Connecting with Technology

Can you help us improve our broadcasting and conferencing capabilities? If you haven’t already, please consider a donation to our Tech Fund for audio/video equipment.

As we begin to gather again, we carry with us what we learned from the pandemic experience. Among the most important of these lessons is the value of staying connected and how technology can play a vital role. There are many who, for a variety of reasons, will still be unable to participate in services, activities, and other events because they can not physically attend. Broadcasting our services and providing online conferencing for meetings offers them a way to be more engaged in the life of the Fellowship. It’s also an excellent way for someone to check us out before they walk through the doors.

We are raising funds to purchase equipment to make this possible. And right now, the next $4,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous member. You can make your contribution online using the Donate button at uufws.org (select Donate Online Now and Tech Fund from the menu) or sending a check to the Fellowship office (write “Tech Fund” on the memo line). If you have questions, please contact techteam@uufws.org. Thank you for your support!

With Love and Gratitude

Dear Ones,
Growing up, I was fortunate to live with my Gran and she helped build the foundation for my whole life. My Gran taught me to love and appreciate people. She taught me to work hard, make a joyful noise, and not to waste any of the life that I’ve been given. I’ve been extraordinarily lucky and I’m beyond grateful for the twenty years that I’ve spent in partnership with the Fellowship building relationships with so many beautiful souls. The many, many helpful hands and loving hearts in this community have made even hard work a joy. You have brought meaning and joy to the necessary task of earning a living. Thank you so much for the lovely and celebratory Worship Service, the many kind notes and emails, and the very generous gifts. I am completely overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity, and I look forward to discover how these next years unfold.
Much love,
Pam Lepley

Our Beloved Trees

We wept, as we’re sure many of you did, with the loss of each of the three large oak trees that have died in the front of UU grounds lately. We wondered, was it old age, the stress of global warming, or some disease that was causing this loss. Even more important, was there anything we could do to slow the death of our remaining beloved trees.

Recently we had a complementary visit from Mark & Sam, two tree experts from the Forsyth County Forestry Office. When not fighting fires, they visit residents who are experiencing tree problems. They’re especially on the lookout for the spread of a disease called oak wilt.

The good news is: they saw nothing wrong with our oaks, other than a few lightening strike scars and some advancing age. So, like many of us, the oaks are just getting on in years. They recommended that we feed our oaks a bit of nitrogen for good health and be sure to clean our pruning tools with alcohol. Otherwise, they recommended our best course of action is succession planning by planting small trees on the edge of treed areas where they will get the most sun.

Most of our existing oaks are white oaks which are slow growing but long lived trees. We could replant with those or use faster growing red oaks. Another option would be sugar maples for pretty fall color. Any of these would make nice memorial trees. But, they would have to be small trees. The foresters said trees fare better when planted small so they acclimate to their new soil as youngsters.

We hate loosing our big old majestic oaks, but at least we can rest assured that we didn’t miss an opportunity to extend their lives. This summer, please take time to stroll around our beautiful property and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Sue & Rich Freeman, Grounds Coordinators

Fellowship Adopts Climate Resolution

The members of our Fellowship voted with an overwhelming majority at the May 23 congregational meeting to pass a resolution to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, with the long term goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. We also resolved to utilize 70% clean and renewable energy by 2030.

This resolution was modeled after the resolutions passed by the Forsyth County Commissioners and the Winston-Salem City Council, as well as inspired by the Paris Climate Agreement. “We see it as a challenge, but one that rapidly changing technology will make possible,” says Kathy Johnson, Co-Chair of the Fellowship’s EcoSolutions Team. “We hope our efforts will be emulated by other churches and organizations in the Triad.”

The UU Fellowship has long been recognized as a leader in the community on environmental and justice issues. We were the first church in Winston-Salem to utilize solar panels, which were installed in 2014. The Fellowship has also made other sustainable decisions, such as installing high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment, composting food scraps, and eliminating disposables such as coffee cups, plates, utensils and napkins. On our grounds we have installed a bioretention cell, or rain garden, to naturally filter runoff from their parking lot and planted native plants and flowers to support pollinators.

“The climate crisis is the single biggest threat to humanity” says the Reverend Ed Brock, the Fellowship’s Interim Minister. “We have been exploring the many sides of this crisis, and its intersections, in both our Worship Services and classes. I am proud of the commitment the congregation has made to take action and exhibit leadership on this issue. I will continue to integrate the work of climate and environmental justice into my sermons and into all I do.”

To read the full resolution, visit https://tinyurl.com/sma7d954

Our calling to protect and preserve planet earth

Events listed below. [Click here for resources on how you can live more sustainably.]

EcoSolutions is bringing much needed attention to the climate crisis during the month of April. Join us for as many events as you are able and then make a commitment to accelerate your individual actions to help address this crisis.

Reverence for LifeThursday, April 1 at 7pm

Climate crisis (month) kick-off presentation: Get the facts – This multimedia online presentation via Zoom will give you the latest facts and provide solutions, both individual and collective, required to move toward a sustainable future. Presented by Terri LeGrand and Janet Loew. Click here to register.

