Unitarian Universalists of
the
Online
Newsletter for March
2006
Click
here to open the March Calendar in PDF
February Newsletter
Deadline is Monday, March 20
Submit items to
kivana@comcast.net
2006 Canvass (Pledge) Campaign: “Come, Sing a Song With
Me”
Year Zero Update on Our Five Year Plan
New Communications Committee Under Consideration
Nominees Sought for UUCV’s Board of Trustees
Congregational Happenings & Social Action Events
UUCV Helps with Flood Reparations in Transylvania
Annual Spring Conference of the Joseph Priestley District
Our monthly minister’s column, this month from Rev. Duane Fickeisen
“Once in the wintertime when the
snow was very deep, a poor boy had to go out and fetch wood on a sled. After he
had gathered it together and loaded it, he did not want to go straight home,
because he was so frozen, but instead he decided to make a fire and warm
himself a little first. So he scraped the snow away,
and while he was clearing the ground he found a small golden key.
“Now he believed that where there
was a key, there must be a lock, so he dug in the ground and found a little
iron chest. ‘If only the key fits!’ he thought. ‘Certainly there are valuable
things in the chest.’ He looked, but there was no keyhole. Finally he found
one, but so small that it could scarcely be seen.
“He tried the key, and
fortunately it fitted. Then he turned it once, and now we must wait until he
has finished unlocking it and has opened the lid. Then we shall find out what
kind of wonderful things there were in the little chest.”
The Golden Key is the last tale
published by the Grimm brothers in their second edition (1819) and all
subsequent editions of their collected fairytales. The unfinished tale is a
common folklore theme, and it suggests to us the truth that in fact all of our
stories are unfinished. Perhaps the Grimms placed
this one last in their collection to suggest that there is more to be
discovered, more yet to tell, more than we have yet imagined.
In theological language, when we
Unitarian Universalists assert that ‘revelation is
not sealed’ we’re saying the same thing — the story is not yet finished — and
it’s even more interesting than we have yet imagined. It’s a mark of being a
liberal that you can tolerate paradox and uncertainty. I wouldn’t want to know
how the story turns out. Taking away the mystery would spoil the fun.
We claim, after all, to be
engaged in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The journey is
at least as important as the destination. A part of our spiritual practice is
to be alert for new chapters of the story, for fresh information and new
interpretations that help us understand the great story.
Whether the
story is of the whole cosmos, our tribe, our particular cultural roots and
ancestors, our current family, or our personal evolving lives, the story
matters. It shapes who we are and how we relate to each other and to the
rest of the tangible, material world as well as to the realms of mystery, myth,
and spirit.
Some progressive medical
ethicists approach decisions about interventions on the basis of the patient’s
life story so far and the anticipated effect of the intervention on the next
chapter of the story. It’s a nuanced, uncertain, and circumstantial approach
that recognizes that there is no inflexible system of values or established
rigid hierarchy of absolute good and evil.
UUCV has an unfinished story,
too. The founders created this congregation with the express intent of giving
it away as a gift to the
Our congregation has a tentative
outline of the next chapters of its story. It’s in our mission and vision
statements and the five-year plan that seeks to implement the six elements of
our vision. It’s a flexible plan, designed for renewal with the continuing
awareness that we who are now here are temporary stewards and in that role we
have a responsibility to the future to assure that there is a robust UU
congregation in the
March is pledge month. Starting
on the 12th, your congregation will come knocking to ask you to make
a commitment of financial support for its operating fund for the fiscal year
that starts on July 1. The canvass campaign has an ambitious goal and if it’s
met, it will enable us to write the next chapter of UUCV’s
story in bold ink. Our focus this year is on the music program because we
believe a stronger music program will enhance our experience of worship, draw
in new members and friends, and help us sustain the story.
I hope you’ll join us as we
invite you to “Come, Sing a Song with Us” and join in making harmony, as
together we create the next chapters of UUCV’s story.
Give careful consideration to your pledge of support, as you experience the joy
of knowing that your support makes it possible to give this gift to the future
— this gift of a liberating, transforming, and life-saving religious home for
all who seek the unfinished story.
See you on Sunday!
