Committees
2023 AUCTION: November 11, 2023 5:30pm
This is the Place – The Garden Place at Heritage Park
Thank you for such a fabulous response to the auction! Unfortunately, the live auction is sold out. You are welcome to continue to bid online and attend the live auction on Zoom with a Zoom ticket purchased online. Thanks for your support!
Click here for the online auction
Dear Members and Friends,
The annual auction fundraiser for First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City is scheduled for Saturday, November 11, 2023, 5:30 PM at This is the Place Heritage Park – Garden Place. The theme this year is “The Future’s So Bright, We’ve Gotta Wear Shades”!
We are proud to announce that Nan Seymour will be this year’s Fairly Free Thinker Awardee. Nan is a writer and activist working to save the Great Salt Lake. She led 45-day vigils on Antelope Island for the imperiled Lake throughout each of the Utah Legislature’s 2022 and 2023 sessions.
A silent auction will begin online on November 4 and run through November 11. The in-person event from 5:30 to 9:30 PM on Saturday the 11th will include cocktails, dinner, Fairly Free Thinker Award, opportunity drawing, silent auction, and live auction. Location is This is the Place Heritage Park – Garden Place, 2601 East Sunnyside Ave. Childcare will be offered at the Church from 5:00 to 10:00 PM - so parents, you can have a night out (contact the office for a childcare registration form)!
See instructions below on. All members who have never attended a First Church auction in past years can attend on November 11 for half-price! You just need to pick up a half-price coupon at the Auction table in Eliot Hall after Sunday service. As you make your ticket donations and sponsorships remember that you will have the option to pay the credit card processing fees so that the church doesn’t have to.
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- You should only have to enter this once on a device, but keep it handy in case you log out of your account and need back in.
- When you use a different device, enter this Access Code on the new device to use your Registered Account. SO SAVE THE EMAIL WITH YOUR ACCESS CODE!
Now you’re ready to make your ticket donation and sponsorships.
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- $100 - Bronze level
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$250 - Silver level
- Bronze and Silver level sponsors can also make a donation for tickets at the same time.
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- $500 - Gold level, includes 2 tickets
- $1,000 - Platinum level, includes 4 tickets
- Platinum and Gold level sponsors will claim your tickets at the same time as you make your sponsorship donation.
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$100 - In-person Event November 11 (suggested donation for each ticket is $100. Tickets required so we can have an accurate food count)
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$50 - Zoom Auction Ticket November 11
Have an item to donate to the auction? We are still taking items and experiences..so reach out to the auction committee before November 1st (they will be at Coffee Hour for the next few Sundays). Silent Auction items go live November 4th.
Click here for the link to the OP Ed from our Reproductive Justice Committee that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune on Oct. 28th.
2022 AUCTION: October 22, 2022 6pm
This is the Place – The Garden Place at Heritage Park
The good news and the better news!
2022 AUCTION: October 22, 2022 6pm
This is the Place – The Garden Place at Heritage Park
You won’t want to miss this year’s annual auction fundraiser of First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City! The date is Saturday, October 22 at 6 pm, at a new venue for 2022, This is the Place – The Garden Place at Heritage Park.
The Annual Auction Needs You!
SPONSORSHIPS & TICKETS (LIVE & ZOOM)
OTHER CASH DONATIONS (ANY AMOUNT)
The virtual event will offer remote access on Zoom, for the real-time live auction, silent auction, and the awarding of the Fairly Free Thinker Award. Tickets are $50 per person
The online silent auction will open online one week prior to the live event, on Saturday October 15th. Even if you are not able to participate in person or virtually, you may still bid on the wonderful dinners, event tickets, art work, raffle baskets, and other surprising experiences!
All donors will receive recognition on the auction website and at the in-person event.
2022 AUCTION: October 22, 2022 6pm
This is the Place – The Garden Place at Heritage Park
You won’t want to miss this year’s annual auction fundraiser of First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City! The date is Saturday, October 22 at 6 pm, at a new venue for 2022, This is the Place – The Garden Place at Heritage Park.
