Committees

In celebration of International Women’s Day March 8, First Unitarian Church's Women's Sacred Circle is offering a drop-in gathering space for those who want to support A Day Without a Woman General Strike. In the same spirit of love and liberation that inspired women's marches across the globe, the strike will mark the day by recognizing the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system--while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity. Women and our allies will act together for equity, justice and the human rights of women, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity.

Join us in solidarity with women who take the day off from paid and unpaid labor. Solidarity with those who avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women and minority-owned businesses). Or, just stop by, even for a few minutes, to experience the warmth of our Beloved Community.

Date: March 8th
Time: 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Place: First Unitarian Church Eliot Hall
Activities Include:

• Honk and Wave
• Community Organization Pamphlets (Planned Parenthood, YWCA, Utah Women Unite, ACLU, Equality Utah, etc.)
• Light Refreshments
• Live Feed from Washington and Recordings of Women’s Speeches
• Postcard Writing Activity to Representatives

Arts Fair April 22nd The Annual First Unitarian Church Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held on Saturday April 22nd from 5 to 10 pm and Sunday April 23rd till 1:30 pm. Artists: Please register using the online form found  here. This is a fun family event with food and entertainment provided. Artists can show their art for fun at no charge. All sales are handled by the church. Church retains 25%, artist receive a check from the church for 75%. All arts and crafts welcomed. Display space is limited, so sign up early. If you have any question please contact Bill Reed at .

Refugee Resettlement Committee Needs Donations
Years before it became famous for the assassination of Julius Caesar in the Roman Senate, the Ides of March marked the first full moon of the new year in Rome If your 2017 New Year’s resolutions faded as fast as the frequency of your gym workouts, the time is at hand for a re-boot. No need to beware the Ides of March and its implications for self-improvement, resolve to do something for someone in need. Donating your gently used furniture to the Refugee Resettlement Committee requires no more than a phone call to Joe Dubray at (904) 527-9773.

Dinner and Dialogue Are you new to our First Unitarian Church congregation? Well, we would like to welcome you and invite you join us for an intimate dinner in a member's home. There is a Dinner and Dialogue binder at the Congregational Life table in Eliot Hall where you can sign up. We have one dinner in March already set up for newcomers only and would like to encourage some of you "old timers" to help us by hosting several more. Of course, we also have dinners for everyone, so please look over the binder and see what might interest you. You can contact Darlene Thayne at or 801-455-6553 if you need any assistance on this. Let's get acquainted!

Mindfulness Group Every Sunday, meditation is offered as a time to pause, practice calming our thoughts and setting an intention to be mindful in our daily life. Guidance for developing meditation practice is shared along with suggested websites and reading. The community supports our intention to experience the benefits of being mindfully aware so that we may cultivate and live with calm, peace and ease. All are welcome. Sundays Following the end of the first service, in the Parlor.

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 .

• March 5th: (Location Change!) Citrus Grill (3977 S Wasatch Blvd)
• March 12th: Cafe Med (420 East 3300 South)
• March 19th: Pho Thin (2121 McClelland St)
• March 26th: Saffron Valley East India Cafe (22 E Street)

Environmental Ministry Update

The goal of this article is to share information on the work and plans of Environmental Ministry. Who IS the Environmental Ministry? We are the folks who plan and participate in Environmental Ministry programs, keep you informed about upcoming environmental and climate justice events/actions, support our church environmental stewardship efforts, represent Environmental Ministry in the broader community, and staff the Environmental Ministry table on Sundays. We try to make sense of what is happening on the environmental and climate justice front and encourage all of us to take action to defend a livable future. We typically meet on the first Sunday of each month at 12:45PM in Room 208 – with exceptions due to holidays. Below is an update.

“Sacred Activism” – Environmental Ministry Program Theme for 2017

While the Trump Administration furthers the chaos and confusion of its first month, it is difficult to focus on defending the health of our Living Systems and protecting our Environment when the EPA, the key federal agency for that protection, is under comprehensive assault. How do we preserve, defend, and protect the interdependent web of life of which we are a part, when Scott Pruitt, who as Oklahoma’s attorney general, “closely coordinated with major oil and gas producers, electric utilities and political groups with ties to the … Koch [brothers] to roll back environmental regulations,” has been confirmed to head the Environmental Protection Agency! How do we protect and defend a livable future for ourselves and our children? How do we defend the sacred?

Exploring these questions and finding answers—together—is what defines Environmental Ministry programs for 2017. In January, we discussed the Valve Turners and their Direct Action that stopped the Canadian Tar Sands from flowing to the US for a day. Despite facing felony charges that could keep them imprisoned for the rest of their lives, they showed their own “defense of the sacred” in their actions. The video, beautifully facilitated by Kathleen Dean Moore, provided the basis for our conversation about grief, fear, hope and the motivations for their actions. This video can be re-viewed here, and we have an update on the result of one trial.

