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July 1—God and Man: Foundations of the U.S. Constitution—Mike Godfrey The representatives who convened in Philadelphia from May to September of 1787 were students of history, political philosophy, and human nature. The Constitution was consciously designed for the ages. The founders’ emphasis on republicanism (i.e., representative democracy), separation of powers, limited government, and checks and balances was and still is a clear-eyed recognition of the weaknesses of human nature and of the essential importance of protecting individual liberty. July 8—I’m a Unitarian and… With Meka Tate, the children will present what it means to be a Unitarian. This will be a fun, interactive service that gets everyone involved. Please join us to celebrate, reinforce or find your beliefs. The children can serve as a reminder as to why you gather together as a congregation. July 15—What’s So Great about Being a Unitarian Universalist? Come hear a few reflections on this subject from our (re-retiring) pastoral care minister, Rev. Dr. Sarah Voss. A few of these thoughts, she adds, may involve just the tiniest little bit of math! (Sarah respectfully asks that you please don’t stay away because of the “m” word.) July 22—Challenge Yourself, Find Yourself Henry Lemon Sermon God is alive and well and she’s covered in flour, hiding between the cumin and basil. This is Nellie Chenoweth’s journey of self- discovery and spiritualism that stems from a New Year’s resolution. July 29—Learn from the Past to Protect the Future: Holocaust Survivor Sam Fried Shares His Story As a survivor of Auschwitz, Sam Fried works tirelessly to ensure that the story of the Holocaust is told long after the survivors voices are silenced by the passage of time. He is co-founder of two endowment funds that provide college-level Holocaust/genocide education across Nebraska and support the Nebraska Holocaust Memorial. Sam will share his story with us and answer questions. This is a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss. The Flame Newsletter July 2012 | Vol. 12: Issue 2 Highlights Engagement Party Page 2 Community Meal July 21st Page 4 A Pilgrimage to Our Partner Church Pages 13-14 Join us for Sunday Service at 10:30am

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July 1—God and Man: Foundations of the U.S. Constitution—Mike Godfrey The representatives who convened in Philadelphia from May to September of 1787 were students of history, political philosophy, and human nature. The Constitution was consciously designed for the ages. The founders’ emphasis on republicanism (i.e., representative democracy), separation of powers, limited government, and checks and balances was and still is a clear-eyed recognition of the weaknesses of human nature and of the essential importance of protecting individual liberty. July 8—I’m a Unitarian and… With Meka Tate, the children will present what it means to be a Unitarian. This will be a fun, interactive service that gets everyone involved. Please join us to celebrate, reinforce or find your beliefs. The children can serve as a reminder as to why you gather together as a congregation. July 15—What’s So Great about Being a Unitarian Universalist? Come hear a few reflections on this subject from our (re-retiring) pastoral care minister, Rev.

Dr. Sarah Voss. A few of these thoughts, she adds, may involve just the tiniest little bit of math! (Sarah respectfully asks that you please don’t stay away because of the “m” word.) July 22—Challenge Yourself, Find Yourself Henry Lemon Sermon God is alive and well and she’s covered in flour, hiding between the cumin and basil. This is Nellie Chenoweth’s journey of self-discovery and spiritualism that stems from a New Year’s resolution. July 29—Learn from the Past to Protect the Future: Holocaust Survivor Sam Fried Shares His Story As a survivor of Auschwitz, Sam Fried works tirelessly to ensure that the story of the Holocaust is told long after the survivors voices are silenced by the passage of time. He is co-founder of two endowment funds that provide college-level Holocaust/genocide education across Nebraska and support the Nebraska Holocaust Memorial. Sam will share his story with us and answer questions. This is a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss.

