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THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
October 2014
PITTSBURGH
THE CHALICE
C O N N E C T
+
I N S P I R E
+
S E R V E
FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
~ The Rev. Dr. David Herndon
IMAGINE is the theme for our Annual Budget Drive this year. What do you imagine
for the future of First Unitarian Church?
-
-
A larger and more multicultural congregation?
Stronger public witness in the larger community for our progressive social
values?
More music?
More opportunities for all of us just to get to know one another?
Replacing the classroom building with a larger and more attractive structure?
A warmer welcome to our guests?
A balanced budget?
More leadership training?
More extensive collaboration with other local Unitarian Universalist churches?
Most of us have aspirations for our religious community, and we work together to
harmonize and achieve those aspirations. Sometimes we engage diligently in the
day-to-day work of our congregation, but once in a while it is appropriate for us
to step back and recollect why we give ourselves to this work. In this way we can
offer ourselves an opportunity to be newly inspired and pulled forward by the
energy of our imagination.
At First Unitarian Church, you have many opportunities to turn imagination into
reality by providing financial support, from Share the Plate to the Alternative
Gift Market to memorial contributions to fair trade coffee and olive oil. You are,
of course, free to choose a mix of contributions that is right for you, and you
Volume 15, No. 9
Inside this issue:
Worship
5
Music and the
Arts
6
Lifespan Faith
Development
Adult Faith
Development
Forum
Children and
Youth Ministries
9
11
12
Social
Responsibility
14
Caring
Community
17
Stewardship
20
Denominational
Connections
25
October 2014
I hope you have
plenty of energy
and enthusiasm
whenever you
imagine what
the future of
First Unitarian
Church could
be. And I hope
you will be not
only energetic
and
enthusiastic,
but also
thoughtful and
generous, when
you think
about helping
to provide the
financial
resources that
will turn
imagination
into reality.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
(continued)
certainly do not have to contribute to everything at our church! But the one
church contribution that should be at the top of the list for each and every one
of us is our support for the operating budget. This provides the foundation for
all that we do. The operating budget covers staff costs, utilities costs, office
supply costs, building maintenance costs, annual dues to Unitarian Universalist
organizations, and program costs, including worship, music, lifespan faith
development, social justice, and our caring community. Just try to imagine our
church without all this and you will quickly see the fundamental importance of our
operating budget!
I hope you have plenty of energy and enthusiasm whenever you imagine what the
future of First Unitarian Church could be. And I hope you will be not only
energetic and enthusiastic, but also thoughtful and generous, when you think about
helping to provide the financial resources that will turn imagination into reality.
See you in church!
Rev. David
Rev. Dr.
David
Herndon
Senior Minister
Contact at:
412-621-8008
x102
[email protected]
2
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
ROBIN’S BIRD’S EYE VIEW
~ The Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker
As the fiddler nimbly bowed and tapped his foot, the bride made her entrance
down an aisle bracketed by hay bales and dried flowers. I struggled to pay
attention to her approach, as the Celtic tune was stirring some distant but sweet
memory. What was it?? Ah yes – I know! Elizabeth’s reel! I felt a warm rush. So,
let me tell you a tale of fiddles, faith, n'begorra, and how a gentle son of Erin
touched my life with his abundant heart of green.
Before moving west to Concord, MA, our family lived in St. Mark's Parish, a “lacecurtain-Irish” enclave in the urban neighborhood called Dorchester. During our
seven years there, we lived side-by-side with many decent and loving people
(and we ate some fine hot cross buns, too!). Andy Hanley was one such person. A
first-generation Irish-American, Andy works as a stockbroker by day, but fiddling
is his real passion - a bracing pubhouse brew for his soul. For when Andy fiddles
at the many Celtic festivals, fairs, pubs, and fiddling contests he frequents, it’s as
if an enchanted breeze has blown off the Emerald Isle and lapped up against the
corners of his mouth, resulting in a most beguiling grin. Pure joy!
We ran into Andy Hanley at the Bolton Fair fiddling contest one crisp Autumn day
in the mid 1990’s after we had moved away. His then 10-year-old daughter,
Elizabeth, was about to participate in her first competition and a small problem
had cropped up. Somehow, despite his years of experience, Andy had neglected
to help Elizabeth prepare a “reel” for the three-part contest. She had the jig and
the waltz down pat, so in the parking lot, they had hastily practiced an easy reel
selection and Elizabeth was prepared to shoulder on.
Andy's reaction to
Elizabeth's
anguish was not
about winning, or
even about
competing. It was
about enduring,
and how
generosity of
spirit and a heart
lush with love can
carry the day.
Rev. Robin
Landerman
Zucker
Assistant Minister
Contact at:
412-621-8008 x110
412-727-6870
(home study)
flowingforce@
verizon.net
Office hours by
arrangement.
3
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
ROBIN’S BIRD’S EYE VIEW
O hushed October
morning mild,
Thy leaves have
ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s wind, if
it be wild,
Should waste them
all.
The crows above the
forest call;
Tomorrow they may
form and go.
O hushed October
morning mild,
Begin the hours of
this day slow.
Make the day seem
to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to
being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way
you know.
Release one leaf at
break of day;
At noon release
another leaf;
One from our trees,
one far away.
Retard the sun with
gentle mist;
Enchant the land
with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes’ sake,
if they were all,
Whose leaves
already are burnt
with frost,
Whose clustered fruit
must else be lost—
For the grapes’ sake
along the wall.
(continued)
One of the rules of these contests is that the fiddler can not be accompanied by
another fiddler, only a pianist or other instrumentalist, so Andy stood serenely on
the sidelines as Elizabeth mounted the makeshift stage. Elizabeth began bravely,
and with enormous audience support, but then she faltered and lost her tempo
and tried to regroup and then faltered again. It was painful to watch. And then
the tears came flooding from her mournful morning-glory blue eyes as she looked
over, crestfallen, at her father.
Andy knew just what to do. He calmly joined Elizabeth on stage, spoke to her softly
and without a shred of disapproval, dried her eyes and asked the judges if she
could please start over. The pianist folded his hands and Elizabeth began the reel
anew, this time with Andy standing just within her peripheral vision, his bow just
barely grazing the strings of his own fiddle. He kept the tempo with his foot as he
held his daughter tenderly in his great heart of green.
