March 2024 Events
Information about upcoming events is listed below. Zoom links can be found in the Weekly Announce email or by contacting office@uuithaca.org.
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Adult Religious Exploration
Sunday, March 3 at noon in the Annex
“Thinking About Children in the Israel-Hamas War” – James Garbarino
James Garbarino is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Cornell University. He has traveled in the Middle East and written about war, political violence and children, dealt with it in his 1991 book No Place To be Child: Growing Up in a War Zone and his 2008 book Children and the Dark Side of Human Experience. Jim’s talk will offer an analysis of how the human rights of children figure into adult calculations about war – and how they often do not. His presentation is based upon his academic and field experience as a developmental psychologist dealing with the decades of conflict and political violence in the saga of Israel/Palestine relations. The program will include an opportunity for questions/answers and discussion. Use 208 E. Buffalo St entrance for elevator access.
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Environmental Interest Circle (EIC)
Wednesday, March 6 at 7 pm over Zoom
We will organize next steps for each of us and the congregation to keep saving money and improve the sustainability of our lives. Meetings are the first Wednesday of the month. All are welcome. Please join us. Contact Matt Franke-Singer at mfs@twcny.rr.com for further information.
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Blue Zones – Movie Showing and Discussion
Sunday, March 10 at 9 am in the Annex
Would you like to live a long, vibrant life? There are places around the world where a large population has lived active, vital lives past 100 years. These are called Blue Zones. Author Dan Buettner travelled around the world and discovered five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and energetic lives. He documented what he has learned in a series called “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.”
This is a 4-part series that we’d like to share with you on four Sunday mornings from 9 to 10 am (February 25, March 10, March 24, and April 7.)
We invite you to join us to learn what these individuals, but more importantly their communities are doing to support their elders to remain vibrant centenarians. Each session will begin with approximately half an hour video of one of the series episodes, then we can discuss what we’ve observed. The ultimate goal of this experience is to create awareness and intentional community around the secrets to long, vital lives.
If you can’t make all four Sundays, we can help you stay current. And of course, the final chapter ties everything together. And that session will be a good chance to challenge ourselves. We hope that elders will be able to join us, but for those under 50, it is never too early to build the structures within your life. These centenarians are surrounded by younger generations that support and learn from them.
We hope you will join us.
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Care Cafe
Sunday, March 10 and 24 from 12:15 – 1:45 pm in the FUSIT library
The Care Cafes provide an intimate, loving space for members to come together and share their thoughts and feelings, and their joys and sorrows as they navigate along their spiritual paths, both as individuals and as part of a community. The Care Cafe will be facilitated by Rev. Peaches Gillette and Christine Kapral, both professionals trained in counseling, pastoral care and spiritual directions. Each gathering will focus on a loosely structured theme around spirituality, encouraging participants to freely explore all aspects of their spiritual journeys. Please contact Christine or Rev. Peaches with any questions. There will be a sign-up sheet in the parlor on each scheduled day during coffee hour for those who plan to attend. Rev. Peaches Gilette assocdcl@uuithaca.org Christine Kapral christinekapral@yahoo.com
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LGBTQ+ Book Discussion Group
Monday, March 11 from 7 – 8 pm over Zoom
We will continue to discuss “Authentic Selves, Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families” on March 11 and April 8. The group meets from 7 – 8 pm via Zoom. All are invited to attend, even if you have not read the book or haven’t read all the stories for that month, as we engage in lively and important conversations around this topic. The compelling 35 stories provide a glimpse into the real lives, both the challenges and triumphs, of these remarkable people and their families. In March we’ll discuss the next 9 stories (which begin on page 180). Copies of the book can be found in our church library and at the Tompkins County Public Library. Loretta Heimbuch adminasst@uuithaca.org will lead the discussion. This program is part of FUSIT’s commitment to renewing our status as an LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation.
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Adult Religious Exploration
Sunday, March 17 at noon in the Annex
Environmental Interest Group
Marie McRae and friends will present information on the Ithaca Green New Deal – what it is, who it affects, why it was passed in 2019, where and how it is being rolled out.
Use 208 E. Buffalo St entrance for elevator access.
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March Board of Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30 pm
The board meeting is a hybrid format, taking place in the church parlor and through Zoom. Monthly board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month. All FUSIT members are invited to attend this meeting. Ten minutes are set aside at the beginning of the meeting for congregation feedback. Please join us!
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Beacon on Aurora – An Evening with Rachael Kilgour
Sunday, March 24 at 7 pm in the sanctuary
Rachael is a Canadian-American songwriter and performing artist whose plain-spoken, lyric-driven work and intimate performances have endeared her to listeners and fellow artists alike. The 2015 grand prize winner of the international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition and winner of the 2017 Kerrville New Folk Contest, Kilgour has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center, at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and at the Sundance Film Festival.
Doors open at 6:30 and the concert starts at 7 pm. $20 suggested donation at the door. Cash preferred.
For more information and to reserve your ticket, click here.
Contact Music Director, Stephanie Ortolano, at music@uuithaca.org if you are interested in helping make this series a success! Bakers, coffee makers, and ushers needed!
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Women’s Circle
Monday, March 25 at 7 pm
The Women’s Circle meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 pm. All who identify as women are welcome. Anyone is welcome to bring a poem or a reading. For information or questions contact Nancy Miller at ananda7733@gmail.com or 607 539 7733. The group will be meeting by Zoom.
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Pub Theology
Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm
Liquid State Brewing
Join us at Liquid State Brewing for an evening of good fellowship and conversation at our favorite local brewery (owned by FUSIT members!) We will gather at 6:30 pm and reflect together on our monthly Soul Matters theme. Non-beer and non-alcoholic drinks options available! 21 and over please. Bring your friends! Hope to see you there! Pub Theology takes place on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 620 West Green Street.
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8th Principle Action Ministry
Wednesday, March 27 at 7 pm over Zoom
The 8th Principle Action Ministry (formerly the Antiracism Ministry Team) meets every fourth Wednesday. They will be continuing educational efforts so that we may as a congregation “accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
Religious Exploration Events for Children
MUUsic for You and Me
Sunday, March 3 from 12 – 12:45 pm
Arch Room
Explore our UU values through the joy and connection that music can bring in this monthly class for parents, caregivers, and young people of all ages.
Music for Little People
Every other Tuesday from 1 – 1:45 pm
March 5 and 19
Arch Room
Share in the joy of music in this bi-weekly class which is free and open to the public. Children 0-5 and their caregivers are welcome to meet us in the Arch Room on two Tuesdays in January. Sing, play, dance, explore instruments, and connect through music.
March Movie Night
Friday, March 8 from 5:30 – 8pm
Arch Room
Drop your kids off, or stay and join us, for a movie night, complete with dinner and snacks!
Spring Celebration
Saturday, March 30 from 12 – 2 pm
Parlor
Please join us for a celebration of the spring holidays including Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Ostara, Earth Day and more. There will be egg dyeing, crafts, games, snacks, and an opportunity for pictures with the Easter Bunny. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome.
NEW Small Group Ministry for Parents
Childcare Provided
Sunday, March 17 from 12 pm – 1pm
First Unitarian Society of Ithaca Library
Beginning this March a new Small Group Ministry is forming, especially for individuals who are actively parenting. The group will follow the Soul Matters themes with a focus on how they are related to the journey and experience of being a parent. Gatherings will take place monthly on the third Sunday of the month from 12 – 1 pm, with childcare available. We invite you to join us for an opportunity for fellowship and community within our larger First UU community, in a safe, confidential and nurturing environment.