The Flame Newsletter

July 2012 | Vol. 12: Issue 2

Highlights

Engagement Party

Page 2

Community Meal

July 21st

Page 4

A Pilgrimage to Our Partner

Church

Pages 13-14

Join us for Sunday Service at 10:30am

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Ahead Check out our online

calendar:

http://www.firstuuomaha.org/

community/calendar

July 1, Witches’ Tea, 7pm

July 5, Private Wedding

Rehearsal, 5pm

July 6, Private Wedding,

July 8, Bridge Group, 12pm

July 8, Creative Art Night, 7pm

July 9, Flyover Country

Filming, entire church

July 10, Board Meeting, 7pm

July 13, Private Wedding

Rehearsal, 6pm

July 14, Private Wedding, 5pm

July 15, Teacher Meeting,

11:30am

July 15, Transition Omaha,

2pm

July 15, Flame deadline

July 21, Community Meals,

offsite

July 21, Private Wedding

Rehearsal, 10am

Do You Have Two Days to Give the UUs? By Kate Wiig and Abby Cape

2

If our calculations are correct (and we’re guessing that we missed quite a few things) it takes over 13,200 volunteer hours a year to make sure that this church can offer quality programming, caring outreach, positive social change, fantastic music, and excellent childcare! We all want to use these services and brag about the amazing things our church offers, but that means that we need to pledge more than money; we need to pledge our natural resources!

We need your natural abilities! Can you organize, fold, cuddle babies, sing, type, teach, play an instrument, count money, smile, make coffee, or pull a weed?

Then we NEED YOU!!!!!

It would take all 200 official members of the church a minimum of 48 hours a year

to keep this church running, and that STILL leaves plenty of room for our non-member friends to contribute gener-

ously.

Many of you are already pledging OVER 40 hours a year, and we couldn’t be more appreciative! Just like with monetary pledges, some of us can do more than others, but we still need every last hour. Whether you are looking to pencil in an hour or two on a few different activities or make a recurring commitment with a committee, we have a place for you. Come to our Engagement Party on July 22

nd after the

service to make the commitment to your congregation and pledge your engagement hours.

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Something is happening .

Save these dates:

Be sure to do something

The Gifts of Ourselves By Kate Godfrey, Board President

Summer has me thinking about mentors—past and present. I conjure up memories of hot summers “visiting the folks” in Missouri, godparents, swim instructors, and neighbors. Looking back, my childhood seems punctuated by the people who cared about me—those family and friends who were there, willing to lend a guiding hand. I am grateful for them. My 15 years here at First Unitarian have been very similar. I cannot estimate the value of what I have found here. Certainly, I have made many wonderful friends and have had a great deal of fun, but the deepest value is how I have grown as a person in ways I never could have predicted. Here, I have found mentors—some just for an hour or a few weeks, others continue to guide and teach me, I suspect often not even realizing it. I don’t remember who, but someone taught Bruce and me how to make coffee, or to act as greeters. We only had to ask—can you help us learn? Someone stepped forward. Thanks! Many members of our community are willing—delighted, even—to share. Each time we stand by the sanctuary doors and pass out orders of service, we receive a bounty of smiles, handshakes, and hugs—and thanks. The same is true of coffee hour, working in the nursery, or (believe it!) doing board work. I am not just volunteering my time; I am growing, I am receiving, I am weaving a rich tapestry of experience. I’d like to invite you to consider the time you donate to the church, and what it offers you—or what new areas there might be that can create a win-win in your life. For example, if you are interested in business, consider joining the Finance Team. You can learn a great deal about the world outside our doors while you lend a hand here! Organizing an ongoing program, such as coffee hour, is a good way to improve networking skills. Being a worship associate could help you gain confidence in public speaking. Gardening is good exercise. When you give your time, there are always benefits. Our church community functions thanks to the generosity of our volunteers. I hope you, too, all find each hour spent gives you back more than you anticipated. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication—and for the gifts of yourself!

Be Well,

Kate Godfrey

Ahead

July 22

Engagement Party for ALL,

coffee hour

July 22, Bridge Group, 12pm

July 22, UU & You Class,

11:45am

July 22, 5pm

Private Wedding

July 29, UU & You Class,

11:45am

Join us every Sunday at 10:30am.

Remember: we don’t go

back to two services until September.

Don’t be late (or early) to church!

