Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland

Recognizing and Resisting Fascism as People of Faith
2023-12-12 20:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
Zoom Presentation Register Here:Rev. Cecilia Kingman has been studying authoritarian systems for most of her life and is currently doing doctoral work at the Pacific School of Religion on the responses of faith communities to fascist and totalitarian regimes. After the collapse of the communist dictatorship in Romania, she spent two decades working with the Unitarians of Transylvania to strengthen civil society and support sustainable agricultural and community development.

Please join UUs for Social Justice on December 12 at 8:00 PM ET, when Rev. Kingman will share her thoughts on how to recognize the less well-known characteristics of rising fascism, as well as her conviction that our faith as Unitarian Universalists compels us to resist it in all its forms. Several of us from UUCC have already attended a presentation of hers and it was excellent.

Where: Via ZoomCost: FREE or purchase a ticket as a donation to UUSJRegister Here

The Rev. Cecilia Kingman has been studying authoritarian systems for most of her life and is currently doing doctoral work at the Pacific School of Religion on the responses of faith communities to fascist and totalitarian regimes. After the collapse of the communist dictatorship in Romania, she spent two decades working with the Unitarians of Transylvania to strengthen civil society and support sustainable agricultural and community development.

Cecilia is a 2003 graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry and has served congregations in Oregon and Washington, most recently serving as the Minister for Faith and Justice at the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Edmonds, Washington until last year. Cecilia lives in the greater Seattle area, where she is active in interfaith organizing. She is the mother of four children, two of whom are still in school. Cecilia nourishes her spirit by caring for a number of animals and a very large vegetable garden.

Wednesday Night Community Dinner
2023-12-13 18:00 - 20:30, 2023-12-20 18:00 - 20:30
Come and enjoy a meal on Wednesday evenings at 6pm. Requested donations are there to help defray costs. Childcare is available, making it a great time for small groups and others to gather. If you’d like to help provide a meal or help with setup and clean up, volunteers are needed. Sign up here

Signature Drive to Help End Partisan Ohio Gerrymandering
2023-12-16 10:00 - 13:00
As a congregation, UUCC has experience serving as a staging site for petitions to protect democracy and individual worth and dignity.

Now another proposed constitutional amendment regarding fundamental fairness in the democratic process is underway. Volunteer with UUCC, Citizens Not Politicians and Fair Districts Ohio to create a more fair redistricting process in our state.

UUCC will again serve as a staging site for petition pickup and drop off:

Wednesday from noon to 3 pm

Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm

We will also be a site for a couple of Drive through signature events. The first will be this Saturday December 16 from 10am to 1pm. Consider showing up during this time to help collect signatures!

For more information, email Laurie at sunnyskies2023@yahoo.com

Values Amendment Info Available at Coffee Hour
2023-12-17 11:30 - 12:30
UUCC has been asked to support amendments to the proposed revisions of the UU Purposes and Principles in Article II, one adding a “Peace” value (text here) and one modifying the Equity Value (text here). Stop by at Coffee Hour to learn more.

December Listening Circle: Vision
2023-12-17 11:30 - 13:00
We’ll meet in the Library to explore our hopes and vision for our congregation. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/DecemberVision

December Listening Circle: Values
2023-12-17 18:00 - 19:30
We’ll meet over Zoom where we’ll respond to the proposed revision of how we frame our values. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/DecCircle

Values Amendment Info Zoom Session
2023-12-18 16:00 - 17:00
UUCC has been asked to support amendments to the proposed revisions of the UU Purposes and Principles in Article II, one adding a “Peace” value (text here) and one modifying the Equity Value (text here). We need to decide together whether our congregation should support these proposals for consideration at GA in June. Information and discussion sessions will be followed by an online congregational survey. Join a Zoom Session to learn more: Click here to join Zoom

Winter Solstice Celebration
2023-12-21 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for a Winter Solstice Celebration All are Welcome!The Earth Centered Spirituality group is hosting a ceremony for all ages. Bring a small stick for our communal fire and something to sit on. We are planning to hold the ritual outside! Please dress warmly.

Ceremony in the UUCC Parking lot21600 Shaker BoulevardShaker Heights OH 44122

UUCC Shaker Building Closed
2023-12-25 00:00 - 2023-12-30 23:59, 2024-01-01 00:00 - 23:59

December 2023 UUCC Board Meeting
2023-12-26 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.

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

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?
