News Update 2/27/13

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)            
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

STEWARDSHIP KICK-OFF MARCH 2

The evening of Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m., 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.

IMPORTANT YRUU MEETING MARCH 6

Parents and teens are encouraged to visit with and listen to Rev. Rivas & Rev. McNeill discuss their visions and hopes for next year’s youth group offerings, on Wednesday, March 6, 7 p.m., at First Unitarian Church.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS MARCH 10

Remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 10, as Daylight Savings Time begins.

PROJECT INTERFAITH ARCHITECTURAL TOUR MARCH 10

Project Interfaith’s “Interfaith Architecture Tour” is Sunday, March 10, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church and the Mormon Trail Center. This year’s theme: “Made in America: The Architectural Styles of American-born Religions.”  Architects will guide attendees, exploring how religious art and architecture of each religion has been influenced by their American cultural roots. Pre-registration is highly recommended because space is limited. Register at madeinamericatour.eventbrite.com — cost is $10 for non-students and $5 for students.

SHARE THE PLATE FOR MARCH

One half of Second Unitarian’s offering received in March will go to the Nebraska Innocence Project.  The mission of the national organization is to free innocent people incarcerated due to wrongful convictions and to reform the system to prevent further injustice.  The work of the Nebraska organization is to represent local clients seeking post-conviction DNA testing to prove their innocence.  More at innocenceproject.org.  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 Religious Education area is available for that purpose. Please date and sign your postings. They will be left up for 2 weeks.

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.