Ken Ward, although unable to use the “necessity defense” (Tim DeChristopher was also prohibited from using that defense) nonetheless found that some of the jury did not believe he was guilty, so a mistrial was declared! Here is Ken’s most recent post outlining the authoritative, well-documented climate data upon which his action was based. In our Environmental Ministry news and in the Direct Action Training that will be part of our training in the next few months, we will keep you updated on the Valve Turners and their trials.

Our February 21st program, began with the film “Breath of Life,” and included a conversation about “Action,” notifications about local and national actions, discussions about “Defending the Sacred,” and a beginning introduction to “Sacred Activism.” View the trailer to the film “Breath of Life,” here. Environmental Ministry has permission to show and share both the “Breath of Life,” and “Before the Flood” (which was screened in December). In addition, if you are interested in showing either film, we can loan it to you. Contact Joan for details: .

In March, Environmental Ministry is sponsoring two programs. Our first 2017 Direct Action Training, Know Your Rights, will be presented by Pioneer Justice Center attorneys, Trent Richards, Stewart Gollan, and Monte Sleight on Friday, March 3rd at 7PM in Eliot Hall. As we plan to take action and support those who are taking action in the coming weeks, months, and years, what we learn in this workshop will serve as a solid foundation empowering us with the knowledge and skills needed to assure our rights and those of others are not violated and to stand on firm ground when they are.

The March 17th program (also at 7PM in Eliot Hall) will begin with a video on defending the sacred and will focus on Standing Rock and on how we—together--may act to defend the sacred, and not just in North Dakota. Even though the Army Corps of Engineers following Trump’s directive, has approved the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), and has evicted the water protectors, the concerted effort to defend the sacred continues. The Indigenous Environmental Network: website and Facebook page continue to be invaluable resources, as is the website of the Camp of the Sacred Stone. Local representatives of PANDOS (Peaceful Advocates for Native Dialogue and Organizing Support) and the Utah League of Native American Voters (ULNAV), will serve as panelists sharing their own experiences defending the sacred at Standing Rock and here in Utah. There will be time for discussion and exploration of what it means to defend the sacred.

Sacred Activism will be the theme for our Earth Day Service at First Unitarian Church on April 23rd. Earth Day is Saturday, April 22nd. Environmental Ministry will celebrate Earth Day Sunday with the children through religious exploration on Apr 30th.

Environmental Ministry seeks to provide support, inspiration, and stability as we follow the lead of the indigenous people in defending the sacred in 2017 and for all times! Please visit our Environmental Ministry Sunday table, to catch up on the latest environmental, climate, and social justice events, training, actions, and news during these turbulent times.

• List of Upcoming Environmental Ministry Events and Meetings
• Fri, Mar 3rd, 7PM Know Your Rights Workshop (Eliot Hall)
• Sun, Mar 5th, 12:45PM Environmental Ministry Planning Team Meeting (Rm 208)
• Fri, Mar 17th, 7PM Defending the Sacred (Eliot Hall)
• Sun, Apr 2nd, 12:45PM Environmental Ministry Planning Team Meeting (Rm 208)
• Fri, Apr 7th, 7PM Non-Violent Direct Action Training (Eliot Hall – planning in progress)
• Sun, Apr 23rd, 9AM & 11AM Earth Day Sunday Service - Sacred Activism (Sanctuary)
• Sun, Apr 30th, 11AM Earth Day Religious Exploration with the Children (Little Chapel)

The Unitarian Social Justice Committee and Utahns for Just Peace in the Holy Land invite you to view the film “the Settlers,” Saturday, March 11, in Elliot Hall.

Watching President Trump stumble through policies affecting the Middle East is painful. So many people are whispering into his ear- King Abdullah of Jordan, son in law Jared Kushner, and American billionaire Sheldon Adelson (a right wing admirer of Mr. Netanyahu).

The most “telling” is the new, close, inseparable relationship Trump has with Bibi Netanyahu. At their joint press conference Donald made a flippant remark, off the cuff to Bibi, “Hold back on settlements for a little bit.” Is this how he announces policy? What does he mean, “a little bit.” There are so many settlements on Palestinian land now, that a separate Palestinian state (which has been US policy for 2 decades) may be impossible to achieve.

Israelis, like the Americans, are a divided people. About 40% of Israelis, allies of the right wing, see the West Bank which they call Judea and Samaria, as holy. They don’t even recognize it as Occupied Territory. Reminding us of George Orwell, they call it “Disputed Territory.” They do not recognize international law, UN resolutions or the Geneva Convention. They ignore the green line which the UN recognizes as the West Bank border. They actually benefit from Palestinian resistance since it serves their purpose by providing reasons for a harsher military.

