Author: Office Manager

Why I Belong

When deciding what direction my stewardship moment should take, I considered different angles. I first thought about being painfully direct—reminding the congregation that we can’t do all the great stuff we do and all the great stuff we want to do without having enough money to pay for it. Then I thought about adding that … Continue reading Why I Belong

Why I Belong

I’ve been attending First UU since August 2012, and I joined not too long after. Having heard about the UU faith when I was a Christian, I knew right away that this was where I needed to be. I knew that I’d be welcomed no matter who I was or what I believed, and that … Continue reading Why I Belong

A Feminist Life

On occasion I am beyond flattered by circumstances, Most recently it was being recognized at the Wichita NOW Chapter’s Annual Colleen Kelly Johnston’s “She Makes a Difference” Dinner, along with Julie Burkhart and Marge Zakoura Vaughn. More about the event later, but first I want to clear up something often misunderstood. NOW is an acronym … Continue reading A Feminist Life

Cybele and Me

In the grand scheme of things, where do we ultimately fit in? It’s a question that has sought a question for millennia.  Many men and women, each greater thinkers than I, have come up with answers that will probably beat anything that I can come up with.  However, living as a transgender person is a … Continue reading Cybele and Me

Green Sanctuary Certification

First UU of Wichita is gearing up to go through the process of earning the Green Sanctuary Certification from the UUA.  This involves an extensive effort to build awareness of environmental issues in our congregation through many dimensions of our personal as well as social lives.  We have formed a Green Sanctuary Committee to lead … Continue reading Green Sanctuary Certification

Once Upon a Feminist Life: Our Minds, Our Bodies, Our Choices

“Sometimes I think the only real division into two is between people who divide everything into two, and those who don’t.”  Gloria Steinem, “My Life on the Road” (2015)   Unitarian Universalists understand that nothing in this world can be divided into two distinct parts or opinions.  But one issue, high profile in Wichita always … Continue reading Once Upon a Feminist Life: Our Minds, Our Bodies, Our Choices

The Art of Passing

People, regardless of their gender, sexuality, or any other trait, are always in transition.  From daughter to mother, brother to uncle, we all undergo changes in our lives.  However, trans people experience transition in a very unique and often challenging way.  The idea of “passing” (that is, being acknowledged as one’s preferred gender) is spoken … Continue reading The Art of Passing

Feminist Life

Ten years ago a friend had a startling reaction to my casual reference to “we feminists.” “I’m not a feminist,” my 20-something friend responded indignantly, much to my surprise.  I knew her to be someone who thought clearly about women’s issues. A few questions from me followed.    “Do you believe in equal pay for equal … Continue reading Feminist Life

Once Upon a Feminist Life

[This post is the first in an on-going series of social justice stories and reflections from members of the First UU Wichita congregation.  If you would like to submit a blog post for publication, please contact our Social Action Coordinator Margi Ault-Duell at socialaction@firstuu.net. Enjoy!] Once upon a feminist life
 Written by Del Smith When … Continue reading Once Upon a Feminist Life

Share the Plate Award

Now seeking applications for our 2016-2017 Share the Plate Award! We’re moving into a process for selecting Share the Plate recipients that involves the participation of the whole congregation.  Organizations can apply directly or be nominated by our members to receive support from us for one year.  Any organization that is nominated by a FUUW … Continue reading Share the Plate Award

Bylaws Under Revision

The Bylaws task force is nearing completion of its draft and wants to make it available and known to as many church members as possible. We will have two “listening sessions,” similar to the covenant process: #1 – Sunday, Feb. 8, after church #2 – Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. We also want to solicit … Continue reading Bylaws Under Revision

Children’s RE Video “What Would a UU Do?”

Presented by the Children’s Religious Exploration class of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita, this video explores the principles of Unitarian Universalism and what it means to practice them. This film was written and designed entirely by the kids.