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Following an impressive three-way trade, we are now rescheduled for Community Meals at a time which will not conflict with our participation in the Omaha Pride Parade on June 30. So mark your calendars for our next appearance at Community Meals on July 21. As usual, we will cook and serve lunch at First Baptist Church, just two blocks east of First Unitarian on Harney Street. Kay Lynn and Louise have been saving beef from the weekly Trader Joe’s bounty to do beef (maybe barbecued?) sandwiches for the day. Other menu recommendations are welcome! As usual, it is best to sign up online using this link : http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44A9AE29A02-community although you can also call or email Kay Lynn Goldner ([email protected], 402-397-2834) or Louise Jeffrey ([email protected], 402-980-2068). “Do ahead” jobs will include dessert makers and possibly some at-home cooks for dishes to be delivered to First Baptist ready to serve. Also needed are folks for set-up, cooking at First Baptist, serving, and clean-up. Youth ages 10 and up are welcome, and there are a couple of jobs at the meal that can be done sitting down for those who need to do so. Hours are approximately 9:30am-1:30pm, but half-shifts are okay, too. Check out this link: http://www.firstuuomaha.org/news/communitymeals Want to see the operation in action before you volunteer? Kay Lynn and/or Louise are at First Baptist every Saturday. Lunch is served from 11:30am until 1pm. Stop by and have lunch with our guests.

First Unitarian Cooks and Serves at Community Meals on July 21

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First Unitarian Serves as Location for Flyover Country Movie

First Unitarian is proud to be serving as a filming location for the upcoming independent movie “Flyover Country.” "Flyover Country" is an independent film directed by Jim Fields, co-written and produced by Jim Fields and Shaun Vetick of Objectif 49 Films. Featuring a vibrant cast, "Flyover Country" is an entertaining depiction of life in the modern Midwest and the social struggles facing all generations today in the heartland of America. The cast and crew will be filming multiple scenes at the church. Look for more information in the coming weeks and months as “Flyover County” wraps up shooting. You can also learn more at http://www.flyovermovie.com.

Whether you are a brand new visitor, guest, or long-time member of First Unitarian Church, Coffee Hour is one of the most important components of our experience on Sunday at church. How we interact with each other at Coffee Hour literally affects how we feel about our community before we head out the door to take on the week. That makes hosting Coffee Hour one of the most critical jobs in inspiring a nurturing and welcoming atmosphere for us to be together. We need your help to ensure that critical job is filled each week. The job can be as simple or elaborate as you like. If you want to keep it simple, all you need to do is sign up to be in charge of making coffee before the Coffee Hour on Sunday and ensuring the mugs, coffee condiments, and water are set out. If you want to be more elaborate, feel free to bring snacks, baked goods, or a favorite finger food. We need your help to create a welcoming environment for us to introduce each other to new visitors, catch-up with friends for the week, or maybe even start a conversation that could turn into a lifetime-long friendship. Please consider signing up to host a Coffee Hour. For more information or to sign-up, please email [email protected] or contact Ben Wallace at 402-680-6226. Thanks in advance for pitching in to help!

Brewing a Welcoming Atmosphere for Our Visitors and Members—Sign Up to Host Coffee Hour

By Ben Wallace

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A Gentle Nudge By Dixie Lemon

Hey you out there! You have already done the hard part; you have decided to leave a bequest to the church; you just haven't done the paper work. By that I mean writing the will. It is simple to do, but you just have to get off dead center and get it done. It is now July 1st and we are already making plans for the Sarah Joslyn Luncheon, which is scheduled for October 14. Make sure that you are included this year. Talk to me, Dixie Lemon, (402-393-2882) or any member of the Finance Committee.

Temple Earth Nature Hikes By Kevin Mark and Kerry Case

Join First Unitarian's "Witches' Tea" Earth-Centered Spirituality group on weekly nature hikes this summer! Leaving from the church parking lot around 12:15pm, we will carpool to a hiking locale to be announced in the weekly enews and on the Facebook group the previous Thursday. Besides the hiking, some activities will include picnics, plant and animal identification, and brief presentations on ecological principles. These destinations will be as far away as a 45-minute drive, and the hikes themselves will be up to 60 minutes, so plan for up to three hours for each hiking activity. Participants are responsible for their own health and safety, including wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, sun and insect protection, and bringing sufficient water and food. We will try to vary the hikes in intensity, allowing those with less robust mobility and fitness to participate in some, while others might challenge even the most fit. Please also bring a dollar or two to donate to the drivers to compensate for gas. Contact Kevin Mark or Kerry Case for more details.

