Sunday Services At 9:30 am and 11:15 am

April 7 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Of Bridges

and Walls

It’s always easier to build walls that

separate than to construct bridges that

connect. The Humanist Manifesto of

1933 is a model of bridge-building.

April 14 | Trees We Did Not Plant:

A Celebration of Arbor Day

April 21| The Sacred Hoop

Choir Director Bob McMeen premiers

a major work to celebrate Earth Day.

Rev. Frank reminds us both to savor

and to save this planet.

April 28 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Via

Negativa

Often we seek more, but sometimes

we need less. An interfaith reflection

on the need for less.

I am moved by the music, by the commitment, by the work for justice,

and in the last couple of months by the spiritual odysseys and full-length

sermons of our members. Our members speak passionately of the

events that have shaped their lives. Sometimes we are informed; some-

times we wipe away tears; always we are challenged.

The pulpit does not belong to me; rather, it belongs to the

congregation. In choosing me as your developmental minister, you’ve

chosen to let me fill it part of the time, but the congregation should

never abdicate ownership. Different events and different predisposi-

tions have affected each of our lives. None of us alone claims owner-

ship to Truth, but together we own more of the truth. For the health

of the congregation, the pulpit must be shared.

Both spiritual odyssey and preaching slots have been filled through May, but I encourage you to consider sharing your insights either this

summer or during the 2013-2014 church year. None of us is looking

for great oratory. Rather, we are each of us looking for authenticity,

and we want to be challenged by new perspectives,

As Henry Lemon said, “There is a sermon in each of us.”

Blessings and love,

Frank

The Newsletter of First Unitarian Church of Omaha

The Flame April 2013

REV.

ELATIONS

2

First Unitarian serves at Community Meals on Saturday, April 13. This is a departure from our usual

Saturday before Easter date to serve, but we traded so as not to interfere with our All-Church Party on

March 30. This time we will be serving beef stew. Many of you may remember having done this in the past,

and it was a big hit with our neighbors. We will need many “at-home” cooks to prepare 200-225 servings.

Tell us how many generous servings you will prepare (your own recipe, of course). There will be funds

available to reimburse you for the cost of this family-friendly activity. Bring your stew to First Baptist Church

on Saturday morning, leave it in the fridge at our church, or contact Louise Jeffrey for pick-up. We also need

dessert makers!

Sign up through this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44A9AE29A02-community4 or e-mail

Louise at louisekjeffrey@hotmail.com.

First Unitarian Church History, Block By Block

By Yvonne Price

Community Meals

Late last year at an "archives party," a box labeled "Women's Alliance" revealed an artifact that is so fragile as to be best

heard about but not seen, as exposure to light would damage it. Yet it is intriguing enough to deserve preservation and

wider display. It is a quilt top, all that is left after an anonymous attempt to mend a double-bed-sized quilt. It was made

in 1898 by members of Unity Circle #1, one of several circles that predated the Women's Alliance.

Across the country for many years, quilters, mostly women, have made quilts as fund raisers for various causes. In the

old days, these might be "commercial" quilts. A sponsor would buy a block to have the company name and perhaps a

logo included in embroidery. Also popular in those days, even as now, were "signature" quilts. You would buy a block,

sign it, and you or your surrogate would embroider the signature. Our historic quilt has many characteristics common

to the day. Quilters now will recognize the Turkey red and white muslin snowball block with red work embroidery

that was popular back then. Many times the finished quilt would be auctioned or raffled, and sometimes the winner

would donate the quilt back to the originating group. We haven't yet found any record of this particular quilt's

fate. Perhaps another "archives party" will bring us more information.

As an icon, this quilt top is important to First U. Newton Mann's name is embroidered across the top. He was the pas-

tor then. It is also an important Omaha historic artifact. Locally famous people signed blocks, including some who gave

their names to many of our streets. The Buffett grocery store is advertised, as are many downtown businesses selling

such things as buggies and wagons, ladies' millinery, cures for stuttering, and legal advice. Telephone numbers had four

digits.

Since the recent rediscovery of this old quilt work, a few people have been quietly working to determine its best possi-

ble future. You can take a look at it on the YouTube slideshow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ceqg0ydYZw&feature=youtu.be. Be sure to turn on your sound for the musical

background. And, if you really would prefer to see the actual thing in its current state, that will be possible soon, albeit

on a very limited, look-but-don't-touch, white-gloves-only basis.

2

3

What’s in a Nametag?

