Summer is Here!

School's out and the thermometer is spiking—the seasons have changed in Baltimore and we've moved into Summer mode at First Unitarian.

Throughout the Summer, childcare will be available during worship services. As there is no "Time for All Ages," during Summer services, adults can bring their children to the first floor classrooms before worship begins. Service will start at 11:00 this Sunday, June 27. Starting July 4*, worship will begin at 10:00 am in the Pratt Parish Hall, which will continue throughout the summer. In September, services will return to 11 am in the sanctuary. 

Childcare, led by Kim Wolf, will feature crafts, snacks and free play. If you are planning to attend services this Summer, please contact Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Becky Brooks, to sign up for one or more Sundays to assist with childcare. You can also sign up in person at church on the schedule posted on the bulletin board outside the classroom. A good rule of thumb would be to sign up to assist one Sunday for every three you would like to attend. 

Religious Education classes for all ages will begin again on September 19.

Have a great summer!

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*Please note that July 4 is the only known Sunday when there will be no childcare in order for our childcare provider, Kim Wolf, to have the weekend off. Families are welcome to take advantage of the classrooms during service, but adults should remain with their children to supervise play.

Religious Education PTA Inaugural meeting, Sun. June 6, 12:30 pm

Did you always want to be involved in children's religious education? Do you have questions about curricula choices or class room set up? Do you want to have input into annual events such as the Halloween Party, Christmas Pageant and Mystery Buddies? If so, we have just the event for you!

The Religious Education Committee for Children and Youth has decided to try a new idea: a PTA for Religious Education. This group is open to all members and friends of First Unitarian Church whether you have kids in the program or not. We welcome parents, teachers, friends, youth, children and interested members or friends of the congregation.

We will have our first meeting on Sunday June 6 at 12:30 pm in the downstairs classrooms.

On the agenda:
• Curricula for next year
• Which kids will be in which classes
• Plans for the Fall when our Director of Lifespan RE is on family leave
• There will be an opportunity to get your questions answered and to volunteer for all aspects of the program.

PIZZA Lunch will be provided for all those who want to attend! Childcare will be provided in the upstairs classrooms with lunch provided for the kids too.

All Church Picnic this Saturday!

I hope you'll join us for our all church picnic this Saturday, June 5 from noon to 4:00 pm at the Swann Pavilion of Druid Hill park. Bring a dish to share, your whole family and any outdoor games you like to play. The Swann Pavilion is a great location, right next to a swing set and a playground, with lots of seating for everyone.

Come on down!

First U Book Review

In celebration of First Unitarian Church of Baltimore’s newly updated lending library, we are asking for your help in taking some great new books for a test run!

To participate in the First U Book Review program, simply stop by the RE office on the first floor of the education wing, find a book that interests you and leave your contact information to borrow it. A list of suggested books here, featuring some of our newest additions.

After you’ve read your chosen book, write up a review with your thoughts, send it to Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Becky Brooks and we will publish it on the RE-Connect blog and the Beacon newsletter. Reviews should be 200-250 words and may be edited for publication if need be. 

Adults, youth and children are all welcome to participate! We have an ever-growing selection of books available. Questions? Contact Becky for more information or stop by the RE office!

Connect with us!

Are you on facebook? Come by and see the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore sometime! If you "like" us, you can receive updates on events and happenings at your favorite Unitarian Universalist church right in your news feed. See you round the virtual block!

Selma: Past and Present DVD presentation, May 27

Join us Thursday, May 27 at 7:00 pm in our historic Enoch Pratt Parish Hall for this very special event.  Charles Blackburn will offer a DVD presentation of the Unitarian Universalist Civil Rights Heritage Pilgrimage to Alabama and Mississippi in February 2009 with commentary about his Civil Rights activities of 1964-66 in the same locations.

Charles Blackburn was a Unitarian Universalist minister and served churches in CA, AL and NY. He was minister in Huntville, AL during the Selma period, 1964-66. After leaving the UU ministry Charles was an organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union, establishing ACLU affiliates in five southern states and 15 city chapters in five other southern states. For 25 years Charles was a fundraiser for numerous Maryland organizations, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Univ. of MD and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Charles retired in 1995. He and his partner of 32 years, Glen Dehn, were plaintiffs in the ACLU lawsuit which attempted to obtain equal civil marriage for same-gender partners.