Sunday Services Begin at
Ash Wednesday, March 1,
The Revs. Duane H. Fickeisen and Judy Welles
Join us for our annual service of confession and communion. In the tradition of our Polish Unitarian ancestors, we will make public confessions of our shortcomings and the faith the holds us and we will break bread and share wine together as a symbol of our bonds to the beloved community. Following the service, Duane will lead a discussion of fasting to explore the topic of our service on February 26.
March 5 "Faces
of Compassion"
Presented by Dan Cozort and Ellen Lyon,
Worship Associates
The bodhisattvas of Buddhism remind us that compassion comes in many forms: gentle and tough, discriminating and accepting, courageous and humble. Who are the Manjushris or Avalokiteshvaras in our midst?
March 12 “Come Sing A Song With Me”
The Rev. Duane H. Fickeisen and Carla Claycomb, Worship Associate Music will be provided by Pat Spader and the UUCV Choir
Our annual canvass for pledges of financial support to the operating fund officially begins this morning. Our five-year plan anticipates a focus on enhancing the music program during the next fiscal year. Come and be inspired to join the chorus of voices that will help write the next chapter in UUCV's story.
March 19 “Here Am I; Send Me!”
The Rev. Judy Welles; Bev
Motich, Worship Associate; Carole Knisely
and Keith Bittinger, musicians
A
recent book, Common Fire, discusses the
influences on the lives of hundreds of people who work for the common good to
determine what shaped their social/work ethic.
We will see how family, community, education, the workplace, the arts
and--of course--religion all play a role in the creation of lives of commitment. This service is an R.E. tie-in service, as
our children discuss the sixth principle and its relationship to social action
and volunteerism.
March 26 “Why Do Birds Sing? Charles Hartshorne's Relational Theology”
The Rev.Duane H. Fickeisen
and Brian Stolley, Worship Associate; Music will be
provided by Sally Beaver
UU Charles Hartshorne was one of
the 20th century's principle theologians and thinkers. He was a process
theologian and amateur ornithologist whose avocation and vocation were
intertwined when he investigated the reasons that birds sing. Find out what he
concluded, what process theology has to offer you in your quest for truth and
meaning, and what the singing of birds might have to do with UUCV's music program.
In celebration of our beloved
community, all are invited to attend UUCV’s
stewardship campaign kick-off concert on Saturday,
March 18 at
From UUCV’s
Director of Religious Education, Kevin Snow
Who says December is the time for giving? Recently, some
fundraisers connected to RE have yielded sizable donations to support important
social action events beyond our congregation. I would like to use my
article this month to highlight two of these important efforts.
First, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Youth Group’s
Valentine’s Day Truffle sale. All those who showed up to turn a Friday
night into a fun and chocolate filled evening of making truffles deserve a
sound pat on the back. Special thanks go to Wendell Smith and Sarah Dimuccio for their idea and recipe. I know everyone enjoyed
it. Also, special thanks to everyone who so generously purchased these tasty
treats. I don’t have the exact figure, but I believe the Youth Group raised close to $350 which will be turned entirely into a
charitable donation of food baskets for the Viva House in
Secondly, thank you to everyone who collected coins and cash for the
annual Guest at Your Table event which supports the global activities of the
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. All funds have been counted and
we will be sending a little shy of $300 this year to UUSC. If you still
have your boxes sitting around your house, don’t panic, as I am sure the UUSC
will appreciate your donation any time of the year. Please see me to
assist you, if need be, with getting the funds you collected to the proper
location. With so much global turmoil in the news, the UUSC can do a lot with
your donations.
To shift gears, did you notice that spring is in the air, or at least
it was on several oddly warm days this February, and that can only mean one
thing! In another few months, the RE season will be coming to a close with our
annual RE Sunday service and our summer curriculum will be rolling into
place. This year’s summer program will be a reading based program that
kids and parents can participate in even if they have other summer plans.
We haven’t chosen our books quite yet, but that decision or selection of
decisions will be made public very soon. Please take a look at your
summer schedules and sign up to teach or help for a few Sundays. Summer RE is
relaxed, fun and creative. If that sounds good to you, stop by the RE table to
see the schedule and grab a pen. See you on Sunday!!!