Some of you may have noticed the snazzy new blue nametags that some members have been wearing for the last

few months. The membership team did a pilot of the new nametag design and the feedback was overwhelmingly

positive. So, you might be asking yourself what you can do to get one of these snazzy new name tags.

1. Be a member. If you are already a member you have the option of replacing your nametag using the steps

below. If you want to become a member, talk with Rev. Frank or anyone on the membership team. If you

recently became a member and haven’t received your nametag yet or are planning to become a member in

the very near future, a nametag will be ordered for you by our office admin. The first nametag for new

member is still at no cost.

2. Let us know what name should be on the nametag. You can either send an email to

admin@firstuuomaha.org or you can fill out one of the name tag cards in the pews and put it into the

collection plate.

3. Put your goodwill donation into the offering plate or bring it into the office. The name tags have a

cost of $12 to First U. However, we want to be sensitive to individual situations so instead of requiring

everyone to pay $12, we are asking for a goodwill donation to cover the cost. If you can afford $12 to cover

the cost, great. If you can only afford less, great. If you love the idea and want to pay $20 for your nametag,

great. In any case, you can put “Name tag” in your check’s memo line or simply put money in an envelope

and label the front with “Name tag.” We want this to be a positive thing for our community

4. You do NOT have to change. While many people like the new nametags, there is NO requirement to

change. If you prefer the standard black and white nametags or want to forgo a new name tag for any other

reason, no problem at all. This is an option, not a requirement, and we want to respect everyone’s desires.

If you have any questions about this process, you can contact the church office or Ben Wallace at

bmwallace@gmail.com.

The Sacred Hoop

On April 21 at the 11:15am service the choir will present “The Sacred Hoop,” a composition in

three parts for baritone soloist, soprano soloists, choir, flute, electric bass and percussion. Soloists

are: Michael Lyon, baritone; Marie Sedlacek and Maria Wilson, sopranos; Lisa Erickson, flute; Skip

Ciulla, electric bass. Parts one and three feature text by Black Elk. Part two is a setting of a Navajo

tribute to natural beauty. This work is composed by Bob McMeen and is intended to honor the

Native American regard for the earth. Please plan to attend and support the choir’s diligent effort.

3

The First Unitarian Church Wing Squad along with TACKarchitects cordially invite members and

friends of First Unitarian Church to one of two

“Dreaming Our Future”

Town Hall Meeting

Common Room

Tuesday, April 23, 7-8:30pm

Sunday, April 28, 12:45-2:15pm

Space is limited to 30 people per meeting. Childcare will be provided by request.

Call the church office (402-345-3039 ext. 101) to reserve your seat.

Let’s dream together!

Your Wing Squad,

Jaime Alexander, John Goldner, Tony Host, Barb Herring, Steve Hutchinson, Louise Jeffrey,

Rev. Frank Rivas, Kate Wiig, Judith Wright

Spring! … a time of renewal

… a time for planting seeds

… a time to dream of the future

4

5

One of life’s lessons I have learned is that our journeys consist of a series of beginnings and endings.

Kate’s presidential journey with us ended last month and mine began. On behalf of the church, thank

you Kate Godfrey for your service. You came forward when the church needed leadership and your

skills.

My term as your president comes earlier then I had planned. I am committed to help Rev. Frank

succeed in his ministry here and to help us to be more than we currently are. I will do my best; I ask for

your help and support. I have found that only by making a commitment to a community can we hope

our community thrives.

What do I personally want here at our church? I want a Sunday morning experience that is centering for

me and sets the tone for the week. A chance to stop, free myself from the daily demands of life and

obtain a larger perspective while connecting to my community and the larger whole. I want an oppor-

tunity for deepening relationships with my wife and fellow travelers on our UU path through covenant

groups, men’s group, adult education offerings, chili cook-offs, concerts, and just going out with friends.

I want music that inspires, friends who are glad to see me, children’s laughter. I want a church that

allows all of us to add richness, or if necessary to make changes, so we all own the program.

What do I bring? Caring, for one. Experience as a UU gained from several churches having served in a

wide variety of roles using the committee structure. I bring a sense of what can be and hope we all can

find ways to encourage meaningful participation in our church community.

When I joined First Unitarian Church of San Diego, my first committee experience was being on the

Children’s Religious Education Committee. There were nine of us on that committee. Four members of

that committee went on to become successful UU ministers. I also met Sandy on that committee. That

was a “10” experience for me. I hope we are able to create opportunities for all of us to have “10”

experiences here. We have a gift here at 3114 Harney St., the gift of community. We can’t stop with

just our community, we need to focus outward and also work for a better world community.

