Recent discoveries in the sciences of neurology, developmental psychology and evolutionary biology suggest that human beings are prone to believe in gods and have religious experiences, not by evolutionary necessity, but by accident. This new science doesn't set itself up as opposed to religion, but rather as fascinated by its ubiquitousness and its process. What this all means for the searcher is the topic of this Sunday's service by Carol Lindsay and Dan Cozort, Worship associates.

August 12 “It Takes A Village”

Carla Claycomb and Virginia Jackson, Worship Associates. Music by the UUCV Choir Who owns our children? We will examine the role that non-parental adults can play in a child's development, specifically within the context of the UUCV community.

August 19 “To Whom It May Concern”

Presented by The Rev. Duane Fickeisen and Kim van Alkemade, Worship Associate Praying together in mixed company can be an uplifting experience that unites us in common purpose or it can be divisive and upsetting. Which it is depends partly on the expectations and attitudes we bring, partly on the crafting of spoken words, and partly on factors we don't control. We'll examine the purpose and meaning of corporate prayer in interfaith contexts.

August 26 – “By Education, I Mean Goodness”

The Rev. Judy Welles; Dot Everhart, Worship Associate

School starts this week, giving us the opportunity to reflect on the value of education at various ages of life. Not only are there many educators in our congregation, there are many educators in our Unitarian history who had a significant impact on education in America. Let’s learn about them as well.

From the Well

Our monthly minister’s column, this month by Rev. Judy Welles

It has been such a splendid summer that I’ve actually been rising early, around 6:00 or 6:30, to enjoy more of the sunny, pleasant weather. This is uncharacteristic of me — I love to sleep — but who can resist the soft breeze coming in the window, the bird songs of early morning, and the blue, blue sky?

I am reminded of one of my favorite passages from American literature, the opening sentences of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Divinity School Address,” delivered to the Harvard Divinity School Class of 1838 on July 15 at their commencement ceremony. He wrote:

In this refulgent summer, it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life. The grass grows, the buds burst, the meadow is spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flowers. The air is full of birds, and sweet with the breath of the pine, the balm-of-Gilead, and the new hay. Night brings no gloom to the heart with its welcome shade. Through the transparent darkness the stars pour their almost spiritual rays. Man under them seems a young child, and his huge globe a toy. The cool night bathes the world as with a river, and prepares his eyes again for the crimson dawn. The mystery of nature was never displayed more happily. The corn and the wine have been freely dealt to all creatures, and the never-broken silence with which the old bounty goes forward has not yielded yet one word of explanation.

I have always read these words not only as a celebration of the glories of summer (my favorite season), but also as a reminder of the Great and Mysterious Love that generously pours forth such bounty as we will never be able to comprehend. “…not yet one world of explanation” indeed.

But even without comprehension, we can be grateful. We can notice the beauty that surrounds us, we can fill our homes with the flowers that grow now in such abundance (and when there are no more places for flowers in our homes, we can carry them to our friends). We can fill our bodies with locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables, and notice how much more real they taste with the sun’s warmth still on their skins. Smelling, tasting, feeling the wind in our hair or against our faces, we can utter our own grateful thanks with thoughts or spoken words, and feel ourselves loved.

Within the past few weeks, accidents and difficulties have befallen many of us. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans,” the saying goes. And for some of us, life has been happening in the form of broken bones, serious medical issues, unpleasant confrontations with loved ones, bruised friendships, and unexpected changes of plans. These are hard to take, perhaps hardest to take when it’s high and heavenly summer and everyone else seems to be so happy.

Everyone has their own ways of dealing with such difficulties. Bodily harm often brings helplessness along with it, which can be another challenge on top of the physical pain. A really serious accident invites all those noxious “what ifs,” especially when one contemplates words left unspoken or, even worse, words we wish we had left unspoken.

Yet there is also something about an accident or illness that invites an awakened appreciation — for the medical system that treats with sympathy and helps heal the wounds; for the friends who suddenly turn up or call, reminding us that we are not alone; for the beauty in the everyday, which we are suddenly so aware of, while before this moment we were “busy making other plans.”

I have been deeply moved to hear of the myriad ways in which you have been taking care of each other through the hard times. We are a loving and caring community that appears to be paying attention and stepping forward when something is called for. And I’m not just talking about bringing food and offering rides, though these are necessary and they create occasions for company and conversation that can be as important as medication or physical therapy. Sometimes what is called for is some truth-telling; sometimes it’s a companionable walk together; sometimes it’s silence.