This was a deeply moving moment, an Epiphany worthy of any James Joyce novel.
Nary a soul complained that the rules had been transgressed. Nary an eye was
dry. Andy's reaction to Elizabeth's anguish was not about winning, or even about
competing. It was about enduring, and how generosity of spirit and a heart lush
with love can carry the day. Elizabeth won third prize, by the way.
So, as the leaves fall and the harvest fairs and Celtic fiddling fests abound, I’d wish
you the luck of the Irish, but as we all know, you can't get very far on luck!
Instead, I wish you the good fortune of knowing (and emulating) gentlefolk like
Andy Hanley, with his abundant heart of green....simply grand and top-o-themornin' glorious.
In faith,
Rev. Robin
~ Robert Frost
4
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
WORSHIP
A M O N T H O F S U N DAY S :
Wo r s h i p S e r v i c e s i n O c t o b e r
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014
Stewardship Sunday
Dave Dunn, Ministerial Intern.
“Reconnection Through Simplicity”
The Rev. Dr. David Herndon, Senior
Minister. “Imagine”
Are our lives so full that we leave no
We give to First Unitarian Church not
time for personal reflection and soul
work? Do we consciously or
only so that we will have more
resources collectively available to us
unconsciously fill our lives with “stuff”
to avoid connections with one another?
as we enjoy being in religious
community together, but also so that
In an age of computers, smart phones,
Facebook and Twitter, can we return
we are better equipped to bring our
to a spirit of simplicity in our daily
ministry and our message out in to the
lives? Let’s explore the possibilities of
larger community .
reconnection with ourselves and with
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2014
one another by walking the path of
Indigenous Peoples Sunday
simplicity.
The Rev. Michael Dowd. “The Great
Story: The Fourteen Billion Year Epic SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014
of Cosmos, Earth, Life, and
United Nations Sunday
The Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker,
Humanity”
Assistant Minister. “Inhabiting a
We welcome to our pulpit this
Peaceable Kingdom”
morning Rev. Michael Dowd and
Connie Barlow. Their website says:
Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer
“Rev. Michael Dowd, a former pastor
has famously remarked that, “Until he
and author of Thank God for
extends the circle of his compassion to
Evolution, and Connie Barlow, an
all living things, man will not himself
author of popular science books,
find peace.” When it comes to our
embody the marriage of religion and
relationship with animals, how do we
science as husband and wife. They
balance our seventh principle about
view themselves as emissaries of a
interconnectedness with social norms
worldwide ecumenical movement that
that typically uphold the Biblical
draws from the contemporary wisdom
notion that humans hold dominion over
of those on the growing edge of
all other creatures? Without shaming
science and meaning. Michael and
or blaming, we’ll explore ways to
Connie have been permanently
expand our understanding of being in
traveling throughout North America
compassionate relationship with
promoting the inspiring side of
animals. As a non-vegan herself, Rev.
science, religious naturalism, and oneRobin will reflect on the challenges of
story spirituality.”
this endeavor. Julie Childers, a
Join Michael and Connie for an
committed vegan in our congregation
extended evening program called “The
will share a reflection. Join Julie
Future is Calling Us to Greatness” on
Childers for an extended program,
Friday, Oct. 17, 7:30-9:15 p.m.
“Making A Difference with your Plate,”
Sunday, Oct. 26, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
5
Spiritual Theme
for October:
SIMPLICITY
Our spiritual theme for
October is Simplicity.
“Simplify, simplify!”
urged our Unitarian
ancestor Henry David
Thoreau, who lived for
two years in a oneroom cabin on the shore
of Walden Pond. One of
Thoreau’s great
messages was the
importance of
mindfulness in daily
living. What
distractions make
mindfulness
challenging? How
might simplicity be
practiced in the age of
cell phones, email, and
social networking
websites? What matters
most in our lives and
how might we focus
more of our attention
on what is most
important to us?
SUNDAY
CELEBRATIONS
COMMITTEE
Allison Haley
Louise Jencik (chair)
Ward Kelsey
Marty Lieb
Bruce McConachie
Stephanie Pawlowsky
Jean Peterson
Melody Platz
Shawntaye Scott
Scott Smith
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
SongSpace at First Unitarian
welcomes
with
SongSpace
at
First
Unitarian
SongSpace at First
Unitarian is a
celebration of folk, oldtime, bluegrass, singer
-songwriter and world
music, featuring local,
regional and national
artists. We are
dedicated to
establishing a joyful
and meaningful space
both for making and
listening to quality
music.
Don’t miss this
upcoming show:
November 8
Antje Duvekot with
Brooke Annibale
Antje Duvekot
Special Guest/ Brooke Annibale
Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 pm
(doors open at 7:00 pm)
in the Sanctuary
Blending uncommonly beautiful vocals with sharp poetic
sensibilities, singer-songwriter Antje Duvekot believes in the
redemptive power of the shared secret, utterly unafraid to
mine the darkest corners of her life for songs that turn fear
into resilience and isolation into community. “Antje is the
rare artist who can write about the social and the personal
in the same breath,” says folk icon Ellis Paul. “Her voice has
a sound of innocence and naiveté which makes razor-sharp insights into the human
condition.” Antje’s path has taken many twists and turns, from her native Germany
to her current residence in Boston. She holds three top songwriting awards including
the Kerrville New Folk Competition's Best New Folk Award, Boston Music Award for
Outstanding Folk Act, and grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
www.antjeduvekot.com
Pittsburgh native and singer-songwriter Brooke Annibale
combines earthy vocals, insightful lyrics and acoustic pop folk
sounds to create dynamic and engaging performances. Her lyrics
bleed with an uncommon wisdom for a 26-year-old, as her tales
about love, loss and faith are simultaneously deeply personal and wholly universal
in their application. www.brookeannibale.com
$15 general admission/$10 students. Email us at [email protected] for advance ticket
options; tickets will also be available at the door the night of the show.
Visit us at
www.uusongspace.com,
like us at
facebook.com/
songspace, and follow
us on Twitter!