About 40% of Israelis (mostly living in Tel Aviv) see Israel as secular and loathe the settler movement, which they fear is changing their country from a democracy to a fascist state.

Please join us Saturday, March 11, Eliot Hall to view the film, “the Settlers,” which examines the Zionist views and the Palestinian views. The film is directed by Shimon Dotan, a Jewish professor at NYU. The film last 1 hr 45 min. We hope to have an exhilarating QA following the presentation. Mark your calendars, please.  -Barbara Taylor

The Annual First Unitarian Church Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held on Saturday April 22nd from 5 to 10 pm and Sunday April 23rd till 1:30 pm. Artists: Please register using the online form found on the Arts Fair Registration Page . This is a fun family event with food and entertainment provided. Artists can show their art for fun at no charge. All sales are handled by the church. Church retains 25%, artist receive a check from the church for 75%. All arts and crafts welcomed. Display space is limited, so sign up early. If you have any question please contact Bill Reed at .

Arts Fair April 22nd The Annual First Unitarian Church Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held on Saturday April 22nd from 5 to 10 pm and Sunday April 23rd till 1:30 pm. Artists: Please register using the online form found on the Registration Page. This is a fun family event with food and entertainment provided. Artists can show their art for fun at no charge. All sales are handled by the church. Church retains 25%, artist receive a check from the church for 75%. All arts and crafts welcomed. Display space is limited, so sign up early. If you have any question please contact Bill Reed at .

Refugee Resettlement Committee Needs Donations
Like a stone tossed into a still pool, President Trump’s executive order on immigration rippled into Salt Lake City with destabilizing effect. A planned apartment set-up by the Refugee Resettlement Committee was cancelled by the International Refugee Committee (IRC), citing Trump’s “reckless and discriminatory executive order.” As protests erupted like flash mobs around the country, IRC announced that furniture donations would continue to be collected so long as it had capacity to store it. Call Joe Dubray at (904) 527-9773 for details. Those interested in contributing money to the IRC can do so on its website.

Dinner and Dialogue Dinner and Dialogue is going strong! There have already been several dinners, and we have many more in the works clear through May. Feel free to sign up in the white binder in Eliot Hall at the Congregational Life Table to host or attend a dinner in order to connect with people in our congregation. If you have any questions, please call Darlene Thayne at 801-455-6553 or send me an email to .

Mindfulness Group Sundays Following the end of the first service, in the Parlor.

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 .

• February 19th: Taqueria 27 (1615 South Foothill Dr)
• February 26th: Shanghai Cafe (145 East 1300 South)
• March 5th: (Location Change!) Citrus Grill (3977 S Wasatch Blvd)
• March 12th: Cafe Med (420 East 3300 South)
• March 19th: Pho Thin (2121 McClelland St)
• March 26th: Saffron Valley East India Cafe (22 E Street)

Social Justice Film - March 11th
-submitted by Barbara Taylor

The Social Justice Committee and Just Peace in the Holy Land invite you to a showing of the documentary, “the Settlers,” Saturday night, March 11, Elliot Hall and we would love it if you would come.

Trump who presented himself as a staunch supporter of settlement expansion during his campaign, has back pedaled in recent days. King Abdullah of Jordan flew to Washington, uninvited to give the president some advice: “Settlements are an obstacle to peace.” Luckily, the president often agrees with the last person who whispers into his ear.

However, since Mr. Trump’s inauguration Mr. Netanyahu’s government has announced the construction of 5,500 new houses in the occupied West Bank and has raised the idea of building the first entirely new settlement in years. He is still upset that the US (under President Obama) did not veto a Security Council resolution condemning Israel for building settlements.

Mr. Netanyahu might as well admit his intention is to physically break up the Palestinian territories so thoroughly that there is no possibility of a Palestinian state.
What is the motivation behind the settler movement? The Israeli government lures incoming refugees to move to the Occupied Territories by offering them condominiums, swimming pools, good schools, homes with no down payments and low interest rates. Others move there for religious reasons claiming the land was promised to them by God.

We will examine attitudes on both sides of the issue, Saturday night, March 11, 7 pm in Elliot Hall when the entire congregation is invited to view a film, “the Settlers,” directed by Jewish film maker, Shimon Dotan. We hope to have a lively discussion. Save the date.

