FaCT Distinguished Speaker, Jake Bittle
2024-07-31 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
The Great Displacement—Climate Change and the Next American Migration“The Great Displacement is closely observed, compassionate, and far-sighted.” —Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Under a White Sky

The untold story of climate migration in the United States—the personal stories of those experiencing displacement, the portraits of communities being torn apart by disaster, and the implications for all of us as we confront a changing future.

REGISTER: ZOOM LINK

About the Author: Jake BittleJake Bittle is a journalist based in Brooklyn who covers climate change and energy. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Harper’s Magazine, and a number of other publications. He is also a contributing writer for Grist.

UUs Together Gathering: Ice Cream Float Social
2024-08-18 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for the 3rd annual *UUs Together Gathering. Southwest Unitarian Universalist Church invites our sibling UUs across Greater Cleveland to be in community and share old fashioned ice cream floats.

Expand your UU circle through introductions, a brief overview of SWUU, tour of our small but mighty church and of course, the yummy sharing of our creative ice cream floats. Please bring your favorite soda. Ice cream is provided, including dairy free. We will also have a brief tribute to Joseph Schafer, co-founder of UUs Together who passed away earlier this year.

August 18th 2024 1:00-3:00 pm Southwest Unitarian Universalist Church 6320 Royalton Rd. North Royalton, Ohio 44133 *The 2022 UUs Together gathering was hosted by UUCC and the 2023 gathering by WSUU

Come and Play Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast
2024-08-21 18:30 - 19:30
Wednesday, August 21, at 6:30PM, you’re invited to come and play Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast, “a slice-of-life tabletop role-playing game about a heartless witch, a peaceful house, and all the folks who have made their home inside.”

Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast uses pre-set characters, quick-play chapters, and an adaptable ruleset unlike anything else out there. It takes less than a half hour to learn how to play and get started.

After sharing some food together at our Wednesday evening supper (beginning at 6:00PM), we’ll be playing a first episode with whoever would like to join in. Practically speaking, six players will be a very full table, but it will also be OK if we have some folx who just want to observe. If you’ve never played a role-playing game before, this could be a great entry-level experience.

“No soliciting, trespassing, romancing, snooping, snitching, or unnecessary smalltalk welcome…

Room For Everyone.”

Pride for All Ages August 2024
2024-08-25 11:30 - 13:00
Pride for All Ages, an intergenerational group for LGBTQ+ people, meets the 4th Sunday of every month. Our next meeting is June 23 at 11:30 in the Baker Room. Join us! We socialize, talk about the theme of the service, plan activities and events, and build community. All LGBTQ+ people welcome!

FaCT Distinguished Speaker Series, Brett Christophers
2024-08-25 14:00
“Standard theories of the causes of climate breakdown will not survive this book. Readers will be all the wiser.”

–Andreas Malm, author of How to Blow Up a Pipeline

Why the market will never solve the climate crisis.

What if our understanding of capitalism and climate is back to front? What if the problem is not that transitioning to renewables is too expensive, but that saving the planet is not sufficiently profitable?

This is Brett Christopher’s claim. The global economy is moving too slowly toward sustainability because the return on green investment is too low.

Today’s consensus is that the key to curbing climate change is to produce green electricity and electrify everything possible. The main economic barrier in that project has seemingly been removed. But while prices of solar power have tumbled, the golden era of renewables has yet to materialize.

Brett Christophers is a political economist and economic geographer, and the author of Our Lives in Their Portfolios, Rentier Capitalism and The New Enclosure, which won the Isaac and Tamara Deutscher Memorial Prize. Brett Christophers is based at Uppsala University in Sweden.

REGISTER: Brett Christophers

OR

August 2024 UUCC Board Meeting
2024-08-27 19:00 - 21:00
UUCC is governed by an elected Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for determining and upholding the mission and vision of our congregation, as well as for making financial and legal decisions. The Board of Trustees meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

All Congregation Members are welcome to attend Board meetings, except when an Executive Session has been called. Members may address the Board only by prior arrangement with the President.

To attend the Board meeting, send an email to board@uucleveland.org for the Zoom link.

Pre-service Music at 9:45 with Moises Borges and Friends!
2024-09-08 09:45 - 10:15
Be sure to arrive early this Sunday, September 8th for special Ingathering music on the portico (or in the sanctuary in case of rain) with our guest musicians The Moises Borges Quartet!