FAMILY CHOIR
The Family Choir provides an
opportunity for families to sing
together and to create a friendly,
informal, supportive community. From
September through May, with a break
in January, rehearsals take place on
most Tuesday evenings, 6:30 to 7:15
p.m. preceded by a simple meal
served from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Family
Choir provides music for the 9:30 and
11:00 a.m. services about once each
month and for the Family Christmas Eve
Service.
6
All kinds of families are invited to be
part of the Family Choir! New families
are welcome at any time. You can find
the current Family Choir rehearsal and
performance schedule as well as the
Family Choir registration form on the
church website, www.first-unitarianpgh.org. Just follow the “Getting
Involved” link and the “Music and
Performing Arts” link.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
(continued)
A PLACE IN THE CHOIR
The Sanctuary Choir primarily sings
standard choral repertoire, with a focus
on Western art music and occasional
adventures in folk and popular
genres. We are a traditional mixed
choir, exploring a diversity of voices
and points of view as we encounter
them in the music, lyric and context of
the music we come to know. There are
about 25 singers in the choir, including
members of the congregation, friends
of the church and community members
who just love to sing. Your voice is
welcome too!
http://sites.google.com/site/
firstunitariansanctuarychoir/
Use the link above to learn more about
the Sanctuary Choir, under the direction
of Jon Erik Schreiber in collaboration
with pianist, Luis Hernández. On the
website, you’ll find our current
schedule, repertoire list and recordings
as well as links to scores, lyrics and
easy opportunities to sing with the
choir.
Opportunities
to Sing
Find your place in the
choir this October as
First Unitarian Church
welcomes America’s
Evolutionary
Evangelists, Michael
Dowd and Connie
Barlow to the pulpit.
Read more at our
website, and join the
Sanctuary Choir as we
celebrate “a brave new
world of common sense
and wonder” on
October 12.
SONGS:
He’s Got the Whole
World in His Hands
(arr. Margaret Bonds/
arr. Thomas Douglas)
Charlie (as performed
by Chumbawamba)
I n
t h e
U n d e r c r o f t G a l l e r y
October 2014
Paintings and Ar twork
Dorothy Samuels Lampl
Dorothy is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of Chatham College. Dorothy
is a member of Pittsburgh Society of Artists, Craftsmen’s Guild, and
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. Her work has been shown in many galleries
around the city and at present, she has a piece in The New Collective exhibit
at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
Please stop in to view Dorothy's work in the Undercroft Gallery of
First Unitarian Church throughout October
7
SCHEDULE:
 Rehearsal - Oct. 2 & 9
7:30-9:00 p.m.
 Service - Oct. 12
11:00 worship service
http://
sites.google.com/site/
firstunitariansanctuary
choir/
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
(continued)
The Incidental
Chamber Players is a
young professional
collective created to
bridge the performing
arts and community
through chamber music
concerts featuring
diverse programming
that aims to highlight
works featuring wind
instruments alongside
newly-commissioned
works to provide an
exciting concert
experience.
Diverse Chamber Music at First Unitari an
Tapestry Chamber Music is a new concert series that offers an outstanding
performance venue for a wide variety of chamber ensembles. We hope to live up
to our Unitarian-Universalist values of diversity and multiculturalism by seeking out
performers, repertoire and thematic ideas that respectfully lifts up the wisdom and
talent of historically marginalized populations.
Phan·tas·ma·gor·ic
(adj.) changing or shifting, as a scene made up of many elements
Incidental Chamber Players
Sunday, October 5 at 7:30 pm
Kristine Rominski, flute
David J. Fitzpatrick,
oboe
Greta Mutlu, violin
Katie Kroko, viola
Si Yu, viola
Hannah Whitehead,
cello
Natalie Severson, harp
---Discover more online:
www.uutapestry.com
www.icplayers.com
Incidental Chamber Players co-founders and CMU graduates, Kristine Rominski and
David Fitzpatrick led an independent concert series at First Unitarian in 20132014 with financial support from help from the Albert Goldsmith Concert Series
Fund. Though David and Kristine now maintain a long distance collaboration
(Pittsburgh and Los Angeles), the Incidental Chamber Players will open the
inaugural season of the Tapestry Chamber Music Project with strings, woodwinds
and harp and featuring a new work by the I.C.P. composer in residence, Thomas
Lang!
Look for us on
Facebook:
Incidental Chamber
Players
Tapestry Chamber
Music
8
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT
ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Welcome to Adult Faith Development at First Unitarian Church! Our offerings are
open to all members and friends, new and longstanding. We invite and
encourage you to explore a rich variety of courses, presentations, and events this
fall that reflect our mission to “Connect, Inspire, and Serve.”
Registration
for Adult Faith
Development
Classes
Please register in
advance for courses and
programs so we can
prepare for the proper
number. If you decide
not attend, please cancel
your registration
promptly.
ONLINE
REGISTRATION
PROCESS
You may register online
for Adult Faith
Development programs
by following these steps:
1. visit www.firstunitarian-pgh.org,
2. Follow the
“Registration Forms”
link.
Click on and complete
the Adult Faith
Development
Registration Form
You may also register
using the Paper Form
available in the office or
at the Welcome table
during Sunday Social
Hour.
Each offering connects to some element at the core of Unitarian Universalist
identity – our principles and our sources. The goal is to provide a framework for
you to grow (personally, intellectually, spiritually, and ethically) as an individual,
as a member of the community, and as a Unitarian Universalist.
On all of our paths from Membership to Spiritual Growth to Social Responsibility
to Leadership, there is something for everyone this season – spiritual and creative
practices and inquiry, social justice films, courses, and discussions about racial,
reproductive, and environmental justice, soup, bread and comfort, and a reprise
of the popular “Spirited Conversations” gathering. Come and join us for any or
all of these offerings as we go deeper and broader together. Childcare is
available by prior arrangement. Please inquire.
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR AN ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM? To
make a suggestion or to submit your own course proposal form, please contact
committee chair, Julie Childers ( [email protected] ) 412-726-3590.
PATH TO MEMBERSHIP AND UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST IDENTITY:

Membership Orientations
Three Sundays: Oct 5, 12 and 19.
12:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Three Sundays: Nov 2, 9 and 16.
12:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Leaders: Rev. David Herndon and
members of the Membership
Committee

Covenant Group Orientation
Saturday, Oct 18. 10:00 a.m. Noon.

