May 2023 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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Spiritual Yoga Series
Sunday, April 30 at 12:15 – 1:15 pm, Arch Room
This Kundalini Fusion Series is guided by Madeline Natale. You can expect Asana (pose), Mantra, Meditation, and Pranayama (breath). Each class will aim to move energy that we have stored in our bodies and create a deeper sense of awareness. This class is accessible to all bodies. Bring a yoga mat and a blanket for your comfort. Chairs will be provided for anyone who needs one.
Email reasst@uuithaca.org if you have any questions.
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Adult Religious Exploration (ARE) presentation
Sunday, May 7 at 9 am (coffee at 8:45) in the Annex
Cheryl Botts has studied in one way shape or form (literally) SUFISM since 1984. It all began in the early 1980s when she was seeking new traditions outside of her Presbyterian/Protestant upbringing. This seeking possibly began in her last year of college when she took a philosophy class. One day in Rochester NY she went to a circle dance called then “Sufi Dancing”. This began her search for what Sufism was all about. Within 2 years she had found her way to the original Sufi Order (Chishti Order) of the US based at the “Abode of the Message” in New Lebanon, NY. It was 1986 that she went to do a silent retreat and was clear to become an “Initiate” or a “student” of this Sufi Order which was then run by Hazrat Inayat’s son, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan. Hazrat Inayat Khan brought Sufism to the West in the 1920s. Cheryl is a member of 2 Sufi Orders (the Chishti and the Mevlevi) and is a Certified
leader of the Dances of Universal Peace, one of the many main practices within the Chishti Order.
In her talk she will cover the origins of Sufism and its relationship to Islam. She will cover what Orders do and what their focuses and pillars are. She will use poetry, music, pictures, quotes from the Masters and Mystics and meditation within her presentation to give a tiny taste of what Sufis experience.
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Spiritual Yoga Series
Sunday, May 7 & Sunday, May 21 from 12:15 – 1:15 pm, Arch Room
This Kundalini Fusion Series is guided by Madeline Natale. You can expect Asana (pose), Mantra, Meditation, and Pranayama (breath). Each class will
aim to move energy that we have stored in our bodies and create a deeper sense of awareness. This class is accessible to all bodies. Bring a yoga mat and a blanket for your comfort. Chairs will be provided for anyone who needs one. Email reasst@uuithaca.org if you have any questions.
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, May 12, from 10:00 am-6:00 pm
The blood drive will be held in the church parlor. Enter through the garden entrance on Aurora Street. Call 1-800 RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.
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Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 pm
The Board of Trustees meets on the third Wednesday of each month. The meeting takes place in the church parlor and through Zoom. All FUSIT members are invited to attend this meeting. Ten minutes are set aside at the beginning of the meeting for congregational feedback. Please join us to learn more about FUSIT.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88258776990?pwd=VUxUTUMraVZDUFQzQndSVFRraFlPdz09
Meeting ID: 882 5877 6990
Passcode: 602445
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LGBTQ+ Small Group
Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 pm
This Small Group is especially for FUSIT’s LGBTQ+ community. Meetings typically follow the same general format and structure as other Small Group Ministries at FUSIT. Gatherings take place on the third Wednesday of each month, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. All who identify on the LGBTQ+ continuum are welcome. Come enjoy this opportunity for fellowship and community within our larger FUSIT community, in a safe, confidential and nurturing environment. For more information, please contact Kevin Moss, kevinm607@hotmail.com.
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Beacon on Aurora – An Evening with Garnet Rogers
Sunday, May 21, 7:00 pm
Garnet Rogers is a Canadian folk musician, singer, songwriter, and composer. Roger’s style utilizes influences from blues, rock, country/bluegrass, and classical. Rogers’ instruments include the guitar, mandolin, violin, and flute. His songs range from slices of life to mild social commentary and humor. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Shows at 7:00 pm.
$20 suggested donation. Cash preferred.