As the summer moves toward its inevitable conclusion, I entreat you to enjoy it, celebrate it, and take advantage of all that it has to offer you in your personal circumstances. It can be difficult to remember that you are surrounded by love when things break or break down. But the next time you hear a bird singing its heart out in the early morning, pretend that it’s singing just for you, and try to let in a little joy.

Love, Judy

Water Ceremony on September 9

As summer continues, be thinking about a place that has been significant to you during the summer months, and remember to collect water from that place to bring with you to the service on September 9. Our annual Gathering of the Waters symbolizes the gathering together of our beloved community after our summer wanderings (even though some of us never left home).

On that date we’ll celebrate with an intergenerational service, the children will meet their first teachers. The regular children’s religious education program begins September 16.

Highlights of 2007 General Assembly

From Kit Franklin, President, UUCV Board of Trustees

I’m writing this while on vacation, enjoying a busy community life on one of the San Juan Islands in Washington State where we are visiting friends from our West Virginia life. I’m afraid UUCV seems far away, even though only two weeks ago Alan and I, with Priscilla Laws, were your delegates at the UUA General Assembly in Portland, Oregon. I’ll try to boot up the old brain and recall some of the events there.

The highlight for both Alan and myself was a panel discussion, led by Amy Goodman, moderator of Democracy Now, on the publicizing of the Pentagon Papers in 1971. These classified papers were a detailed 1967 study of the Vietnam War – how we got into it and pursued it. The panel was made up of Daniel Ellsberg of Rand Corp. who got the papers out of the Pentagon; Mike Gravel, Democratic Senator from Alaska who got the Papers into the Congressional Record, and Robert West, then president of the UUA who agreed to have Beacon Press publish them when no one else would. It was quite a story, especially for those of us who are old enough to remember the events when they occurred, and we felt proud of the role our denomination played in revealing the lies that got the U.S. into that endless, useless, destructive war. The parallels with the current situation in Iraq (and perhaps the upcoming one in Iran) were quite evident, but were also made explicit in a plea that someone in high places who sees the disastrous outcome if we continue as we are and who has access to such a study of this war, please step up and have the courage to risk their career. We really do need another Daniel in the Lion’s Den of the White House or Pentagon. A tape of the discussion was broadcast on Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now program on July 2. It was an important call to action, and we UUs got some good coverage.

Another good session was the annual Ware Lecture, this year given by Rashid Khalidi, author and Professor of Arab Studies at Columbia University. He focused on the Middle Eastern conflicts and the destructiveness of the current U.S. policy in the area, calling for us to speak out against them.

As your delegates to the UU Association of Congregations we voted to approve some by-law changes and to accept a Statement of Conscience entitled Moral Values for a Pluralistic Society which has been available for congregations to study and act upon since its proposal in June, 2005, as a Study Action Issue. In next month’s Newsletter, Alan Franklin will report on the Statement of Conscience and the Study Action Issues to be considered by congregations during the next year. So far, we at UUCV have played little role in this important activity of studying and planning actions around the crucial moral issues affecting our world. I would like to see us do more.

I also attended some good workshops, most notability one by Wayne Clark about planning the annual budget drive. I bought a copy of his book, and will happily loan it to anyone willing to join the Finance & Fundraising Committee! : >)

As expected after last year’s GA experience, I found the worship services uplifting and inspiring. Nearly six thousand UU voices joined in song is powerful stuff!

Next year the General Assembly is to be in Fort Lauderdale. Florida. I hope more of you will consider attending. There are special activities and workshops for youth, and many opportunities for them to speak out about their concerns. I would love to see some of our youth attend in 2008.

Peace to you all, Kit Franklin

From the DRE

By Kevin C. Snow

The unthinkable has happened! Your Director of Religious Education is speechless. I know that sounds odd for a person who has been given the gift of gab from the day he entered this world (I'm told I was a very verbal infant), but nonetheless it is true. Well, partially true since I am writing this as I speak. You see I have a very interesting dilemma. A dilemma I have never encountered before in my many years as DRE at UUCV. Everything is going superbly and I do mean everything!!!

Okay, that might not sound like a dilemma to you but to me it is a whole new challenge. Things are going so well in Summer RE that it leaves me little room to write anything other than praise. My summer teaching roster was full months ago and we already have several teachers lined up for the fall and spring of this upcoming season. This has to be too good to be true! But, considering all this good stuff that has been happening I am left with little to write about. This is where I usually bang my gong for more teachers and more volunteers and just plain more adult help downstairs but I can't do that right now . . . although in another month I will be seeking some of you out so consider yourselves warned! RE for the summer just couldn't be better.