Owning your Religious Past
Five Thursdays, Oct 23, 30, Nov 6,
13 and 20. 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Leader: John Ballance
PATH TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

Lifelines (Holding On...and Letting
Go). Three Wednesdays, Sept 24,
Oct 29 and Nov 19. 7:00 - 8:30
p.m.
Leader: Rev. Robin Zucker
9
 Walking
Towards Walden (at Frick
Park, Walking and Readings from
Thoreau).
Saturday, Oct 4, 9:30-12 (off site)
Leader: Rev. Robin Zucker.
 Chalice
Cafe (brown bag lunch
and discussion of monthy themes)
Tuesdays, Noon - 1:30 p.m.
- Oct 21: Simplicity
- Nov 18: Finitude
- Dec 16: Grace)
Leader: Rev. Robin Zucker.
 When
the Holidays Hurt (Soup
and Sharing Circle).
Friday, Nov 21, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Leader: Rev. Robin Zucker.
 Spirited
Conversations - “What
Does ‘Joy to the World’ Mean
These Days?” (a happy hour with
soul). Thursday, Dec 11, 6:00 8:00 p.m. Off-site location TBA.
Leader: Rev. Robin Zucker.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT
(continued)
A D U L T FA I T H D E V E L O P M E N T :
(continued)
PATH TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
 Common
Read: Reclaiming
Prophetic Witness, by Paul Rasor.
Congregations will read this book
in the Fall with a cluster-wide forum
planned for January or February
2015.
 Changing
the Climate on Climate
Change. Three Sundays, Oct 19,
26 and Nov 2, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader: Bob Mitchell.
 The
Future is Calling Us to
Greatness ~ Connie Barlow and
Michael Dowd Q&A (Green
Sanctuary hosting). Friday, Oct 17,
7:30 - 9:15 p.m..
 Whistling
Vivaldi: How
Stereotypes Affect Us and What
We Can Do (book and discussion).
Four Mondays, Sept 29, Oct 13, 27
and Nov 10, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Leader: Tara Tappen, Multicultural
Transition Team.
 The
Color of Fear (film and
discussion).
Sunday, Nov 16, 1:00 -3:30 p.m.
Leader: Vespera Barrow,
Multicultural Transition Team
 Making
a Difference with your
Plate and Film “Vegucated.”
Sunday, Oct 26, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Leader: Julie Childers,
PATH TO LEADERSHIP:
 Financial
Integrity - Transforming
Your Relationship with Money.
Three Sundays in 2015: Jan 4, 11,
and 18, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Leader: Trina Brown
SAVE THE DATE!
Greater Pittsburgh
UU Cluster Assembly.
Nov 1, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
A mini-General Assembly right at our
doorstep! Save the date to join with
UUs from throughout the Greater
Pittsburgh cluster for family-friendly
worship (complete with banner parade
and choir), a keynote speaker,
workshops for congregational and
personal growth, children’s programs,
food and fellowship.
Adult Faith Development
Committee Members
Julie Childers, chair
Marie Baird
Linda Fleming
Mary Schinhofen
Bob Sullivan
Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker
10
HOW TO
SUBMIT
ARTICLES
TO THE
CHALICE
The Chalice is
published monthly
(except August) by
the First Unitarian
Church of
Pittsburgh. Our
editor for The
Chalice is Jennifer
Parsons.
Newsletter
Deadline:
Submissions to
The Chalice are
due by the 15th
of the prior
month. Submit
your articles via
email to the editor
at
jennifer.parsons@
outlook.com.
The very best way
to contact our
newsletter editor,
Jennifer Parsons,
is through email:
jennifer.parsons@
outlook.com.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT
(continued)
FORUM
Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Sc hweitzer Room
Forum is the weekly discussion/lecture that considers the broad weft and warp of
topics that engage our heads and our hearts. Our speakers are often from local
universities, organizations, church members, or government institutions. The format
is usually a short presentation (20 to 40 minutes) followed by a half hour of
vigorous discussion.
OCTOBER 5, 2014
OCTOBER 19, 2014
Native American Women: The Lives
Homo-phyllic: Extinct Hominins
and Roles of Women in the Early
Living Within Us. Ann Gibbons.
Tribes. Chris Kubiak .
The DNA data suggest not one but at
It is hard to make any generalizations
least two instances of interbreeding
about indigenous societies, because
between archaic and modern humans,
raising the question of when H. sapiens North America’s First Peoples consisted
became a distinct species. And so they of hundreds of separate cultures, each
with their own belief systems, social
appear to refute the complete
structures, and cultural and political
replacement aspect of the Out of
practices. Evidence is particularly
Africa model. “[Modern humans] are
scarce about women’s everyday lives
certainly coming out of Africa, but
we’re finding evidence of low levels of and responsibilities. However, most
cultures shared certain characteristics
admixture wherever you look,” says
that promoted gender equality.
evolutionary geneticist Michael
Hammer of the University of Arizona
in Tucson. But the genomic data don’t
OCTOBER 26, 2014
prove the classic multiregionalism
Pilates: Exercising with Precision and
model correct either. They suggest
Purpose. Kimberly Francis, MS, MPA.
only a small amount of interbreeding,
There are more than 500 different
presumably at the margins where
exercises in the Pilates repertoire.
invading moderns met archaic groups
These are performed on a mat or on/
that were the worldwide descendants
with specially designed apparatuses
of H. erectus, the human ancestor that
many of which are spring loaded to
left Africa 1.8 million years ago.
provide resistance. Fundamental to the
Pilates body conditioning method is
OCTOBER 12, 2014
strengthening and stabilizing the core
(the deep muscles of the abdomen,
Business as Unusual: China and the
lower back and pelvis) for the purpose
World. Thomas G. Rawski, PhD. .
of creating a “powerhouse” from which
China is now the second largest
economy in the world. As of 2011 (the energy and movement flow outward to
the limbs. Practiced faithfully, Pilates
latest year data are available), its
GDP stood at about 87 percent of the yields numerous benefits that impact
U.S. GDP, or 15 percent of the world’s and influence all aspects and activities
of life. Following her presentation on
total economic output. This is a huge
Joseph Pilates and the Pilates Method,
increase from 2005, when China’s
economy was less than half the size of Kim will guide attendees through a 10minute Pilates workout.
ours.
