January 2024 UUCC Board Meeting
2024-01-23 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
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

February Listening Circle: Values
2024-02-24 10:00 - 11:30
Our February 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 Equity. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/Feb2024Values

UUs Together features the Poor People's Campaign!
2024-02-26 19:00 - 20:30
UUs and the Poor People’s campaign have a long history of working together. Join us virtually to learn more. Bonus: you will meet UUs from 2 other local congregations- Southwest and West Shore!!

The Ohio Poor People’s Campaign is mobilizing for the Mass Poor People’s and Low-wage Workers’ State House Assemblies and To the Polls! Hundreds of Ohioans will converge at the Ohio State House in coordination with 30+ other state actions for the Poor People’s Campaign Mobilization on March 2, 2024, 10AM to noon.

UUs Together has invited Ohio Poor People’s Campaign Tri-Chair David Guran to present at our next Zoom meeting on Monday February 26, 2024, 7-8:30pm. Dave will give an action overview and talk about how we can join or support the mass mobilization. Join us on Zoom. Email Laurie at sunnyskies2023@yahoo.com for the link.

February 2024 UUCC Board Meeting
2024-02-27 19:00 - 21:00

February Listening Circle: Vision
2024-02-29 17:30 - 19:00
Our February Vision Listening Circle will be held over Zoom. We’ll explore our hopes and vision for the congregation. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/Feb2024Vision

Why Is It So Expensive to Be Poor?
2024-03-03 09:00 - 10:00
Speakers: Emily Campbell, President & CEO, Center for Community Solutions; Chris Knestrick, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH).

In the past 50 years there have been dramatic accomplishments in science, medicine and IT. Yet nearly 10% of the U.S. population continues to live in poverty. The line curves slightly up and down through Democratic and Republican administrations. Why is poverty so unrelenting and what can be done to reduce it?

After Service: Meet and Learn for potential LDC and Board members
2024-03-03 11:15 - 12:30
Meet & Learn for Potential Board and LDC CandidatesIn order to care for our congregation, the Leadership Development Committee is seeking candidates to serve as a UUCC Board of Trustees member (3), and Leadership Development Committee member (2). We are offering in-person and virtual opportunities to learn more about these roles.

On Sunday March 3, we will be in Fellowship Hall after our worship service

Another chance on via Zoom March 4 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pmOn Monday March 4, we will hold a virtual “Meet and Learn” from 7:30-8:30pm. Click here to join the Zoom meetingWe encourage you to complete this form if you are interested in nominating yourself, another person, or want more information.

Meet & Learn for Potential Board and LDC Candidates
2024-03-04 19:30 - 20:30
In order to care for our congregation, the Leadership Development Committee is seeking candidates to serve as a UUCC Board of Trustees member (3), and Leadership Development Committee member (2). We are offering in-person and virtual opportunities to learn more about these roles.

On Sunday March 3, we will be in Fellowship Hall after our worship service

On Monday March 4, we will hold a virtual “Meet and Learn” from 7:30-8:30pm. Click here to join the Zoom meeting

We encourage you to complete this form if you are interested in nominating yourself, another person, or want more information.

March Food & Fellowship: Potluck
2024-03-10 11:15 - 13:00
Our second Sunday Congregational Meal on March 10 will be a potluck! Everyone is welcome!

Please plan to bring your favorite dish to share. We will have clearly marked tables for Main Dishes, Salads, Sides, and Desserts in the Fellowship Hall prior to the service. Consider labeling your food ingredients: vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc. .

And If everyone plans to stick around and help a little bit with cleanup afterward, it will be quick and easy work.

Making End of Life Decisions: What are the Options in Ohio?
2024-03-17 09:00 - 10:00
Speakers: Lisa Vigil Schattinger, MSN, RN, founder of Ohio End of Life Options (OELO); Ann Rowland, retired Assistant US Attorney, board member, OELO.

Several states have statutes permitting Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) for competent adults who are terminally ill. The speakers will review the laws nationwide and legislative efforts in Ohio. Without a MAID law in Ohio, what are the options for the terminally ill? The speakers will discuss Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), advance directives with dementia provisions, and hospice care. They will also discuss their thoughts about navigating end of life decision-making with loved ones based on their personal experiences.

Engage GCC: meeting in person
2024-03-21 19:00 - 20:30
All are invited to the next Engage GCC meeting which will be IN PERSONWhere:Forest Hills Presbyterian Church on Monticello3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Time:7-8:30pm.

Questions? Ask a Core Team member: Laurie Albright, Bev Austin, Pat Dillard, Greg Nosan, Brandon Ruud, Bob Staib, Mark Weber, and Randy Partain.

Greater Cleveland Congregations Read More

"Citizens not Politicians" Petition Signature Gathering Training
2024-03-24 11:30 - 12:30
GCC has committed to do our part in signature gathering for the proposed Ohio Constitutional Amendment to create a “Citizens not Politicians” method of re-districting by collecting 20,000 signatures by mid May toward the statewide goal of 700,000.

Your UUCC GCC Core team has set a goal of gathering at least 400 signatures. One dozen of your fellow congregants have taken the training and signed out petition books. We have arranged for a convenient training for you after worship service on Sunday March 24 from 11:30-12:30 in rooms 106-108.

This will be our kick-off for our current Good Trouble campaign. Plan to attend the training, sign out a petition book, and collect signatures. We will have a list of public events you can collect signatures at, or you can simply collect from neighbors, friends, and family. Each signature is as important as any other!! Help us meet our goal and create more justice in Ohio.Also: All are invited to the next Engage GCC meeting which will be IN PERSON at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church on Monticello on Thursday March 21 from 7-8:30pm. Questions? Ask a Core Team member: Laurie Albright, Bev Austin, Pat Dillard, Greg Nosan, Brandon Ruud, Bob Staib, Mark Weber, and Randy Partain.

Pride for All Ages
2024-03-24 11:30 - 13:00
Pride for All Ages, an intergenerational group for LGBTQ+ people, meets on Sunday, March 24 after the service at 11:30 in the Baker Room following the service. Read more about the group
