We Want Your Elevator Speech!

The Unitarian Universalist Association is developing a pamphlet that is a collection of "elevator speeches" that answer the question: "What is Unitarian Universalism?"  UUs of all ages are invited to email your short description of our faith to Alicia LeBlanc, for consideration. 

A diversity of short statements will be useful to many of us in a variety of situations. 

Please submit your Elevator Speech by May 3.

Building Your Own Theology Class is Full

Thanks to everyone who registered in advance for our Building Your Own Theology class. This Spring session is full. Stay tuned in the Fall for a repeat of this popular class!

Party for Equality Raises over $400 for Equality Maryland

Thanks so much to all who attended the Youth Group's "Party for Equality"  The Youth Group and friends raised $412 to benefit Equality Maryland. And thank you to Equality Maryland's Director of Development, Kevin Walling for attending and sharing a few words with the crowd. If you weren't able to attend but would like to make a contribution, you can do so online at Equality Maryland here.

Great job everybody!

Building Your Own Theology Class returns to First Unitarian starting Wednesday, April 21.

Religious education is the cradle-to-grave process by which we grow our theology.... The essential thing is not so much how one labels these values (for example, whether one uses the term “God” or not), but that these values be understood and made real in the life of the person. This program is largely built on undertaking these tasks. —Richard S. Gilbert

This classic Unitarian Universalist curriculum is a treasured component of Adult Religious Education programs in congregations all over the continent.  Building Your Own Theology invites you to search through your own religious history and spiritual development in order to identify the values and beliefs that form your core faith identity.  Through discussion, exercises, homework, and reflection, participants will create spiritual autobiographies, examine the ways we make meaning in our lives, and develop a personal credo statement.  We will meet for seven consecutive Wednesday evenings, Apr. 21–May. 26 on the following topics:

• Apr. 21 — Your Religious Odyssey
• Apr. 28 — Varieties of Liberal Religious Experience
• May 5 — Human Nature: Some Self-Understanding
• May 12 — Ultimate Reality: Creating an Honest God
• May 19 — Ethics: The Importance of Being Good for Nothing
• May 26 — We Are the Meaning Makers

Building Your Own Theology will be led by Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Becky Brooks. Childcare will be provided on request. Limit 20 participants.

When: Wednesdays, Apr. 21–May 26, 7:00–9:00 pm

Register online here: http://www.formspring.com/forms/?702752-qBJm68Rndn or contact Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Becky Brooks, at 443-921-6912 or redirector@firstunitarian.net

New Books Available at the First Unitarian Bookstore

Our Pratt Hall Bookstore is pleased to announce a new set of books available for kids and parents.  Stop by the bookstore during coffee hour any Sunday to check out the selection, including the following:

• Unitarian Universalism is a Really Long Name

• Child's Book of Blessings and Prayers

• Meet Jesus: The Life and Lessons of a Beloved Teacher

• Kids' Guide to Protecting and Caring for Animals

• Too Old for This, Too Young for That: Your Survival Guide for Middle School Years

• What Every 21st-Century Parent Needs to Know: Facing Today's Challenges with Wisdom and Heart

• How to Bury a Goldfish

See you at church!

Our own "Rev" is featured on Standing On The Side of Love's blog

Visit www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog to check out Rev. David Carl Olson's featured post about his experience in attending Sunday's March for America.

Adult Religious Education — Call for Class Proposals

The Adult Religious Education Team selects the course and event offerings for our Adult RE programming at The First Unitarian Church of Baltimore.  Proposals are now being accepted for courses, events and ongoing groups for the Adult RE program for Spring quarter 2010 and beyond.  Anyone can submit a proposal and all proposals will be considered.  If you have an idea for a course you would like to lead, or if you have an idea of an event you'd like to see us offer even if you can't lead it yourself, submit a proposal to have our team consider it for the program. Proposals are considered on a quarterly basis.  Our quarters are as follows:

Spring (Apr-Jun) — proposals considered in late March

Summer (Jul-Sep) — proposals considered in early June

Fall (Oct-Dec) — proposals considered in early Sept.

The deadline for submitting a proposal for the Spring quarter of 2010 is Mar. 23.  To submit a proposal, use our online form by clicking here or download a printable proposal form here.  Printed forms can be mailed to the church (attn: Becky Brooks; 1 W. Hamilton St., Baltimore, MD 21201) or dropped off at the RE table after church on Sundays.

We await your suggestions!