11
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
september 2014
PITTSBURGH
lopment
Lifetime Faith Deve
REflections
s News
ie
r
t
is
in
M
h
t
u
o
Y
d
Children an
First Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh-Children and
Youth Ministries
“The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle
touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.”
– Henry David Thoreau Calendar of Events
Simplicity and the Seventh Principle
October 5
Social Action
Sunday
Coming of Age
The message for our children in October will be Conservation and how
Simplicity fits with the UU Seventh Principle, “Respect for the
interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, or, Care for
our planet earth.”
October 12
Children’s Chapel
Here are some ideas you can do at home to reinforce their learning:
October 19
Regular Classes.
Living Simply—Dinner Table conversation
starters...Is having more always better? What
does “less is more” mean to you?
October 26
UNICEF Pumpkin
What are ways that we use energy? Are there
ways we can conserve energy?
November 1
Pittsburgh Cluster
Assembly 9:00am
Think about what that could mean for your
family, and come up with a plan of what you can
do together.
November 2
 Regular classes
Please share your ideas with us! Send them via
email or post them on the bulletin board in the RE
hallway!
-Jennifer Halperin
UNICEF PUMPKIN EVENT
A
O
C T O B E R
26,
2014
favorite tradition at First Unitarian Church is our UNICEF
pumpkin decorating event. Children are provided a pumpkin and lots
of supplies to decorate it however they like. After class on October 26
we will set up UNICEF boxes in the Gallery next to each decorated pumpkin so that people
can "vote" for the ones they like with coins. We collect the coins and send them all in to
UNICEF after both services. Children are encouraged to bring allowance and piggy bank
change for this worthwhile cause. The October 26 class will also have a social action
component in which children will learn about how other kids live around the world, and the
work of UNICEF. (We will be contacting our volunteers for their help in setting up this event!)
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
september 2014
Children and Youth Ministries
9:30 WORKSHOP ROTATION
Theme
(Principle)
Week 1
Children’s
Chapel
(DRE or
intern led)
Week 2
Class
Core
Curriculum
1-2nd, 3-5th
Week 3
Workshop
1-2nd, 3-5th
Week 4
Workshop
3-5th, 1-2nd
(workshop
leader)
(workshop
leader)
(guide led)
Week 5
Social Action
All
(social action
leader)
Covenant
Sept. 7
Sept. 14
Sept. 21
Sept. 28
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Theme of the
Month:
Simplicity
YOUTH NUUS
Simplicity
Grace
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Dec. 7
Dec. 14
Dec. 21
Right and
Wrong
Jan. 4
Jan. 11
Jan. 18
Jan. 25
Feb. 1
Accountability
Feb. 8
Feb. 15
Feb. 22
Mar. 1
Mar. 8
Mar. 15
Mar. 22
Mar. 29
Apr. 12
Apr. 19
Apr. 26
May 10
May 17
May 31
June 7
Calling
Spiritual
Growth
By now you have hopefully seen the new rotation schedule for the
9:30am 1st-5th grade classes. The schedule above shows which
weeks children will be taking part in the children’s chapel, core
curriculum, workshops, and social action. Workshops are a way to
explore the monthly themes through different modes of learning,
including dance, cooking, music, and others. There are still some
open slots to run workshops. If you would be interested in leading one
please contact Jennifer Halperin or Molly Morrill.
The 11:00am classes will be following the regular R.E. class
curriculums without workshops, but will still be having children’s
chapel and social action Sundays.
Oct. 24-26. Ohio Meadville
District Senior High
Conference. West Shore
Cleveland UU Church, Rocky
River, OH
Nov. 14—16. Ohio Meadville
District Junior High
Conference. First Unitarian
Church of Pittsburgh. WE
HOST! Please contact Jen H
at [email protected] if
you would like to help with
food! Especially on
Saturday...there are shifts open
for all meals!
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Celeste Taylor
Social Action
Coordinator
Contact at:
412.621.8008 x104
uusjcpittsburgh@
gmail.com
Office Hours:
Weds, Noon-3pm
VOTING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE
~ a m e s s a g e f r o m C e l e s t e Ta y l o r, S o c i a l
Justice Coordinator
Green
Sanctuary
Committee
November 2
The next meeting of the
Green Sanctuary
Committee is
November 2
12:30 pm.
See you at the
Activities Fair on
October 5!
Voting on the Side of Love Campaign:
100 Volunteers needed for nonpartisan Election Protection/Poll
Monitoring Pittsburgh Program on
Election Day, Tuesday--November 4th.
Training provided. Contact: Celeste
Taylor, Social Action Coordinator at
[email protected], 412-4301006. Ongoing Voter registration,
Voter verification, Get Out The Vote
and Election Protection volunteer signup
available at the Social Action Council
table during the social hour after
Sunday services. Questions about
voting before or on election day?
Contact the Election Protection Hotline
at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-6878683).
The vote is the most powerful instrument ever
devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying
the terrible walls which imprison men because
they are different from other men.
~ Lyndon B. Johnson
14
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
(continued)
SOCIAL ACTION COUNCIL
Committees Leaders and
Representatives:
- Alternative Gift Market Committee
(AGM), Cindy Kirsch
- Congregational Study/Action Issue
(CSAI) Reproductive Justice
Committee, Pat Ulbrich
- East End Cooperative Ministry
(EECM): Kim Lincoln, general; Keith
Bryner, Men’s Shelter Meals
- Green Sanctuary Committee, Peg
Schmidt
- Matters of Racial Equality (MORE)
Our work is guided by the seven
Committee, Kay Gordon
principles which Unitarian Universalist
- Multicultural Transition Team,
congregations affirm and promote: 1 ~
Vespera Barrow and Tara Tappen
Each person is important. 2 ~ Be kind in
- Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact
all you do. 3 ~ We're free to learn
Network (PIIN) Core Team: vacancy,
together. 4 ~We search for what is
general; Education Committee, Irene
true. 5 ~ All people need a voice. 6 ~
Haberman
Build a fair and peaceful world. 7 ~
- Share the Plate Committee, Laura
We care for the Earth.
