Historian, Colleen A., is bringing First UU’s stories of life and grace to you on a new blog! Click on the stories tab at The Church Blogger: History and Memories to read about the growth and development of First UU, with new articles appearing weekly.

by Colleen Appel In a chapter from the book Upcycle Your Congregation, Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern says, “The work of re-storying a congregation begins with…looking for the signs of life, grace, or call beyond the mantra of problems and barriers and then weaving them into a new story, credible and real. Credible, because it is … Continue reading The Split: The Old Guard vs. The Young Turks

First UU has a variety of activities and groups that meet each Sunday. Each Sunday of the month is a little different.

by Colleen Appel Most every week you’ll find a piece in the What’s Up online newsletter that summarizes a recent legislative action along with instructions for how we might respond. First UU member Sherry Buchanan is responsible for those posts. I recently spoke to Sherry about her efforts. If you call her in the morning, … Continue reading The Church Blogger: Who’s behind the weekly “Speak UUp” posts?

by Colleen Appel and Bob Eckels Every week, you hear from two people with a heart for fundraising. Emily Jamroch and Roberta Weeden have big plans for growing a capital fund. Currently, the envelope wall and the Coins for Change are bringing in money. But why is a fund so necessary at this time? I … Continue reading The church blogger: Why is a capital fund so necessary at this time?

You may have noticed it, too. One familiar face that you hadn’t seen in such a long time at First UU, and you were curious. Then enough returnees that you’re thinking it might be a trend. And then you saw three people at a service that you were afraid would never come back, and you … Continue reading The church blogger: What’s bringing those familiar faces back to church?

Several of the behavioral covenants currently in use at First UU ask us to “Share the ouch, and make room for the oops.” Most frequently it’s used regarding pronouns. “Ouch” when we hear someone utter pronouns other than those preferred, and “oops” when we recognize and acknowledge our own misuse of pronouns. However, recently I … Continue reading The church blogger: Making Room for the OOPS: What I Learned from STUN

Have you ever driven into the church parking lot and wondered who does the work of maintaining the message board that greets travelers on Battlefield Road? How does it contribute to reinforcing our place in the community? The message board has a name; it’s called a Wayside Pulpit, coming from a long tradition of religious … Continue reading The church blogger: Who’s Responsible for First UU’s Message on Battlefield?

There’s a sign in the First UU driveway announcing a Parents’ Cooperative Preschool and Kindergarten (PCPK). They meet in our basement Monday through Friday. What makes this school unique? What does First UU get from the partnership? PCPK is a cooperative school that encourages family involvement. Each class has its own dedicated teacher, but the … Continue reading The church blogger: A Partnership: Parents’ Cooperative School and First UU