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A: Awakening Hearts and Minds
Opportunities centered around creating spiritually nourishing programming

May 2026

Beloved Families of First UU Church of Richmond,

Welcome to May, where we will have the opportunity to practice Awakening Our Curiosity together. Our lessons will explore the idea of building bridges to a more Just, Diverse, and Exciting World. May is also Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We will weave elements of these histories into our stories and activities through May. We are also making preparations for a fun summer, with an invitation to members of First UU’s various Small Groups to come lead a Sunday morning with the kids, sharing their spiritual or group practices. If your group would like to guide our kids for a Sunday, please reach out! Any open Sundays will need to be filled by parent/caregiver volunteers.

This church year has been full of growth and nourishment and joy for our children and youth. Please make sure you thank our volunteers who have made it all possible.

• Sunday, May 3, 10am: MultiGenerational Service, with Rev Anna and Leigh Ann, featuring music from our Youth Music Ensemble. We will express our gratitude to this year’s FLAME Volunteers and explore what a more robust congregational commitment to our kids and families can look like for next church year. Come Wonder with us!
• Sunday, May 3, 11:30am-1:30pm: Active Hope Discussion. Please pack a lunch and join Rev Anna and Leigh Ann for a facilitated discussion on Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone’s powerful book, Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re In with Unexpected Resilience & Creative Power. This is a continuation of the Shifting Paradigms discussion series. You can learn more and register here.
• Wednesday, May 6, 6-6:45pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal, followed by Soulful Supper on the Lower Level.
• Sunday, May 10, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our May Soul Matters theme is Awakening Curiosity. This week’s lesson will be on Building a Bridge to a More Just World, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games. Monthly Family Potluck to follow. Please bring a (nut-free) dish to share and spend time connecting with other First UU families!
• Wednesday, May 13, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal.
• Sunday, May 17, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-12th grades on the Lower Level. Our May Soul Matters theme is Awakening Curiosity. This week’s lesson will be on Building a Bridge to a More Diverse World. It is Youth Group Sunday. Our high schoolers are invited to join their advisors for snacks and discussion in Room 3.
• Sunday, May 17, 11:30am: Please join us for the continuing Middle East Peace Conversations. This session will be led by Dr. Faedah Totah, Associate Professor in the School of World Studies at VCU. The topic is “How Did We Get Here? The Making of Israel and Palestine”.
• Wednesday, May 20, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal.
• Sunday, May 24, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our May Soul Matters theme is Awakening Curiosity. This week’s lesson will be on Building a Bridge to a More Exciting World, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games.
• Wednesday, May 27, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal. This will be the final rehearsal for this church year, before the group goes on break for the summer.
• Sunday, May 31, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our May Soul Matters theme is Awakening Curiosity. This week’s lesson will be on Building a Bridge to a World with Wiser People. We will also have some snacks and music to celebrate a successful church year.

Middle East Peace Conversation Series

Our First UU Board has been working with Churches for Middle East Peace to help us, as a congregation, navigate conversations around Palestine and Israel. This work stems from a call from our Committee on Shared Ministry to engage more courageously and live more fully into our Shared Values on this topic. We have had several gatherings this year, including facilitation with Destiny Magnett of CMEP, and Q&A Sessions with Leigh Ann Luscan on her recent trip to the Occupied West Bank with UUs for Justice in the Middle East. The conversations continue on May 17 with Dr. Faedah Totah of VCU on the making of what is now Israel and Palestine, June 21 with Leigh Ann Luscan on Nonviolent Movements for Just Peace, and a Sunday in August (tbd) with Zev Mishell, co-editor of Jewish Anti-Zionism: A Historical Anthology. Please join us prepared to learn, share perspectives, and engage in open & respectful dialogue. The covenant for the discussions will be reviewed and adjusted as needed at the start of each session. They are scheduled to begin after service in the Lower Level, so please pack a nut-free! lunch.

UUA General Assembly (Virtual!)