Conkle
Activities: Long-term Strategizing,
- Social Justice Endowment
Sponsoring Justice Actions, Supporting
Committee, Maureen Porter
Social Action Groups
- Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania
Legislative Advocacy Network
Meetings: First Wednesdays, 7:00 (UUPLAN): Reproductive Justice, Liz
8:30 p.m., Undercroft Gallery
Perkins; LGBTQ, David Green;
Staff Coordinator: Celeste Taylor,
Economic Justice (vacancy),
([email protected]) or
Immigration Reform (vacancy)
412.621.8008 ext.104. Regular office - Unitarian Universalist Service
and phone conference hours on
Committee (UUSC), Ebe Emmons-Apt
- Unitarian Universalists for Justice in
Wednesday (Noon-3pm).
the Middle East (UUJME), Kathy
Parker
Purpose:
coordinate our social justice
actions over the year throughout the
church.
 To share learnings and expertise.
 To strategize so that our social action
and justice efforts align with the
mission of First Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh.
 To raise visibility of our
congregation's commitment to social
action.
 To
SOCIAL JUSTICE CALENDAR
Men’s Shelter Meal Preparation: First
Sunday each month.
Green Sanctuary meetings: First
Sunday each month.
Share the Plate: Third Sunday each
month.
Social Action Council meetings: First
Wednesday each month.

EECM
FOOD PANTRY
COLLECTION
You are invited to
bring contributions
for the East End
Cooperative Ministry
Food Pantry to the
9:30 or 11:00 worship
service on the first
Sunday of each
month. All nonperishable food items
are welcome.
Following is a
suggested schedule of
items:
January
peanut butter
February
tuna or vegetarian
alternative
March
canned soup
April
canned meat or
vegetarian alternative
May
jelly, jam, or
preserves
June
boxed meals
July
pancake mix
August
chili
September
pasta
October
spaghetti sauce
Matters of Racial Equality (MORE)
meetings: Fourth Sunday each month.
The PIIN Core Team meetings: Third
Monday each month.
Collection for EECM Food Pantry: Any
Sunday
Multicultural Transition Team
meetings: First Thursday each month.

15
November
canned fruit
December
beef stew or
vegetarian alternative
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
(continued)
UUPLAN REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE TEAM
Update for September 2014
UUPLAN
Annual
Meeting
November 15
Unitarian Church
of Harrisburg
This is our most
important time each
year for networking and
strategizing! You'll meet
UUs from all across PA
and hear about
UUPLAN's
accomplishments and
goals. Workshops and
lunch are also part of
this day.
Our UU values and
principles are
threatened by laws,
regulations, and bills
from Harrisburg that
attack the poor, women,
people of color, and our
environment. At the
same time, there are
great opportunities for
positive reforms to take
place in Pennsylvania,
and our UU voices and
actions are already
contributing to advances
in human rights and
fairness.
Join us in Harrisburg
on November 15 to
renew your spirits, build
relationships, and hone
your advocacy skills.
1.Pennyslvania Agenda for Women's
Health: Since the PA Assembly is
active for only limited days this fall
this gives us some extra time to work
on organizing our efforts in
supporting these 14 bills. Most of the
bills are assigned to a committee.
Our allies are Pennsylvanians for
Choice and their sub-group from
Keystone Progress which is firming up
a Campaign for the Women's Health
Agenda. The team will choose two or
three of the fourteen bills to focus on
and will keep members updated on
the movement of the bills through
Harrisburg. Actions will involve
continued letter-writing and
identifying which legislators are or
are not co-sponsors of the bills as
well as which committees bills have
been assigned to and who are the
Chairs of those committees. It is
important to persist in supporting
these bills as they can languish for
years in committee if no interest is
shown. The Women's Law Project and
Planned Parenthood can help us in
continuing our efforts to promote
these bills.
2.Cluster Assembly for Western PA:
Nov. 1, 2014 at First Unitarian
Church, Pittsburgh. This “mini GA” will
feature keynote speaker Anita
Mentzer, Exec. Director of UUPLAN.
She will speak on UUPLAN in general
as well as how to increase
congregational involvement in
UUPLAN. One of several workshops
will feature the UUPLAN issue teams
and their current activities.
16
3.Annual Meeting: The annual meeting
of UUPLAN will be held Nov. 15,
2014 at the Harrisburg Unitarian
Church, downtown campus. The
keynote speaker will be Tam St.
Clair, President of the Bucks County
Women's Advocacy Coalition. Her
speech is entitled “How to Speak so
Legislators Listen.”
4.CSAI: The UUA will distribute a first
draft of the Statement of Conscience
on the CSAI – Reproductive Justice on
Nov. 15, 2014. Our team will be
discussing the draft and offering
feedback.
5.Film Screening: First Unitarian Church
of Pittsburgh co-hosted a screening of
“The Secret History of Sex, Choice
and Catholics” with Catholics for
Choice on Sept. 12, 2014. The film
was followed by a thoughtful
discussion among the 35 participants,
many of whom are/were identified
as Catholic. Catholics for Choice is
based in Washington, D.C. and is
eager to visit other congregations:
contact Katie Breslin,
[email protected] or
Sara Hutchinson,
[email protected].
6.Growth: a continuing effort is to
identify and welcome new members
to the team, spreading our contacts
among UU congregations across the
state. Our monthly conference call
date is being changed to
accommodate member's availability;
TBA . New members are welcomed to
contact Liz Perkins,
[email protected] or Judy
Wilson, [email protected].
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
CARING COMMUNITY
WOMEN’S ALLIANCE
Do You Need a
Ride to Church?
Have an
Unexpected
Situation?
Are you Willing
to Drive or
Carpool?
First Unitarian
Church of
Pittsburgh’s Rider/
Driver Program
was established to
provide
transportation to
Church. This will
allow more people to
get to-Church who do
not have a car, have
difficulty driving in
bad weather, or have
no other way of
getting to Church.
The Rider/Driver
Program also
provides
transportation to
appointments, who
are out of food, or
want to visit someone
in need. If you would
like to participate
please fill out a form
and post it.
For more
information see our
bulletin board
outside of the
Undercroft Gallery or
contact Bill Myerburg
at 412-621-7755 or
[email protected]
Founded in Pittsburgh in 1891
Preser ve the legac y!