Friday, April 2 at 6pm

Plant based First Friday Potluck – Make or buy a favorite vegetarian or vegan meal and enjoy it while chatting online with Fellowship friends. Click here to register.

Saturday, April 3 at 10am

Hike/Walk at C.G. Hill Memorial Park – Join us for this relatively easy 3 mile walk around the lake and associated trails. Bring a lunch or snack to enjoy together at the end. Masks mandatory. Click here for complete details and to sign up.

Sunday, April 4 at 9am

Forum: Renewal, the religious eco movement – Join Jim Norris and Gayle Goldsmith to view inspiring stories from the film Renewal, followed by discussion. Get inspired! Click here to attend.

Sunday, April 4 at 10:30am

Worship Service: A Reverence for Life, Our Calling to Protect and Preserve Planet Earth, Part 1 – Rev. Ed Brock will explore our role in creation and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Facilitated 30 min discussion groups offered just after the service. Click here to attend.

Sunday, April 11 at 9am

Forum: Local Resolutions for Clean, Renewable Energy – Rajesh Kapileshwari will discuss the role of local governments in transitioning to 100% clean and renewable energy. Where are we in the Triad and what needs to be done? Click here to attend.

Sunday, April 11 at 10:30am

Worship Service: A Reverence for Life, Our Calling to Protect and Preserve Planet Earth, Part 2  – Climate change is here. Rev. Ed Brock will explore our roles in responding to the crisis. Facilitated 30 min discussion groups offered just after the service. Click here to attend.

Saturday, April 17 at 9am

Service project:  Creek cleanup – EcoSolutions is organizing a UU group creek clean-up service project at Bethabara Park as part of the Great American Cleanup event. All ages 6 and up are welcome (ages 6-12 must be accompanied by parent or guardian). Click here for more details and to signup.

Sunday, April 18 at 9am

Forum: Drawdown, The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming– Tim Binkley will discuss the book Drawdown, which has become a seminal text on climate solutions, drawing on humanity’s collective wisdom about the practices and technologies that can begin to reverse the buildup of atmospheric carbon by mid-century. Click here to attend.

Sunday, April 18 at 10:30am

Worship Service: A Reverence for Life, Our Calling to Protect and Preserve Planet Earth, Part 3  – Solutions to climate change exist. Rev. Ed Brock will explore what we can and should do. Facilitated 30 min discussion groups offered just after the service. Click here to attend.

Thursday, April 22 at 10am

Earth Day Tanglewood Hike and Great Blue Heron Spotting – Enjoy a brisk 4 to 5 mile hike at Tanglewood Park. We will stop along the Yadkin River to see a Great Blue Heron rookery in a tree on the opposite bank.  This hike is limited to 10 and masks will be required. Click here for details and to sign up.

Saturday, April 24 at 11am *** RESCHEDULED to May 15 ***

Family Hike at Bethabara Trails – Pam Lepley will lead a family hike followed by a picnic at the Bethabara trails. Children ages one and up are welcome. This hike is reserved for families with children. Spaces limited. Click here for details and to sign up.

Sunday, April 25 at 9am

Forum: How to Measure Your Personal Carbon Footprint – Angie Vincoli and Gayle Goldsmith will help you learn how to calculate your carbon footprint. Click here to attend.

Sunday, April 25 at 10:30am

Worship Service: The Intersections of the Climate Crisis and Injustice  – Guest speaker Rev. Karen Brammer will examine the intersection between race, class and climate devastation and the ways UUs can respond. Facilitated 30 min discussion groups offered just after the service. Click here to attend.

 

…and in May, join us for more!

 

Thursday, May 6 at 7pm

Help Defeat the Climate Crisis – Project Drawdown’s mission is to help the world reach “Drawdown”— the point in the future when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline, thereby stopping catastrophic climate change — as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible. Join study group coordinator Gayle Goldsmith as she leads us through the Project Drawdown workbook. Each chapter deals with a different sector (e.g. electricity, agriculture, transportation,) and provides solutions to climate change with actions that can be taken today. Join here: https://uufws.org/virtual1-project-drawdown-monthly

Tuesday, May 11 at 7pm

Ecosolutions Quarterly Meeting – After our April Sermon & Forum series on the Climate Crisis, it is time to make plans individually and as a Fellowship to implement change. Please join our EcoSolutions meeting to review the April activities and previous projects and to discuss and plan for our next steps. All are welcome. We are a fun group of about 20 active members. Join us online. Click here to attend.

Sunday, May 23 at 9am

Forum: Climate Resilience  – We are not immune to climate disasters here in the Piedmont. Just in case, be better prepared to deal with tornadoes, hurricanes, deluges and floods, extended power outages, water shortages and more.  Click here to attend.

 

Guide to Safe Grocery Shopping

Do you need to shop for groceries in this pandemic, but don’t want to risk entering the store? Fortunately, there are non-contact options: curbside pickup and home delivery. Susan Ott, the Care Committee’s Grocery Guru has compiled a guide to non-contact pickup and delivery. Susan is available to answer questions about the shopping process. For the detailed how-to guide, copy this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JR8Nk85L0E6OzwRF4AlCme72pMN27102/edit or email care@uufws.org