Current Events
Advocates for Racial Justice — Everyone is invited to join the Advocates for a video presentation and discussion following the service on May 4, in the High School room. The presenter is Jamar Tisby, professor of history at Simmons College of Kentucky, and is the author of the book, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism. This video is an excerpt from his presentation at the recent Summit for Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C. titled, “Holy but Not Hijacked: The Black Christian Political Witness in the Face of White Christian Nationalism.” This dynamic speaker can help us understand more about Black churches as well as the threat of white Christian nationalism.
Book Chat — The Flag and the Cross by Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry. Christian nationalism contends that America has been and should always be distinctively “Christian” from top to bottom – in its self-identity, interpretations of its own history, sacred symbols, cherished values, and public policies. But the “Christian” in Christian nationalism is more about identity than religion. It carries with it assumptions about nativism, white supremacy, authoritarianism, patriarchy, and militarism. If you are interested in knowing more about how this impacts the current political landscape and its deep connections to racism, please join us for two sessions examining the book The Flag and the Cross. We will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30pm. If you are interested, please contact racialjustice@uufortwayne.org. Participation will be limited to 12.
Sisters Over Sixty-Five — Except for January, we meet the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Meetinghouse in the choir room, from 10:30 to Noon. Some of us go to lunch after the meeting. All are welcome. Our next gathering is May 8.
Support Group — what started as a Discussion Group has become a regular gathering for folks who are struggling with the current political chaos. The Group will meet again at 1pm Thursday, May 8 in the Social Hall. The Group is currently open to anyone, and there is no charge for attending.
Hoosiers for Separation of Church and State — this group to counter Christian nationalism is affiliated with Americans United for Separation of Church and State as a network group. One of our projects is showing the film “Bad Faith,” which we did at UUCFW this winter and will again on May 8 at 7pm at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, 2810 Beacon St. If you would like to become involved or learn more, please write to hfsocas@uufortwayne.org
qUUeer Bake Sale — What better time than Mother’s Day to buy some baked treats for the special lady in your life…or maybe to eat your feelings about a complicated relationship? On Sunday, May 11, we will once again be raising money to fund our booth at the Fort Wayne Pride Festival in July. Sign-ups coming soon for volunteers to bring donations of baked goods.
HUUmanists in Action — This group meets after the service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month to explore the history of Humanism and its application to contemporary social and community issues. Their next meeting is May 11. Everyone is welcome to join in the discussion.
qUUeer — This LGBTQIA+ group meets at 12:15 on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month in an available classroom at the Meetinghouse. Their next meeting is May 11. This group is a safe space for members of the queer community to discuss issues, seek and give comfort and understanding, and work together toward shared goals within our UU framework. While we appreciate our many allies, this particular setting is open only to those who identify as LGBTQIA+ For more information, please send an email to quueer@uufortwayne.org or contact the minister.
Service Project — The Advocates for Racial Justice announce we have been invited to join in a service project with Plymouth UCC. Volunteers will be boxing clean-up supplies to be sent by World Services to southern California and other places recently hit by natural disasters. Join in the work on Saturday, May 17, 10am – 2pm in their Folsom Room.
Favorite Foods Potluck — Join Family Faith Formation as we celebrate the end of our RE year with a potluck on May 18, after the service. We’re asking that people bring in their favorite foods to share. This can be any food that you’d describe as your favorite. You can register to bring something on Church Center. The form will ask what you are bringing, if you would like to share the recipe, and if you’d like to share a brief story about the food.
Car Boot Sale — Our parking lot will become a garage sale on Saturday, May 31, when you can sell your treasures out of the trunk of your car. Rent a table or car space for $25 to raise funds for UUCFW. Sell what you want. Keep what you want or donate some proceeds to UU. Do your Spring cleaning and help the congregation!
Farewell & Thank You Carry-In and Party — For our Interim Minister, Reverend Christe, on Saturday, June 7, 4:30pm – 7:30pm at the meetinghouse. Pork & Chicken BBQ , buns, and drinks will be provided. We need all of you to bring a dish (or two if you want). We need all the things that go along with BBQ. Some ideas are: baked beans, macaroni or pasta salad, coleslaw, scalloped potatoes, chips (any), and plenty of yummy desserts of course.
In addition to the CARRY-IN BBQ, there will be awesome musical performances and a short presentation of appreciation for Rev. Christie & Dianna by the Transition Team.
Introduction to UU — The next class for those who want to learn more about our congregation and Unitarian Universalism will be held from 9:30am to 12noon on June 14. Attending the class is open to all and is not a commitment to join as a member, but all who wish to become members must attend an introduction class. A link to register through Church Center will be available soon.
Opportunities for Stewardship —
You can raise funds for the church during your normal shopping! What better way to grow our resources than by making money on the things we already do and buy.
First, the Raise Right program (formerly known as Scrip). For those wanting to enroll in scrip the church code is: 77DDL4CC29923 Click here to enroll or download the RaiseRight app.
There are multiple options when ordering cards. You can buy eGift cards that can be printed at home or saved electronically on your phone. Or you can order physical gift cards and have them shipped to you. Click here for a list of Ship-to-Home Eligible Brands. If you have any questions, please contact our Scrip Coordinator, Kathi.
Second, you can link our congregation to your Kroger shopping! It’s easy to sign up for their Community Rewards program with our number: EM779. Then when you shop at Kroger, you will see our name at the bottom of the receipt. Learn how by clicking here.
Thank you – these small things really do make a difference!