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Check out the opposite page for information about our Sunday Earth Nature Hikes!

Book Club

The Book Club will take the month of July off. It will meet again on Monday, August 27. Contact Dave Richardson at [email protected] to be added to the Book Club email list or for more information.

Women’s Religious

Study Group

In ancient China about two and a half millennia ago, a new movement was fledged. Its roots began in shamanism. Later it grew out of social, political and philosophical conditions of the day. The Tao is not a book of moral codes. Rather it teaches how to harmonize with life. We are a merry group with many interests. We invite you to join us on Thursdays in the Merritt Lounge from 1pm to 2:30pm.

Joseph Campbell Mythological RoundTable

The Omaha Mythological RoundTable is an “emerging” chapter of the Joseph Campbell Foundation's (JCF.org) program to promote the study of mythology and the works of Joseph Campbell. We gather on the fourth Sunday of every month at First Unitarian Church of Omaha from 5 to 7pm for a one-hour video plus a one hour discussion. Topics include the structure of myth, sacred stories, Jungian psychology, dream interpretation, comparative religion, and more. Participants are encouraged to bring a light snack to share. Donations for First Unitarian Adult RE and the JCF are welcome, but not required. Contact [email protected] details. This month we meet on July 22 at 5pm in the Whitney Young Room.

Church Events Book Club, Women’s Religious Group, Joseph Campbell RoundTable

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Share the Plate

OTOC

We share the plate with OTOC. OTOC, which stands for Omaha Together One Community, is a broad-based, multiethnic and interfaith organization. OTOC exists to create community. For more information, please see their website www.otoc.org. This organization is one way First U works on important issues like immigration, economic justice, and civil rights.

Bridge Group

The Bridge Group will be meeting each second and fourth Sunday at noon in the Whitney Young Classroom. This month the Bridge Group meets on July 8 and 22. If you want to learn, teach or play bridge, you are welcome to attend. The more, the merrier!

Witches’ Tea

Whatever your interest in earth-centered spirituality, whether Native American (or other) Shamanism, Celtic Druidism, African Diaspora, Wicca and Witchcraft or other tradition or path, come and enjoy conversation, fellowship, and the occasional earth-centered experience with others who resonate with the UUA's Sixth Source of Spirituality. This meeting is held on the first Sunday. We meet on Sunday, July 1 at 7pm in the Merritt Lounge.

At Church This Month Share the Plate, Bridge Group and Witches’ Tea

8

Share the Plate Every month, half of all the cash collected in the offering plates goes to a ministry

of First Unitarian Church or to a cause that is aligned with our church values.

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Want to learn more about our church? Join us for both sessions of UU & You beginning July 22. See above.

Special Thank You

The First Unitarian Church NAMI Walks Team would like to thank the community and those at First Unitarian who help provide such amazing support in walking and supporting our team each year. This year’s team included: Kerry Case, Kim Dunovan, Kay Lynn Goldner, Shawne Coonfare and her daughters Chloe and Isabella, Dana and Stephen Meister, Susan Murphy, Joe Schaaf, Cheryll Wallace, Kate Wiig, Anne Wilder, Maria Wilson, and Molly Wilson and was led by our Team Co-Captains Terri Lynn Brewer and Ben Wallace. For the first time since our Church has sponsored a NAMI Walks Team, we raised over $1,000 for the Omaha Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in addition to the money that was raised through the Share the Plate program in May. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope for all of those in need. Thank you all for our support!

Mid-Summer UU & You

Offered

July 22 & 29

UU & You classes provide an

introduction to Unitarian

Universalism and our church,

along with an opportunity to

share our religious journeys in

a safe place. Visitors,

newcomers, and the just

curious are cordially invited.