And Family Peacemaker's Camp was another rousing success. The kids and adults had a great time hiking and biking and swimming and singing camp fire songs and they even threw in the time for an eight mile canoe ride down the Susquehanna River. Can you imagine that? Eight miles. Then there was wonderful camp food and rekindling camp fun with old friends and making new ones along the way. All the campers, young and old, seemed to have a fantastic time! I'm still waiting for the air conditioned yurt to go up so luxury lovers like myself can spend the night. Perhaps that will be available next year.

So, you see I have few things to write about and since I was always told to write about what I know this month I am writing about the fact that I have nothing to write about. Now, I can't promise that I will always have nothing to write much about especially since we have exciting things coming up like a kick off Youth Group event that is still being planned and another great year of RE with a social justice theme to it and another offering of the sexuality program Our Whole Lives, OWL for short, that several dedicated members and myself will be training to lead in late fall. I just have nothing to write about now . . . but I will soon . . . I feel a tickle at the back of my mind about some great upcoming things, if I could just see them clearer. See you on Sunday!!!

UUCV Auction November 10, 2007 - Save the date!

Mark your calendar! UUCV’s biggest and best social event and fundraiser takes place on Saturday evening, Nov. 10, 2007 at the Meeting House. This year, we’ll feature all of the traditional activities—silent and live auctions, buffet dinner, special children’s activities, and the ever-popular sign-ups for social events such as dinners, dances, workshops and outings. And be on the lookout for some improvements and new activities as well, including a smaller silent auction, an Auction Marketplace featuring fine arts and crafts, and more!

Auction Chair Bev Motich is in the process of forming her committee, and thanks those who have already committed to one of the many important positions. But we need more helpers, specifically for the following assignments: sound and light director; food/menu coordination; children’s program coordinator; and auction night volunteer coordinator. If you would like to learn more about any of these assignments, please contact Bev by email at bmotich@yahoo.com. Get involved! It’s a great way to meet people, have fun and help UUCV stay financially fit.

The official launch of the auction will take place at our annual water service on Sept. 9, but it’s not too early to consider what you’d like to donate this year. If you’re stumped, the auction committee will be available to help with ideas once we’re set up in the social hall beginning Sept. 9.

See you at the auction!

Project SHARE in The News

Blue is now red. The blue tub marked for SHARE donations mysteriously disappeared from the SACC table in the social hall. It has been replaced with a red one. If anyone knows where the blue one might be its’ return, along with the contents would be greatly appreciated—no questions asked.

This reporter was recently asked an embarrassing question. A newbie volunteer wanted to know what the acronym SHARE stands for. As a volunteer of long-standing, I did know but had forgotten. However, none of the other “veterans” close by knew either. Do you? It stands for Survival Help and Recipient Education.

On August 25^th Project SHARE is having a back to school party for the children at which time they will be given school supplies for the coming year. So in the month of August, the emphasis is on donations of any kind of school supplies. Thank you for your consideration of this drive and all other donations.

In the month of July donations to UUCV totaled 30 pounds.

The in gathering for August will be Sunday, August 12^th.

Change for The World

In June we collected $159 for the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club. Their efforts go towards maintaining the Appalachian Trail through this area. They are mowing the areas of the trail that run by farmlands and meadows, constructing a new foot bridge across the Conodoguinet and raising community awareness of the AT.

La Igreja Metуdista de Namurauane – a small church near Namorroi, Mozambique – is UUCV’s August change for the World recipient. Over 35 of UUCV’s 54 Bursary girls attending school in Namarroi volunteer to sing at this small rural Methodist church from time to time. Although about 60 people attend a typical service the weekly collection is less than $10. Funds will be used to help the congregants improve the church and parsonage which are constructed from small trees, straw and mud. Priscilla Laws and Virginia Jackson will present our gift to this church in September.

Congregational Happenings

August 3 The Pot Luck Supper will be held on August 3rd at 6:30 pm. Music for the evening will be Celtic melodies and folk songs. Bring a dish to share, dine by candlelight, and join in the festivities.

August 26 The Serious Stuff book group will meet on Sunday, August 26, 2007 to discuss The God Gene: How Faith is Hard Wired Into our Genes by Dean Hamer. Hamer is geneticist. Here he describes the process whereby culture and genetics interact to prompt the expression of spirituality through religion and thereby to sustain faith traditions. Preview: Hamer finds Richard Dawkins irrational and prefers the thinking of sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson. He ends with a wish that we distinguish between beliefs and the act of believing—predicting that the war between science and religion might then be resolved.