Conversation on Fasting On Wednesday,
March 1, immediately after the Communion and Confession Service, Duane will
lead a discussion to enhance the February 26 service on fasting. It's the first
day of Lent, and we'll explore the spiritual benefits of fasting and invite you
to consider what you'll give up for Lent. We'll probably start about
Conversation on Process Theology On Wednesday, March 29, starting at
All UUCV members know the song.
It’s one of our hymn-book favorite—number
346. And we’ve taken its title as the
theme for our 2006 Pledge Campaign. Sometime around March 11th you’ll be
receiving in the mail a brochure telling how the verses of the song fit in with
the way we all feel about UUCV. It will be asking us to think hard about how we
can boost our annual pledges. And it
will tell how the extra funds will make possible the Five-Year Plan the board
envisioned for our congregation and we endorsed in our October meeting. It projects greater outreach and greater
growth.
Activities we have planned for the March Campaign include Duane’s
“Sermon on the Amount,” which is set for March 12, “Music Meetings” that will
be held in the homes of members from March 12th through 25th (you
can sign up in the Social Hall February 26th and March 5th, and an
evening celebrating “Music at UUCV” on March 18. This concert will feature
members and friends of UUCV who have musical talent and are willing to share it
with us so that we can focus our thoughts and spirits on how lucky we are to be
part of this beloved community.
To put the “topper” on this year’s effort, at the April 2nd service the “Unisingers” from the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg will be our guests, and will sing special music along with our own choir. You won’t want to miss this very special service of music! Those who have heard the Unisingers before can attest to their great talent and commitment as they lift their voices in song.
The goal for this year’s Canvass is $174,000---quite a bit more than
last year’s successful canvass that brought in $132,900. In fact, it’s almost one-third more than last
year’s goal. Can we do it? We can if
everyone gives one-third more—or if many of our most givers increase their
pledges by even more than that, to “cover” those on fixed incomes who have no
more to give. Let’s give it a lot of
thought---and find a way to do it!
Canvass Volunteers Still Needed
For those of you who are waiting in the wings to volunteer to help with
the 2006 Pledge Canvass, now is the time to come
forward! Here’s how we can use your
time, talents and treasures:
Host homes for the Music Meetings, Individual Canvassers, Hosts for 3/18
(Saturday night) Concert Intermission Reception, Cover artists for the
bulletins for 3/12, 3/18 and 4/2, Coffee Hour Host(s) for 4/2, Folks to bring
goodies for the 3/18 reception, Folks to bring goodies for the 4/2 coffee hour,
Thank you letter writers, Thank you letter mailers
You can volunteer by contacting Dot Everhart at 717-432-7795 or doteverhart@yahoo.com. Thanks so much
for your assistance and support! As
Grandma used to say, “Many hands make light work!”
Thank You to Some VSP’s
What’s a VSP? That’s a Very
Special Person! And we have many of them
at UUCV. Here is just a list of those
who have been helping in one way or another with the 2006 Canvass:
Janet & Doug Spencer, Geneva Politzer,
Greg Bear, Priscilla & Ken Laws, Dan Cozort, Joan
& Dan Bechtel, Laurel Belding, Carole Scott DeWall,
Will Guilliams, Marilyn Durr,
Gene Walker, Susan Walker, Jim Fox, Julie Ham, Alan & Kit Franklin, Tom DeWall, Leslie Carr, Sally Beaver, Pat Spader,
Judy Welles, Duane Fickeisen,
David & Virginia Jackson, Ed Glasgow.
I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone’s name! If I have, please let me know and I’ll make
sure to include you in the next list. Your name can be added to this list for the
April Newsletter if you call or email Dot Everhart to volunteer to help with
the tasks that still need to be done to complete this important work! If you
want to be a VSP, give me a call, we’ll find something to do that uses your
talents!
From Priscilla Laws, President of the
Board of Trustees
We
are currently in the midst of year 0 of the 5-year plan approved by the
Congregation last October. Board members took stock of
our year zero progress during its February Board Meeting. We are on beam for
completing the year 0 tasks outlined on page 5 of the plan.
