Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland

UUCC Shaker Building Closed
2024-01-01 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)

The Real Story About Drag Story Hour
2024-01-07 09:00 - 10:00
In person or on Zoom

Speaker: Veranda L’Ni, Drag Entertainer; Administrator, Drag Story Hour Cleveland Chapter; Creator, current Drag Pride flag; Author, Reader’s Digest article. https://www.rd.com/article/drag-queen-story-hour/

Drag performances, once limited to bars, film and television have expanded to brunch/story hours in coffee shops, books stores, libraries and churches. Our goal is to present information to those who may be curious about Drag Story Hours and to hopefully quell any fears that may be out there about them.

At 11:30, after the worship service our guest will present a story time in Fellowship Hall.

Drag Storytime
2024-01-07 11:30 - 12:30
Following the service Sunday, January 7 at 11:30, Veranda L’Ni will present a Drag Storytime free and open to the public, all ages in Fellowship Hall.

Dinner Discussion: UU Values Revision
2024-01-10 18:00 - 20:00
UUCC has been asked to support the discussion of proposed amendments to the Final Proposed Revision to Article II of the UUA Bylaws. The first proposed amendment would change wording of the Equity Value (click here for details) and is supported by UUCC delegates to the 2023 UUA General Assembly (GA). The second would add an eighth Value: “Peace” (click here for details), and was recommended for consideration by a UUCC congregant. We need to decide together whether our congregation should support these proposals for consideration at GA in June.

There will be information and discussion sessions occurring through mid-January which will be detailed below and in the weekly newsletter, followed by an online congregational survey.

More details here: UU Values Revision Continues

UU Values Revision Survey Distributed
2024-01-12 00:00 - 23:59

Congregational discussion: UU Values Revision
2024-01-14 11:30 - 13:00
UUCC has been asked to support the discussion of proposed amendments to the Final Proposed Revision to Article II of the UUA Bylaws. The first proposed amendment would change wording of the Equity Value (click here for details) and is supported by UUCC delegates to the 2023 UUA General Assembly (GA). The second would add an eighth Value: “Peace” (click here for details), and was recommended for consideration by a UUCC congregant. We need to decide together whether our congregation should support these proposals for consideration at GA in June.

There will be information and discussion sessions occurring through mid-January which will be detailed below and in the weekly newsletter, followed by an online congregational survey.

Brunch will be provided by the fabulous

More details here: UU Values Revision Continues

January Food & Fellowship
2024-01-14 11:30 - 13:00
Harry’s Kitchen Crew wishes UUCC members and alike a Happy New Year.

To start the new year off, The Crew is preparing and serving Brunch on Sunday January 14th following the Sunday morning Service. They have planned a menu of Chicken & Waffles with fruit salad, chewy Blondie Bars and warm beverages. Donations are welcome.

There will be a brief Congregational discussion about two proposed amendments to the UU Values Revision, and a fuller conversation about addressing the needs of our facility in ways that best meet our vision for ministry. (more information here)

Care Not Cages III: Care Response & Abolition
2024-01-16 18:30 - 20:00
About the eventJoin REACH Ohio and The Cuyahoga County Jail Coalition to learn about non-police care response and carceral abolition, and how they work together.WhereTuesday,January 16th 6:30-8:00pmUnitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland21600 Shaker Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122

Presented by: Bree Easterling (they/them)Clevelander and disabled Air Force veteran Bree Easterling has a rich background in social justice,working for the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission, the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland,& Policy Matters Ohio. Bree is also a founding member of REACH, who are working towards bringing a nonpolice care response program to Cleveland.

Sponsored by:Cuyahoga County Jail Coalition Care Not Cages Cuyahoga Reach Responding with Empathy, access and Community Healing

Play - Thurgood free January 20th
2024-01-20 15:00 - 17:00
A dramatic reading of the play THURGOOD comes To: Forest Hill Church (3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights) Saturday afternoon, January 20 at 3 PM. The accomplished actor Greg White, who was understudy to the play Thurgood by George Stevens last fall at the Allen Theater in downtown Cleveland, will give the dramatic reading. In 2014 Mr. White starred in the production of Thurgood that was put on by the Ensemble.