Looking forward to the journey together,

In faith,

Tony Host

President’s Letter —April

In April we share the plate with our

own Community Meals. Every

Saturday volunteers serve a meal to

our neighbors. If you would like

more information, please contact

Louise Jeffrey at

louisekjeffrey@hotmail.com.

Share the Plate

The Book Club will meet on

Monday, April 22 at 7pm in the

Merritt Lounge.

In April, the Book Club will be

reading an article by Dr. Samuel

Meisels, who will be giving the

Holland Lecture on May 1st. If

you would like the article to be

sent to you as a PDF, just email

the church office or Dave.

Please contact Dave Richardson

for more info at

drichardson@westside66.org.

The Book Club

UU & You classes provide an

introduction to Unitarian

Universalism and our church,

along with an opportunity to

share our religious journeys.

Visitors, newcomers, and the just

curious are cordially invited to

attend on Sunday, April 14. The

class will convene in the Whitney

Young Room 15 minutes after

the ending of the 11:15 service.

That usually works out to a 12:30

starting time. A light lunch will be

served to bolster the always

interesting conversation. Ending

time will be 2pm. If you need

childcare, please let us know by

the Friday before. RSVPs or

questions can be addressed to

uuclass@firstuuomaha.org or call

the church office at 402-345-

3039.

UU & You

6

At Church This Month Check out our calendar at our website: www.firstuuomaha.org

We meet every Thursday in the

Merritt Lounge from 1 to

2:30pm.

We have begun a discussion of

the Gnostic Book of Thomas.

Join us! We have a great time!

Women’s

Religious Studies

Group

Bring your own snacks or

something to share and head

down to the Common Room

on Sunday, April 14 at 7pm. We

will have an introduction to the

group and we will watch the

History Channel Special, Star

Wars, A Legacy Revealed.

This group will meet the

second Sunday of each month.

After each movie we watch we

will have a discussion to find

the religious/mythological

meaning. As usual the coffee

and tea post will be on and

childcare will be available.

Please RSVP to Crystal at adultre.firstuu.omaha@gmail.com.

Coming Up:

May 12: One Flew Over the

Cuckoo’s Nest

June 9: Batman Begins

July 14: Jacob’s Ladder

August 11: Slumdog Millionaire

Religion & Film

Discussion Group

What used to be known as

Witches’ Tea is now the Spirit

Circle.

This year Spirit Circle will be

taking a journey through the

Wheel of the Year. This is an

exploration of the major

holidays that many Pagan or

Wiccan traditions follow.

Sunday, April 7 at 7pm in the

Merritt Lounge will be our

celebration of Ostara, which is

the Spring Equinox. Beltaine is

just around the corner, too, which we will celebrate on May

5.

Spirit Circle

7

At Church This Month

8

March gave us an opportunity to get together with both ministers to discuss the future of YRUU. Thank you

to everyone who attended! After parents had a chance to discuss their expectations and hopes, advisors

mentioned practices that have and haven’t worked, and ministers observed the emotional struggle to keep

things the way they are, we now look to the teens themselves to step up and show how this youth group can

be more than it ever has been.

This past month has shown how much we need to build strong teen leaders who will help carry YRUU

through inevitable congregational changes. We look forward to building stronger connections to each church

through improved communication efforts and amped-up participation goals. Please talk to a current YRUU

teen, advisor, parent, or minister about how you can get more involved.

Women’s Alliance — Looking Forward

YRUU by Naomi Solomon

This summer the Alliance will look at our bylaws, which have not been revised in over 30 years, to see how

(or if) they require updating. Women’s Alliance is a long-standing part of our church and we seek to operate

in a way so as to be meaningful to all the women of the congregation. We especially wish to reach out to our

younger women. If you are interested in becoming more involved with Alliance, or if you want to be part of

the bylaws project, contact Vanessa Timberlake at rflebbe@cox.net. If you have ideas for our second

Monday of the month programs for next year (starting in October 2013), contact Louise Jeffrey at

louisekjeffrey@hotmail.com.

The Women’s Alliance will hold its next meeting, Monday, April 8, 2013 at 6:30pm in the Common Room at

First Unitarian Church.

Our speaker for the April meeting will be our own Elaine Wells, who will present "Adventures in India: A

Month that Changed my Life", sharing pictures and stories from her 2010 trip.