Environmental Ministry News
-Submitted by Joan M. Gregory

2017 Environmental Ministry Series: Effective Action in a Trump Administration!

FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION: BREATH OF LIFE Tuesday, February 21, 7PM Eliot Hall Facebook Event Page

Spectacularly photographed in Europe, Scandinavia, North America and Hawaii, BREATH OF LIFE travels the globe in search of the truth behind what appears to be a looming environmental catastrophe. Everyone is telling us how we are destroying our world. BREATH OF LIFE shows us why. This stunning documentary transcends the usual experts and captures the mind-bending insight of the world’s greatest evolutionary scientists, down-to-earth farmers and Hawaiian wisdom keepers. It will change forever the way you view the world and provide a roadmap to the future you can actually use. Following the film, we will explore the question: what does effective action look like in the face of the realities of climate change?

Co-Sponsors: Association for the Tree of Life, Climate Emergency Coalition, and Environmental Ministry – First Unitarian Church of SLC.

Be Part of the Solution! Let your Voice be Heard! The Utah State Legislature is in session!!

Websites for tracking legislation: Utah State Legislature: http://le.utah.gov/ - schedules, news, legislator contact information, a bill tracker http://le.utah.gov/asp/billtrack/track.asp and a direct link to the General Session: http://le.utah.gov/~2017/2017.htm. Find YOUR legislator: http://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp. Many local organizations track bills of interest. Alliance for a Better Utah, HEAL Utah, Utah League of Women Voters, and Utah Clean Energy, are just a few. Let your Utah legislators know how you would vote on the legislation.

Nationally, there are many reasons these days for contacting your 2 U.S. Senators and 1 U.S. Representative every day. What to call them about? Whatever you just saw in the newspaper or wherever you get your news. Call the capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121. Ask for your Senator or Representative by name, and give your zip code. [OR look up your Senators: https://www.senate.gov/ and Representative: https://www.house.gov/ and put their numbers into your cell phone]. Introduce yourself to the person who answers the phone letting them know you are a constituent, and ask to speak to your member of Congress (MoC). If your MoC is unavailable, ask to speak to the aide who deals with the subject you are calling about. If all else fails, leave a voice message for your MoC regarding your concerns or your support. If the phone line is constantly busy, send a message to your MoC via their web contact form, typically in the CONTACT section of their website.

Congregational Briefs

RRC needs chairs. If the Refugee Resettlement Committee were to tweet a current status report a la Trump, it would write: “Huge shortage of kitchen chairs. So sad.” If you can help with a chair donation, call Joe Dubray at (904) 527-9773 as soon as possible.

Dinner and Dialogue Dinner and Dialogue is going strong! There have already been several dinners, and we have many more in the works clear through May. Feel free to sign up in the white binder in Eliot Hall at the Congregational Life Table to host or attend a dinner in order to connect with people in our congregation. If you have any questions, please call Darlene Thayne at 801-455-6553 or send me an email to .

Mindfulness Group Sundays Following the end of the first service, in the Parlor.

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 .

• January 22nd: The Corner Bakery (610 South Foothill Blvd)
• January 29th: Indochine Vietnamese Bistro (230 South 1300 East)
• February 5th: Vertical Diner (234 West 900 South)
• February 12th: East Liberty Tap House (850 East 900 South)
• February 19th: Taqueria 27 (1615 South Foothill Dr)
• February 26th: Shanghai Cafe (145 East 1300 South)
• March 5th: Sage's Cafe
• March 12th: Cafe Med (420 East 3300 South)
• March 19th: Pho Thin (2121 McClelland St)
• March 26th: Saffron Valley East India Cafe (22 E Street)

Social Justice Film

-submitted by Barbara Taylor

The Social Justice committee and Utahns for Just Peace in the Holy Land are showing a free documentary, “The Settlements”, Saturday, March 11, 7 pm in Elliot Hall.

During the last week of December, the Obama administration abstained from a vote in the UN Security Council condemning Israel’s settlement policy. Since the UN was formed in 1946, the US as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, (there are 15 members in all) has the power to veto any vote. The US has used its veto power only 77 times in the 70 year history of the UN, and over half of those vetoes have been to protect Israel.

Let it be pointed out that the US did not vote “Yes” of the measure. We merely abstained, which allowed the resolution to pass 14-0. Netanyahu pronounced that Israel would step up the settlement process and build 5600 new homes in East Jerusalem immediately, yet over 100,000 more Israelis already live in the West Bank today than when Obama took office. Settlements flagrantly violate international law, and the Geneva Convention and damage prospects for a future Palestinian state.

On Saturday, March 11, Eliot Hall, 7 pm, we will show the film, “the Settlements,” a documentary directed by Shimon Dotan, a Jewish professor at NYU. The film interviews people who represent many sides of the issue, including Zionists and Palestinians with new and varied viewpoints. We look forward to a passionate Q&A following the film. Mark your calendars and save the date.