The play has Thurgood Marshall tell this own triumphant story of how a boy from the backstreets of Baltimore changed history. From arguing the 1954 landmark case Brown v. Board of Education to becoming the first African-American Supreme Court justice, Thurgood Marshall’s tenacious advocacy broke open the civil rights movement, paving the way for the young African-American leaders of our future.

The doors will open at 3 pm. Light refreshments will be offered before the performance.

To Attend Please email: racialequitybuddies@fhcpresb.org

Afterward, tables of six to eight will discuss the dramatic reading, the life of Thurgood Marshall, and his relevance today.

This free event is made possible by sponsors:Racial Equity Buddies, The Social Justice Advocacy Ministry of Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, The Community Church of Chesterland, and the Ensemble and in part, by a grant from the Outreach Ministry of the PRESBYTERY OF THE WESTERN RESERVE

Fair Districting: How to Stop Gerrymandering
2024-01-21 09:00 - 10:00
In person or on Zoom

Speakers: Ohio State Sen. Nickie Antonio(D-23), Ohio Redistricting Commission Co-Chair and Senate Minority Leader; Annette Tucker Sutherland, Shaker Heights Chapter Chair, League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland.

In 2015 and 2018, Ohio voters approved amendments to the state Constitution that created a Redistricting Commission to draw districts for the Ohio General Assembly and for Ohio’s representatives to Congress. The Redistricting Commission met after the 2020 Census, but each proposed map was determined unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court, including the map used for the 2022 election. After that election, the Ohio Redistricting Commission, with bipartisan support, adopted a sixth version of statehouse maps. Those maps show a Republican advantage of 61-38 in the Ohio House and a 23-10 advantage in the Ohio Senate. The battle continues with a new statewide ballot initiative to create a “citizens not politicians” redistricting commission.

UU Values Revision Survey Results Due
2024-01-22 00:00 - 23:59

GCC Update! Start Your New Year With UUs Together!
2024-01-22 19:00 - 20:30
Please join us virtually on Monday January 22 from 7-8:30pm.

What is GCC planning in 2024?

Meet GCC delegates and core team members from each of the UU Congregations. Keisha Krumm, Lead Organizer for Greater Cleveland Congregations and Tyeson Douglas, GCC Fellow, will update us on the very impactful first quarter of 2024 Actions. Accountability with Mayor Bibb and meeting with judicial system candidates prior to the March 19 primary are but some of what is planned.

There will be time for questions and answers. Let’s get ready to participate in democracy at the local level!

For a link to the meeting: Please email Laurie at sunnyskies2023@yahoo.com.

Want to know more about Greater Cleveland Congregations or GCC?link here

January 2024 UUCC Board Meeting
2024-01-23 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.

January Listening Circle: Values
2024-01-25 17:30 - 19:00
Our January Values Listening Circle will be in-person in the Baker Room (Room 213). We’ll respond to the proposed revision of how we frame our values, focusing on Liberating Love. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/JanCircles

January Listening Circle: Vision
2024-01-27 10:00 - 11:30
Our January Vision Listening Circle will be in-person in the Baker Room (Room 213). We’ll explore our hopes and vision for the congregation. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/JanCircles

UUCC "Side with Love" T-shirts For Sale
2024-01-28 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-02-04 11:30 - 12:30
We wear the yellow Side with Love t-shirts that have our congregational logo on the back to rallies and actions. If you missed pre-ordering a t-shirt, there are extras in various sizes for sale now at $15 a peice. Find Suzanne Zilber in the Fellowship Hall after services to buy your shirt. January 28th and February 4th.

GCC: Meets with Mayor Justin Bibb
2024-01-30 19:00 - 21:00
Greater Cleveland Congregations Update Battle for Democracy: It all Starts Now! Our City. Our County. Our State. The Fight for OUR Democracy.

