Unitarian Universalists of
the
Online
Newsletter for October
2006
November Newsletter
Deadline is Monday, October 23. Submit
items to kivana“at”comcast.net
Jungle Safari Auction Is Coming!
Parents’ Meeting:
What Are Your Wishes and Dreams?
News from Building and Grounds
Sunday
services begin at
October
1 “Who’s Sorry Now? Apology, Forgiveness,
and Starting Over.”
The Rev. Judy Welles and Kathy Ellis, Student
Minister; Sally Beaver, musician.
We are in the midst of the Jewish High Holy
Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time set aside for examining one’s
deeds and misdeeds of the previous year, and asking forgiveness so that we can
begin the new year with a clean slate. You don’t have
to be Jewish to engage in the ongoing practice of asking forgiveness and starting
on a new path; it is a meaningful spiritual discipline for us all.
October
8 “Fear in the
Homeland”
The
Rev. Duane Fickeisen and Dan Cozort,
Worship Associate Carole Knisely and the Recorder
Trio, Musicians.
Terrorism has become a tool for manipulating
us through fear to advance an anti-modern, fundamentalist political agenda. It
is not a new tool – our religious ancestors were martyred for their beliefs and
indigenous peoples have been terrorized in the name of religion since October
1492 and before. Real homeland security will come through developing strong
community ties and inclusive communities, not through divisiveness or
isolation. Our children will teach us what they've learned about the inherent
worth and dignity of every person.
October
15 “Finding Balance.”
The Rev. Judy Welles; Kathy Ellis, Student
Minister; Pat Spader, musician.
Today is the INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE when
we consider our second U.U. Principle: Justice, Equity and Compasssion
in Human Relations. There are pl.aces in our lives where we
can keep things equal and fair, and there are places where we can’t. What are some imbalances we can do something
about? This is a Big Day! We will have a baby dedication ceremony, the
children’s choir and the adult choir will sing, and we’ll start the morning
with a “hymn sing” instead of the usual music for gathering. Come early so you can sing some of your
favorite hymns with Pat Spader’s accompaniment.
October
22 “Articulating Your UU
Faith”
Kathy Ellis, Student Minister, and the members of the Spring
Articulating Your UU Faith course. Julie Moffitt, Musician.
Members of the class will share their
experience of expressing their faith to friends, neighbors and co-workers. How
can we spread the good news of Unitarian Universalism?
October
29 “La Dia de
Los Muertos – The Mexican Day of the Dead”
The Rev. Judy Welles; Carol Lindsay, Worship
Associate; Carole Knisely, musician.
Let us take some time today to remember and
honor our departed ancestors, remembering how their lives have enriched our
own. In the tradition of the Mexican
holiday, we will celebrate with candles, flowers, music, food and photographs
that you bring of people who were important to you who have died. Don’t Forget! This is the morning (actually the night
before) to turn your clocks back to Standard Time.
On Sunday, October 8th, following the service, UUCV’s Board of Trustees will hold a meeting for the entire congregation to discuss our current situation regarding money and membership. It is very important for UUCV's future. Please attend.
Our
monthly minister’s column, this month from Rev. Judy Welles
For decades, Harry Scholefield was the senior minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco. It was a full and busy ministry. Harry was an advocate of daily spiritual practice, for him usually silent meditation early in the day. When asked how he managed to do this in the midst of such a demanding ministry, he said “I meditate every morning for half an hour. Unless it’s a really busy day. Then I meditate for a full hour.”
I have often thought of this wisdom when my life feels so full and busy that it seems to be out of control. It’s tempting to discard the time-consuming practices that actually keep us grounded, focused, and competent.
Duane and I each receive a full body massage once a month. Even back in the days when we could scarcely afford the cost, not to mention the time, we did it anyway. Having a massage is not only about loosening stiff muscles and getting the body to feel more fluid and comfortable; it is also about quieting down, relaxing the overtaxed brain, and receiving care. When I went for my first massage, the therapist interviewed me for a while to discover what my needs were. As I described the work I do in ministry, she said “Well, you need someone to take care of you once in a while, don’t you?” I nearly wept, and I knew that I had found the right practitioner.
Often at the end of the day, I feel that I have to do something simple and repetitive in order to silence the mental chatter so that I can settle down for sleep. Nearly every night I manage to knit for a few minutes at least. I feel as though the easy rhythm of needles and yarn actually realigns my brain cells from their jumble, smoothes the bumps in my brain, and quiets me down. For me, knitting is a form of meditation.
