An old Zen saying goes.... you should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you are too busy, then you should sit for an hour.

The Sacred Spaces covenant group is hosting a monthly meditation practice at First Church on the fourth Saturday of the month.  Join your hosts Cherie LeBlanc and Valerie Lowe, members of Sacred Space covenant group and other meditators in the sanctuary Saturday, May 25 from 11AM until 12:30 to practice different styles of meditation (silent, guided, walking, etc.).

We'll see you every fourth Saturday.

Ommmmmm
in peace
Valerie

Eric and I were overwhelmed by the sweetness of the Farewell Party the church threw for us after the service on Sunday, May 19.  We so appreciate everyone turning out to say good-byes, and all the lovely notes that folks left in the box for us.  (Melanie is especially tickled by Liam McDade's tribute, which she will treasure always.)

We are grateful for the lovely lil gifts -- the seeds of love, hope, joy, and happiness; the great new backpack (which will see lots of use at future Jazz Fests!); the gorgeous Belgian handkerchief; the great Allen Toussaint secondline handkerchief; the handmade earrings; the cute refrigerator magnet; the music CD;  the Maya Angelou book; the "gift certificate" for a dozen praline handmade by rev. Josie (OMG!); the $25 MasterCard giftcard; the shiny new lucky penny; and the painting, handmade card and clay flowers from the children and youth of the Sunday School.

And of course we are especially touched and grateful for the $1500 given to us by parishioners.  As some of you know the challenges that might lie ahead for us in terms of expenses like health insurance and so on, this was a wonderful thoughtful loving gesture that touches us deeply.

I still have 4 more office days before the ministry ends, and I will be in the office some extra days in order to complete the process of packing and removing my personal items from the office.  Help with that process would be tremendously appreciated! especially on my last day May 30 when everything has to be gotten into vehicles and brought to our house.  Call or email me if you can help with any of that.

It has been my honor to serve my home congregation and while I had hoped to serve you longer, I am glad for what we accomplished and wish First Church nothing but the best in the future.

More grateful than I can say,
Rev. Melanie

Unitarian Universalists across the Region send our care and prayers to those affected by Monday's devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. As a generous people, we are eager to lend a hand to those whose lives have been so disrupted.

Accordingly, in cooperation with our national Association, the Southern Region UUA is establishing a relief fund through which concerned Unitarian Universalists may make donations. Your gifts will be disbursed to appropriate local relief agencies as soon as possible once things become clearer on the ground. We will advise you with updates as we go.

If you would like to make a donation, here's how:

You may send a check to the Regional office, payable to:

UU Oklahoma Relief Fund
c/o P.O. Box 560246
Orlando, FL 32856-0246

or make an electronic payment HERE.

We thank you for your caring.

Rev. Kenn Hurto, Lead Executive, Southern Region UU

The First Church Nominating Committee has confirmed the following slate for open Board seats for the 2013-14 Leadership year:

Board members:

• Jenna McConnell-Seab
• Angie Palazzolo
• Mary Jo Day (nominated for re-election)

Annual Budget Drive Chair:

• Valerie Lowe

The 2013-14 Nominating Committee slate is still being finalized and will be made available shortly.

Respectfully submitted,
Jyaphia Christos-Rodgers
Coleen Murphy
and Cathy Harbison

Memorial Day Service: What Happened to Decoration Day?

Lay Leader: Betsy McGovern

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was a day of mourning and remembrance. When did it morph into a day of celebration, patriotism, and shopping? And why? Join us for this sermon, written by UU minister and US military war veteran Rev. David Pyle, as we explore the relationship between Memorial Day and liberal religion.