with desperate people from Sudan, DR Congo and Iraq who can’t go home again. With your donations of furniture, their new life in Utah begins on a solid footing. Call Joe Dubray, (984) 527-9773, to have your sofa, table, chairs and lamp picked up and recycled.

Mindfulness in the Summer


UU Mindfulness group continues to meet in the summer at 11:15 following Summer Forum in Room 201.



Open Minds Book Group
The Open Minds Book Group will not meet over the summer. The next meeting will be September 29th when we will discuss “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow.

UU Lunch Bunch
A family-friendly group for anyone and everyone who would like to get together for lunch and chat with like-minded people. Meet at the Restaurant on Sundays at noon during the summer. For more information contact Sonia Carnell at (801) 262-1151 or .

• August 14: Ruth’s Diner (4160 Emigration Canyon Rd.)
• August 21: Market Street Grill (54 West Market St.)
• August 28: Hog Wallow Pub (3200 East Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd.)

In the Life - Rev. Matthew Cockrum

“You can’t be neutral on a moving train.” - Howard Zinn

What kind of community do you want to be a part of? - Matthew Cockrum

I live fairly close to LDS Hospital in the Avenues. On a recent morning walk through the neighborhood with my dog I came across a woman slumped in a heap on a street corner. My thoughts went something like this:

“Careful. She might be dangerous.”
“Who knows how my dog might react if she moves suddenly.”
“She’s probably just fine...sleeping there.”
“You should really do something. You’re a minister for goodness sake!”

Mindful of all these voices, I crossed the street and slowed down, keeping an eye on her to see if she moved, indicated any distress or wellness.

As I watched she slowly arose, groaning and saying, “Ouch. Ouch!” until she gained her feet and stood, wobbly, on the corner. I noticed a hospital band on her wrist and decided she must have been recently discharged. “Maybe she’s waiting for a bus.” I said to myself, to make myself feel better.

I continued walking homeward, glancing back to find the woman still standing, wavering a bit on her feet.

“Good morning!” a man called to me upon walking out the door of the duplex just a half a block away from the wavering woman.

“Good morning!” I called back cheerfully, purposing to get back home and get to work.

This, I realize, is the reality of the world we live in - politically, socially, emotionally. I am...we are...part of this web of needs and values, hopes and drives...working toward safety and justice, ideals and earthy practicalities.

As we enter these last weeks of summer and move toward the resumption of autumnal schedules at school and church and politics and elections, violence and unrest...what kinds of communities will we create and realize together? How will they reflect both our deepest aspirations and our truest most honest selves.

How will you give yourself to this world, so in need of you?

Here’s to The Work, Friends.
Peace, Faith & Passion,
Matthew

P.S. I'll be out of the office for a training 8/13-20 and will be back on Sunday, 8/21

Explanation of Program Budget

The program budget, as illustrated in the following pie chart, is a reorganization of the 2016-17 expense budget for the church, itemized according to programs. A program budget shows expense distributions according to various activities of the organization; for our church those programs become: Worship and Music, Religious Education, Congregational Life, etc. Each expense line in the budget has been assigned to one of seven categories.

An expense budget is an accounting tool for which accuracy is essential. The expense line item numbers are precise allocations to specific items; however, the process of then converting these numbers into a program budget depends upon several “best guesses.” The boundaries of the specified items are vague, and the numbers allocated are approximate. Thus any program budget should be read as an indicator, rather than an accounting, of how the organization spends its funds according to output.

Overview of First Unitarian Program Budget

The budget for First Unitarian church falls roughly into seven categories shown in the following pie chart. The categories include: Worship and Music, Religious Education, Congregational Life, Committees/Councils/Programs, Community Service, Fundraising, and Denominational Connections.

Categories

Worship and Music: includes allocations of paid staff time to support, and facility costs for Sunday services as well as all special services, including choir preparation and performance at these services.

Religious Education: includes staff allocation to RE classes, training of teachers, as well as programs for both youth and adults.

Congregational Life: refers to paid staff time dedicated to the pastoral ministry (including home visits), wedding and memorials; and support of concerts and social events.

Committees/Councils/Programs: refers to staff effort and direct expense in support of programs and committees at the First Unitarian Church.

Community Service: includes staff effort and direct expense in support of programs and events held at First Unitarian church by the wider Salt Lake community.

Fundraising: refers to staff support and direct expenses of the church’s fundraising efforts including, Pledge, Auction, Arts Festival, and smaller miscellaneous events throughout any given year.

Denominational Connections: includes member dues and expenses for participating in UU national and regional meetings and events.