Join us on the first and third Thursdays of each month,10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in
the Schweitzer Room (coffee at 10:00 a.m., meeting at 10:30 a.m., program at
11:00 a.m., lunch at noon).
Good company, good programs, good conversation, good cookies.
Bring your lunch.
Questions about Women's Alliance? Contact Ellen Parkes Collie, Co-Chair, 412-435-8646,
[email protected] or Betty Duquesnoy, Co-Chair, 412-682-6161,
[email protected].
Oct 2. Brenda Green, ACLU
volunteer, will speak on women's issues.
Oct 16. Ebe Emmons-Apt of the
UUSC, and Lucy Rawson, President of
Hopital Albert Schweitzer Haiti and
Founder of the Haitian Reforestation
Project.
TRANSITIONS GATHER-IN
Second Mondays, 10:00 a.m. - noon
“Transitions Gather-In”, a group of
folks talking about life transitions, the
challenges we face as we get older, as
we want to down-size, as we find living
in our homes harder, as we just want to
make our lives simpler, meets once a
month on the second Mondays of the
month.
Please come if you would like to talk
about these life issues with us.
W O M A N S P I R I T ~ S e c o n d We d n e s d a y s
Womanspirit is the evening women’s
group at First Unitarian Church. We
meet on the second Wednesday of
every month for a pot-luck dinner in a
member’s home. Dinner is usually
followed by a group discussion focused
on what we value in our lives, or how
we can improve our own lives or our
communities. We welcome new
17
members and friends of First Unitarian.
A Womanspirit dinner is an
entertaining and low-impact way to
meet other women of a broad range of
ages and interests.
To receive regular notice of our
monthly dinners, contact Pat Schuetz at
[email protected] or 412-7311429.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
CARING COMMUNITY
(continued)
OUR CARING CONNECTIONS
Pastoral care is available to all
members and friends, new and
longstanding. Our Caring Connections
program is coordinated by the Rev.
Robin Zucker. If you would like to join
the Caring Connections team, please
contact the Rev. Zucker at 412-7276870 or [email protected].
Threshold Choir Founded in 2007, the
Pittsburgh Threshold Choir honors an
ancient tradition of women singing
a cappella at the bedsides of people
who are dying, ill, or experiencing a
difficult life transition. They share the
healing gift of voices in private
homes, hospitals, hospice facilities, or
anywhere and any time when support
Helping Hands provides concrete
through song is appropriate. To request
assistance (such as rides and meal
a visit by the choir (or inquire about
coordination) to church members and
joining the group) , please contact Rev.
provides opportunities for congregation
Robin or Choir Director Cindy Harris
members to reach out to others. To
(412-447-1812; [email protected].
express a need or volunteer, please
Marion's Purse has practical resources
contact the Rev. Robin at 412-727to share. We have bus tickets, Giant
6870 or [email protected].
Eagle cards, and cash reserves in our
Kindred Spirits: The ministers are
fund to help with financial and life
assisted by a Lay Pastoral Care Team,
needs. Please contact Rev. Robin in
who companion church members in
confidence.
need of spiritual and emotional support
We have created a Medical
during life challenges; they offer a
Equipment Loan Program. If you have
presence for elders, caregivers, and
items to loan or need to borrow
families in crisis. Please contact
something, please contact Jim Reitz at
coordinator MR Kelsey at 412- 3621514 or [email protected].
[email protected]
Homemade Cook It Forward meals are
available in our church freezer. Please
let Mary Ruth (MR) Kelsey,
[email protected] (412-3621514) or Rev. Robin know you'd like to
put together a meal for one of our
congregants.
Comfort Quilts Two beautiful comfort
quilts have been created by First U
quilters. These washable quilts can be
loaned to members and friends who
seek comfort as they cope with illness,
loss or other difficult life events. Please
contact Rev. Robin or Mary Ruth
Kelsey.
Contact the ministers, the church office,
the Director of Religious Education, a
musical group, or your covenant group,
when you or someone you know is in
need of support or care. Please contact
the ministers with pastoral life issues, to
be included in the pastoral prayer on
Sunday morning, or about memorial
services.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the First
Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh is to . . .
Connect deeply in
community
Inspire reverence and
spiritual growth
Serve each other and the
world
We connect deeply in
community by . . .
gathering together in
fellowship in a safe
space
listening with empathy
and without judgment
warmly welcoming
everyone who enters
our doors
We inspire reverence and
spiritual growth by . . .
celebrating and
exploring the
moments of awe we
experience in life
encouraging each
other along our
journeys toward truth
and meaning
fostering humility in the
pursuit of wisdom and
understanding
We serve each other and
the world by . . .
providing support to
those experiencing
hardship or distress
working for social
justice by standing on
the side of Love
being active stewards
of our environment
18
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
CARING COMMUNITY
(continued)
COVENANT GROUPS
A G o o d T i m e t o A s s e s s Yo u r Pa r t i c i p a t i o n
The start of a new church year is a
good time to consider your
participation in a Covenant Group.
Existing Covenant Group Members
If you and your covenant group have
not done so in over a year, now is a
good time to review your group's
covenant and your own commitment to
the group. Even if you are mostly
satisfied with your group, perhaps
some things could be better.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Do I make covenant group meeting(s)
a priority when I schedule activities
for the month?
- Would a different meeting schedule
(date, time, and/or frequency) be
better?
- Is this covenant group working for
me?
- What would I change to make it
better?
- Are there ways I could contribute
more to the success of my group?
- Would I like any changes in how we
select topics or facilitators for
meetings?
- Do I want to continue with this group?
If you or your group would like some
assistance in working through some
concerns, please contact your liaison on
the Covenant Group Advisory
Committee or send an email to
CovenantGroupsFirstChurch
@gmail.com.
The Empty Chair
With the passage of time, covenant
groups will eventually lose members.
This leaves an empty chair, but it need
not remain empty! Welcoming a new
member to your group serves both the
church community and your group, by
enabling more connections and by
providing a new perspective and fresh
energy. The Covenant Group Advisory
Committee strongly encourages
covenant groups to welcome new
members when you have space, and
we are happy to facilitate the process.
