Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland

UUs Together Resumes monthly virtual meetings October 27!
2025-10-27 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
With unprecedented assaults on our representative democracy since January, we need to call on each other and our faith more than ever. Delegates at General Assembly in June overwhelmingly passed Actions of Immediate Witness calling for Faithful Defiance for Democracy. Join us on Monday October 27 virtually (7-8:30pm) to explore the toolkit UUSocial Justice (UUSJ) has prepared to support congregations in living our values in this fraught time. Learn what UUCC is engaged in , and a few updates about other UU Congregations in Ohio. Let’s share ideas and potentially develop joint actions.Please email Laurie at Sunnyskies2023@yahoo.com for the meeting link.

UUCC Harvest Auction
2025-11-01 17:30 - 20:30 | Fellowship Hall at the UU Congregation of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Height, OH, 44122, United States
Save the date and plan to donate! Join us for a family-friendly, fun-filled evening of fellowship, refreshments, bidding, and entertainment. The auction planning is in full swing and the team is looking to everyone for your support. What can you do?

Ways to Participate

Plan to attend and invite your friends and neighbors!

Consider what you may donate for the auction: a gathering, a themed basket, a gift card to your favorite restaurant or tickets to local attractions/performances. Perhaps you bake, craft, sew, stitch, or otherwise create something that others will appreciate! Child and Pet care services, or personal expertise in some area may be just what someone is looking for!

If you are more of a setup/clean up worker bee, and would like to help in that way, let us know!

Contribute a scratch-off lottery ticket for our lottery tree, or one or more bottles of wine for one of our Wine Bins (Red, white or mixed.)

If you donated to an auction in a previous year, you will likely be hearing from someone on the auction committee directly to see if you would like to donate a similar or different offering this year. We believe everyone has something to contribute!

Contact us at auctionteam@uucleveland.org. If you are ready to let us know what you will donate, use our donation form to let us know!

Does the Great Replacement Theory Underlie Current Policies?
2025-11-02 09:00 - 10:00
Speaker: Marvin McMickle, Pastor Emeritus, Antioch Baptist Church of Cleveland; Professor Emeritus, Ashland Theological Seminary

Adherents of the Great Replacement Theory—the belief that there is a deliberate effort to replace white Americans of Northern European descent with people of other races—frequently oppose liberal immigration policies and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Critics, however, often dismiss this theory as a fringe, right-wing conspiracy with little grounding in reality. Even among those who support equal rights for all, there is debate about whether compensatory policies for historically disadvantaged groups are fair. For example, the Supreme Court recently ruled against affirmative action in college admissions for Black Americans, while special services continue to be provided to other groups, such as Native Americans.

This raises difficult questions: How do we determine the facts in such polarizing debates? Can justice for some inadvertently lead to injustice for others?

In person in Fellowship Hallor via Zoom https://bit.ly/UUCCForumsFall2025.

Appreciation and Thank You to the Youth Academy Team
2025-11-02 11:30
Join us as we recognize the Youth Academy team after the Sunday service on November 2. Despite the dedication and efforts of the Youth Academy team, it is formally winding down as a McKimm Fund project. Come to Fellowship Hall and enjoy treats as we uplift the work and commitment of the anchors who worked tirelessly to bring the Youth Academy to life: Valerie Hura (Project Coordinator) and Heather Craigie (Project Team Leader). Support was also provided by volunteers Stephanie Fowler, Ray Gonzalez, Emily Jureki, Beth McClelland, Caryl Yoo and many others. Please join us in expressing gratitude for their countless hours of support toward this endeavor.

Unlikely Friendship of Mary Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt
2025-11-02 15:00 - 17:15
Racial Equity Buddies is sponsoring “The Unlikely Friendship of Mary McLeod Bethune & Eleanor Roosevelt, A Dramatic Performance,” 3 -5:15 PM, November 8 at the Community Church of Chesterland, located at 11984 Caves Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026.

The play features talented Women In History actors, Ruth Pangrace as Eleanor Roosevelt and Jeannine Gaskin as Mary McLeod Bethune. RSVP to racialequitybuddies@fhcpresb.org to reserve a seat.

Bethune and Roosevelt’s backgrounds were drastically different, which makes their friendship all the more interesting and remarkable. Mary McCleod Bethune was born in 1875 in Maysville, South Carolina, the 15th of 17 children to formerly enslaved parents; while Eleanor Roosevelt was born in 1884 in NYC into American aristocracy, the niece of former president Theodore Roosevelt. Yet, their paths crossed in 1927, and an unlikely friendship ensued.

Fall 2025 Path to Membership Class, Session 3
2025-11-03 11:30 - 12:30
If you’ve been planning on joining UUCC, now’s the time! Our three session Considering Membership class starts on Sunday, October 19. During this time, you’ll learn some UU and UUCC history, ways to get involved, and the rights and responsibilities of membership. RSVP here (using link I previously sent). If you have questions, reach out to Membership Committee chair, Liz Kantor at Liz.h.kantor@gmail.com

RSVP here

November 9 Congregational Conversation: McKimm Fund Update
2025-11-09 11:30
Next month’s Sunday brunch and Congregational Conversation will feature an update on the McKimm Fund initiatives. If you’ve been following along over the years, you know that this initiative was approved by the Board in late 2021 to solicit and make investments in a limited number of initiatives that further the mission, vision and strategic plan of UUCC.