On January 30th at 7pm Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) leaders will host Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

The meeting with Mayor Bibb is about GCC’s Cleveland Neighborhoods Now campaign, which addresses five targeted areas (Fairfax, Central, Lee Harvard, Slavic Village and Mt. Pleasant). The action will highlight campaign successes and challenge the city about the work left to be done. The assembly will also be a kick-off to our Battle for Democracy 2024 campaign focusing on gerrymandering and voter turnout for the primary and general elections. This action will be the first opportunity this year to showcase GCC’s organizing. A large turnout of our members will be visible evidence of our power to organize.

The assembly will be held at:Shiloh Baptist Church5500 Scovill AvenueCleveland. OH(The action will be hybrid with virtual options; in-person is highly preferred.)

UUCC is committed to this action and plans on having a strong presence at the meeting with Mayor Bibb: we want 30 congregants for the 30th!

To find out more or to register:Please see the GCC table on Sundays during coffee hour immediately following the service. You may also sign-up here for the January 30 action: or please register here if you plan on attending virtually:

Thank you.UUCC GCC Team

Guns, Violence, Public Safety: What’s Happening Locally?
2024-02-04 09:00 - 10:00
In person or on Zoom

Speakers: Jarod Schlacht, Commander #6138, Cleveland Division of Police, First District; Rachel Lovell, Director, Criminology Research Center, CSU

Black Americans are 10 times more likely to be killed by gun violence than their white counterparts. Sixty-three percent of Republicans and Democrats are frustrated by the lack of gun laws. Ohio doesn’t have measurable, effective violence prevention programs that meaningfully reduce crime. Gun violence has a long history. The National Rifle Association—organized in 1871, backed the 1968 Gun Control Act. By the 1970s, the NRA opposed “gun control”, and became a major player in national politics. By 2000 the NRA was one of the 3 most powerful lobbies in Washington with estimated sales of the AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles reaching $20 million. By 2016 NRA spending surged to $420 million, with more than $30 million going to support Trump. Some states have programs to effectively reduce gun violence. What’s happening locally?

Creating Human Solidarity Workshop
2024-02-09 09:00 - 17:00
Both sessions of the Creating Human Solidarity Workshop have been canceled (2/9 at UUCC and 2/10 at West Shore). The Soul Focused Group will be processing refunds for everyone who registered.

Join us at "At The Wake of A Dead Drag Queen"
2024-02-09 20:00 - 22:30
The congregation is invited to join Pride for All Ages at a play at the Dobama Theatre

At The Wake of A Dead Drag Queen.This “irreverent, funny, and moving new play” celebrates Blackness and Southern queerness, while also exploring identity. Come early!! There will be a pre-show reception to enjoy Sips and Nibbles with your UUCC friends, and a talk-back with the actors after the show.

Dobama is generously offering a “pay what you can” option — pay full price ($35-$42) if you can, or pay what you are able — for our section of 42 seats. Call the box office (216-932-3396), say you are part of the UUCC UUCC has a 42 seat section.Call the box office (216-932-3396), say you are part of the UUCC group, and tell the person how much you can pay for the ticket(s). Join us on Feb. 9th! Order soon!! Our block of seats will be released after Feb. 3rd, so don’t delay!

Dobama Theater2340 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118(216) 932-3396map

FaCT Distinguished Speaker: “Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region"
2024-02-10 15:00 - 17:00
A Watch Party at UUCC is scheduled at 3 PM in room 106 and 108. Join us to watch this zoom presentation live and engage in a lively conversation afterward. Popcorn will be provided, bring something to drink and if you wish a snack to share.

Or Register here and view the talk at home.

DONALD J. WUEBBLES

Saturday, February 10 at 3 PM ETZoom PresentationRegister for Zoom Link Here

Dr. Wuebbles was a Coordinating Lead Author on several international climate assessments led by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that resulted in IPCC being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He led an assessment on the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes that was published in March 2019 and co-led a special assessment of the impacts of climate change on the state of Illinois published in May 2021.

All participants in this Zoom event will be eligible to be a winner in our Book Drawing for at least two winners. This time you will have your choice of books, all relating to climate change and the environment in general

Do you enjoy the Distinguished speaker Series?Help FaCT to keep bringing you outstanding Distinguished Speakers.Consider donating to FaCT

FaCT’s ANNUAL CAMPAIGN: Donate Here

Who is FaCT? Faith Communities Together for a Sustainable FutureCheckout out their new Website factsustain.orgAbout FaCTWe believe In the moral imperative of addressing climate change – engaging Faith Communities and people of conscience in the interconnectedness and sacredness of the natural world and one another.

