Channing UU Church - Edmond, OK

06/20/2026

Prayer for Juneteenth

Creator of All,
As believers in justice,
Woven into a single garment of life.
Making us one with the human family,
Let us rejoice for those who safely
passed through the shades of night
towards the daylight of freedom.
Spirit of all possibilities,
may we be blessed with true freedom,
Free of all oppressions.
Spirit of hope,
With grateful hearts
We lift our voices in shared solidarity,
Holding each other safe
In the fire of justice and the light of love.
Amen/Blessed Be

By Addae Ama Kraba

06/06/2026

We send our unwavering support for Unitarian Universalists (UU) in uniform and our UU military chaplains. We recently learned the Department of Defense (DOD) has removed 180 separate religious affiliations from the US military’s list of religious affiliation codes. This eliminates the code for Unitarian Universalists, as well as Humanists, Atheists and Pagan traditions, and many others. Along with dozens of other religious traditions, UUs will be categorized broadly under “Other” in military’s religious affiliation codes.

Please note this decision does not directly impact the status of our UU military chaplains, who are authorized through a separate faith-based endorsement process with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). What it does mean is that Unitarian Universalist service members will not be able to select their specific religious identity in their personnel records. This may make it more difficult for our uniformed UUs to access the spiritual care that they need.

At this time, we are diligently working with our UUA counsel and partners in a variety of faith traditions to craft a strategic response that faithfully represents our values and demonstrates clear support for our UU service members and their families, as well as all those who are impacted by this DOD policy.

We will share more information when it is available. But today, we declare that no government action can erase our faith nor lessen the powerful and necessary grounding it provides for those who serve.

Read the full statement at the link in the comments.

06/01/2026

June arrives wrapped in color, courage, and celebration. Pride Month invites us to honor the LGBTQ+ community — not only for the joy and vibrancy it brings, but for the resilience, truth-telling, and bravery that have shaped generations of progress. Pride is a
reminder that living authentically is both a right and, for many, an act of courage. At Channing, we strive to be a community where people can show up as their whole selves. We welcome all who come in good faith, with respect for the dignity, safety, and humanity of others. Inclusion isn’t a slogan — it’s a practice. It’s in the way one greets another, in the way one listens, and in the way space is made for every person’s story.

This month, we celebrate the beauty ofauthenticity and the
freedom to love openly. We celebrate the people who have stood on the front lines of justice, and those who simply want
to live their lives without fear.

Pride reminds us that community is built not by sameness, but by compassion, solidarity, and the willingness to stand beside one another.

As June unfolds, may we continue to embody the values that guide us: kindness, courage, and the commitment to build a world where everyone — truly everyone who comes in good faith — can belong. Pride is not just a moment on the calendar. It’s a reminder of the world we are still creating together.

06/01/2026

Our theme for June is Beauty.

Jun 7th, Anna Holloway: Pretty is not the same as Beautiful.

June 14th, William Lentz: Beauty in the Ordinary. "Beauty is said to be ‘in the eye of the beholder’ however many of us are told what tends to be traditionally considered beautiful. All the while true beauty lies in places that are ordinary and often overlooked. Let’s find beauty together in the unlikely and maybe even unexpected places."

June 21st, Mark Christian: Beauty in All Things. "Beauty can transcend our normal notions of what is cosmetically attractive. You can find beauty in many things, some of which are quite surprising!"

June 28th, Donna Compton: In the Eyes of... ?
"The old adage is that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder," but is that true? Is beauty always subjective? What are the criteria? Who decides? Let's talk."

Join us either in person, or via Zoom!

02/23/2026

As was brought up by one of our members, there is an issue going on with Wat Lao. It is a Lao Buddhist temple located in OKC. The community is concerned about actions taken by the current Board of Directors - including their decision to abruptly evict a monk that has resided there for 30 years, in such a way that would leave him homeless. The community is saying there are better ways to do this if they no longer wish for him to live there.

All they are asking for is a meeting with the Board, so they and the community can communicate.

There is a link to a petition in the comments. It would be much appreciated.

01/25/2026

I am heartbroken and grieving alongside you all, beloveds, as we bear witness to yet another murder of an observer in Minneapolis. May these words of prayer be a small comfort in these terrible times.

Read the full text of the prayer in UU World, available at the link in the comments below.

01/23/2026

For anyone who is NOT on the email list - We are cancelling in-person church services this Sunday due to weather concerns. We WILL still have services, just via zoom. If you need the link, please let us know!

Stay safe, and stay warm.

The impending winter weather threatens a triple whammy - heavy snow, ice and extremely low temperatures. Oftentimes, we only have one of those things. When we have had at least two or even three, those are the storms we remember for decades, because they can affect roads, power and water pipes.

Time will tell whether we remember this storm, but please prepare for all the possibilities.

First and foremost, I remind you that with 9,000 lane miles in the city limits, our 32 plows have to stay focused on the snow routes. That map is pictured below. Also below is also a link to various versions of it. Stay home if you can, but if you have to get out, plan your journey around the snow routes.

Also, protect your home by dripping interior faucets along exterior walls, and opening cabinets.

Check on people you think might be vulnerable. And know that our homelessness service provider community is out there offering people shelter. Shelters are adding space and there is always room for one more.

Thank you as always to the many city employees who will be out there this weekend and beyond so we can stay home.

Below is that link to the snow route map and other winter weather resources.

Stay warm, stay safe.

https://www.okc.gov/Services/Public-Safety/Emergency-Preparedness/Know-What-to-Do/Winter-Weather

01/16/2026

Join us for some of our events this month:
Game Night is TONIGHT at 6:30 pm
Our Men's+Q group will meet on Jan 19th at 2pm, at Summer Moon in Edmond.
Jan 25th is our monthly Potluck!
And our Book Group will meet on Jan 27th at 1:30pm.

Our CUUPs group will meet on Feb 1st to celebrate Imbolc. Check out their FB group page (linked in the comments) for details!