With the overt participation and support of a strong evangelical community in the United States, the Ugandan parliament is currently considering legislation that would make homosexual activity a crime in that country, subject to possible capital punishment. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Kampala is one of the few worshipping communities in Uganda that welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into its fellowship. In 2009 and 2010 it hosted conferences to protest the legislation that attracted more than 200 people, including gay and lesbian Ugandans and their allies who risked possible arrest for their participation.

Come and hear that congregation’s pastor, Rev. Mark Kiyimba, deliver a guest sermon, and later describe the current struggle to preserve the rights of LGBTs in Uganda.

Rev. Mark Kiyimba, UU minister and political activist, is the founding minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kampala, Uganda. A speaker at GA in June in Charlotte, he has received international attention for his courageous public fight against the inhumane anti-homosexuality legislation now before the Ugandan parliament.

This event is co-sponsored by the All Souls Adult Education Program and the UU Office at the United Nations.

Cantata 196
Der Herr Denket an uns

from Cantata 148
Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens

works of
Georg Philipp Telemann and Christoph Graupner

Thais Schaller: soprano,  Karen Geer: soprano
Adam Baritot: tenor,  Andrew Cook-Feltz: baritone

Choir of the First Unitarian Church
with Chamber Ensemble

William Peek, organist and director

11:00 am, April 17, 2011

In 1722, the position of Cantor at St. Thomas Church in the city of Leipzig became vacant.  This was one of the most notable positions in German musical life, and a number of prominent musicians applied for the position.  After carefully considering the applications, the town council offered the position to Georg Philipp Telemann.  When Telemann decided not to accept the position, it was next offered to Christoph Graupner.  When Graupner was unable to obtain a release from his position in Darmstadt, the town council reluctantly went to their third choice candidate, and the position was offered to Johann Sebastian Bach.
Today, of course, Johann Sebastian Bach is understood to be among the most extraordinary musicians who ever lived.  On Palm Sunday, we are delighted to offer two joyous works by Bach.  The cantata Der Herr denket an uns (BWV 196) (The Lord is thinking of us) is a youthful work, probably composed in 1708.  It is believed to have been first performed at the wedding of his wife’s aunt in a small country church near Arnstadt.  Bach himself had been married in this same church less than a year before, and the cantata is as sunny and optimistic as any music every composed.  The cantata Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines namens (BWV 148) (Give unto God the glory of his name) was composed in 1723 during Bach’s first year in Leipzig.  We will present the first movement of this cantata, a majestic chorus accompanied by strings and trumpet.  This is a fully mature work, representative of Bach at the peak of his creative powers.
But we will also present several works by Telemann and Graupner, including two works for trumpet and strings and a beautiful soprano solo from one of Graupner’s many church cantatas.  You can decide for yourself if the Leipzig Town Council indeed had a difficult choice to make.

Each year, the Christmas Eve Candlelight Music Service is a highlight of the season.  This service has been a treasured tradition for generations.  The sanctuary, lit by candle and gaslight, must seem very much the same today as it was on a Christmas Eve a distant 175 years ago, when the church building was new.  Many members of the congregation and community return every year for this solemn and joyful service of music, readings, and reflection.

This year, we are delighted to offer a beautiful program of Christmas music for choir, soloists, string ensemble, and organ.  The program will include selections from Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, a number of familiar carols, and some interesting and unusual selections.  Philip Nicolai’s How Brightly Shines the Morning Star is one of the great Advent hymns.  We will perform works by several composers who have ingeniously incorporated this melody into an original work, including a joyful contrapuntal duet by Bach and Mendelsohn’s great chorus, Behold a Star From Jacob Shining. Several uniquely American carols will also be heard. Go Tell it On the Mountain is one of the most beloved African – American Christmas songs. What Songs Were Sung, by folklorist and songwriter John Jacob Niles is a haunting folk song every bit as beautiful as his more familiar I Wonder as I Wander.  Our choir and soloists Thais Schaller, Karen Geer, Cameron Mitchell Bell, and Andrew Cook – Feltz will be featured with string ensemble and organ.

