Come join us for our NEW WORSHIP FORMAT starting with INGATHERING SUNDAY, 13 September 2015 beginning at 6 PM. Services will take place in the PARISH HALL. Doors will be open at 5:30 PM for set up.
The First UU Church would like to introduce our new service format - "Sunday Sunset Services". Containing elements of Small Group Ministry and Intentional Listening Group formats, we envision a spiritual practice of simple prayer, a moment of reflection, giving thanks, singing & music--all while sharing wine, cheese & the like. Each month, we will gather to celebrate a shared theme over words, song and food. The ritual is giving thanks, eating, sharing and community itself.
DATES AND THEMES:
Sunday, June 5th, 2:00 PM -- A new kind of Flower Communion : Planting flowers on the beautiful border of our new walkway! Please gather on the Front Entrance platform. Dress comfortably and please bring a trowel, if you have one. In keeping with the spirit of a traditional Flower Communion, First Church would like to extend an invitation for people to bring plantings of their own choice to plant, preferably perennials. The church will also have a number of annuals on hand. If there are any remaining plants, we will put them in our church garden. Thank you in advance. This will be followed at 3:00 PM by our Annual Congregational Meeting in the Parish Hall.
Among the items planned to be presented are:
Monday, November 30, 2015, 7 PM - A Just and Safe Orange - Parish Hall
Join the University of Orange for the second in its series of community forums about safety and justice in Orange. We will listen to a range of young people discuss their take on youth and violence in our community. Our youth panelists will provide their opinions and suggestions for how city leaders can better engage youth so that we can have an impact on crime within our city. For more information or to participate in the planning email Associate Dean Khemani Gibson, khemanig2 [at] gmail [dot] com. This event is co-sponsored and supported by the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex County/HUUB.
Sunday, April 17, 2016, 3:00 to 5:00 pm -- Finding Our True Purpose as a Religious Community
Please join us as we consider the issues of Urban Ministry: How best can we support the people of Orange who have lived, worked, and supported this community for many generations? How best to recognize the worth and dignity of every person in the public discourse for the future of this city, our state and the nation? Reverend, Dr. John Gilmore, Unitarian Universalist Minister, former District Director of Racial and Social Justice for the UUA, Author, Life-Coach and Spiritual Healer will lead a discussion on how we can bring our diverse talents and resources together to answer these pressing questions and to help us develop
Monday, April 25, 7 P.M -- RADICAL:Orange presents a Youth-Led Mayoral Debate
In efforts to improve youth civic participation we are planning a mayoral debate focusing on issues that are particularly pressing for young people in the City. Many youth from middle school aged children to young adults in their twenties feel disillusioned by the structure in the City claiming that their voices and concerns do not matter to many officials or other older residents. We feel a mayoral debate would provide all of the candidates the opportunity to sell their platform to the youth eligible to vote and help us educate middle and high school students about the political process. As we can see with the current presidential election and with the 2008 and 2012 elections, the youth vote can drastically affect a candidate's chances. The candidates will address topics such as education, public safety, the economy, etc.
A part of the Just & Safe Orange series, co-sponsored by HUUB. (RADICAL = Responsible Activists - Devoted Intellectuals - Cultivating Alternative Leaders.) Click here for flyer.