Your Auction Committee is excited to announce this year’s recipient of the Fairly Free Thinker Award – Karrie Galloway and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah! After four decades of fighting for women’s bodily autonomy, Karrie is retiring as executive director and CEO of PPAU at the end of this year. Planned Parenthood of Utah filed a lawsuit in July challenging Utah’s abortion “trigger law” that is making its way through the courts. We are very pleased to recognize and honor Karrie and PPAU as our Fairly Free Thinker awardees!
We are asking if you will consider helping sponsor the Auction this year. Sponsorships are used to underwrite expenses for the auction to ensure all proceeds go directly to the mission of First Church.
Why support the auction? Read Michele Page’s reasons:
My wife, Sue, and I began attending First UU Church of SLC around 2004. I was first to attend, having heard Rev. Tom Goldsmith speak before. Sue was quite reluctant, given the fact that we were each raised in the LDS faith and attended BYU (I know, right!). But seriously, we were both traumatized by experiences within the LDS church, especially me. I had to endure two bishops’ courts at BYU – the trauma has had a lifelong impact on me. Neither of us wanted anything to do with organized religion ever again. Reluctantly, Sue agreed to attend a service after much insistence by me. Sue equally loved Tom’s sermons and soon we were holding a child dedication for our daughter in early 2005. We have been members since that time.
We raised our son and daughter in the religious education program and are grateful for the valuable information they gained over the years. They both went to Boston with their peers and loved the trip and learning about UU history. First UU Church has been a tremendous asset in our lives. We have developed life-long friendships and found a like-minded community of incredible individuals.
Over the years we have held many positions, including co-chairs of Social Justice and Pledge Committees. Sue served on the Board for 6 years, 2 as President. We taught 1st grade RE (that’s another story) and served as leaders and members of Small Group Ministry for years. I have also served as auction chair for several years, and co-chair this year. We are grateful for this church and our UU friends.
Please consider becoming a sponsor for this year’s auction.
– Michele Page
Options for auction participation!
The in-person event at This Is the Place Garden Place will include cocktails and dinner, silent auction, raffle, live auction, and the awarding of the annual Fairly Free Thinker Award. Tickets are $100 per person
The virtual event will offer remote access on Zoom, for the real-time live auction, silent auction, and the awarding of the Fairly Free Thinker Award. Tickets are $50 per person
The online silent auction will open online one week prior to the live event, on Saturday October 15th. Even if you are not able to participate in person or virtually, you may still bid on the wonderful dinners, event tickets, art work, raffle baskets, and other surprising experiences!
How to become a sponsor for the auction:
Go online to the 2022 church auction page CLICK HERE and scroll down to “Donate Now.” You may register for the auction now, or at a later time.
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If you plan to attend the auction (in-person or virtual), CLICK HERE to buy your tickets AND become a sponsor. This path will register you for the auction.
All donors will receive recognition on the auction website and at the in-person event.
Applications to Join the Nominating Committee for the 2022-24 term are now open
In this welcome period of transition, the Board of Trustees of the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City would like to explore different approaches to governance and lay leadership development.
Per our bylaws, we have two established committees: the Nominating Committee and the Endowment Committee. In the past, the Board selected members for the Nominating Committee using an ad hoc process. This year, in the pursuit of greater inclusivity and transparency, we would like to pilot an open application process to fill two vacancies on the Nominating Committee for the 2022-2024 period (two-year term).
The primary purpose of the Nominating Committee is to identify and nominate eligible and talented members for election to the Board of Trustees. To this end, the Nominating Committee actively participates in developing, vetting, and training the lay leadership team of the Church. Members of the Nominating Committee are expected to be familiar with a wide array of members of the congregation as well as understand the diverse skills and talents required of Board members for effective governance.