The service will include readings and reflection by Rev. O’Neill and Rev. Geiger and congregational singing.  Be sure to arrive early to get a seat, as the service is always crowded.  Child care will be provided in the undercroft.

11:00 am

Sunday, May 16, 2010

featuring…

The Ron Vincent Quartet

Tim Armacost, saxophone

Jay Bianchi, piano

Dean Johnson, bass

Ron Vincent, drums

with the

Choir and Soloists of the First Unitarian Church

William Peek, director

On Sunday, May 16, we are delighted to present the annual Jazz Service. Our first Jazz Service was offered in 1999, and it has since become an eagerly anticipated (almost) annual tradition.

Our choir and soloists are again privileged to be working with the Ron Vincent Quartet.

Tim Armacost, saxophone, Jay Bianchi, piano, Dean Johnson, bass, and Ron Vincent, drums, are four of New York’s leading jazz veterans.  Individually, they have worked with many legends of jazz, including Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Wynton Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, and many others.  They have appeared on dozens of recordings and have performed in concert halls throughout the world.  All are active jazz educators, teaching at colleges in New York and presenting master classes and clinics throughout the United States.

The jazz service is always spiritually rewarding as well as fun!  Mark your calendars and bring a friend!

The Religious Education Council announces the formation of our very first Parent Association for parents and guardians of children enrolled in our Religious Education programs!  The opening meeting of this new P.A. will be held after Coffee Hour this Sunday. 

We need ALL parents and guardians to attend so that we can introduce the current leadership and outline the role we envision for the Association.  We will also use the P.A. meeting to introduce you to our Religious Education programs and help you all better understand what exactly our 1st U children can expect this coming RE year.  

Please attend the meeting and come see how you can involve yourself in the process of developing your child’s faith.  Come learn about the curricula being taught this fall.  Learn about the social activities we’re planning for all our young members and come see what we think your child can expect from this year of Sunday School.

Please join us in a meal of if community sharing with our Muslim friends and neighbors. Food contributions are welcome: no pork products please.

Interested in helping with setup or cooking? Please contact Alex Wolf at alexmwolf@gmail.com or Rita Pearl at rdpearl@optonline.net

We are looking for a few handy people to help out with this summer’s work project: upgrading the Undercroft Ladies Bathroom!  You don’t have to be a lady to care about the state of our facilities!

The Project will be over two Sundays: August 23rd and August 30th.  (You don’t need to volunteer for both days to be involved! )

We’ll be plastering, painting, doing some minor repairs, and putting in new lighting.

To get involved or to donate for materials, please contact Paul Eisemann or Becky Huffman

becky7676 @hotmail.com, 917 640 3488

Joined the Congregation this year?

Had fun at the last Welcome Dinner?

Please join us at the next…

First UU Welcome Dinner!

Friday, August 28th 6:00pm

“End of Summer BBQ”

on the patio of 48 Monroe Place, or if rain, in the Frances White Room

Bring a beverage or dessert to share!

RSVP: Becky Huffman & Andrew Bongiorno:

 becky7676@hotmail.com

917 640 3488

New to First UU?

Joined this year?

Please join us at a BBQ on the church patio!

Friday, June 19th at 6:00PM.

BYOB

All are Welcome!

Hosted by Juliette and Cooper Miller-Richey

For questions or to RSVP, please email coordinator Becky Huffman at becky7676-at-gmail.com

SAT, MAY 16:  10 AM TO 4 PM
SUN, MAY 17:  NOON TO 2 PM

• Air Conditioners
• Answering Machines
• Batteries (Including Household Batteries)
• Cables and wiring
• Cell Phones
• Copiers
• DVD Players
• Electric Typewriters
• FAX Machines
• Hard Drives
• Laptops
• Mainframes
• Modems
• Pagers
• Personal Computers (CPUs, monitors, keyboards, mouse and peripherals)
• Printers
• Printed Circuit Boards
• Radios
• Remote Controls
• Scanners
• Servers
• Tape Players
• Telephones
• Televisions (CRT, Plasma, LCDs)
• Testing Equipment
• Transparency Makers
• Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) Systems
• VCRs

Contact: Nancy Wolf (jlnwolfinc-at-aol.com)
Church Office: (718) 624-5466