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Women’s Circle
Monday, May 22 at 7 pm
The Women’s Circle meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7:00 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.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82169260621?pwd=ZDkyanRKMmo2czhqSWgrSVhmbGFqdz09
Meeting ID: 821 6926 0621
Passcode: 015515
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Men’s Group
Monday, May 22, at 5:30 pm
The Men’s Group will gather for discussion and pizza in the Arch Room. All who identify as men are welcome to join. If you would like to be added to the Men’s Group contact list, email office@uuithaca.org.
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Pub Theology
Tuesday, May 23, at 6:30 pm
Join us at Liquid State Brewing for an evening of good fellowship and conversation at our favorite local brewery (owned by FUSIT members!). Non-beer and non-alcoholic drink 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, Ithaca.
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FUSIT Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 24 – Pizza and salad at 5:30, Meeting at 6 pm
The FUSIT Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday May 24 at 6 pm. This meeting will be held in the sanctuary and over Zoom. All FUSIT members are invited to attend and vote on important church matters for the upcoming church year including the budget and new board members. There will be pizza, salad and childcare for children of all ages beginning at 5:30 pm.
In order to vote at the annual meeting, you do have to have been a member (signed the book) at least 30 days before the annual meeting.
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Ithaca Festival Parade
Thursday, June 1 at 6 pm
FUSIT will be participating in the 2023 Ithaca Festival Parade, which will be held on Thursday, June 1, starting at 6:00 pm. This year’s theme is “Planet Ithaca.” More information to come on how you can participate.
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Annual End-of-the-Year Picnic and Flower Communion
Sunday, June 12, 10:30 am
Stewart Park (large pavilion)
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UUA General Assembly
June 21 – 25, 2023
Join fellow UU’s, June 21 – 25, 2023 online or in-person in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. General Assembly 2023 will be a multiplatform event, with registration options for in-person and/or virtual participation. In-person registration includes access to events scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh, as well as everything available to virtual registrants. Full virtual registration includes access to the GA app, as well as all on-demand programming, live webinars, and live-streamed events.
In-person registration rates will increase on May 1.
Events for Children
Upcoming Sunday Morning Religious Exploration Schedule
May 7: RE Sunday – Creativity
Arch Room immediately following a Time for Wonder
May 14: RE Sunday – Creativity
Arch Room immediately following a Time for Wonder
May 21: RE Sunday -Take Apart Party
Arch Room immediately following a Time for Wonder
May 28: Multigenerational Sunday – Building A Way Together
RE Volunteers Needed!
Please sign up by putting your name anywhere you see an empty square.
Please check the May tab for upcoming opportunities to volunteer in RE!
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May Religious Exploration Events
Take Apart Party!
May 21 during RE
During our Religious Exploration class on April 21, children and youth will be participating in a Take Apart Party. We will explore the innards of computers, electronics and machines and learn about Unitarian Universalist Tim Berners-Lee, “The Father of the World Wide Web.” We need your help! If you have any broken or obsolete electronics (hair dryer, keyboard, telephone) that you are happy to part with in the name of exploration please bring them to FUSIT by Sunday, May 14 and contact Emily Richards at dre@uuithaca
Are you an engineer or just really knowledgeable of the innards of technology? Please contact Emily if you’d like to help us learn about the things we take apart.
Drop Off Game Night
Friday, May 12 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm
FUSIT Parlor
Drop your kids off, or stay and join us, for a game night complete with board games and card games, a play space, snacks, and drinks. Additional snacks and drinks to share are always welcome.
Playdate at the Park
Sunday, May 28 from 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Stewart Park
Join us at Stewart park after services for a family playdate in the park celebrating a year of togetherness and connection. Lunch will be provided and additional snacks and drinks to share are always welcome and appreciated.
Music for Little People
Thursdays from 12:30 – 1:15 pm
May 4, 11, and 18
Our final session of the year is free and open to the public and will run the first three Thursdays in May. Emily Richards will offer weekly music classes for children 0-5 years of age with parents. We will meet upstairs in the Arch Room. Sing, play, dance, explore instruments, and connect through music.