The meeting will be at 6:30pm in the UUCV’s meetinghouse library. Anyone is welcome to join us-- newcomers, veterans and lapsed veterans alike. Questions? Ask Leslie at lgcarr22@yahoo.com

All in the UUCV Family

We send best wishes to Art Stilson, who at press time was recovering well from gall bladder surgery. Greg Bear is also on our minds and in our hearts as he copes with the aftermath of a badly broken elbow. And we hold the Stolley family (Brian, Melissa, Brandon and Zach) in our hearts after Brandon’s serious motorcycle accident in mid-July; his prognosis is good, but recovery will be slow. We are going to miss charter member John Jacobsen, who will be moving to Minnesota in mid-September to care for his 100-year old mother. Welcome home to John and Nick Bloom, who participated in the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s “Freedom Summer” pilgrimage in the South to locations significant to the Civil Rights movement.

We would love to share your news with the UUCV family, but we won’t know what it is unless you tell us! Please send news for this column to Judy Welles, jcwellesATearthlinkDOTnet.

From U to U

Many thanks to Bob and Wendy Hankes for chairing the Finance and Fundraising Committee in the last year.

Tom DeWall and Leslie Carr have both completed terms as elected Trustees and are -- we hope -- enjoying a well-earned sabbatical from their board duties. As former Treasurer, Tom spent many, many hours managing the church finances. As Clerk, Leslie kept detailed minutes of every board and congregational meeting for official records. Both participated in deliberations and brought their keen minds and open hearts to

the work of the board.

Bravo to all the campers -- adults and kids -- who helped make Family Peace Camp a success and particularly to Jim and Sandy Freeman for hosting the event at their log cabin near Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Where is Rachel Now?

Rachel Teates has moved to Boiling Springs; her new address is 103 Third Street, Apartment A (though she receives mail at P.O. Box 241), Boiling Springs, PA 17007, and her telephone number is 258-6737. And many thanks to the UUCV friends who helped her move.

Joseph Priestley District

Want to know what’s happening in our UU district? Just click on http://www.jpduua.org/ and check our the Packet 2007 for monthly information, or browse the site for happenings at our neighboring congregations.

UUCV Contacts and Resources

This information is meant to facilitate participation and communication among friends and members of UUCV; please do not share information without the person’s consent. Our ministers, staff and trustees have made their emails available to facilitate communication.

Ministers Rev. Duane Fickeisen & Rev. Judy Welles

Email: ministers@uucv.net. Home study telephone: 241-0410

Office Assistant Elena Yarlett

Hours: Thursdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Phone: 249-8944 Address: PO Box 207 Boiling Springs, PA 17007 Email: uucv@pa.net

Dir. of Religious Ed. Kevin Snow

Phone: 249-8104 Email: dre@uucv.net

UUCV Board of Trustees

Kit Franklin (president), akfrank@kuhncom.net

Ed Glasgow (vice-president), edwinglasgow@aol.com

Larry Berger-Knorr (treasurer), bergerknorr@gmail.com

Priscilla Laws, lawsp@dickinson.edu

Carol McAnulty, (clerk) paulandcarol913@earthlink.net

Jon Tarrant, jwtarrant@comcast.net

Sue Roberts, b.s.roberts.ivjl@statefarm.com

John Kallmann johnkallmann@earthlink.net

Bev Motich bmotich@yahoo.com

Committee Chairs and Other Leaders

Building and Grounds: Letty Kress kresswolf@paonlineDTOcom

Music Committee: Ken Laws, laws@dickinson.edu

Finance & Fundraising Committee: vacant

Membership Committee: Rachel Teates, willowtrek23@yahoo.com

Committee on Ministry: Liz Hoffman, hoffpsych@mindspring.com & Joan Bechtel, bechteljo@aol.com

Religious Education Committee: Ann Berger-Knorr, annabellej@comcast.net

Social Action Council: Priscilla Laws, lawsp@dickinson.edu

Caring Circle: Bee Miller beemiller@sprylearning.com

Coffee Coordinator Joyce Lukima joycelukima@hotmail.com & Gail Witwer

Sunday Music Coordinator Nancy Bittinger, nbittinger@comcast.net

Newsletter Editor: Laura Rumley lmrumley@yahoo.com

Flowers Coordinator: Mary Lynn Lynch, marylynn_lynch@yahoo.com

Potluck Coordinator: Bill Vernon, wwvernon@earthlink.net

Small Group Ministry: Ann Gero, annegero@mac.com & Margery Andrews