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News of our vibrant and inclusive spiritual community

 

 

 

 

UU-FYI – OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

FOR SUNDAY, May 25, 2025

 

 

9:45 AM -SPIRITUAL FORUM

 

On May 25, our own Phil Park-Thomas will continue his discussion of conflict resolution. We will talk about active listening, mediation, and the perils of unresolved conflict, and will conclude with an exercise in negotiation. This discussion has gotten a lot of positive feedback, so we hope to see you there!

 

11:00 AM – SERVICE

 

 

Deity Optional Mysticism:

Immersion, Introjection, Imagination”

by Keith A. Rasey

On May 25, 2025, we are traveling to Chartres, France, to visit the cathedral, using our imaginations rather than a plane and passport. We are focusing on the beauty of art to give ourselves a break from the anxieties of this time, steady ourselves with a monument which had deep roots in paganism, Judeo-Christianity, with a spritz of Islam, and be reminded there are values that abide from generation to generation. The transfiguration of light by the stained-glass windows transports me, and I hope us, to a sublime, timeless dimension, if just for a moment. Leave your baggage at home and join us on this journey!

 

CLICK TO WATCH ON OUR CHANNEL:

 

 

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

On May 25, the kids will play! Our church year has come to a close, and our CartUUns curriculum nearly has as well. This Sunday, we will spend our time outside, weather permitting, playing games of the kids’ choice. Hope to see lots of energetic friends there!

 

 

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

Saturday, May 24, 11:00 AM – Social Action Saturday

Sunday, May 25:

·     9:30 AM – Choir Practice

·     9:45 AM – Spiritual Forum

·     11:00 AM – Service In Person + on the YouTube Channel

·     12:00 PM – Pot Luck after service*

·     12:30 PM – Social Action Committee Meeting

·     5:30 PM – Sunday Evening Meditation via Zoom*

Monday, May 26, 12 Noon – First UU Memorial Day Picnic

Tuesday, May 27, 11:00 AM – Sunday Service Committee – ZOOM*

Tuesday, May 27, 6:30 PM – Meditation group via ZOOM*

Tuesday, May 27, 7:00 PM – First Unitarian Board Meeting*

Wednesday, May 28, 10:30 AM – Blanket Making*

 

UPCOMING EVENTS (see articles below for more info)

Friday, June 6, 2:00 PM – First UU Book Club*

Saturday, June 7, 11:30 AM – Knit Wits & Fiber Orphans*

June 18 – 22 – UUA General Assembly in Baltimore, MD

 

*see groups and monthly meeting document for more details

 

LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

 

THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL STATEMENTS were passed out last Sunday and/or mailed out this week. The pledge/payment data in this document is complete through March 30, 2025. Please review your statement to assure that all of your payments have been accounted for. Please note, it is important to make arrangements so your final payments are received before June 30th so they will be accounted for in this fiscal year. Remember, as a self-funded congregation, we are counting on your pledge payments to meet our financial obligations and keep our doors open. Any questions, please send a note to bookkeeper@uutoledo.org.

 

CARING AND SHARING

 

 

Our student minister, Melissa Jeter, graduated last Saturday from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio with a Master of Divinity Degree. Congratulations, Melissa, on a job well done!

 

Ed Smith wants the congregation to know that he will be having a heart procedure this week. We wish him a successful outcome.

 

Phil Park-Thomas is very grateful to the unnamed persons who donated financial assistance for the repair of his automobile. He writes “Your generosity has deeply touched our family and will greatly aid in the vehicle’s restoration.”

 

We continue to hold Walter McGhee in our hearts and hope for his return to health and to his church activities.

 

“UUs care! Please continue to communicate your concerns or celebrations with any member of the Caring Circle: Carla Logan-Mercer, Karen Christie, Phil Zepp, Suzanne Hoffman, Joanne Hartough, Becky Hrabovsky, Karen Porter, Terry Acocks, Kathy Crowther, Marsha Gamble, Susan Smith and Rev. Tim Barger. 

 

Please contact Joanne Hartough with any concerns or joys that you wish to share in this FYI column.

 

INVITATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

SECOND AND FOURTH SATURDAYS OF EACH MONTH

 

NEXT MEETING: Sat May 24

11 AM – 1 PM

 

 

UNITARIAN ACTION MEETS

On Sunday May 25th there will be a Unitarian Action meeting at 12:30 PM in a room TBD. The purpose is to discuss and plan UA activities for the fiscal year. The meeting is open to all congregants. Please come prepared to learn about previous activities and share your ideas on how we can be the face of Unitarian Universalist social justice ACTION inside and outside our walls.