In
addition to the activities I reported on in last Month's newsletter, I'm
pleased to note that: (1) The process of
upgrading our computer software and hardware began recently with the acquisition
of a new version of the Membership Plus
software; (2) Tom Vernon has been installing a new sound system in the
sanctuary that should end the cranky microphone problems and also allow us to
record our Choir performances; (3) A group is meeting at the ministers' house
for brunch on Saturday March 4th to discuss the formation of a new
committee of Communications and Publicity (anyone interested in brainstorming
with us should contact Judy Welles); (4) We have
lined up a potential part time bookkeeper who can help the new treasurer with
our financial records, and many of you have agreed to lead a series of new and
old fundraisers-- including a home hospitality weekend during Dickinson's
commencement and the opportunity to contribute items to UUCV that can be sold
on eBay.
The
Board is very excited about our early progress toward the growth in both our
spiritual and physical capacities.
A few brave souls volunteered in early December without really knowing
what they were committing to do. They
were each given a hundred dollar bill to use as they decided in order to share
the love and value we have come to experience as members and friends of
UUCV. They agreed to a few “strings” that
were attached to the money (to tell us how they used the money, to tell us how they
expected the money to share the love and value of UUCV with others, to give us
this information by February 14th—Valentine’s Day). Here’s an update:
Jeb
& Lisa Boyd plan to use
their grants to either purchase lapel pins for members and friends of UUCV to
use to start conversation with others about UUCV or to post posters in free
bulletin boards in the area or to expand the newspaper advertisements.
Janet Spencer has decided to erect an “Enter Here” sign
on a permanent post near the Social Hall entrance so it can be covered or
uncovered as appropriate and eliminate the need to lug the very sturdy, but
heavy teepee sign we currently use to mark the alternative entrance to UUCV.
Geneva Politzer created a chalice out of holiday lights in
her yard on
Nancy Bittinger plans to host a youth coffeehouse or dance
at UUCV to let area youth know that they are welcome here. She is working to find a good date in the
schools’ busy schedules and to advertise the event in appropriate venues. She just might be asking you to help with refreshments
and/or chaperoning!
Home Hospitality Fundraiser
As you
know, we are always thinking of new and creative ways to raise money for our
congregation. UUCV is about to break new ground and YOU can be a part of
history. Our newest project is the “Home Hospitality Project.” We are looking
for host families to volunteer some guest space and hospitality for Friday, 19
May and Saturday, 20 May for parents attending the Dickinson College
Commencement weekend.
As a
host family you will provide two nights lodging and breakfast both
mornings. In return, the guest family
will make a monetary donation to UUCV. You get to share your home, participate
in interesting conversation, make new friends and help the church raise money.
If you are interested please contact Ann Marie Wolf at 486-7793 or by e-mail at Kresswolf@paonline.com.
All
host families who have volunteered and those considering being hosts are
requested to attend a meeting after the service on Sunday, March 5 where your
questions will be answered and details worked out. The could be a very
lucrative fund raising event with enough hosts.
You don’t need to live within walking distance of
Additional Fundraising Opportunities
Thank you to so many of you who recently stepped up to coordinate or help with fundraisers! However, if you weren’t at the congregational meeting or otherwise didn’t complete a volunteer form, you, too, can help out your favorite charity, UUCV! Here’s a quick summary of some of the opportunities, along with the contact person:
Longaberger Basket Raffle tickets for May raffle: Kim Clark 243-8876 or kaclark13@earthlink.net. Needed –
Ticket buyers and sellers, with 62 chances to win!
Little Theater of Mechanicsburg event, April 29: Susan Helm 218-5136 or shelm@newportsd.org. Needed – Ticket buyers for LTM play and a sales helper
Foundry Day, June 6: Kathy Ellis 245-9525 or (elliskl@comcast.net). Needed – Strawberry preparers and shortcake makers on June 5 and table staffers on June 6
Yard Sale,
Yard Sale, your date, your house (or at UUCV): Needed – A coordinator and/or homeowner for another sale either before or after May 27 to give our treasures more ways to find new homes
Grocery Cards, all chains:
Non-book E-Bay Sales: Carol McAnulty, 249-4433 or paulandcarol913@earthlink.net. Needed – Select items to sell on E-Bay for UUCV’s benefit
Family Sharing Group:
eBay for UUCV
Round up all those collectibles that are collecting dust in your attic
and see if they could make a few dollars for UUCV! We'd are going to
start selling (non-books) items on eBay to
benefit UUCV. There will be an area designated in the social
hall starting in March if you'd like to donate anything to be sold on
this internet auction site. If you require assistance to bring an item,
that can also be accommodated. Please provide a brief description of your
item and an approximate dollar value. If you have any questions as
to the appropriateness of an item, feel free to email or call Carol McAnulty 249-4433 paulandcarol913@earthlink.net
or Diane Reed 386-0017 ladybook@earthlink.net.