Our dinner ($12) will be catered from one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Mangia, and one of the entrees

will be vegetarian, of course. If this is your first time, please be our guest. Reservations must be made no lat-

er than Friday, April 5 to Janet West (402-553-3162) or jmasonwest77@yahoo.com. We hope to see you at

the meeting.

Women’s Alliance for April

8

9 9

CommUUnity Night in April

We will meet in the Common Room on Friday, April 5 at 5:30pm.

If you haven't participated before, CommUUnity Nights are a fun, laid-back all-church event. We gath-

er together for a potluck of side items (the main dish will be provided by RE) and we don't worry

about who is bringing what; we may get KFC chicken nuggets, sushi, and guacamole, but we'll have

fun.

We eat together as a group and then just chill. Kids are free to roam and play and run and take own-

ership of their church. We will give the teens the Merritt Lounge as a fortress of solitude against the

chaos of family life. The adults chill, talk, play games, and just enjoy each other’s company.

If you can't bring anything or you are feeling too rushed to grab or make something last minute,

COME ANYWAY!

There is always plenty of food and what we really want is YOUU!"

10

Yes, indeed. Our membership team is working on a roadway to membership that will

remodel our UU & You program, introduce some new ways of sharing information about the

history of Unitarian Universalism, our principles, our theological diversity, our social mission,

our seven principles and the special history of the First Unitarian Church in Omaha. We will

also outline the responsibilities of membership.

Our goal will be to introduce what we have to offer potential members and guests in an

organized format with some ideas on how to celebrate new members with the whole

congregation and how to integrate them into our community. We are reviewing what other

churches are doing and to how to modify their ideas and procedures to fit our church. We

will keep you filled in on the action.

Meanwhile, invite your friends and relatives not only to our services, but to all our social

events and functions. Talk to your colleagues and friends about what it is going on with us

and what Unitarian Universalists represent in this culture. Have two conversations a week

with someone who doesn’t know us.

Wear your name tag to the next Holland Lecture to identify yourself as a proud member of

the group that does something so remarkable for Omaha. We will have the name tags left at

church at the lecture, so you don’t have to remember to bring yours unless you have it at

home. Be sure to your order your new name tag if you want one.

We are bringing more blue cups to coffee hour, so you can easily spot a visitor by the cup or

the temporary name tag and introduce yourself. We are seeing more visitors and Bill Ross

can use some help with our Ambassador functions. Please do volunteer.

If you are a member of a team or committee, let us know how we can help you include new

members or friends with your activity. Advertise to your team that new members or friends

often need to be invited directly to participate in the work you are doing.

Let the membership team know what you think!

Jackie Anderegg, Chair, Membership Team

Team Members: Jaime Alexander, Lana Hammel, Carolyn McNamara, Stephen Meister,

Barb Ross, Bill Ross, Joe Schaaf, Ben Wallace, Janet West, Ron Withem, Judith Wright

Path to Membership!

11 11

These words were written by his son as an epitaph for Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St. Paul’s

Cathedral. On a somewhat lesser scale, these words could also serve for the 70 members of the Sarah Joslyn

Society who have decided that our church is worthy of loving maintenance, both the physical plant and the

programs. What will your monument be? Talk to Dixie Lemon or any member of the Finance

Committee about leaving a bequest to the church and becoming a member of the Sarah Joslyn Society.

LECTOR, SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS,

CIRCUMSPICE

(Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you)

Dr. Samuel Meisels, one of the nation’s leading authorities on the development of

young children and early childhood learning, will be the next speaker for the

Holland Lecture Series happening at the Holland Performing Arts Center on

Wednesday, May 1. FREE tickets for this reserved seating event will be available

April 8 at Ticket Omaha. Please put this on your calendar and the calendar of your friends! To help you

introduce friends and neighbors to the highly regarded Holland Lecture Series, each caller may request up to

six free tickets for the lecture and free reception that follows.

If you think you know everything about how a child grows up, think again. Studies in early brain development

show a clear path to better behavior and learning beginning at birth when we are capable of absorbing more

information than we will ever be able to again. Yet many children because of poverty, abuse or other

challenges, enter school unprepared to learn and thrive. Dr. Meisels will explain how early education can

significantly improve the chances for all children. Dr. Meisels was recently named founding executive director of

the University of Nebraska’s Buffet Early Childhood Institute. The institute is a university-wide research,

education, policy center focused on children from birth to age 8.