The 2026 UUA General Assembly will be held virtually from June 14-21 this year. The theme is Meet the Moment: Together Everywhere. The new format will be to alternate years of virtual and in-person. The 2027 GA will be in person in San Jose, CA! Registration is open for this year. You can find that and more information here. Stay tuned for more details about gatherings at First UU to participate virtually together. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please contact our Board members. Participating in General Assembly is a wonder

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Future Events for April

• Saturday, April 25, 9am-4pm: Tidewater Cluster Gathering at Williamsburg UU Church. Registration is open for this annual event that is a beautiful way to connect with other UUs in our area. Our UUA President, Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, will be the keynote speaker and the theme is Meet the Moment. Learn more and register here.
• Sunday, April 26, FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our April Soul Matters theme is Embracing Possibility. This week’s lesson will be on Embracing the Possibilities in Each of Us, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games.
• Wednesday, April 29, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal.

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April 24, 2026

• Please join us on Sunday, April 26, 10-11:15am, for FLAME Activities on the Lower Level for grades PreK-8th grades. Our lesson is on Embracing the Possibilities in Each of Us, which we will explore with a story, a craft, and a game. There will be one group for all kids this Sunday, due to a shortage of volunteers.
• Our Nursery is available during worship service for babies and toddlers up to age 3.5.

April 17, 2026

• Please join us on Sunday, April 19, 10-11:15am, for FLAME Activities on the Lower Level for grades PreK-12th grades. Our lesson is on Embracing the Possibilities of Healing the Earth, which we will explore with a nature ritual, music, and time outside (weather permitting).
• Our Nursery is available during worship service for babies and toddlers up to age 3.5.
• Youth Group meets this Sunday and the third Sunday of each month during worship service for discussion, snacks, and connection. Please gather in Room 3 on the Lower Level.
• Saturday, April 18, 10am-2pm: Earth Day Buy Nothing! A great way to step outside of capitalism. Bring items that no longer serve you (but are in good shape!); take what you need; no donation required. Huge thanks to Rachel Lawrence for all her organizing work for these events!
• Saturday, April 18, 6-10pm: He She Ze & We’s Annual Fundraiser and Dance Party! First UU got third place in fundraising last year. Can we top that this year?! You can donate here and purchase tickets to attend here. HSZ&W do vitally important work on behalf of our beloved trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming siblings all across Virginia. Please let’s show our love and support! And dance moves!
• Sunday, April 19, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-12th grades on the Lower Level. Our April Soul Matters theme is Embracing Possibility. This week’s lesson will be on Healing the Earth, explored through Earth Day activities. Youth Group will meet during service with their advisors for discussion and snacks.
• Sunday, April 19, 11:30am: Immigrant Solidarity Organizing Meeting. In a time when immigrant families in our community face increasing danger, and we are witnessing violations of constitutional rights by ICE, our UU values call us to do more than witness. They call us to act.

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March 27, 2026

• Please join us on Sunday, March 29, 10-11:15am, for FLAME Activities on the Lower Level for grades PreK-8th grades. This Sunday will be a “One Room Schoolhouse” approach for all kids PreK-8th grades. We’ll enjoy the Bluey Easter episode and then have a jellybean hunt!
• Our Nursery is available during worship service for babies and toddlers up to age 3.5.

March 20, 2026

• Please join us on Sunday, March 22, 10-11:15am, for FLAME Activities on the Lower Level for grades PreK-8th grades. Our March Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention and our lesson will be paying attention to Paying Attention to the Present Moment.
• Our Nursery is available during worship service for babies and toddlers up to age 3.5.

March 13, 2026

• Please join us on Sunday, March 15, 10-11:15am, for FLAME Activities on the Lower Level for grades PreK-12th grades. Our March Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention and our lesson will be Paying Attention to Inequality. Youth Group will meet in Room 3 with their advisors.
• Our Nursery is available during worship service for babies and toddlers up to age 3.5.

March 6, 2026

• Please join us on Sunday, March 8, 10-11:15am, for FLAME Activities on the Lower Level for grades PreK-8th grades. Our February Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention and our lesson will be paying attention to Our Power to Impact Others. Rick Carr will be filling in as FLAME Coordinator for the morning.
• Our Nursery is available during worship service for babies and toddlers up to age 3.5.
• Reminder that our monthly Family Potluck and Community Justice Fair are taking place after service. Our potluck happens on the second Sunday of each month. Please bring a (nut-free!) dish to share and join other First UU families for connection and fellowship.

