News Update 2/13/13

STRATEGIC PLANNING HOUSE MEETINGS

The Strategic Planning Committee is holding House Meetings to get direct feedback from the congregation and the community. We will discuss how we can become more authentic, compassionate, and transformative, individually and as a faith community, to make a bigger difference in our world.   Please select one of the upcoming meeting times below, and reserve your space by contacting the church office at info@2uomaha.org or 402-334-0537 ext. 114.  Meetings will last about 90 minutes.  Please check your member directory for addresses.

Scheduled Strategic Planning House Meetings

Day      Date     Time                Host(s)            

Sun.     2/17     3 p.m.     Craig & Nancy Piquette
Wed.    2/20     7 p.m.     Sue Aschinger
Fri.       2/22     7 p.m.     Steve & Gay Abraham
Mon.    2/25     7 p.m.     Stephanie & Tom Peterson
Mon.    3/4       7 p.m.    Dan & Ferial Pearson
Sat.      3/9       9:30 a.m. Rick & Kathy Bell
Sat.      3/9       7 p.m.    Rich McArdle
Wed.    3/13     6 p.m.     Second Unitarian Church, w/dinner & childcare

NO SECOND CIRCLE IN FEBRUARY

There will be no Second Circle on Sunday mornings in February. The Sunday morning program for teens is “under construction” as we assess what the needs are and whether Sunday morning is the best venue to meet those needs.  We continue to ponder options and will keep you posted as we progress. Please share your thoughts and ideas with Anita Jeck and Gay Robinson Abraham as we give thought to this important segment of our church community.

FAMILY SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT FEBRUARY 24

This month we will go back to the House of Hope for a second visit, this time to visit the Alzheimer’s wing of House of Hope. Please join us on Sunday, February 24, at 10 a.m., at House of Hope Alzheimer’s Care, 4801 N. 52nd Street, Omaha.

STEWARDSHIP KICK-OFF MARCH 2

The evening of Saturday, March 2, attend the kick-off event for the 2013 Stewardship Campaign “Hearts & Hands.”  The venue is Centennial Hall in the Thompson Center on the UNO campus, 67th and Dodge.  This will be a fun and festive event that celebrates our accomplishments during the past year and promotes growth of relationships in our church community.  Childcare will be provided onsite.

SHARE THE PLATE FOR FEBRUARY

One half of Second Unitarian’s offering received in February will go to RESPECT.  Their educational theatre presentations on bullying in schools reach approximately 40,000 students a year. RESPECT’s goals are to decrease the acts of bullying and to empower kids and adults who may be on the sidelines to take action and stand up to help a target. To nominate an organization for our Share the Plate program, visit the church website or contact the Social Justice Coordinating Council or Rev. Scott.

NEW!  COMMUNITY NEWS BULLETIN BOARD

A Community News bulletin board is now available! If you have information that you would like to post about non-religious events, the bulletin board above the piano in the downstairs RE area is available for that purpose. Please date and sign your postings. They will be left up for 2 weeks.

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS

If you want to have a plot (or two) in our organic Community Garden it’s time to sign up.  The $10 cost is used to pay for water and shared supplies.  See Vicki Pratt between Sunday Worship Services for information and enrollment forms.

2013 MERRITT SCHOLARSHIP

The Women’s Alliance is accepting applications for the 2013 Merritt Scholarship until March 31. To be eligible, an applicant must be a member of First or Second Unitarian Church or a dependent of a member. The applicant may be planning to attend a two-year or four-year college, graduate school, or professional school in the Fall of 2013. The scholarship application is available online at 2uomaha.org (click on Members, then Office Forms), or by contacting the Church Office: info@2uomaha.org or 402-334-0537 ext. 114.

WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATIONS

In the event of Sunday service cancellation, the church phone at 402-334-0537 will be the first notification, and when possible that will be done by 7:00 a.m. on the Sunday in question. Other notifications will be posted and sent following that. If weather or road conditions cause services or a major church event to be canceled, we will also send a message to the weekly email list and place a message on the church website. In case of a service cancellation, we will also contact local media with our information.