Artwork by Carol Fields using words of
members and friends to describe our church
If you missed the video celebrating our 70th Anniversary by Carol McCloud and Douglas Kingsley, please click here to watch.
Thank you to Carol Fields, Carol McCloud and Douglas Kingsley for these beautiful works of art!!
TwoServices April 21 ~
Earth Day Celebration ~ Worship at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Rev. Dr. Sarah Melcher will preach at both services on Psalm 104. Her sermon is “Creating and Renewing. Pastor Wes will lead the liturgy. The Choir will sing an anthem based on Psalm 104 during the 11 a.m. service.
Following worship at 11 a.m., please stay for the chili cookoff!!
We welcome Stephen Fancher to lead our choir and music this weekend.
Upcoming focuses groups opportunity to give feedback to the Search Team for our next Director of Music.
We ask you to please begin thinking about specific qualities in worship leadership, musicianship, and personality traits you would like to see in our next full time Director of Music. The more specific YOU can be, the more helpful to our search process.
Other upcoming focus group times: Men’s breakfast on April 20th at 8:30 a.m.; COLLAGE on April 23rd at 11 a.m.; SCOR on April 24 at 3 p.m.; Zoom only conversation on April 28th at 1:30 p.m.; 1st UCC Women on May 7 at 11 a.m. The Section Leaders and Choir will also have opportunities to share their feedback. If you have questions, please see Pastor Wes or Lori White.
This Sunday April 21 is our 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff!
Come for the fellowship and fun, sample the chili prepared by 10 of our best chili chefs, and vote for your favorite. See you there.
Ready, set, go! April 22 is Earth Day!
Moved by natural disasters in the 1960’s, Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, with youth and citizens concerned about those fires and floods, felt it was time to take a more active approach to the care of our planet. Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970, to pay attention to the deterioration of the earth. The theme of Earth Day this year is “Planet vs. Plastics”. The goal is to work toward a 60% reduction of the production of ALL plastics by the year 2040. Earthday.org wants to educate all of us on the health risks of plastics, phase out all single use plastics, push for a UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution. Please read about the plastic “seas” in the ocean, or see pictures to give you an idea of how big they are. Fortunately, some large oil companies are working on this problem, and we can also be small “heroes” by not adding to it!
You have probably seen the initials PFAS, now known as “forever chemicals”, in reading the news or on tv. It may surprise you that these chemicals are found not only in non-stick cookware, but in personal care products like shampoo, nail polish, eye makeup and even dental floss!
These chemicals in your body have been linked to a range of health risks and there are so far no definitive procedures that can clear them out.
One very easy way to remove plastic from your system is to drink water out of metal water bottles! Not only will you be healthier, but you’ll save money by washing out your own container.
You can be inventive in other ways, too. Use paper products, like small paper bags for sandwiches or glassware for leftovers instead of plastic. There are also reusable products like Stashers to keep or transport food items.
It’s not only planet-friendly to use these items, it can be fun to search them out!
Here’s a challenge: find new ways to eliminate plastic from your home! And let others know, too!
NEXT UCC MEN’S BREAKFAST ON APRIL 20 ~ The UCC Men’s breakfast series continues on Saturday, April 20 and all the men of the congregation are invited to join for breakfast in Syster Hall then. Coffee will be on at 8 am and breakfast served at 8:30 am. Mike Johnston will be our chef this month and, after breakfast, Pastor Wes will provide an update on the future of our music program. You may register by Thursday, April 18 by calling Sherry at the church office at 941-953-7044. We hope to see you there!
Sacred Conversations on Race ~ gathers at 3 pm in the Oasis Center and on Zoom on the following date: April 24th Conversation on Director of Music
All are welcome! You can join either in person in the Oasis Center or on Zoom. Please see Jim Crumel for more information.
NOW open@ SPAACE Galley
2051 Princeton St. Sarasota, FL 34237
Exhibition Dates: April 5th – April 27th | Gallery Hours |Fri, Sat, 10:00 – 2:00 or by Appt
Theme: Common Ground are twofold: To normalize mental health experiences and reduce stereotypes, and to empower individuals with lived experience to serve as educators and advocates for a positive change in our attitudes about mental health.
3 Opportunities to help in our community to feed church, support SURE, and backpacks for Project 180!!
Nearly half of the students enrolled in Sarasota County schools participate in free and reduced-price meal programs. In DeSoto County, that number is 100%. So when school ends, hunger begins. If you would like to help feed children this summer, you still have time to donate to the campaign. The campaign runs through May 15 and donations will be doubled until they reach the goal of $1 million matched. You can donate by clicking here.
SURE Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity is currently accepting individual investments. If you would like to make a contribution to SURE ~ please make the check payable to SURE and put “1st Cong UCC” in the memo line.
ALSO ~ Help Project 180 – Donate Backpack Essential Supplies! The Peace & Justice Team needs your help! On Sundays April 21st and 28th, we will collect items from the list below provided by Project 180. These items go into the backpacks supplied to newly released felons returning to Sarasota County with literally nothing. It’s a small ask from us, and has a major impact in easing their transition to life after incarceration. Please consider adding a few of these to your shopping cart, then place in the labeled basket in the Narthex. Each backpack is filled with the following: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Comb, Flashlight with Battery, Body Wash (medium size), Shampoo (travel size), Deodorant (regular size), Hand Towels (2/person), Wash Rags (2/person), Rain Poncho, Bike Lock, Bike Lights (front and back), Water Bottle, Razors and shaving gel (medium size gel or cream), Mylar emergency “space blanket,” Sunscreen (medium size), and Bug Spray (medium size).