Finally, we’ll soon be looking for folks to lead various auction aspects, so if that sounds like fun (which it is!), contact last year’s co-chairs (Susan Walker & Cindi Butzer) or any member of the Fundraising Committee. A few other ideas are still being worked on, so info on these will follow later. There’s something for everyone!
On
February 1 we certified our official membership with the UUA at 145
adults. This is a drop from our previous
number of 160; some members moved away last year, and some were removed from
membership due to inactivity (after repeated attempts by the Membership committee
and the ministers to reach them). The
good news is that since February first we have gained two new members, Jeb and Lisa Boyd, and we are anticipating
another four who will be joining shortly.
There will be an Ingathering of new members at a Sunday service later
this spring, after which their biographies will appear in the newsletter. We’ve been delighted with many recent
visitors returning repeatedly and showing interest in getting involved with
UUCV. This helps us to feel optimistic
about continuing to grow numerically (as well as in many other ways!) according
to our Five-Year plan. And finally, a
big welcome to new Membership committee members Jill Kachmar
and Jane Freeman!
Anyone
interested in brainstorming ways to set up and organize a communications committee
(encompassing newsletter, web site, advertising and public relations) is
invited to brunch at Duane and Judy’s on Saturday, March 4 at
From your Student Minister, Kathy Ellis
Hello! I am writing to you in my new role as the first official Student Minister at UUCV. Many of you have told me that you have seen changes in me as I continue on the journey to the Unitarian Universalist ministry. In October, I had an interview with the Regional Sub-Committee on Candidacy for the ministry. I am now an official Candidate and a student member of the UUMA, the minister’s association.
At the UUCV board meeting on February 16th, the board voted to sponsor my candidacy and to allow me to do my “praxis” work at UUCV. The praxis is a requirement of the Modified Residency Program of Meadville Lombard Theological School. I have begun the MRP program, and I am very happy to be able to complete the M.Div. at a UU seminary.
Praxis means practice and that is what I will do as Student Minister. I will be volunteering about 10 hours a week to the congregation from now until the summer of 2007. Much of what I will be doing will be the same as what I have already been doing. I will continue to facilitate OWL with Jim Freeman. I will be facilitating some adult religious education and leading some worship services. But all that I do now will no longer be as a lay volunteer; I am practicing to be a minister.
Meadville Lombard requires that student minister have a variety of opportunities to reflect and learn from the practical experience. I will meet regularly with a supervising minister. For the first 6 months, my supervisor will be Judy, and for the second six months, Duane will be my supervisor. I will also meet monthly with another minister assigned by Meadville Lombard. That minister is the Rev. Carol Ann Taylor who is Director for Lifespan Faith Development for the Joseph Priestley District. I am pleased to learn from such outstanding ministers.
Another outstanding group of people, a committee of UUCV members, will meet with me monthly. I am looking forward to learning with Dan Bechtel, Nick Bloom, Dan Cozort, Liz Hoffman, Dave Mooney and Janet Spencer. They have agreed to observe and give feedback.
I am fortunate to have the support of this wonderful congregation. I am filled with gratitude at this opportunity to continue to learn with you. Thank you.
Are you interested in serving on UUCV's Board or on the congregation's nominating committee? Elections for UUCV's board are held every year at the annual meeting in May. Our bylaws require that a slate be presented by a nominating committee whose members are also elected by the congregation. Thirty days advance notice of the committee's recommendations is required, and so the clock is ticking right now, because the slate needs to be determined in time to meet the March deadline for the April newsletter. It is also possible for any member to be nominated by petition as a candidate for the board of trustees, and floor nominations are accepted for the nominating committee posts. All candidates for office must be members of UUCV.