Water Ceremony and Potluck
2024-09-08 10:15 - 13:00
Sunday, September 8, we’ll cross the threshold into a new church year with a special Water Communion and congregational potluck following the service. If you’re new to Water Ceremony, this is a special liturgical service unique to Unitarian Universalism. Each person or family brings a little water that has special symbolic meaning to them. It could be water from a meaningful place you’ve visited, or water from the kitchen faucet that symbolically represents something important to you. We combine our separate waters into a common vessel and bless the joining of all of our diverse lives and experiences into an interdependent community of faith. The water from our ceremony is then purified and used in child dedications, house blessings, and other special rituals throughout the year.

This year, our Water Communion service will be followed by a congregational potluck. Bring a favorite dish to share and plan to enjoy a meal together after worship. The Board will be presenting their strategic priorities for the year ahead as a part of this time together. When you arrive before the service with food for the potluck, head downstairs to the Fellowship Hall and locate the appropriately labeled table for whatever you’ve brought. There will be tables identified as main dishes, salads, sides, and — most importantly — desserts.

If you bring something that needs to be heated prior to serving, there will be a little time toward the end of worship to tend to those preparations. We look forward to sharing this special time together to celebrate the beginning of a new church year.

In the Most Important Election Ever: Will AI Choose Our President?
2024-09-15 09:00 - 10:00
Speakers: Anthony Perlatti, Director, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, in conversation with Youngjin Yoo, Professor (an AI authority), Department of Design & Innovation, Weatherhead School of Management.

Toxic rhetoric, misinformation and fierce competition between the political parties can worsen with mishandling of Artificial Intelligence. AI chatbots can target vital election security and infrastructure, including voter registration databases, IT infrastructure, networks and data security. Generative AI creates believable political lies via voice cloning and video creations of well-known people. While leading AI technology companies have signed an accord to limit but not ban election “deepfakes”, there is no Congressional legislation that regulates AI.

How can voters become AI aware? How can we promote confidence in November?

In person in Fellowship Hallor via Zoom: http://bit.ly/UUCCForumsFall2024

Climate Justice Preview
2024-09-22 11:30
The Climate Justice Revival is around the corner- September 28 and 29. Would you like to sample/preview what this is all about before committing your time that weekend? Join us after the service (11:30) on Sunday September 22 in Fellowship Hall.

Watch an 18 minute video: “Climate and the Intersections: Climate Justice and UU Values.” Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy and UUA Director of Communications and Public Ministry Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd explore three climate justice and Unitarian Universalist values. There will be time for questions and comments after the video.

Pride for All Ages September 2024
2024-09-22 11:30 - 13:00
Pride for All Ages, an intergenerational group for LGBTQ+ people, meets the 4th Sunday of every month. Our next meeting is September 22 at 11:30 in the Baker Room. Join us! We socialize, talk about the theme of the service, plan activities and events, and build community. All LGBTQ+ people welcome!

The Year to Save the Earth - with Jim Scott
2024-09-22 16:30 - 17:30
“The Year to Save the Earth” – A Multimedia Experience by Jim Scott

Join us on Sunday, September 22nd at 4:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for “The Year to Save the Earth”. Mixing powerful songs and beautiful projected images, The Year to Save the Earth takes us from grieving to celebration and from protest to positive vision for the planet. Jim’s lyrical melodies and outspoken poetry celebrate our beautiful, amazing, and fragile world. While facing the urgency of the environmental crisis, the program’s message is one of optimism with many invitations to join in the singing. These amazing songs challenge us to feel, to learn and to act!

Prolific composer guitarist Jim Scott was awarded an NEA grant to present this multimedia concert in Worcester MA with band and chorus. Jim brings warmth and humor with his jazz and world music influenced songs. He’s visited over 700 UU Churches in 4 decades of travels and his songs are in our hymnbooks (“Gather the Spirit”, “May Your Life Be as a Song”, and more). Formerly a member of the Paul Winter Consort, Jim was composer of their celebrated Missa Gaia/Earth Mass and sang their anthem song Common Ground. He has toured the world, recorded nine CDs of original music, published a growing line of choral works, and created the Earth and Spirit Songbook, an anthology of over 100 songs of Earth by many contemporary composers.

UU Climate Justice Revival: A Multi-generational, Congregational Event
2024-09-28 09:00 - 13:00
Registration is now open for Saturday and Sunday!

Join us for conversations, worship, laughter, joy, and hopefulness to facilitate the massive culture shift necessary to address the linked issues of climate change and justice. This is an all-congregation and all-ages event – all voices are needed!

Register by September 22; see registration form below and indicate whether childcare is needed. Childcare and refreshments will be provided for both days.