Toward the end of September, your Board of Trustees has been putting in a lot of extra time and effort to address some serious matters. (Look elsewhere in this issue for notice of a Town Hall meeting after the service on October 8 to inform you of our current situation.) On the day of the Board meeting, I almost cancelled my scheduled massage because there was so much to do and I was feeling so stressed. But remembering Harry Scholefield’s wisdom, I went and lay on the table for an hour and allowed myself to be cared for. It was definitely worth it.
That night I talked with the Trustees about the importance of finding a centered, grounded place from which to approach the work of problem-solving. I suggested an image from a poem as a place they could mentally go to when they need to achieve some inner tranquility. I hope that it will serve you as well.
The
William
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There
And evening full of linnet’s wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
See you in church! Love,
Judy
Haven’t come up with a costume yet? Have you at least pre-registered for a
bidding number? Or purchased a raffle
ticket that could win you some extra spending money? What are you waiting for?! The Jungle Safari Auction is coming, and
there’s no time to waste!
The deadline for donations has now passed,
and this year’s auction is looking like one of the BEST EVER!!! If you are new to UUCV, you won’t want to
miss this fantastic event. Plan now to
be at the Meeting House at
But don’t spend money on a baby-sitter. Bring your children to enjoy a jam-packed kid’s program with a professional magician, lots of kid-friendly food, and more. Parents may be asked to make a small donation towards the kids program or to donate some food; details are still being ironed out, but whatever is decided, you’ll certainly find it all worth it! The nursery will also be open for babies and toddlers.
Watch your mailbox for the Jungle Safari Auction book, coming towards the end of October. It will include a complete listing of all the sign-ups and silent auction items, as well as descriptions of live auction items and advertisements from supportive local businesses. Begin your auction strategizing and planning ahead of time, so you will be ready to POUNCE on the items you want! And remember, pre-registration not only saves you time, it is a bargain: only $5 ahead of time, instead of $10 at the door on auction night.
Finally, stop by the Jungle Safari Auction table to see which of your friends have already volunteered to bring food and drinks or help set up, and sign up to join them. With a little help from everyone, this year’s action will be a ROARING good time! At UUCV, EVERYONE comes to the auction.
NOTE to members of committees who have tables set up in the Social Hall: please pack up the items on your table immediately after the coffee hour on November 5. You’ll find boxes under your tables to hold the items. It takes all week to set up for a successful auction, and your help is greatly appreciated.
By
Kevin Snow, UUCV’s Director of Religious Education
Wow! There are so many things going on right now that your friendly, neighborhood DRE finds himself doing quite the juggling act over the past few months! Have you been plugged into the great programs we have running for your kids and you this year? If not, pick up the RE brochure and the Adult RE brochure and jump on the train. Magical things are happening at UUCV right now . . . let me tell you about some of them.
Downstairs on every Sunday you can find two amazing programs being run by some wonderful adults, and the kids are doggone nifty too! The response to the RE department’s outreach for teachers this year has been exciting. Many great people, with great talents who have never taught RE at UUCV or whom we haven’t seen in awhile have joined forces with some of our parents to co-teach the We Believe curriculum for our Pre-K to 5th grade kids. Priscilla Laws and Ann Berger-Knorr are piloting the first UU Principle for an entire month of classes, and more co-teachers are signed up for upcoming month-long chunks. I am very, very excited by the response we got from everyone who said yes, and I send you a big thank you! We are still trying to find a co-teaching team for Principle 6, roughly in March and April, and if you would like to join in the fun, please contact me. We have some seasoned vets to help you plan your lessons, based upon a prepared UU curriculum if you need support. Come on, you know you want to be like everyone else!
Also, the Coming of Age program for 6-8th graders has gotten off to a grand start with the recruitment of adult mentors for the kids. The first time we ran this program things went so well that I am very, very excited for the kids and mentors involved. An RE first at UUCV happened that I hope occurs again and again during future recruitment efforts. We had nearly twice as many adults suggested by the kids themselves and nearly all of them said yes! I had to turn down offers of help!! Awesome! Thank you all for stepping up to the plate and please consider being a mentor in the future.
Another exciting thing happening for RE at
UUCV is the doubling of our Youth Group.
Our first breakfast meeting at Fay’s went so well and we took up so much space
that we nearly needed the entire place to ourselves!! Ok, I exaggerate a tad.
The first fun event for the teens will be Sunday
Oct. 8 around
One last thing to toot and then I will be on
my way for another month. Have you heard about my horror film festival? Join me for four Sundays starting Oct. 29 at
By
Kathy Ellis
Fall is often a busy time for us all. I’ve
been quite busy already this fall with endings and beginnings. I am now retired
as a psychotherapist and have started as the half-time Director of Equipping at
WellSprings UU. I led a workshop on generational
patterns of personality for May Memorial UU in
AT UUCV, the class, Weaving
the Fabric of Diversity, has started. I’ll be facilitating two one day
workshops: Collage as Spiritual Practice will be Saturday October 7th and Articulating Your UU Faith will
be November 4th. Look for
a monthly film series exploring anti-oppression and justice issues.