The class will convene in the

Merritt Lounge at 11:45am or

15 minutes after the service

ends. We’ll have some light

munchies along with the good

conversation. Ending time will

be around 1pm. If you need

child care please, let us know

by the Friday before. RSVPs or

questions can be addressed to

[email protected] or

call the church office, 402-345-

3039.

Church Events Continued Thank You Note and UU & You Class

9

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Spa night Something powerful happens when you put goop on your face and lie back with a couple of cucumbers on your eyes. The spa party was a success and we all left with hot fingers, toes and our faces aglow. Thank you to all who came and joined in the fun! We arrived tightly wound, but we all left loose, light and loving life.

Here is a garden everybody can dig Children are constantly bombarded with advertising for unhealthy fast food and treats, but here at church we slow things down and teach them the fun of growing healthy food. We attack weeds and give our garden water to help it grow strong. Kids don't mind taking all the time in the world when you're in a hurry... sigh, but with gardening, I let them go with flow. Together we observe the world, feel the warmth or wind, laugh at the bugs, and listen to the noises.

June Fun with Gardens, Nails and Meka!

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“A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.” Think back. Remember how strong your father or father figure was in times of difficulty. While everyone else was losing heart, he restored sanity and order. I would like to thank all the men in the church who take the time to teach and love the children.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the June Garden Project. I can’t wait until harvest time!

-Meka

Religious Education News By Meka Tate, DRE

11

Summer Sundays in Religious Ed

Sunday, July 29

Aisha Okudi

A visionary, servant and entrepreneur whose story will take your breath away. She is a fearless woman who refuses to let her past predict her future. Be enlightened and learn about her mission to empower Africa.

Sundays: July 8, 15, 22

Irish Dance and

Bollywood

Focusing on UU principle 3. We believe that we should accept one another and keep on learning together.

Aisha Okudi to speak to the

Sunday School class on July 29

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New Member News By Carolyn McNamara

The LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation Committee of Second Unitarian Church invites you to a Social Justice Movie Night on Sunday, July 8

th. A potluck

supper will start at 5:30 pm at the church, with the film and discussion beginning at 6. We'll be showing the film, “Prodigal Sons,” a documentary about a transgender woman (the film's director) who returns home to Montana for her

high school reunion and to reconcile with her brother. It's a powerful story of an entire family's transformation. The church is located at 3012 S 119

th Street in

Omaha. Please contact Tammy Hunter at [email protected] with questions.

Social Justice Movie Night Offered at Second Unitarian Church

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Stephen and Dana Meister first visited First Unitarian in August 2011.They had re-cently moved to the Omaha area and felt a need to connect to the community. Like many other visitors, they were attracted to our beautiful building, great music and inclusive message, but it was the warm welcome they received during coffee hour that told them our church would be a good fit. They decided to join on May 13th be-cause they want to be part of a church whose members work to make a difference in the world through social justice.

The Meister family includes son Gabe (24), daughters Becca (19) and Abby (16), and three large dogs. Stephen, a native of Scottsbluff, is a major in the U.S. Air Force stationed at STRATCOM as an ICBM Force Employment Planner. He enjoys performing with the Early Morning Risers, has recently joined the Book Club, and plans to get involved with both the Tolerant Atheists Discussion Group and the Religious Services Team. (Only at a UU church!) In addition to singing, Stephen loves to hike, bike and write.

Dana was raised in Lincoln and is employed as a physical therapist aide at Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital. She is a crafter and has enjoyed paper art, embroidery and quilting, but is currently interested in flower gardening. Both Dana and Stephen have served as greeters and have worked with Community Meals. They both took part in the American Heart Association’s HeartWalk 2012 and the recent NAMI Walk, and Dana and daughters will participate in the Special Olympics Color Me Rad 5K in July.

