News Update 3/13/13

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.  The final House Meeting is this evening, March 13, at 6 p.m. at the church, including dinner and childcare.  The meeting will last about 90 minutes.

SECOND CIRCLE MOVIE MARCH 17

On Sunday, March 17, 4-7 p.m., Second Circle will meet to watch the movie “Willow” and share food and thoughts on the nature of faith.  Teen parent volunteers are needed to organize and order food and to make reminder calls. Please contact Gay Robinson Abraham to sign up.

DEADLINE FOR ANNUAL MEETING VOTING ELIGIBILITY MARCH 20

Members will vote at Second Unitarian’s Annual Meeting on May 19 on such matters as next year’s budget and who will serve on the Board of Trustees. Our bylaws state that the list of eligible voting members is determined 60 days in advance of a membership meeting. This year’s eligibility date falls on March 20. To be considered an eligible voting member, you must have signed your name in the membership book prior to March 20 and must also have made a recorded financial contribution within the preceding 12 months.

COMMUNITY GARDEN WORK DAY NOW MARCH 23

We have an organic community garden on the north side of the church.  You can rent one or two of the 14 plots for $10 each.  Priority is given to church members and last year’s gardeners.  A couple of plots are still open.  Contact Vicki Pratt to sign up.  Everyone is invited to join us for the Garden Work Day now rescheduled for Saturday, March 23, at 10 a.m.  We will till, measure and mark the plots, and put in the soaker hoses.

PAGAN GROUP  MARCH 23

Join the Second Unitarian Pagan Group on Saturday, March 23, from 5-8 p.m. for some family friendly welcoming festivities! We’ll plant the first seeds of spring, tell stories, and eat our favorite spring foods. Please bring your favorite flower and a dish to share.

PARENTS’ GROUP MARCH 24

On Sunday, March 24 (4-6 p.m.), the Parents’ Group will have another social activity – either bowling or a dinner.  Contact Rev. Scott if you’d like to know more.  And in April, we will meet at the church on the fourth Sunday (4-6 p.m.), check in with one another, and discuss the book, “Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People“ (more information here: http://www.alban.org/bookdetails.aspx?id=10087).

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STARTING MARCH 27

Join us for upcoming Adult Religious Education classes.  These classes will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday March 27, Wednesday April 24, and in late May.  The March 27 class now includes both “What’s a UUA?” (our faith beyond our walls)  and “What’s in a name?” (UU church names — others and ours).  Please register for any or all of these by emailing Rev. Scott at minister@2uomaha.org.

SPRING BRUNCH MARCH 31

Fellowship invites the congregation and guests to our annual Spring Brunch, on Sunday, March 31, following the first service, from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Don’t miss out on this special celebration welcoming Spring, and join us as we share special treats and warm conversation.

PRAIRIE STAR DISTRICT CONFERENCE APRIL 5-7

Registration is open for our Unitarian Universalist District Annual Conference, April 5-7 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Activities include workshops, awards, information booths, fellowship, and worship services.  More information is at http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2013.  To carpool, contact Vicki Pratt.

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.

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.