West Shore Social Action Film Series presents Fix It: Healthcare at the Tipping Point
2024-02-10 19:00 - 20:30
FIX IT: Healthcare at the Tipping Point is a powerful documentary film that reaches across the political and ideological divide to expand support for major healthcare reform.

With more than forty voices advocating for reform: activists, health policy experts, economists, physicians, nurses, patients, business and labor leaders, this documentary takes an in-depth look into how our healthcare system is damaging our economy, suffocating our businesses, discouraging physicians and negatively impacting on the nation’s health, while remaining unaffordable for a third of ourcitizens.

A representative from the Single Payer Action Network・SPAN Ohio, will be on hand to talk about efforts aimed at healthcare reform and to answer questions after the film.

Film Length: 58 minutes This film not ratedFree ParkingThe film series is free and open to the public (donations gratefully accepted).Hosted by West Shore Social Action CommitteeQuestions? Call 440-333-2255www.facebook.com/wssafs

West Shore U.U. Church20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky Riverhttps://wsuuc.org

Second Sunday Brunch and Congregational Marketplace
2024-02-11 11:30 - 13:00
On February 11th during the Second Sunday Brunch, with food from the fabulous Harry’s Kitchen Crew, the Leadership Development Committee invites you to participate in a Congregational Marketplace!

Brunch

Let’s see… Punxsutawney Phil and Buckeye Chuck all agree that an Early Spring is coming. So, Harry Kitchen Crew is offering another in “Springful” Lunch this Sunday, February 11th. This Sunday’s culinary delight includes choices of 3 different Sliders, Super Bowl Tots, Chop Salad and a dessert along with hot and cold beverages. Come join your fellow UUs for fun lunch and conversation. Donations are welcome.

See you this Sunday, Harry’s Kitchen Crew

Congregational Marketplace

Help us show and spread LOVE for one another and our community by sharing gifts of the HEART, HANDS, and HEAD in an exchange over a meal.

So what exactly is a “Marketplace”?The MARKETPLACE brings to life our interconnectedness by acknowledging that we all have gifts and we all have value. When a diverse group of people gather in real life, real time exchange we take the time to:• See each other as part of a support network• Learn to ask for what we need and• Continually explore and reveal the value we have in our community/congregation

The Marketplace is an exchange where participants get to make a Request, an Offer, or a Declaration about something you may need support in or gifts you’d like to share. The purpose of the LDC hosted Marketplace is to build fellowship and community within the congregation. We need your presence to make this a success.

Circle Suppers are Coming
2024-02-17 18:00 - 20:30
Please join fellow UUCCers at a Circle Supper on Saturday, February 17! Circle Suppers are a meal at a congregant’s home with a small group of UUCCers – those who are new to UUCC, those who have been around forever, and those in between. It is a great opportunity to have good food and conversation and get to know your fellow congregants better.

How’s this work?Congregants participate as a Host or a Guest. Hosts offer to house a Circle Supper in their home (or garden). They let us know how many seats at their table, and also coordinate guest food contributions. Guests bring a dish they agree to in advance and show up on the date and time to share dinner with the group.

We’ll let you know your dinner group and host by Friday, February 9. The host will contact guests and coordinate who is bringing what.

Then all you need to do is show up at the host’s home on Saturday, February 17 at 6 pm.

The Circle Supper Coordinator will keep a waiting list and forward folks to any openings.

Questions? Contact Kristen van Kranenburgh

Monopolies: Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft
2024-02-18 09:00 - 10:00
Speakers: Jenny Hawkins, Associate Professor of Economics, Weatherhead School of Management, CWRU, in conversation with Anet Alon-Beck, Associate Professor, School of Law, CWRU.