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First Unitarian Church of Omaha has had a Partner Church relationship with a village Unitarian church in Firtosmartonos, Transylvania, Romania since shortly after President Nicolae Ceausescu was assassinated in Bucharest, Romania in December 1989. The Partner Church association began in 1990 when leaderships from the UUA and the leaderships of the Transylvanian Unitarian churches met to discuss how individual American Unitarian churches could assist individual Unitarian churches in Transylvania. In 1991, Mary Jo and Mike Stoll made a harrowing trip to Firtosmartonos to deliver support dollars from 1st Unitarian Church to the village church minister. In 1992, then, minister, Rev. Ron Knapp and his wife lead a group from 1st Unitarian Church to the village. Another pilgrimage occurred in 2005 when 12 members of our church spent four days in the village. This May, Nadine Keith and Janet West went on a pilgrimage to Firtosmartonos and Transylvania. We met in Bucharest and spent five days touring the city including art museums, a concert at a beautiful music hall, and outdoor cafes. On Saturday, May 19, our translator, driver, and solver of all problems, Gabor Ugron, drove to Bucharest to pick us up to drive us to Firtomartonos. As we drove toward Transylvania, we started climbing into the Carpathian Mountains. The Carpathians are covered with a dense, dark forest; there are wisps of clouds floating in the mountain valleys. We arrived at the village parsonage in the evening. We were welcomed warmly by Rev. Katalin, the thirty-something minister, her husband, Boti, and their four and a half year old son, Matte. The next morning, we went to church with Rev Katalin and Matte. Mother’s Day had been postponed so that we could be in the service for the celebration. Rev Kati’s sermon was about all of the sacrifices mothers make for their children. The village children spoke about their mothers and recited poems. Rev. Kati then lighted the candle of the chalice that we brought from Omaha. She said that she would light the candle at the Sunday service each week so that the members of the village church would remember the members of First Unitarian Church. After church, we went with members of the village for a picnic. We rode in a big wagon that was being pulled by a tractor. The wagon was very full with mostly women and children. It started raining. We put up umbrellas and put on raincoats. It finally rained so hard that we had to stop at a farm and the tractor driver (Boti’s brother) back the wagon under the roof of a machine shed and we had to turn back toward the village. When the rain let up, the village men cooked Hungarian Goulash in a huge iron kettle over an open fire in the parsonage backyard. We spent every day in the village visiting the elementary school, the blacksmith’s shop, the high pasture where the sheep graze. We also had lunch or dinner almost every day with one of the church families. Many days we drove to Transylvanian Unitarian sites including 16th century fortified churches and the church in Torda where Francis David declared his support of religious freedom in the country of Transylvania. While in Kolazsvar, the Rome for Transylvania and Hungarian Unitarians, we attended the Sunday service at the 1st Unitarian Church of Kolazsvar and visited the building where the office of the Unitarian Bishop is located. This building also houses one of the two boarding Unitarian high schools in Transylvania and the Unitarian seminary for seminarians from Transylvania and Hungary. One of the most important ways in which the members of First Unitarian Church have supported our Partner village is by sending money to the village to subsidize the room and board expenses of the village young people so that they can attend the Unitarian High School in Szekely-Kersztur or one of the regional colleges. In 2011, the Partner Church Team sent $1,200 which helped six students, three who were attending high school and three who were attending college. Of the college students, one is attending the seminary in Kolazsvar, one is in medical school, and the third is studying at a teachers’ college. Because we were visiting Transylvania in May, we had the opportunity to tour the Unitarian High School in Kersztur. We attended the English class of Szerenke Szentpali, one of the students we aid with a scholarship and were given a tour of the school and the external buildings by the assistant principal. While touring, he told us some of the history of the school. The school was founded in Keresztur in 1793. In 1805, a stone and brick building was built by Unitarians from around the area who contributed the building materials. In the early 1900s a larger building was needed and the current structure was constructed in 1907. By 1920 the school had become one of the most important of the Unitarian high schools in Transylvania.

Our Pilgrimage to Our Partner Church By Nadine Keith and Janet West

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14

Board

President Kate Godfrey

Board Members Dean Christensen Tony Host Louise Jeffrey Barb Herring John Wagner Maria Wilson Ron Withem

Trustees of the Capital Trust Tim Duggan (2013) Kenneth Deffenbacher (2014) Sandy Host (2015)

Submit items for publication to [email protected]. Word limit is 200; deadline is the 15th of the month.