If service on the Nominating Committee is of interest to you, we invite you to apply for one of two vacancies for the 2022-2024 term using the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/6befFN2bQysB1qTC8.
Applications to Join the Sr. Minister Search Committee
As we embark on the next step in our ministerial transition, that of selecting a search committee to find us our next Sr. Minister, the Transition Team encourages everyone to participate to the fullest as you are all able. Following is an outline of the Sr. Minister Search Committee Selection Process and what is coming next. The first step in the process to create a Sr. Minister Search Committee is to gather potential names from church members and friends. The Transition Team will lead this process by surveying First Church members and friends using the church’s text messaging system and email followed up with phone calls to make sure we have included as many members and friends as possible. We expect this initial process to take approximately three weeks at which time the Transition Team will contact potential nominees regarding their qualifications and willingness to serve and then send the names of 12-14 potential members to the Boad for consideration. The Board will identify a Search Committee slate consisting of seven (7) active First Church members. This slate will be published in the church’s annual report and distributed to all congregants prior to the annual congregational meeting on May 15, 2022. The Candidates for Sr. Minister Search Committee will be ratified as a slate at the annual congregational meeting on May 15, 2022. A Slate of candidates is nominated rather than individuals because the candidates are selected as a team, bringing individual skills, experience and personalities that should complement each other’s to create an effective whole, as well as ensure diversity and inclusion. No nominations from the floor will be considered. Please note the following criteria for service on the Ministerial Search Committee:
- Membership in First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City is required.
- Member(s) of the Transition Team or Board will not be eligible to serve on the Search Committee due to the time and energy required of search committee members during the term of their membership on the committee.
- Nominees must agree to suspend other time-consuming positions they hold with the church if chosen for the search committee.
The member and friends survey will be conducted through Google and will ask you to consider the following questions. After thinking about all of these questions, please submit for consideration up to seven (7) names of First Church members who you trust to serve on the search committee on behalf of the congregation. Note: Self-nominations are encouraged here!
- What are the good qualities needed for someone to serve on a ministerial search committee?
- Who in the congregation works well with others?
- Who can represent and serve the whole congregation well (including looking out for the needs of children) and not just a piece or “faction” of the congregation? Who is free of a conflict of interest?
- Who knows (or can learn) the history and culture of the congregation, whether a member of long standing or relatively new?
- Who has been and/or is active in the congregation and has demonstrated both responsible participation and responsible leadership?
- Who would be able to know and relate the strengths and weaknesses of our congregation to potential candidates?
Link for the Sr. Minister Search Committee nomination form > click here
A full copy of the Sr. Minister Search Committee Selection Process including the search committee job description and timeline can be found [HERE]
Our most heartfelt gratitude goes out to YOU—our community members who generously support our church and our work. And thanks to the Auction Committee and volunteers who made this night possible
Just in time for the day after Thanksgiving sales--here are the auction items that are still available. Please contact Stefanie at or call the church office at 801-582-8687 ext 202 (please leave a message) if you would like to purchase any of these items.
Check out the incredibly well done "Modern Unitarian" video that premiered at the auction (YouTube link at the bottom of the page).
Auction Items Still Available (updated 1-27-22)
Silent Mindfulness Meditation Retreat (FEB 2/12/22), 6 spots available, $50 ea
Silent Mindfulness Meditation Retreat (MAY 5/21/22), 9 spots available, $50 ea
Easy-Peasy Bread-Making Class 3/12/22, 6 spots available, $40 ea
Floral Art Stitchery, 1 item available, $50
Thai Dance (art), 1 item available, $50
Group Billiards Lesson for 6 (Date TBD), 1 item available, $125
Politics and Pundits, 2 spots available, $80 Sold
Embellished perfume Bottle, 1 item available, $25 Sold
Big Band Concert & Dance Party (6/11/22), 33 spots available, $45
Wine and Wander (6/26/22), 30 spots available, $30
Tarot Among Friends, 1 spot available, $75 Sold
Double-fermented kombucha class & equipment, 1 spot available, $140
1960s Prom with $onny and Cher (6/4/22), 37 spots available, $35
Antique Mason’s Ironstone China Pitcher, 1 available, $60 Sold
Women’s Teton Retreat (July 29-31), 3 spots available, $250
Fairly Free Thinker Award
Photo by Ken Kraus (thanks Ken!)