Three board vacancies will need to be filled. At least two of the three seats
on the nominating committee will also be open. Any member interested in serving
in any of these roles should contact the nominating committee now. Its members
are John Bloom (245-9512; bloom@pa.net);
Richard Ellis (218-9818; raellis@earthlink.net);
and Janet Folsom (486-7988; janetfolsom@cs.com).
March 23 The Social Action
Committee of the Unitarian Universalists of the
March 25 The Writer's Group will meet on Saturday,
March 25 from
March 26 Serious Stuff Book
Group members will
discuss Susan Sontag's book "Regarding the
Pain of Others" at the March meeting,
We collected $217.20 during January's Change for the World. This
money will go to the Samaritan Fellowship of Carlisle for energy
assistance. It is about 15 degrees as I am writing this so I am sure this
contribution will come in handy to keep our neighbors warm.
The months of March and April are very important at S.H.A.R.E. with the return of the Feinstein Foundation one million dollar challenge. Between march 1 and April 30, all cash, checks and food items will be reported to the Foundation for matching funds. Each food item will be valued at $1.00. This is a wonderful opportunity for UUCV to increase its contributions (and consequently its value) to the Food Bank. Many thanks for the many food and non-food items donated during the past two months. January’s total was 56 pounds and February’s total was 70 pounds.
Julie Ham
has a new job working as an HMO/PPO Specialist in the Billing Department of a
medical group in Mechanicsburg, with better benefits and a much more cheerful
and supportive environment.
Congratulations, Julie! Ellen Lyon also has a new work assignment
(though still a reporter for the Patriot News); she is now the
On August 23, immediately before
Hurricane Katrina, there was a devastating mud flow in one of the valleys in
In a special collection, UUCV raised about $3,500 to assist the UU Service Committee and the UU Partner Church Council's aid to our Transylvanian brothers and sisters. More than $325,000 was raised for the effort from UUs like you.
A team from the Partner Church Council has worked with the villagers to facilitate
their development of an action plan, including setting their own priorities.
Last month UU Richard Ford, an expert on sustainable development in developing
countries, guided Transylvanian facilitators in organizing whole villages to
assess their own needs and develop plans for the future. The work to implement
the village plans will be implemented in partnership with other agencies and
the Romanian government as well as local governing bodies.
Volunteer work crews repaired or rebuilt the most seriously damaged homes by the
end of December. A voucher system distributed money to families to use in local
stores to replace appliances, kitchen goods, furniture, and other household
goods and to buy supplies for needed repairs. Donated food, clothing, small
farm animals, and firewood for the winter were also distributed. Some of the
funds are held in an escrow account for use this spring on repairs to bridges
and roads and to the school in Szentmihaly which was badly
damaged. Long-range plans are being developed for better flood control.
Two work camps are planned for July and will be directed by two volunteers with
extensive experience in construction in
Annual Spring Conference of the Joseph Priestley District
The annual meeting of the Joseph
Priestley District will be held on March 31 and April 1 in
So many
people have said yes recently when asked to serve UUCV in some way, we wanted
to issue them a special thanks! Thanks to:
Dave Mooney, Janet Spencer, Nick Bloom, Dan
Bechtel, Liz Hoffman and Dan Cozort for agreeing to serve on Kathy Ellis’s Student Ministry
Transition Committee. (See related article in this issue.)
Ann Marie Wolf for heading up our new fund raising event, home hospitality
for Dickinson College Commencement weekend.
(See related article.)
Jon Tarrant for agreeing to come onto the Board of Trustees to complete Dan Fancher’s term; and thanks also to Dan Fancher for his long and loyal
service on the Board. A semester-long
Thursday night class makes it impossible for Dan to attend Board meetings this
spring.
David Bateman for coming onto the Committee on Ministry to complete Jim Coolsen’s
term (thanks, Jim!).
Lisa Boyd for becoming our new Pledge Administrator, thus freeing
Doug Spencer to concentrate on his duties as Membership Chair.
Carol Lindsay for coordinating the Book Nook, and Carla Claycomb for taking over the
half.com book sales from Marilyn Zatinsky. Thank you for your good work, Marilyn!
Carol McAnulty for starting some non-book eBay sales for UUCV – stay
tuned for more information.
UU Cat Seeks Loving Home
Mariel Martin is enjoying her job as a Resident Director at