 

 

MEMORIAL DAY PICNIC

Pack up your picnic dish and join fellow Unitarians in the church back yard for a Memorial Day picnic on Monday, May 26, from NOON to 4:00 PM. Grills will be hot, so bring your favorite meat/vegetarian grilling item. Also bring your drinks and a dish to pass. Condiments, paper plates and tables provided. Grillmasters will be available to help cook your item. Anyone interested in bringing or playing games, let us know.

Any questions, please contact Carla or Marna.

 

 

Weekly and Monthly Meetings

and Activities

Click THIS DOCUMENT for a fuller, printable description of the 2025 activities, location, meeting dates and contact person for each group:

 

Every Tuesday ….Sunday Service Committtee ZOOM call at 11:00 AM

Every Tuesday….Meditation @ 6:30 PM

Weekly AA meetings – see document link for times

1st Friday……….Book Club @ 2:00 PM

1st Saturday…….Knit Wits @ 11:30 AM

2nd Saturday……Social Action Saturday @ 11AM-1PM

2nd Sunday……..Meditation @ 5:30 PM until December

3rd Saturday…….Film Club @ 1:00 PM

3rd Saturday ……Walking Group @ 1:00 PM

3rd Sunday………Men’s Group @ 5:30 PM

3rd Monday……..Together Women Rise Seasonal time change to 6 PM

4th Tuesday …….LGBTQ Online Support Group @ 8:00 PM

4th Tuesday……..Board of Trustees @ 7:00 PM

4th Wednesday …Blanket Making @ 10:30 AM

4th Saturday……Social Action Saturday @ 11AM-1PM

4th Sunday………Meditation @ 5:30 PM

4th (or last) Sunday…. Potluck after Service

 

Is your meeting not listed? Submit your meeting details at

https://uutoledo.wufoo.com/forms/first-unitarian-communications-request-form

 

 

GREEN SANCTUARY

 

One of our members shared a free app that others might like to try. His description: “It is called “Climate Action Now”. Each day they give you five actions you can take involving not just climate issues, but other environmental and social justice ones. It takes about five minutes a day to do the actions. Most are emails you send. They also send you information articles to read on various topics. I find it very user friendly and learn a lot from it.”

 

NOTES AND NEWS

 

OFFICE HOURS:

Office hours are normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30-2:30 PM. Otherwise, please reach us by phone or email, which will be frequently checked. Thank you.

Phone: 419-381-6999

Office email: office.manager@uutoledo.org,

 

 

Many thanks to all who participated in the Mother’s Day Hanging Basket Sale! Our net profit was $360 to benefit the church.

 

Every little bit counts, and the flowers were beautiful!

 

Watch for information in December from Ginny Washing regarding our annual poinsettia sale!

 

 

2025 SCHEDULE

FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF TOLEDO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board meets monthly on 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 PM

Board meetings are open to all Members of the Church.

 

Members who are not board members may speak at the board meetings, but may not make motions or vote at board meetings. Members intending to speak at a board meeting shall notify the board president prior to the meeting.

 

Board meetings are generally held each month with the Bylaws requiring a minimum of meetings six times per year. The board may meet in executive session only to discuss personnel matters, to receive legal advice, or to discuss matters requiring confidentiality. Board Minutes once board approved are available to the Members upon written request.

 

2025 schedule: May 27, Jun 24, Jul 22, Aug 26, Sep 23

 

ABOUT THE FYI

 

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The weekly FYI is published on Thursdays. The Order of Service is sent on Saturdays.

To submit information for the next UU-FYI, fill out THIS FORM

by Wednesday at noon. Questions about the form or the FYI? Email fyi@uutoledo.org.

 

 

UU-FYI Volunteers:

Tina Baker, Joanne Hartough, Susan Spiegel, Marna Slawson

Clergy

Rev. Dr. TK Barger, Senior Minister

David Strickler, Commissioned Lay Minister

Melissa Jeter, Student Minister/Seminarian

Program Staff

Gini Gottman, Director of Lifelong Learning

Jeffrey Maxie, Music Director

Support Staff

Jesse Underhill, Office Manager

Amalya Hartley, Bookkeeper

Board of Trustees

Julia McGhee, Acting President; Krista Schneider, Vice President;

Geoff Slawson, Treasurer; Wes Kalbus, Secretary;

Joanne Hartough, Ginny Washing and Phil Zepp, At-Large Members

 

 

First Unitarian Church of Toledo | fyi@uutoledo.org | 419-381-6999 | www.uutoledo.org/

 

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First Unitarian Church of Toledo | 3205 Glendale Avenue | Toledo, OH 43614 US

 

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