February 10: “Journalism and Democracy” - led by Tom Stites.
Tom Stites has been a reporter, columnist, critic, national correspondent, and an editor at major newspapers including The Kansas City Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times. He retired in June, 2007, after a decade as the editor/publisher of UU World, the national magazine of Unitarian Universalism, and after a hiatus as a resident fellow at Harvard Divinity School, is a consulting editor to the Center for Public Integrity in Washington.
February 3: “Living Out Loud: A Service in Song” - Olympia’s Daughters
Olympia’s Daughters is a women’s a cappella choir that builds bridges between communities and cultures. Join us for a heartwarming service featuring the nationally recognized singing group as, through song, they challenge attitudes, foster healing, and share their hearts, spirits, and joyful love of music. They take their name from Olympia Brown, the first female who was ordained by a national denomination – the Universalists — who was also a leading suffragist, a mother, and a business woman. They perform at events such as cultural festivals, domestic violence vigils, and church services. For more information about Olympia’s Daughters, visit http://www.olympiasdaughters.com.
There will be a congregational meeting after the service on February 27 to vote on the ordination of Beth Putnam as a UU minister.
The congregation will also be asked to vote on which Congregational Study Action Issues should appear on the agenda this year at General Assembly. Two proposals have been accepted by the UUA Commission on Social Witness (CSW), which are being presented to the congregations for polling. They are:
- Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice
- Nuclear Disarmament
If you are a member of 4th U, please make sure you are at the meeting on Sunday! Thank you.
January 27: “Thresholds” - led by Rev. Nicole Kirk, Princeton Theological Seminary
Nicole Kirk served East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirtland, Ohio for eight years, and is now studying for a Ph.D. at Princeton Theological Seminary in American Religious History.
January 20: “Living Despite Your Fears” - led by Lynda Blackmon Lowery.
Lynda Lowery turned fifteen years old during the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights march. She was arrested fifteen times over the years in which she participated in the civil rights movement.
The Men’s Group at Fourth U has been created to build community among members and to explore issues of spiritual and personal growth. If you are interested in joining, contact Bob McNatt at robert1954@earthlink.net.
January 13: “The Faith of a Scientist” - led by the Rev Dr. Michael Tino
Michael Tino is minister at the UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester (Mount Kisco NY), and holds a doctorate in Cell Biology from Duke University.
Fourth U is raising funds to help participants in the Leadership Training Team for Ministry travel to a conference in Nairobi, Kenya, where they will work with representatives of emerging Unitarian Universalist congregations in East Africa. UU congregations have developed all over East Africa without leadership or assistance from the UUA, and now they have asked for our help. The total cost is $38,000, but we are not the only congregation raising funds for this conference. Give generously to train African UU leaders by writing a check to Fourth Universalist Society, and writing “Africa Leadership Training” in the memo line; you can place your check in the collection plate on Sundays or mail it to the office. Your contributions will help leaders from all over East Africa deepen and spread the newest roots of Unitarian Universalism.