September 28, 9 am – 1 pm, UUCC Fellowship Hall

We will take part in interactive workshops and activities for all ages. UU Side with Love is providing the content for UU congregations across the country to hold their own events. UUCC’s UU Ministry for Earth Committee is facilitating, in collaboration with other congregational groups.

September 29, 10:15 – 1 pm, Special worship and Organizing Hour

A climate justice-themed worship service will be followed by an Organizing Hour for adults and high school youth, while children K-8 participate in related RE activities.

Contact Nancy King Smith or Mary Schatzman with questions.

Register online: https://forms.gle/DbqVQfmsMBaz1GfD9

UU Climate Justice Revival at UUCC this week-end!!
2024-09-28 09:00 - 13:00
Join us for conversations, worship, laughter, joy, and hopefulness to facilitate the massive culture shift necessary to address the linked issues of climate change and justice. This is an all-congregation event – all voices are needed! And, of course, refreshments!

September 28, 9 am – 1 pm, UUCC Fellowship Hall

We will take part in interactive workshops and activities. UU Side with Love is providing the content for UU congregations across the country to hold their own events. UUCC’s UU Ministry for Earth Committee is facilitating, in collaboration with other congregational groups.

September 29, 10:15 – 1 pm, Special Worship and Organizing Hour

A climate justice-themed worship service will be followed by an Organizing Hour for adults and high school youth, while children K-8 participate in related RE activities.

Register online (suggested but not required): https://forms.gle/DbqVQfmsMBaz1GfD9

(Registration for children has passed—there will be no childcare or children’s activities on Saturday but all children are encouraged to come on Sunday for worship and RE on Sunday). High school youth are encouraged to attend the Saturday morning workshop.

Contact Nancy King Smith or Mary Schatzman with questions.

FaCT Annual Meeting, Featuring our Distinguished Speaker, Dr. Ted Auch, FaCT Vice-President
2024-09-28 15:00
You’re Invited:

FaCT Annual Meeting

Ted Auch, PhD., FaCT Vice President currently serves as the Midwest Program Director for theFracTracker Alliance. He is an adjunct faculty member at John Carroll University, teachingClimate Change and Biochemistry. Ted strives to bring the fossil fuel industry to transparency,including their impacts on water, waste, and the landscape. In addition to FaCT, he serves onthe NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Ohio EnvironmentalJustice Board and two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Boards for theirEJScreen Tool and their Environmental Justice Science and Analysis Review Panel (EJSARP). Tedreceived a BS and PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Vermont. He pursuedan MS in Forest Ecology and Mine Reclamation at Virginia Tech.

Zoom Registration: LINK

OR

Climate Justice Revival: Worship followed by Organizing Hour
2024-09-29 10:15 - 13:00
As climate change rocks our world, there is a spirit at work in the congregations and movements committed to justice. Join us for an Organizing Hour following a special music-filled service. The Organizing Hour will give participants grounding and practice in relational organizing for applying to getting out votes for climate justice. Children will participate in climate justice-related activities as part of their Religious Exploration while adults participate in the Organizing Hour.

The Organizing Hour follows up on some of the work done during Saturday’s Climate Justice Revival meeting but all are welcome, whether having participated in the Saturday workshops or not. Snacks and childcare will be available. Registration for children is required by September 22.

Registration is now open for Saturday and Sunday

Register online: https://forms.gle/DbqVQfmsMBaz1GfD9

UU's Together Virtually
2024-09-30 19:00 - 20:30
Hear ye Hear ye!

Have you heard the buzz about the UUA Climate Justice Revival? Over 350 congregations across the country are utilizing the resources provided to create their own version of this national event. UUCC is offering: Saturday September 28 9-1 with snacks Sunday September 29 service at 10:15, followed by Power Hour! You are welcome to join us. Here’s the registration link: https://uucleveland.org/uucc_event/2024-climate-justice-revival/

Our congregation will: Create a complex representation of the challenging realities and liberatory possibilities for climate justice in our unique context Develop a vision of a flourishing future Identify a clear set of potential actions that we can take to realize this vision Enable participants to understand their roles in the interdependent ecosystem of creating climate justice and collective liberation. What does this have to do with UUs Together? We will gather on Zoom on MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30 from 7-8:30 to debrief the weekend, learn if there are actions all 3 congregations can participate in, and help WSUU and SWUU have enough information to consider doing a revival, perhaps around Earth Day 2025. At minimum, it should be interesting to hear the impact of this relatively novel set of activities. To receive a zoom link, please email Laurie at sunnyskies2023@yahoo.com

The Threat of Christian Nationalism & Project 2025
2024-10-06 09:00 - 10:00
Speaker: Rev. Marvin McMickle, Interim Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Cleveland in Shaker; Pastor Emeritus, Antioch Baptist Church, Cleveland

A group of white Christian evangelicals called Dominionists or Christian nationalists has expanded greatly from a few individuals more than 200 years ago. While they numbered 20% of Trump’s supporters in the 2016 Iowa caucus, today they exceed 50%. They hold that America was founded as a Christian nation and that their version of Christianity should determine our laws, media, education, economy, arts, entertainment and family. The New Apostolic Reformation is a growing subgroup. Its Appeal to Heaven flag has been flown at the office of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

What is Christian Nationalism and how is it connected to Project 2025?