Holland Lecture On Wednesday, May 1

Whitney Young Jr. — Part I1

In the first installment of this two-part series, we

looked at the role Whitney Young played in his

early career. His ground-breaking achievements in

Omaha were critical in creating opportunities for

Omaha’s African-American community as well as raising awareness of the problems of discrimination

and racism in the community at large.

After leaving Omaha Mr. Young became president

of the National Urban League. He took on an

increasingly important role in the Civil Rights

movement of the 1960s. Author Dennis Dickerson,

in his book Militant Mediator, credited Young with

almost single-handedly persuading corporate

America and major foundations to aid the civil rights

movement through financial contributions in

support of self-help programs for jobs, housing,

education and family rehabilitation. Mr. Young was a

member of “The Big Six,” which was composed of

the six most influential Civil Rights leaders of the

era including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This group

planned and carried out the famous March on

Washington in 1963. Another member of the group,

Roy Wilkins, recalls that when “The Big Six” was

meeting with President Kennedy to discuss their

plans it became apparent that JFK was a bit

apprehensive about the possibility of civil disorder

and violence. For a time it looked as if they may be

losing a key ally. It was at this point that Mr. Young

asked, “Mr. President, whose side are you on?” This

was the turning point in the discussion and the rest,

as they say, is history.

12

2019: Tw

o

Importan

t Eve

nts

2019 may seem a long way off;

however, that year is the conver-

gence of two important dates: the

150th anniversary of the founding of

the First Unitarian Church of Omaha

and the 100th birthday of our build-

ing, which was completed in 1919.

Mr. Young served as an advisor to Presidents

Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. LBJ, in particular

trusted and relied upon Whitney’s advice. Many of

his suggestions became key elements of the

administration’s War on Poverty. Mr. Young’s legacy

is great. For his service to the nation, President

Johnson honored Young in 1968 with the Medal of

Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. Several

institutions bear his name including Chicago's

Whitney Young High School, which counts First

Lady Michelle Obama as an alumna. He also wrote

two works about race relations during the Civil

Rights movement To Be Equal in 1964 and Beyond

Racism in 1969. The Young family continued their

affiliation with Unitarian churches wherever they

lived including churches in Atlanta and New York.

He suffered a heart attack and died while swimming

in Nigeria. After his death in 1971 at the age of 50,

the UUA began a Whitney Young Urban Ministry

Scholarship Fund.

First Unitarian can be very proud of this important

American leader.

There are numerous current and past members of

First Unitarian Church who have distinguished them-

selves in service to the community, the region, and

the country. The list includes scholars, public serv-

ants, theologians and a US Senator. But none has

had more of a positive and wide-reaching impact

than Whitney Young. The noted Civil Rights figure

Rev. Andrew Young said of him, “He knew the high

art of how to get power from the powerful and

share it with the powerless.”

13

One of our newest members is no stranger to First Unitarian

Church. Mary Bort is a returning member who has been a

Unitarian since childhood. She returned because she likes our new

minister, she likes the people of our congregation and she likes the many opportunities for

fellowship she found here. Mary says it was a moving experience to sign the book in

November, in the presence of Rev. Rivas and supported by her church friends. She quickly

became involved once again with the Caring Team, Women’s Alliance and the First UU

Choir. In addition, she has started singing with the Early Morning Risers and she will be a

delegate at the Prairie Star District Conference in April.

A Michigan native, Mary holds degrees in both music vocal performance and interpersonal

and public communication. She is employed by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

as an endowment assistant and staff writer. Her previous experience includes work as an

instructor at both UNL and Midland University, a job in public affairs at a local television

station, and employment at Beth Israel Synagogue where she learned much about Judaism.

Mary feels strongly that it is important to have a sense of humor, to be kind, to treat both

humans and animals with respect, and to allow marriage equality for all. She is recently

divorced and shares her new apartment with Kira, her Siamese-mix feline and her constant

companion. She enjoys movies, books, music, and connecting with friends on Facebook. In

fact, she has recently reconnected with her first love who found her on Facebook after al-

most 30 years! They now Skype daily and plan to visit each other soon. Mary’s claim to

fame? She graduated from Chelsea High School, in Chelsea, Michigan, the home of Jiffy Mix.

Please welcome her home.

New Member News

By Carolyn McNamara

The Partner Church Team

The Partner Church Team will be meeting at 10:30am in the Merritt Lounge on Sunday, April

7. The team raises money for the church's Partner Church in Firtosmartonos, Transylvania,

Romania. The money sent to Firtosmartonos helps maintain the village church and parsonage

and provides scholarship funds for the village teenagers.