Mark your calendars for Monday, May 6, 4:00-5:30 p.m. The Church will be hosting a Bread for the World Listening Session, “Nourish our Future.”
During this Listening Session, we will discuss the following platform Bread for the World has established to address food insecurity: Fully funding and modernizing WIC for all eligible participants; Expanding a Child Tax Credit that prioritizes cutting child poverty and ending hunger; Addressing college student hunger; Developing an international “Children’s Jubilee” which includes: Global nutrition, Debt relief, Addressing climate change to secure the future of our food systems
The Listening Session will take place at the Oasis Center. Also, a Zoom Link will be sent out if you wish to attend the Listening Session remotely.
Think tea pots and china cups, think spring posies, tea sandwiches and petit fours. The UCC Women invite one and all to A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND VERSE WITH TEA on Tuesday, May 7, at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy readings by Lucy Tobias, Linda Butler, and Francesca Simon, along with musical selections performed by Marsha Kindall-Smith, Lynn Woodman, and Sarah Melcher. This end-of-season celebration will also be an opportunity to say what kinds of programs you would enjoy next year. Luncheon costs $12. Sign up after either Sunday service or call the church office . Questions? Call Lucy Hedrick.
We ask each attendee to contribute towels for the clients for Mother Helping Mothers. New or gently used towels of any kind—bath, kitchen, beach, etc.—are much needed. In addition, we will approve the nominations for the 2024-2026 Executive Committee of the UCC Women’s Board: President: Jane Hunder; First Vice President: Terri Crawford; Second Vice President: Joy Kuhn; Secretary: Donna Blakey; Corresponding Secretary: Ruth Ann Waid; Treasurer: Roxanne Schwoch
Wednesday, April 17
Wednesday morning Bible Study, 11 a.m., Oasis Center and Zoom
Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Chapel
Thursday, April 18
Green Team, 10 a.m., Oasis Center and Zoom
PRIDE Worship Planning, 11:15 a.m., Oasis Center and Zoom
Mission Team, 1 p.m., Oasis Center
Technology Team, 2 p.m., Oasis Center and Zoom
Handbell Choir, 6 p.m., Chapel
Saturday, April 20 Men’s Breakfast, 8 a.m., Syster Hall
Sunday, April 21 ~ Earth Day ~ Rev. Dr. Sarah Melcher Early Worship, 8:45 a.m., Chapel
Sunday Worship, 11 a.m. in Sanctuary and online
Chili Cookoff, noon, Syster Hall
Monday, April 22
Wayless Way Bookclub, 4 p.m., Oasis Center and Zoom
Sunday, May 5th, Dale Moore will host a book signing after worship. Come and purchase his new book, In the Chatroom with God cost is $12.
May 12 ~ Mother’s Day brunch sponsored by COLLAGE ~ bring a labeled photo of your mother or mother-like figure who has blessed your life. During the lunch we will share stories about the women who have left fingerprints upon our hearts and how each have shaped our lives. This will be a holy time. Thank you to COLLAGE for sponsoring this wonderful gathering.
to the Search Team for our next Director of Music. 
and on Zoom on the following date:
experiences and reduce stereotypes, and to empower individuals with lived experience to serve as educators and advocates for a positive change in our attitudes about mental health.
The Peace & Justice Team needs your help! On Sundays April 21st and 28th, we will collect items from the list below provided by Project 180. These items go into the backpacks supplied to newly released felons returning to Sarasota County with literally nothing. It’s a small ask from us, and has a major impact in easing their transition to life after incarceration. Please consider adding a few of these to your shopping cart, then place in the labeled basket in the Narthex. Each backpack is filled with the following: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Comb, Flashlight with Battery, Body Wash (medium size), Shampoo (travel size), Deodorant (regular size), Hand Towels (2/person), Wash Rags (2/person), Rain Poncho, Bike Lock, Bike Lights (front and back), Water Bottle, Razors and shaving gel (medium size gel or cream), Mylar emergency “space blanket,” Sunscreen (medium size), and Bug Spray (medium size).
During this Listening Session, we will discuss the following platform Bread for the World has established to address food insecurity: Fully funding and modernizing WIC for all eligible participants; Expanding a Child Tax Credit that prioritizes cutting child poverty and ending hunger; Addressing college student hunger; Developing an international “Children’s Jubilee” which includes: Global nutrition, Debt relief, Addressing climate change to secure the future of our food systems
Think tea pots and china cups, think spring posies, tea sandwiches and petit fours. The UCC Women invite one and all to A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND VERSE WITH TEA on Tuesday, May 7, at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy readings by Lucy Tobias, Linda Butler, and Francesca Simon, along with musical selections performed by Marsha Kindall-Smith, Lynn Woodman, and Sarah Melcher. This end-of-season celebration will also be an opportunity to say what kinds of programs you would enjoy next year. Luncheon costs $12. Sign up after either Sunday service or call the church office . Questions? Call Lucy Hedrick. 