Small Groups Ministry Fair
2024-10-06 11:30 - 12:30
Looking for a way to connect with others? One of the ways a large congregation can stay engaged and connected to the community is through smaller groups focused on a shared purpose or activity. We have groups for all kinds of interests from food to walking to needlework to laughter. Each in some way supports our shared vision to pursue community, spirituality and/or justice. Most groups meet in-person, and some meet virtually, with new ones forming all the time!

Small group sign-ups typically kick off in the Fall; but you can join an open group any time

Stop by Fellowship Hall after service on October 6 at 11:30 to learn more about what we have to offer

Check out our website for more information: Read More

The States of the Earth: An Ecological and Racial History of Secularization with Mohamed Amer Meziane
2024-10-09 19:00 - 19:30
You’re Invited:

“An extraordinary book. Mohamed Amer Meziane’s breathtaking analysis of the making of fossil states opens to a new genre of history writing where the very layers of earth’s riches are at its center.”

—Ann Laura Stoler, author of Carnal Knowledge and Imperial Power, Along the Archival Grain

How the disenchantment of empire led to climate change

While industrial states competed to colonize Asia and Africa in the nineteenth century, conversion to Christianity was replaced by a civilizing mission. This new secular impetus strode hand in hand with racial capitalism in the age of empires: a terrestrial paradise was to be achieved through accumulation and the ravaging of nature.

Far from a defense of religion, The States of the Earth argues that phenomena such as evangelism and political Islam are best understood as products of empire and secularization. In a world where material technology was considered divine, religious and secular forces both tried to achieve Heaven on Earth by destroying Earth itself.

Via Zoom – REGISTER: OCTOBER 9

Linking Legacies concert at UUCC
2024-10-09 19:00 - 20:00
Be sure to join us at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9th for a free concert in our sanctuary! Linking Legacies will be presenting a program of French music, including works by music by Debussy, Ravel, Tomasi, Cras, and Saint-Saëns. The concert will be held in the Sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland (21600 Shaker Boulevard), and will feature Christopher Jenkins (viola), Khari Joyner (cello), and Dianna White-Gould (piano). Linking Legacies celebrates the legacy of African American composers who had (or have) a connection to Northeast Ohio by featuring performers who have personal connections to the institutions where those composers trained, as well as connections to the composers themselves. Linking Legacies is free and open to the public – don’t miss this very special musical event!
Christopher Jenkins
Khari Joyner
Dianna White-Gould

Congregational Conversation
2024-10-13 11:30
As part of our Potluck this Sunday which will be co-hosted by the UUCC Membership and Stewardship Committees …they are asking everyone to consider the following questions to discuss at your tables during the meal.

What are you bringing to UUCC?

What are you getting from your involvement with UUCC?

What are you from your UUCC experiences out into the community?

What aspects (programs, values, features…) of UUCC do you most value?

Harry’s Kitchen Crew (HKC) will plan and organize the MAIN Entree and Beverages. he main entree dishes are Chicken Parmesan & Eggplant Parmesan.

For October, members and friends with last names beginning with A-L will supply the salad/side dish for 8 people

For October, members and friends with last names beginning with M-Z will supply the dessert dish for 8 people

Please drop off your dish at the Kitchen window in Fellowship Hall before the Sunday Service.

2nd Sunday Meal October 2024
2024-10-13 11:30 - 13:00
FALL is in the AIR… LEAVES are starting to change their color…FOR THIS YEAR, Harry’s Kitchen Crew is making a change to make it better you to be part of the meal.

Harry’s Kitchen Crew (HKC) will plan and organize the MAIN Entree using the limited oven and stove equipment that we have available to us. HKC will provide the beverages. The First meal that HKC is organizing is SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 after the Sunday morning service. The main entree dishes are Chicken Parmesan & Eggplant Parmesan.

This Month THEME is … Fall, Football, Baseball Playoffs, Fun & Conversation

Please drop off your dish at the Kitchen window in Fellowship Hall before the Sunday Service.