Board meetings are normally on the second Tuesday of the month and are open to members.

Our Partner Church

Continued from previous page…

In 1948, when the Communists took control of Romania, the building was nationalized, and the state took over control of the school. All things Unitarian were removed. The state ran the school until 1993 when a class of Unitarian students was started again (grades 9-12). The building housed two schools—the Unitarian school and a state school - but the government still owned the building. No maintenance was done while the government owned the building. On July 1, 2004, the Unitarian church was given back the building but it still housed the Unitarian school and the state school. On July 1, 2007, with two hours notice, the Unitarians were given total administration of the school building and the state school was moved to a new state-owned facility. The school administration had the summer to get all of the permits required by the state and to commence renovation. The building was in horrible disrepair and the interior of the classrooms had been vandalized. Library books were dumped with piles of trash, science labs were wrecked, and few supplies were salvageable. The school has been cleaned, repaired, and renovated one room at a time, with much work left to be done. The renovation is being done with the help of local Unitarian churches, foreign and local sponsors and major grants. The Keresztur Unitarian Church’s Partner Church in Concord, Massachusetts, has been a great help. This summer more areas will be reclaimed with school staff providing much of the labor. The school now has 411 students in grades 1—12. Many of the high school students are housed in the adjacent dorms, which have also been renovated. Major areas of study for the high school are science, English, and theology. One of the many trashed items which was found under the debris when the school was being reclaimed was a large banner bearing the words, "Faith Is The Spring Of Action." This banner had hung in the school for many years and has now been restored to its original beauty. The week after our visit to Keresztur Unitarian High School, the seniors were led into their graduation behind this banner which so aptly describes the spirit of the school which has survived such adversity to continue serving the young people of Transylvania. This trip was truly a pilgrimage. It is wonderful to meet and live with Unitarians in another part of the world with a different history and customs than American UUs, but who “love alike.” The minister and villagers of Firtosmartonos treated us as family and are appreciative of all that the 1st Unitarian church members have done for them over the years. Nadine and Janet will be delighted to share their trip with any group in the church.

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Staff Phone: (402) 345-3039

Fax: (402) 346-2662

Minister Rev. Frank Rivas

[email protected]

Director of Religious Education Meka Tate

[email protected]

Office Administrator Catharine Dixon

[email protected]

Organist Patricia Will

Choir Director

Bob McMeen

Choir Accompanist Patricia Allender

Nursery Aide

Justin Deffenbacher

Custodian Bobby Medrano

Minister Emeritus Ronald Knapp

The Flame

Editor Catharine Dixon

Proofreader

Scott Kemper and Cyndi Nather

The Flame Mailing Team Anne Massoud, Evelyn Whitehill,

Howard Bolton, Jeanette Ryan

15

Ministry Team Leaders

Adult R.E.

Crystal DiGiorgi Archives

Dave Richardson Building (short-term)

Dave Rosser Caring

Douglas Lee-Regier Chalice Guild

Kay Lynn Goldner Community Meals

Louise Jeffery Fellowship

Nadine Keith & Judith Wright Finance

Walt Jesteadt Fundraising Donna Neff

Garden Sharon Conlon Governance Alex Nather

Green Sanctuary Ken Deffenbacher & Glenn Pollock

Long-Term Maintenance Ellen Shurson Membership

Barb Ross Nursery

Patricia Soto Partner Church Council

Janet West R.E. Team

Nicole Giron Religious Services Megan Gustafson

UU Class Yvonne Price & Jaime Alexander

Women’s Alliance Bev Fleckten

YRUU Ben Wallace & Shawne Coonfare

eNews

The Flame is published monthly, but a lot happens between issues. We offer a weekly email service to update you on church news sent directly to your inbox. If you would like to receive our eNews please contact the Office Administrator at [email protected]

Page 16: July eFlame

The Flame First Unitarian Church of Omaha 3114 Harney St. Omaha, NE 68131 July 2012

International Cowperson

Chili Cook-Off January 21 - 6pm

Food Friends Music

Costumes

Will You Engage?

See page 2

to find out how you can get involved!