Halloween Party 2009

Our annual Halloween Party was another smashing success.  Thanks to all the ghosts and ghouls who made it all possible!  Board President Nancy West was the hero of the day for delivering the pizza; Laura and Zoe arrived early to decorate, Andre, Idalee, Michael, Karla, Lyn, Carrie, Mike and the whole youth group staffed activity tables; Gina was our emcee for the evening and Uri was our official photographer. So many people helped clean up that there isn't room on the internet to list them all.

Thanks so much for making First Unitarian's annual Halloween Party a monster hit!

Building Your Own Theology Class, Week 3

The topic for Week 3 of Building Your Own Theology was Human Nature. Participants were asked to read a selection of quotations and choose up to three they agreed with and up to three they disagreed with.  After some brainstorming activities (like completing the sentence "Humans are _____" with one or two words) we spent some time working on composing a statement to answer "What do you believe about human nature?"

Next week's topic is Ultimate Reality: Creating An Honest God. We'll be completing a worksheet that follows a survey about personal beliefs among Unitarian Universalists and doing an art activity where we will draw or write about four different concepts of god we have held at different times in our lives. We'll also work to identify and clarify our own thoughts about god. What are ten words you might use to describe your idea of the source of life?

Next weeks readings can be downloaded here.

Super-Hero Auction Adventure is Underway!

Momentum is building! The menu is planned and all is ready for a fun-filled evening of auction fundraising. Bid on more than 200 different auction items in our silent and LIVE auctions. Early bidding has already begun. Check out the incredible selection of items here and make your bids online. Auction-master Scott MacLeod has pounded the pavement and reached out within and outside our church community to solicit an amazing diversity of items. You won't believe the selection!

You'll find a wealth of delicious edibles like a gift basket from the Waverly Farmers' Market, Betty Townsend's fabulous homemade cake, a gourmet dinner from Nicholas DiGregorio and several donated gift certificates to outstanding downtown restaurants.

Revel in the skills of your fellow congregants, including Sign Language or French lessons, babysitting, an introduction to the Folk Harp, carpentry or gardening work.

Don't miss the great opportunities for out-of-town getaways at Murray Grove or Ocean Isle Beach or in-town getaways at the Tremont Suites or Peabody Court.

Not to mention all the fantastic art, antique and other treasures to be had!

Reservations for the big night can also be made online.  Dinner, dessert and an evening of madcap auction mayhem can be had for just $20 per person. Choose from Laurel and Helen’s famous Sauerbraten or Vegetarian Goulash.

Big Questions Letter Exchange begins Nov. 1

Sunday, Oct. 25 will be the last day to sign up for the "Big Questions Letter Exchange," a mystery-buddies style pen-pal program for adults in the congregation.  Each participant will choose a special code name and will be matched with another. The following four Sundays (Nov. 1-22) adults will exchange letters they have written on a particular suggested topic of the week (while keeping their identity shrouded in mystery.) On Nov. 22, we'll have a meet-your-pal reception after worship where folks can come to enjoy coffee and refreshments and you'll have a chance to meet your pal in person.

Any adult from First Unitarian is invited to participate.  Whether this has been your church community for a week or many decades, consider this an opportunity to learn more about your fellow First Unitarians!

To sign up, simply register online or contact Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Becky Brooks.  Matches will be made on Tuesday, Oct. 27 and participants will be contacted with the code name for their pal and instructions, including the topic for the first Sunday.

Christian History Adult RE class begins Oct. 21

Christian History, the first 300 years: from Saul of Tarsus to Augustine of Hippo

We will be examining the first three hundred years of the Christian movement and its struggle for survival. We will study the various practices, beliefs and doctrines and the nature of faith tempered with reason, which was the essence of the faith of the Jesus movement and subsequent pre-Nicene church. Class will be led by Doreion Colter and will meet each Wednesday evening, 7:00 - 8:30 pm from Oct. 21 through Dec. 9 (except for the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25) Childcare is available on request.

Register online or contact Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Becky Brooks to sign up for the course.

Halloween Party, Friday Oct. 30

Make plans to join in the fun at First Unitarian's Annual Halloween Party for All Ages, Friday, October 30, 6-8 pm. We'll have all the biggest hits from previous years, plus some new adventures like the Goo Table sponsored by the youth group! Also new this year, instead of rushing to prepare a potluck dish, simply raid your cupboards for some quality non-perishable food items to bring for our collection to benefit the Maryland Food Bank.

We'll feast together on pizza and salad, paint gourds, create goo, make potions, write mad-lib spells, make masks, decorate cookies, play games and—of course—show off our costumes in a parade for all ages.

If you'd like to help with decorating, clean up, or staffing an activity table, contact Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Becky Brooks.

All are welcome, you won't want to miss it!

Explorers Celebrate Diwali this Sunday, 10/18!

The Explorers class will be learning about World Religions all year, using the Holidays and Holy Days curriculum. This week's study of Hinduism will feature a celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Though there are many different perspectives on which gods Diwali honors, it is commonly thought of as celebrating renewal.

The Explorers will be making lamps and enjoying sweets, right along with their global neighbors.

Happy Diwali!