We are a loving, open-minded, welcoming spiritual community guided not by creeds or dogma, but by a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We hope you will join us to Connect deeply in community, Inspire reverence and spiritual growth, Serve one another other and the world, and Learn together.

Welcome

Visiting for the first time? We hope this brief description will be helpful to you!
About First Unitarian Church Learn more about what we believe in, our values, and history by reading more about us.
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Upcoming Events
Doing the Work – Workshops on Understanding Racism and White Privilege
You are invited to join Pittsburgh Freethought Community/First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh workshops on understanding racism and white privilege. We have scheduled six sessions that will include lecture, discussion, and multi-media presentations along with assigned readings. The purpose of this series is to develop the understanding and ability of White people to do the work of dismantling racism. We ask that participants commit to reading the assigned material. We strongly encourage participants to attend all sessions; each session, however, covers a separate topic and will be open to all.
All sessions will take place in the Undercroft Gallery at First Unitarian Church, 605 Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Session #1 - Understanding Racism and White Privilege - January 26, 2020, 1 to 3 PM
Racism is the combination of bias against Black people combined with the use of power. Although we understand race to be a social construct without any rational basis, racism is a systemic, pervasive, destructive force throughout our society.
Session #2 - An Historical Analysis of Racism - February 9, 2020, 1 to 3 PM
Racism has been upheld by myriad policies and laws over the history of our nation. Laws that have been enacted with the intent of ending racism and discrimination have been ineffective.
Session # 3 - The Invention of Whiteness - February 23, 2020, 1 to 3 PM
Where did whiteness come from? Who is White and how do people get to be labeled White? How does whiteness function? How do we perpetuate the value assigned to whiteness?
Session #4 - Disadvantage and Advantage -  March 8, 2020, 2 to 4 PM (Note time change!)
If Black people are disadvantaged by racism, who is reaping those advantages? We will identify some of the advantages White people receive, discuss what it might mean not to have them, and imagine what a fair society would be.
Session #5 - Doing Anti-racism -  March 22, 2020, 1 to 3 PM
Good intentions are not enough. What stops White people from engaging with others about racism? Can we White people be sensitive to the pain of oppressed people without centering our own experiences or feelings?
Session #6 - Wrapping Up and Moving Forward - April 5, 2020, 1 to 3 PM
Each of us has power that we can use to oppose racist policies and customs. Participants will reflect on the discussions and suggest anti-racist actions.
To sign up for the workshop, please send an email to one of the facilitators:
John Hooper - johnbhooper@comcast.net
Liz Hrenda - lizhrenda@comcast.net
Mary Schinhofen – mary@schinhofen.net
A detailed description of each session along with assigned readings will be emailed to each person who registers for the workshop.
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Worship Celebrations - Sundays at 10:30 am

  January 19
“Living in a World House”
In his 1964 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., suggested that we are “living in a ‘world house’” in which we “must learn somehow to live with each other in peace.”  True then, how much more true now?  Rev. Connie Grant speaking.
Music by  the Dr. James Johnson Jazz Trio.
 
January 26
“Living Words”
A living religion is one that helps you in your everyday life. For people in religions where there is a primary scripture, it is not too difficult to find wisdom that may become a part of your daily living and help you live out your values. For Unitarian Universalists, we must pick our own holy words. What is the benefit of doing this?  Erica Shadowsong, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, speaking.

Upcoming Events
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
​(in six words more-or-less):
A Congregational Experience
Sunday, March 1, noon – 3:00 pm in the Undercroft Gallery
The objectives of this congregational gathering are two-fold
1) To offer an opportunity for congregants
to articulate and share their thoughts and feelings (in six words more-or-less)
about what this congregation is and can be,
for themselves, for each other, and for the larger community. 
(This is the “experience” part.)
2) To generate a congregational covenant
that can become part of Sunday morning liturgy,
expressing the foundational and aspirational identity
of the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. 
(This is the “product” part.)
Facilitated by Rev. Connie Grant; sponsored by the VIM (Vision Identity Mission) Team and the Transition Team.  Lunch will be provided for participants. 
An “experience” not to be missed!  Be there or be square!
Please register  by February 23.

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