Attend this session to learn more about what was funded, how they’ve proceeded, and the current status of the McKimm projects. The presentation will be made by members of the Strategic Investment Task Force (“SIT Force”), the group chartered by the Board to develop the process used and to oversee and support the funded initiatives. Members of the projects that are still in operation will be present to help answer questions.

November 2025 2nd Sunday Meal: Kitchen Crew + Potluck
2025-11-09 11:30 - 13:00
Now that we made it past Daylight Savings Time & the wonderful 2025 Auction Event, Harry’s Kitchen Crew is back to prepare another delicious lunch on Sunday, November 9 after the Sunday service.

This month’s dining theme is “KISS…. Keep It Simple Soup”

Harry’s Kitchen Crew will fill your “bowls” with … Chicken Noodle Soup, either Tomato Bisque or Butternut Soup, Black-Bean Soup and fresh GF bread and regular bread.

We ask that you, if you can, bring the following to share:The congregation member(s) with last name that begins with letter A thru K will supply the DESSERT dish for 8 people.ANDThe congregation member(s) with last name that begins with letter L thru Z will supply the SALAD dish for 8 people.

You can drop off your shared dish at the Kitchen Window and the Crew will tag & place them on the tables in the Fellowship Hall.

We all look forward to seeing you on Sunday, November 9th.

The “ZOUP” will be provided by the happy members of Harry’s Kitchen Crew.

This month also features a Congregational Conversation, sponsored by the Strategic Investment Team (AKA SIT Force, the sponsors of the McKimm Projects), where we’ll reflect together on the current status of the McKimm Projects.

Whether you bring a dish or just yourself, you are always welcome at the table. And if you’re able, please lend a hand afterward with putting away tables and chairs in Fellowship Hall—it makes a big difference!

FaCT Distinguished Speaker Series presents Sharon Kiesel
2025-11-15 15:00
Rev. Dr. Sharon KieselOn her new book, WE REACT TO EVERYTHING! A guide to avoid toxic triggers, manage chronic inflammation, and embrace healthy living.

Rev. Dr. Sharon Kiesel, an ordained Disciples of Christ minister and early FaCT member who turned full-time RV’er, has faced Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) head-on—and now she’s sharing her journey and that of many others like her. In her groundbreaking new book, Sharon reveals powerful coping strategies for the millions worldwide battling this condition, where the body’s mast cells overreact to perceived toxins, sparking chronic inflammation and social isolation. But this isn’t just a survival guide—it’s an inspiring call to action, showing readers how to reclaim their lives and embrace their full potential. Sharon also sounds the alarm on the urgent need to create a safer, healthier environment for all.REGISTER ONLINE NOW AT FACTSUSTAIN.ORG/DISTINGUISHEDNote: Event will be recorded

Confronting Authoritarianism
2025-11-16 09:00 - 10:00
Speaker: Cherie Strachan, PhD, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics

History shows a familiar pattern: regimes weaken the press, universities and courts in the guise of protecting the public while amassing ever greater personal power. While some citizens are willing to trade freedom for promised security; others just feel helpless. But is that helplessness real? What power do we truly have, and what actions can drive real governmental change?

In person in Fellowship Hallor via Zoom https://bit.ly/UUCCForumsFall2025.

Learning, Leading & Loving It - LDC: Making Sense of the Google Suite at UUCC
2025-11-16 11:40 - 12:40
Learning, Leading and Loving It!The Google Suite at UUCCSunday, November 16, 11:40 amand Thursday, December 4, 7 pm on ZOOM

The Leadership Development Committee at UUCC is holding learning sessions for current and potential leaders in the congregation. Most will be held in-person following a Sunday Service. The sessions will last an hour and include some learnings presented by congregation leaders, followed by sharing amongst the participants.

Confused about Google Drive? Google Docs? Google Sheets? Google Groups? Lost? Need some help? Our November/December offering is a beginning session on the Google Universe at UUCC. We’ll talk why we use it, how to access it, how to navigate it, some about the different tools.

All leaders and congregants are welcome, we do ask you to register using https://forms.gle/zm9wHrRNfVXcpUNr5 so we know how many to plan for.

We currently have three sessions scheduled through January. We may add additional sessions in the new year if there is interest.Sunday offerings are in person following the Service

Sunday, November 16 – Google at UUCCThursday, December 4, 7 pm – Google at UUCC (via Zoom)Sunday, January 18 – Meetings with Meaning

Please send comments and questions to leadership.development@uucleveland.org

UUCC Capital Campaign Kickoff Party
2025-12-05 18:00
Join us as we come together to build a stronger future for UUCC. It will be the ultimate tailgate party!

Formal invitation to follow.

Together, we’re “Building Our Tomorrows”

Injustice to JUSTICE: A Community Forum
2025-12-06 12:00 - 16:00
A community forum on the criminal justice system will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland. The featured speaker is Christina Swarns, the national Executive Director of the Innocence Project. Ms. Swarns is one of the few Black women to have successfully argued a case before the Supreme Court of the United States. Check the flyer for more details. Email racialequitybuddies@gmail.com to RSVP and reserve your seat.

– testimonials from individuals who have been wrongfully charged, incarcerated, and exonerated

– panel discussion exploring restorative justice

– panel discussion on present efforts to eliminate injustice

– refreshments

Sponsors: ACLU, Pretrial Support Team, Unitarian Universalist of Cleveland, Racial Equity Buddies of Greater Cleveland, Social Justice Advocacy Ministry of Federated Church at Chagrin Falls, Undoing Oppressions Task Force of West Shore UU Church