As I continue my path towards ordained ministry, I welcome your feedback and your questions. What do you think ministers need to know?
Your ministers and student minister are
looking forward to meeting with all parents for some heartfelt conversation
about how UUCV can better serve families.
We can only guess at what
parents want, but you can tell us
directly. We will gather in the dining room for pizza and conversation after
the service on Sunday, October 22. Child care will be available. Please RSVP to Wendy Hankes,
who is helping to organize this gathering; you can reach her at galt1627@comcast.net or 226-8651.
Mark
these dates on your calendars so you don’t miss a thing this very busy and
exciting month!
October
3 A new Narcotics Anonymous Meeting
has been started in Boiling Springs. Commencing October 3rd, it will be held on
Tuesday evenings from
October
6 Pot Luck Dinner Join us October 6 as we gather at
October
7 Collage as Spiritual Practice(
see Student Minister article above)
October 8 Money & Membership Meeting (after the service, see article above)
October
8 5:30PM Youth Group (see DRE article above)
October
15 S.H.A.R.E. Ingathering (see article below)
October
15 Take a Hike Since my "Spiritual Sabbatical" sermon, a number
of UUCVers have approached me to share their own love
of hiking, so I am inviting anyone with an interest to stay after the service
on October 15 for a little exploration of the Appalachian Trail through Boiling
Springs, starting from the Meeting House and hiking up towards Center Point
Knob and back (weather permitting). That’s up to six miles all together—depending
on how far we get—with 500 feet elevation over the last mile. So, pack a lunch, wear layers of comfortable
clothing, and bring your hiking boots, bottles of water, sunscreen, and bug
spray. I figure it will take the whole afternoon, from
October
21 The Writer's Group will meet
on Saturday, October 21 from
October 22 Parent’s Meeting (after the service, see article above)
October
22 Serious Stuff "The Tulip and
the Pope," by Deborah Larsen, will be Serious Stuff Book Group's October
selection, to be discussed on Sunday, the 22nd. It's an affectionate reminiscence of the author's five years in a
October
29
Planning
ahead: Let Us Give Thanks Join together with members of our beloved
community for a Thanksgiving day feast at UUCV,
beginning at
September's Change for the World collected $250 for CARC. Way to go!! Excellent job. October's recipient will be Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland & Perry Counties (DVS/CP) is committed to helping victims of domestic violence to live violence free lives.
One of the most important components DVS/CP
provides for victims of domestic violence is temporary emergency shelter. The
shelter provides a safe, secure and comfortable home for victims of domestic
violence and their children. All services provided by DVS/CP are FREE and
CONFIDENTIAL. There is no need to be concerned about necessities, they are
provided to our guests in shelter.
Counselor/Advocates support and help victims plan their next steps. Counselor/ Advocates also help with housing options, assistance with the Public Welfare System, employment issues, child care issues, and anything else that is of concern to the victim. DVS/CP works with other social services agencies to improve the quality of life for victims of domestic violence.
DVS/CP also provides a 24-hour toll free hotline, one-on-one counseling, support groups, help with obtaining a Protection from Abuse Order, and advocacy in the criminal justice and social services systems. Speakers are also available to church groups, organizations, clubs, health care providers, businesses, schools, etc. on the topics of domestic violence.
Another fall is here and with it plans for
Thanksgiving at Project S.H.A.R.E. Again
this year the Social Action Committee is hoping to fill ten Thanksgiving Dinner
bags for the food bank. The ingredients
are: cranberry sauce, stuffing mix,
can/jar of gravy, cans of sweet potatoes, fruit cocktail, corn and
pumpkin. Also jello, applesauce, and juice. Won’t you please help us meet our goal? Please see the display and sign up sheet or
the S.A.C. table. Sign-ups help prevent
shortages or overages. Gifts of turkeys
or certificates for turkeys are also greatly needed. Of course other donations are always
welcome. This drive will begin
immediately and run until November 12.
Also in the month of October, the food bank
is collecting Giant receipts. Giant will
give S.H.A.R.E. $1.00 for each receipt dated in October and turned in before
October 31. Receipts may be left in the
donation tub or given to Sylvia Hardman.
Donations in September totaled 45 pounds. Sylvia was delighted with the many personal hygiene items donated. These are also in great demand and gratefully welcomed. Thanks to all who donated. October ingathering for those items not designated for the Thanksgiving dinner bags will be Sunday, October 15.