March 2026 Newsletter

March’s Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention, which is no small undertaking in our current circumstances. It can be so tempting to disassociate, distract, or entertain ourselves away from difficult and painful surroundings. It takes intentional discernment to gauge when and how to show up, and a lot depends on our personal levels of privilege. This is true for our children, as well. It can be tempting for parents and caregivers who feel protected by dominant culture to shield our children from harsh truths—a luxury not afforded to many children of marginalized identities. Our faith asks us to have hard conversations in service of justice and liberation. If you are finding it difficult to speak with your children about ICE injustices, climate change, racism, fascism, Palestine/Israel, or other threats to human rights and safety, you are not alone. There are many resources available and we can practice together. This month’s FLAME activities will be Paying Attention to things like inequality, how we impact others, our inner wisdom, and more. We will connect over our monthly Family Potluck, our annual Chili Cook-Off, and several adult faith formation opportunities. As the days get a little longer and the weather warms, I encourage you to embrace the invitation to pay a little more attention to the beautiful and sacred, as well as the painful, as much as your hearts can take. It might be more than you think. And we can carry it together. May our time together nourish our spirits so that we may continue to show up as best we can.

Yours in faith and liberation,
Leigh Ann Luscan (she/her)
Director of Lifespan Faith Formation

• Women’s History Month! Check your local libraries for events like this to honor women all through March. You can find more about women in Unitarian Universalist history here.
• Sunday, March 1, 10am: MultiGenerational Service with Rev Anna and Kristin Saybe. We will also hear the musical gifts of our Youth Music Ensemble. There will be no additional FLAME activities. High school Youth Group is invited to sit together for service and to gather afterwards for snacks and discussion.
• Wednesday, March 4, 6-6:45pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal followed by Soulful Supper.
• Sunday, March 8, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our March Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention. This week’s lesson is on Paying Attention to Our Impact on Others, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games. Monthly Family Potluck to follow. Please bring a (nut-free) dish to share and spend time connecting with other First UU families!
• Sunday, March 8, 11:30-1pm: Community Justice Fair! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and hear from many local justice organizations on the amazing work they do in the Greater Richmond area and how you might be able to help. There will be an art project in the Courtyard for all ages!
• Wednesday, March 11, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal.
• Sunday, March 15, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-12th grades on the Lower Level. Our March Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention. This week’s lesson is on Paying Attention to Inequality, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games. Youth Group will meet with their advisors in Room 3 for snacks and discussion.
• Sunday, March 15, 11:30am-1pm: Emergent Strategy Discussion Group. This is the second in a limited series of Shifting Paradigms workshops facilitated by Rev Anna and helpers. Registration is open.
• Wednesday, March 18, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal.
• Saturday, March 21, 6-8pm: Annual Chili Cook-Off Bring your best chili, cornbread, or just your appetite! Libby Rupp will be defending her title from 2025 and we encourage you to get creative with plant-based recipes, too! We will have prizes for 1st-3rd places. Donations are most welcome and will go toward supporting our FLAME activities and Youth Group. Stay tuned for a Sign Up.
• Sunday, March 22, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our March Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention. This week’s lesson is on Paying Attention to the Present Moment, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games.
• Sunday, March 22, 11:30am-1pm: Q&A Session on the recent UUJME Delegation to Palestine. Please join Leigh Ann Luscan in the Library for a time to ask questions and hear stories of her recent trip to Palestine with a group of UU Religious Professionals. Questions can be submitted via this form. Plan to meet in the Library. If our group is larger, we’ll move to the Lower Level. BYO (nut-free) Lunch!
• Wednesday, March 25, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal.
• Sunday, March 29, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our March Soul Matters theme is Paying Attention. This week’s lesson is on Paying Attention to the Wisdom Within, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games.
• Sunday, March 29, 11:30am-1pm: Q&A Session on the recent UUJME Delegation to Palestine. Please join Leigh Ann Luscan in the Library for a time to ask questions and hear stories of her recent trip to Palestine with a group of UU Religious Professionals. Questions can be submitted via this Google form. Plan to meet in the Library. If our group is larger, we’ll move to the Lower Level. BYO (nut-free) Lunch!