If you have an interest in learning more about the Partner Church, the Unitarian villagers, and

the services that we help provide, come to the Partner Church Team meeting.

2013 Preserve Our Building

Fund Drive Report

As a world-class triathlete turned firefighter, Rip

Esselstyn was used to responding to emergencies.

When he learned that one of his fellow Engine 2

firefighters in Austin, Texas was in dire physical

condition with a dangerously high cholesterol level

of 344, he sprang into action and motivated the

entire Engine 2 firehouse to join together in plant-

strong solidarity to help save the life of their friend.

His friend’s cholesterol was lowered to 196 and his

health greatly improved.

Join us at Second Unitarian

for Social Justice Movie

Night on Sunday, April 28 to

see how Rip works with families to take control of

their own health including

cooking lessons to make

family favorite dishes plant-

strong. The film “Engine 2

Kitchen Rescue” begins at 6

p.m., preceded by an

optional potluck dinner at 5:30---bring a dish to

share.

Board

Tony Host, President

Board Members

Dean Christensen, Lana Hammel,

Barb Herring, Louise Jeffrey,

John Wagner, Ron Withem

Trustees of the Capital Trust

Tim Duggan (2013),

Steve Hutchinson (2014),

Sandy Host (2015)

Submit items for publication to

admin@firstuuomaha.org

Word limit is 200; deadline is the

15th of the month.

Board meetings are on the

second Tuesday of the month and

are open to all members.

14

Social Justice Movie Night at

Second Unitarian Church

April 28

Results from the 2013 Preserve Our Building Fund

Drive again reflect our congregation’s continued

and significant commitment to this cause. By the

middle of March deadline for the April Flame,

contributions have totaled over $6,000. The POB

account balance is now over $38,000! Once again

you have been generous. A sincere “Thank you”

from POB Drive co-chairs Louise Jeffrey and Jaime

Alexander goes to all who contributed to the 2013

Preserve Our Building Fund Drive.

2013 Preserve Our Building

Fund Drive Report Adult R.E.

Crystal DiGiorgi

Archives

Dave Richardson

Building (short-term)

Dave Rosser

Caring

Douglas Lee-Regier

Chalice Guild

Kay Lynn Goldner

Community Meals

Louise Jeffery

Fellowship

Nadine Keith &

Judith Wright Finance

Walt Jesteadt

Fundraising

Donna Neff

Garden

Sharon Conlon

Governance

Alex Nather

Membership

Jackie Anderegg

Office

Carolyn McNamara

Partner Church

Council

Janet West

CY-RE Team

Donna Neff &

Kate Wiig

Religious Services

Megan Gustafson

UU Class

Jaime Alexander

Women’s Alliance

Vanessa Timberlake

Young Adult Group

Maria Wilson

YRUU

Ben Wallace &

Shawne Coonfare

15

Ministry Team Leaders Church Contact

Phone: (402) 345-3039

Fax: (402) 346-2662

Staff

Minister

Rev. Frank Rivas

minister@firstuuomaha.org

Director of Religious Education

Meka Tate

dre@firstuuomaha.org

Office Administrator

Catharine Dixon

admin@firstuuomaha.org

Organist

Pat Will

Choir Director

Bob McMeen

Choir Accompanist

Patricia Allender

Custodian

Bobby Medrano

Minister Emeritus

Ronald Knapp

The Flame

Editor

Catharine Dixon

Proofreaders

Scott Kemper, Lana Hammel,

Cyndi Nather

The Flame Mailing Team

Anne Massoud, Evelyn Whitehill,

Howard Bolton, Shelton Hendricks

The Flame 3114 Harney Street

Omaha NE 68131

Soul Full Thursdays Continue

Islam Ideology Class begins Thursday, April 4

April 4 — Getting to know American Muslims and Their Faith (an introduction)

April 11 — Women in Islam: Topics covered include common stereotypes, roles of women in Muslim countries,

important Muslim women in history and the modern world

April 18 — Islamic Contributions to Civilization

April 25 — Roots of Muslims in America: a presentation detailing factual accounts of the lives and legacies of

America’s earliest Muslims.

Meals will be served at 6pm for $10/person. Please contact Meka to reserve your spot in the class and for the

meal. Meka’s email address is dre@firstuuomaha.org.