1. We have moved the Lost & Found items from the blue container to the downstairs closet for said items. Of particular note to be found is a green dining fly (tarp) probably used at the peace camp. Please see Letty Kress to retrieve any items.
2. There are three tables in the Social Hall that need to go home to their owners; they are: MacAnulty, Tarant, and Cozart.
3. Please hold all book contributions as they are starting to pile up. Also whoever is in charge of that project please have them contact Letty Kress.
4. The dehumidifier in the dining room requires continuous attention. Anyone in the building please empty the holding container.
5. I would like to thank everyone who came to the B&G meeting on Tuesday night, the 12th of September, as we thanked Paula Terry and Rick Heckman for their peerless leadership these past two years. I would like to remind all B&G committee members to check their email regularly as we will be communicating in that venue more often as we go forward. Anyone interested in joining the B&G committee please email Letty Kress at kresswolf@paonline.com
Tom
and Carole DeWall are the proud grandparents of Samantha
(Sammie) Raye Hicks, who was born August 1, to
Seventeen
kids attended our sixth annual UUCV Peacemakers camp this summer! As usual, Jim
Freeman hosted at the Freeman cabin in the tranquil setting of the
Wow, we had a good time. The kids biked to Fuller Lake Wednesday which is a
favorite swimming spot for Peacemakers each year. After polar-bearing early
Thursday morning, we also went birdwatching and then
hiked up Sunset Rocks Trail carrying Michael Politzer
like a pharaoh in his wheelchair. The evening campfire is always a time
for being outrageous and eating s'mores. Thanks
go to Sandi Freeman for leading some fun group activities. On Friday, after a
delicious pancake breakfast made by Geneva Politzer
with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" to
I cannot forget to mention that the kids enjoyed playing Truth or Dare when
they had free time at the cabin with some repeat adventures from last year like
a wedding and repeat refrains of "Cheddar Forever," a Lily Mooney
original complete with dancing. Fortunately, to tell you more about the flavor
of this experience, we have a poem composed by Chris Altieri
who came up to camp on the last day and interviewed the kids. (FYI, "Raina" is Eleanor Boyd's nickname.) Look for this year's pictures on the RE table
in the Social Hall.
What
We Did at Camp
By the
2006 UUCV Peacemakers’
We saw a rattlesnake in the woods
and white water
birds on the Susquehanna.
We saw tree toads and clamshells,
watched the camp
fire’s orange flames.
Some things were good surprises:
a swimming hole at
the creek,
lots of candy in
the pińata.
It was easy to flip kids in the hammock;
it was hard to
carry Michael up the mountain,
or paddle canoes
around the rocks.
We heard bird calls, the waterfall,
Addy laughing at
Quinn’s jokes,
Haley singing in the camper,
Carly
screaming
at Harry’s scary
stories.
We smelled of bug spray, smoke, and hotdogs,
and tried not to
smell of skunk.
Some things were funny:
Connor laughing in creek mud,
Lily on a toy phone:
“Hey Johnny, talk to me, babe,”
Raina imitating Michael Jackson.
Some things were sad:
Jim taking down the hammock,
the end of Pedro
the Inchworm
when
We had blisters and mud fights,
fought stick
battles with Morgan
who never lost,
had lumpy sleeps on
the hard ground
that made Clara
dream of elves
doing the cha cha.
The candle wax burned our hands,
the creek water
froze our feet.
A dragonfly landed on
We all slipped on stones under the river;
Mitch slipped off a log and fell into the
creek.
We forgot to shower or brush our teeth,
or look away when
Drew kissed Leah.
Eric never forgot to say,
“This stick is the best of the best!”
We slept under the stars
or in the cabin
with the giant snake,
or under a tree in
a tent.
We had wet and sticky and muddy days--
We all want to say, we’re so glad we went!
I hope that you will seriously consider
becoming a Chalice Lighter in the Joseph
Priestley District (JPD). A Chalice Lighter pledges to respond with a
contribution of $20 or more when the call comes to “light the chalice”
somewhere in the Joseph Priestley District. There are three calls each year.
The Chalice Lighter funds are used to support growth in our Unitarian
Universalist congregations in JPD through Chalice Lighters Grants to new or
existing congregations. The grants are
used for a variety of growth initiatives:
a first minister, first RE professional, first music director, first
office staff, new congregation organizing, building/land and innovative growth
strategies. How much difference can $20 make? Over $40,000 is generated three
times a year. Think about the tremendous
impact that your $20 contribution can make within of our district. The positive
influence on the growth initiatives within our district for such a modest
contribution is impressive. Please consider adding your “light” to our district
by becoming a Chalice Lighter.