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On October 3, 2021, the Sanctuary Steering Committee received the Gandhi Peace Award. Click Here for the video presentation created by Don Walton and Phil Davis (thank you Don and Phil!), and thank you to everyone that has helped along the way.
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Vicky Chavez received her work permit on Wednesday, October 13, 2021!! Now, she is eligible to work!!! Of course, she doesn't have a job yet. So, she could still use our help - financial support to help from now until a job is found, tips on finding a work-from-home job, experience setting up a business. Go to the Sanctuary page here on the website https://www.slcuu.org/programs/sanctuary to help financially or contact Joan Gregory or text 801-949-2906, for questions or sharing information about jobs, and more.
For those attending the auction at the University Park Marriott
- Bring your cell phone. You will need your phone to place auction bids
- Bring your proof of vaccination
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Dear First Church Members and Friends,
Important updates on plans for the November 13, 2021 First Unitarian Church auction!
- The 2021 Fairly Free Thinker Awardwill be presented to Angela Dunn, Executive Director of Salt Lake County Health Department. Prior to June 2021, Dr. Dunn was the State Epidemiologist for Utah.She is perhaps most remembered for frequent appearances at press conferences alongside Governor Herbert in 2020 and then Governor Cox in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic surged across the state. Her steadfast positions to encourage safe health practices were often in conflict with other business and political leaders’ demands to “open up” the State. She was also the target of protests for her position. She is a courageous leader and we are proud to honor her. She will be live with us at the Marriott to receive her award.
- We are announcing a new and improved plan for a hybrid in-person and virtual auction event. In recognition of the potential health risks of holding an in-person event, the auction planners have consulted with health experts who have assured us that with informed and careful planning, we can hold a safe and successful event. The 2021 Auction will provide two options for participating in the Auction events.
- In-person attendance at the University Park Marriott
The following procedures will be observed for those attending the auction in-person at the University Park Marriott:
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- Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination status
- Mask wearing expected (masks available at registration, if needed).
- More spacing between Silent Auction displays
- Dinner seating with social distancing in mind
- Limited capacity from past years
Event Activities:
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- Silent Auction items on display at Marriott
- Raffle prize on display at Marriott
- Open bar with signature cocktails, wine and beer
- Dinner and dessert with social distancing
- Program begins 7:30 pm
- Presentation of the Fairly Free Thinker Award to Dr. Angela Dunn
- Surprise entertainment
- Live auction
Ticket price: $100
- Video Streaming on Zoom
For those who are not comfortable attending an indoor event but want to join in the fun, we offer this virtual option:
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- Silent Auction bidding online.
- Raffle prize displayed online – tickets purchased online
- Program begins on Zoom at 7:30 pm
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- Presentation of the Fairly Free Thinker Award to Dr. Angela Dunn
- Surprise entertainment
- Live auction bidding through the Zoom chat feature
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Ticket price: $25
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- In-person attendance at University Park Marriott (includes dinner) $100.
- Virtual attendance through Zoom $25.
- Raffle tickets 1 for $5 or 5 for $20.
IMPORTANT DATES:
LOCATION:
We hope you will join us for all the fun and enjoyment in supporting the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City!
The 2021 Auction Executive Committee
Becky Heal Jessica French
Colleen Bliss Nicki Blackburn
Michele Page Cathy Chambless
Dot Verbrugge
AND HERE IS AN INVITATION THAT YOU CAN SEND TO YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS: Auction Invitation pdf