For October, members and friends with last names beginning with A-L will supply the salad/side dish for 8 people

For October, members and friends with last names beginning with M-Z will supply the dessert dish for 8 people

We rotate “congregation member shared dish” monthly.

Thank you and look forward to see you on Sunday, October 13.

Harry’s Kitchen Crew

Restorative Justice Movie Night
2024-10-16 06:00 - 20:30
Come to a Movie Night and Community Discussion exploring Restorative Justice for Cleveland, Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, 6:00-8:30 pm at the Warrensville Heights Public Library, 4415 Northfield Rd. The film, “Healing Justice” is a powerful illustration of how restorative justice can heal people and communities. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. UUCC’s Racial Justice Leadership Team is one of the sponsors of the event.

Navigating the Boundaries of Free Speech: Balancing Expression and Harm
2024-10-20 09:00 - 10:00
Speaker: Andrew Geronimo, JD, Director, First Amendment Clinic, CWRU

Free speech is the cornerstone of democratic societies. It allows individuals to express diverse and dissenting views. However, in our current world of rapid technological advancements and shifting societal norms, the boundaries and implications of free speech are being tested like never before. What is the balance between protecting free expression and protecting from harm? Should there be limits on free speech that is harmful? In a digital age, what are the roles and responsibilities of both users and platform providers?

In person in Fellowship Hallor via Zoom: http://bit.ly/UUCCForumsFall2024

The Youth Academy OWL program looking for 7th-9th graders!
2024-10-23 19:00 - 21:00
Seeking your assistance in spreading the word that the Youth Academy of UUCC is offering the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program for 7th-9th graders. To facilitate the Our Whole Lives 7th-9th grade program as intended by the Unitarian Universalist Association it is recommended that we have at least 8 youth participants. We do not currently have enough participants. Do you know any families with Youth in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade who would benefit from learning about healthy sexuality? If you do please invite them to attend a parent/guardian information session Wednesday October 23, 2024 from 7:00-9:00 at UUCC or pass on the flyer to them. Details in flyer.

They do not need to be members of UUCC to participate. If they are interested they should reach out to Youth Academy Program Coordinator, Valerie Hura. Valerie.hura@uucleveland.org 216-307-3116. We are finding that word of mouth is the most effective way to promote the program so please TALK IT UP!

Pride for All Ages October 2024
2024-10-27 11:30 - 13:00
Pride for All Ages, an intergenerational group for LGBTQ+ people, meets the 4th Sunday of every month. Our next meeting is October 27 at 11:30 in the Baker Room. Join us! We socialize, talk about the theme of the service, plan activities and events, and build community. All LGBTQ+ people welcome!

Considering Membership Class October 2024
2024-10-27 18:00
On Sunday, October 27 at 6 pm we are offering our Considering Membership class. This session covers a little UU background and a lot about what goes on at UUCC and how you might get involved. It’s very participatory – we’ll try our best to help you get the information you are interested in. Those who feel they are ready will be invited to join by signing the membership book (no pressure!).

The session will run 90-120 minutes – and we’ll start with a light dinner. If you are interested in attending and need child care please let us know by noon on Sunday, October 20 to allow us time to arrange for that.

If you have any questions – or need childcare – please contact membership@uucleveland.org.

Please, please, please let us know you are coming! We want to be able to have adequate materials and chairs and food. Click here to sign-up for Considering Membership 10/27 @ 6 pm.

We hold these sessions once each quarter. If you’re unable to attend this session additional dates can be found in the sign-up link above.

I hope you’re able to join us for this or a future session!

In fellowship,Carol GayMembership Chair

Rich Conversations
2024-10-27 19:15
Rich conversations are the best way to get to know other people, especially other members of our congregation. All are invited to join the Racial Justice Leadership Team on Thursday, October 24, at 7:15 for a guided experience of one-on-one conversations under the skilled leadership of Lisa Hong.

Laugh with UUs Together Monday October 28 virtually!
2024-10-28 19:00
UUs Together have planned a “gift” for you! In the heaviness of all the concerns about the climate, this election season, and so much more, we need a humor break! Come join us virtually on Monday evening October 28 from 7-8:30pm for a good time. Southwest UU, West Shore UU, and UUCC will each take a few minutes to describe/show what we do for fun in our congregations, and also have a few hilarious “commercials” along the way. Join us for a renewing, refreshing evening to fortify us for the week’s lead up to the November 5 election. We all need a break!!!! For the link, please email Laurie at sunnyskies2023@yahoo.com Laurie will also send a direct link to the good trouble list, the weekend before our gathering.