The Joseph Priestley District includes all
or parts of five mid-Atlantic states and the
UUCV
has been the recipient of 6 Chalice Lighter Grants. The first
supported consulting work by the JPD New Congregation Organizer Bob Johnsen, which helped the lay leaders gather and organize a
core group and to gain acceptance into the UUA’s New
Congregation Ministry program. The second
grant supported a part-time religious education organizer, who helped plan and
launch our first programming for children and youth. That initial organizing
resulted in a permanent half-time staff position as director of religious
education and a program that now serves families and children with dynamic
leadership. The third grant helped the congregation supplement the UUA grant for
the cost of ministry. The amount of the grant from the UUA declined each year
and the Chalice Lighter funds enabled the congregation to continue to support
the full-time ministry of its co-ministers, who share the single full-time
position. The fourth grant enabled the congregation to make a down payment on the
purchase of a church building. The Meeting House seats 250 in the sanctuary and
has 14,000 square feet of space including several program/RE rooms, a nursery,
a large social hall, dining area, kitchen, and offices. The fifth grant helped the support the
salary of an office administrator when we first started that position. The sixth grant was shared between UUCV and
three other congregations which we used for a direct mail advertising campaign.
As you can see, we have received so much
help from this program. What better way
to show our appreciation of this generosity than with a display of our
own. UUCV now has 83 Chalice Lighters.
Our congregation currently has 57% participation which is the second highest
percent participation among all congregations within JPD. We want to be number ONE! We need to enroll 25 new Chalice Lighters to
reach our goal of 65% participation. Won’t you and your partner or spouse (if
you have one) each become Chalice Lighters and help our “light” burn brighter?
Please visit the Chalice Lighters’ table during coffee hour to sign-up anytime from now until October 22nd “Chalice Lighter Sunday”.
Many, many thanks to Dot Everhart and her able assistant, Chuck Folsom, for their work in leading the UUCV Board in retreat
on September 22 and 23. Many agreed that
it was the best Board retreat ever! And
let’s remember to thank Jeb Boyd for his tireless work in making
coffee happen every Sunday, either with volunteers he recruits and trains, or
by doing it himself. Mary Lynn Lynch also deserves thanks for
organizing the flower volunteers each Sunday.
Big, big thanks and kudos to Paula Terry and Rick Heckman for
co-chairing the Building and Grounds Committee for the past two years. We’re grateful to Letty Kress for taking up the B&G reins in a smooth transition of
leadership. From your ministers.
Ministers Rev. Duane Fickeisen & Rev. Judy Welles Email
ministersATuucv.net. Home study telephone: 241-0410
Office Assistant Elena Yarlett Hours: Thursdays from
Dir. of Religious Ed. Kevin Snow,
249-8104, dreATuucv.net
UUCV Board of Trustees
Kit Franklin (president), akfrankATepix.net
Ed Glasgow (vice-president), edwinglasgowATaol.com
Leslie Carr (clerk), lgcarr22ATyahoo.com
Larry Berger-Knorr (treasurer), bergerknorrATgmail.com
Priscilla Laws, lawspATdickinson.edu
Tom DeWall, thdewallATpapsy.org
Carol McAnulty, paulandcarol913ATearthlink.net
Jon Tarrant, jwtarrantATcomcast.net
Sue Roberts, b.s.roberts.ivjlATstatefarm.com
Committee Chairs and Other Leaders
Building and Grounds Committee: Letty Kress, kresswolfATpaonlineDTOcom.
Music Committee: Ken Laws, lawsATdickinson.edu
Finance & Fundraising Committee: Bob & Wendy Hankes, galt1627ATcs.com
Membership Committee: Doug Spencer, jbsandmsATepix.net
Committee on Ministry: Liz Hoffman, hoffpsychATmindspring.com & Joan Bechtel, bechteljoATaol.com
Religious Education Committee: Ann Berger-Knorr, annabellejATcomcast.net
Social Action Council: Priscilla Laws, lawspATdickinson.edu
Caring Circle: Sylvia Hardman
Coffee Coordinator Jeb Boyd, jeb101904ATearthlink.net
Sunday Music Coordinator Nancy Bittinger, nbittingerATcomcast.net
Newsletter Editor: Kim van Alkemade, kivanaATcomcast.net
Flowers Coordinator: Mary Lynn Lynch, marylynn_lynchATyahoo.com
Potluck Coordinator: Tom Vernon, tlvernonATblazenet.net
Small Group Ministry: Ed Glasgow, edwinglasgowATaol.com