Google, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft are the 4 most valuable American companies and 4 of the top 5 most valuable companies in the world. More than 90% of all search queries are performed via Google. Microsoft controls 70% of the world’s computer operating systems with 6 billion computers running Windows. Apple controls 55% of US smartphone sales and its App Store contains 2.18 million apps for download. Amazon has 39% of the US e-commerce market, and delivers over 4.75 billion US packages per year.

If these tech companies control most of the world’s information and own the digital space, what’s the effect on our communities, personal lives or the internet? How can competition be regulated? The Justice Department has an ongoing anti-trust suit against Google. What will be the future of the internet or our dependency on it?

Side with Love T-shirts available
2024-02-18 11:30 - 11:45
Side with Love T-shirts: There are 3 extra-large and 3 small t-shirts left for sale at $15 a shirt or for free. A congregant has offered to pay for any who cannot afford to buy them. Come to room 106 between 11:30 and 11:45 to get your t-shirts on February 18 after service if interested.

Help wanted: Suzanne Zilber is wondering if anyone else wants to take over selling the Congregational “Side with Love” T-shirts twice a year. She can provide all the materials and methods. classaware@gmail.com.

Film Discussion: Origin
2024-02-18 11:45 - 12:45
Film Discussion at UUC:sponsored by the UUCC Racial Justice Leadership TeamSunday, Feb 18, 11:45-12:45 PM Room 106 If people want to participate by Zoom, they can email Suzanne at classaware@gmail.com

The film “Origin” is both heartfelt and instructive about how caste systems have operated in the US, Germany, and India. It is a biographical film of the author Isabel Wilkerson’s process in researching and writing the book while coping with loss of loved ones in her life.

If you have not seen the film you are welcome to attend as we will be discussing the concept of caste in general.

GCC: Forum for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Candidates
2024-02-20 19:00 - 20:30
GCC Next Action is On February 20th at 7pmHundreds of GCC leaders will host a forum for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor candidates and the Juvenile Court Judge candidates. Part of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Race, this GCC Candidates Forum will be a huge opportunity for GCC to highlight the injustice of youth bindover to the adult justice system and how denying Cleveland’s youth the best representation available impacts their lives and the lives of their families. The action will require the candidates to react to our anger about this and other issues important to GCC. We are looking to pack the venue with our members to demonstrate our organizing power.

We need your help on February 20th Please sign up!The action will be hybrid with virtual options; in-person is highly preferred.The assembly will be held in person at:Antioch Baptist Church,8869 Cedar AvenueCleveland.Please sign-up here for the February 20th live in-person action:Please register here if you plan on attending virtually:

If attending, please inform your GCC core team when you register, either in person in Fellowship Hall at coffee hour, or by emailing Laurie Albright at sunnyskies2023@yahoo.com.

Thank you!UUCC GCC team

Setting the Record Straight: Don't Believe the Hype — Hip Hop @ 50.
2024-02-23 10:00 - 2024-02-24 14:30
Setting the Record Straight: Don’t Believe the Hype — Hip Hop @ 50. Read More about this programThe events are free. However you must register. Click on the link above for information on the two day program and the link to register found on the website and/or below for in-person or virtual.

The hybrid virtual and in-person conference will take place Friday, February 23rd and Saturday, February 24th from 10:00am to 2:30pm.

This two-day conference will examine the contemporary challenges African Americans face, highlighting the obstacles that have been overcome while identifying those that remain. The conference will examine the contributions, contradictions, and complexities of Hip Hop at its 50th anniversary as it coalesces with the structural and institutional burdens of misinformation and distortions in America’s present-day social and political discourse.

Please join the Diversity Institute and member organizations of the Project 400 Collaborative for our fifth annual conference which is part of our ongoing calendar of activities. Participants will gain a unique opportunity to connect to the ongoing conversation about race as the foundation of systemic inequities and ways in which we might address them.

In person registration: https://levin.csuohio.edu/di/project-400-2024-conference-in-person-registration-form

Virtual registration: https://csuohio.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3n-LlLc9TSOlTx-SLohjaw#/registration

Where and WhenDate: Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24, 2024Time: 10:00am-2:30pm (Both Days)Location: Cleveland State University Student Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
