POT LUCK SUNDAYS. Third Sunday Potlucks are almost always on third Sundays in 2019.  Plan to bring a dish to share and to stay after worship service on March 17, and April 14.  We’ll eat in Fellowship Hall shortly after the service ends.   

SHARING POETRY, SHARING PEACE. Poetry captures emotions and life moments in a very particular way. Let’s fill the art hallway at First United with poems that have been particularly meaningful to you in your life. It can be poetry by someone else, or poetry you have written. Please submit them to Elizabeth Busey (ebusey@yahoo.com) by April 3rd. Be sure to include the poet’s name. If you have an image/photograph that might illustrate the poem, feel free to include this as well.  

 JUSTICE FORUM.  The Board of Christian Education will be hosting this year’s first Justice Forum (a rebrand of the former “Just Friday”) on Sunday, April 7th, from 4-6:00p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

The topic will be gender identity, including concerns related to those who identify as transgender and nonbinary.  This will be an open discussion, moderated by Sara Ivey Lucas.  The purpose of this forum is to learn from others while exploring our own areas of growth in these topics.  Do you think you are already sensitive to the needs of those who are differently gendered than yourself?  Come find out!

At First United, we pride ourselves on our inclusivity and creating a welcoming atmosphere.  Come explore ways that our congregation can improve in these areas.  What are our blind spots?  Help us identify them, both personally and as a church body.  Bring an open mind and a willingness to share both your successes and failures while learning to relate to members of these communities.

Do you feel that you have personal experiences that could add to this discussion?  Contact a member of the board, or me directly at dontylw@gmail.com, and we will make sure your voice is heard!

FOOD FOR THE IRVINE-SINN FAMILY. Tina, Chaz, and Charlotte will welcome a baby boy into the world on Monday, March 11 (by C-section).  For those who would like to help, you can sign up to bring them a meal at  https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/y3m991 (beginning March 16).  No dietary restrictions, but “healthy” dishes are appreciated.  The family lives in Spicewood. If anyone needs help signing up or transporting food, contact Mary Peckham mkpeckham59@gmail.com  812-361-5047

EVENING MEAL. New(ish)comer evening – Jack Skiles and the Committee for Community Development are having a social time, meal, and informational session for newcomers on Friday, March 29 in Roger Williams Hall.  We’ll gather at 5:30 and eat at 6:00.  If you’d like to come, RSVP to the church office:  info@firstuc.org or 812-332-4439.  Let us know if you have any dietary considerations for the meal.

Potluck dishes seek owners – Did you come to a recent potluck and are you missing a pan or dish or casserole carrier?  We have several things to reunite with their owners on the counter inside the kitchen.  Stop by the kitchen if you think you might be an item’s lost person. 

TIME OF DISCERNMENT. Last month the church council held a productive day long Saturday retreat.  One of the topics we discussed was how to intentionally move through a time of discernment—pondering who we are as a church, and how to best represent that in our sanctuary and to the community.

Taking to heart the thoughts expressed during the two February listening sessions, the council began planning ways to encourage this discernment process.  In the coming months, look for announcements for board/committee activities and events designed to help us consider what it means to be a church that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In addition, the church will be hosting a series of dinners held in the sanctuary.  Be watching for a written invitation in the mail from Jack for you to take part in this opportunity to share your thoughts with others about what’s important in a worship space for you. –Rob Potter, President of the congregation. 

THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT is trying to get high resolution pictures taken in and around our church building. We want to use them on the website and/or as artwork for cards that would be used in US mail.  Pictures should avoid children’s faces unless parental permission is obtained, and except for church leadership, we’ll want to get permission generally of the group being photographed and to honor specific requests not to be in pictures.   We want pictures that reflect our church in action, not portraits of individuals.  Can you help us with this task, either by taking pictures or by knowing what you want to answer if asked if it’s okay that you are in a picture?  Questions or pictures to share:  contact Laura Kao e-mail:  laura_b_kao@hotmail.com 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The nominating committee has started meeting to discuss several service openings in the church.  Committee members are Laura Kao (Chair), Catherine Gray, Moureen Coulter (Board of Building & Grounds), Jennifer Fultz (Board of Christian Education), Sam Troxal (Board of Outreach), and Jim True (Board of Christian Worship).  Be sure to talk with any of them about what serving on a church board entails. Also, let them know if you are willing to be considered for nomination.

CENTERING PRAYER. Why not make some time for yourself in the New Year? Join us for A Time of Centering (Sunday mornings from 9:45 – 10:15 in the chapel.) Learn and practice techniques to be present and seek the presence of God in a nurturing space with compassionate people. Always running late? Can’t come every Sunday? Join us anyway.

FREE KOREAN YOGA (KUKSUNDO) CLASS. KukSunDo is a traditional Korean yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and spirit. Just bring your yoga mat.

Days, Time and Place:

Monday, Fri. 9:30 – 11:00a.m., Wednesday 5:30 – 7:00p.m., Saturday 10:00 – 11:30a.m., Roger Williams Hall in First United Church Questions? Contact YouShin Choi, youschoi@gmail.com