If you have an empty chair, please
contact your Advisory Committee
liaison or send an email to
CovenantGroupsFirstChurch@
gmail.com
Consider Joining a Covenant Group
Just over half the congregation already
participates in a covenant group. If you
have been thinking of getting in on this,
please consider coming to the
Covenant Group Orientation on
Saturday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m.
until noon, hosted by Rev Herndon
and the Covenant Group Advisory
Committee. The orientation includes a
brief history of covenant groups at First
Unitarian, a description of how groups
operate, a chance for you to express
your desires for a covenant group, and
a mini-covenant group session.
To assist us in planning the session and
ensuring we have enough refreshments,
please sign up at http://
fs18.formsite.com/FirstUnitarianChurch/
CovenantGroupForm/index.html or by
email to CovenantGroupsFirstChurch
@gmail.com or contact Program
Assistant Marlee Keefer at 412-6218008 ext. 107.
19
Covenant Group
Orientation
Saturday,
October 18
10:00 a.m. - noon
Sign up at http://
fs18.formsite.com/
FirstUnitarianChurch/
CovenantGroupForm/
index.html or by email
to
CovenantGroupsFirst
[email protected] or
contact Program
Assistant Marlee
Keefer at 412-6218008 ext. 107.
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
STEWARDSHIP
F RO M Y O U R B OA R D O F T RU S T E E S
Your Board met on September 17 with
an opening reading by Tara Tappen
from Our Chosen Faith and from Dass
and Gorman on the responsibility that
comes from freedom and the challenge
of social action. In announcements,
Brian Rolehder and Kathy Parker
concurred that the photo sessions for the
new church directory have been a great
experience.
Board
Members
2014/2015
Brady Hunsaker,
President (2016)
Amy DeChicchis,
Vice President (2015)
Vespera Barrow
(2015)
Marty Lieb (2017)
Brian Rohleder
(2015)
Bari Roman (2017)
Corey Layman (2016)
Kathy Parker (2016)
Tara Tappan (2017)
Marty Lieb reported on the results of a
random sample conducted among
congregants regarding the purchase
and use of Giant Eagle cards. While
97 percent know about them, only half
of us use them, with some saying they
need a reminder. The survey results will
be helpful in devising ways to
encourage more regular purchase of
Giant Eagle cards as a good way for
the church to secure extra income.
Marty is accepting suggestions on how
to promote use of GE cards.
David distributed his minister’s report,
noting that the new structure for
program staff meetings is working well,
that Emily Pinkerton and Brian Junker
continue to research improvements to
the sound system, and that we have a
new multicultural chamber music series.
Further, new Councils are being set up
for Stewardship, Lifespan Faith
Development, and Caring Community.
Finally, our new ministerial interns, Dave
Dunn and John Balance, are scheduled
to work twenty hours a week.
In regard to plans for the new building,
the best news, reported by the New
Building Committee, is that PWSA has
conducted a study and now understands
the cause of the storm water flooding
problem on Ellsworth Avenue. The
problematic configuration of
underground piping is visible on a map
20
prepared by PWSA, copies of which
were distributed to the Board by Brian.
PWSA is committed to correcting the
problem in a capital project in 2017.
Brady Hunsaker and Kathy Parker
further reported on their conversation
with Mark Ewert, our Capital Campaign
consultant. Mark offered a best-case
time line in which we would develop
three possible plans subject to vote by
the congregation in May/June of 2015,
and perform the steps to a Capital
Campaign the following fall/winter.
Once the campaign has taken place, the
New Building Committee will have a
budget by which to design the new
structure. Construction will need to be
coordinated with the city’s work on
correcting the storm water problem.
Meanwhile, Ray Schinhofen is working
with the city’s Green Team on designing
and installing storm water retention
systems on our property in the near
future.
The last item of discussion was our
expected yearly deficit of roughly
$20,000, with much give and take over
whether this should be a matter of
serious concern. In light of continuing
excellent returns on annual pledging,
the benefit to our programming due to
added staff, and the concern that undue
cuts would hurt church programming and
congregational morale, a strong
majority advised that continuity in our
programming was worth the investment,
even if we are running a slight deficit
for now, with the expectation that the
investment would eventually pay off.
Respectfully submitted by Kathy Parker
(send feedback to:
[email protected])
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
October 2014
PITTSBURGH
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
C H U RC H G RO U P L E A D E R S
Committees, covenant groups, performing arts groups, social action groups, and
affinity groups are opportunities for you to become involved in the life of First
Unitarian Church. Some of these groups provide opportunities for you to be of
service to our church, some provide opportunities for you to explore your own
personal spiritual journey, some provide opportunities for artistic expression, and
some provide opportunities for you to help make the world a better place. And
all of these groups offer opportunities for you to build a sense of community with
others here at our church.
Board of Trustees – Brady Hunsaker
- Building Expansion Committee – Corey
Layman
- Organ Renovation Committee – Roy Matway
Nominating Committee – Irma Tani
Stewardship Council
- Annual Budget Drive Committee - Raeann
Olander-Murray and Alison Schwartz
- Building Committee – Ray Schinhofen
- Fantasy Auction Committee – David Doorley
and Patricia Goettel
- Garden and Grounds Committee – Suzanne
Powell
- Investment Committee – Claus Makowka
- Marketing and Communications Committee
- Rob Schwartz
- Memorial Garden Committee – Linda
Kauffman
- Operations Administrative Team – Rita
Gates
- Planned Giving Committee – [TBD]
- Program Administrative Team – Rev. David
Herndon
- Right Relations Team – Holly McCullough
- Safe Congregations Team – Jennifer Halperin
- Shared Ministry Committee – Jim Bain
Worship Council
- Sunday Celebrations Committee – Louise
Jencik
- Ushers and Greeters Committee – Rev. David
Herndon
Music and the Arts Council – Brian Junker
- Art Committee – Ali Masalehdan
- Dance Choir – Mary Pat Mengato
- Family Choir – Rev. David Herndon
- Folk Orchestra – Emily Pinkerton
- Music Endowment Committee – Shelagh
Collins
- Recorder Ensemble – Mary Denison
- Sanctuary Choir – Jon Erik Schreiber
- SongSpace – Linda and Mark Holsing
- Young Adult Spoken Word Choir – Rev.
David Herndon
Lifespan Faith Development Council
- Adult Faith Development Committee – Julie
Childers
- Bookstore Committee – Cathy Kerr and Mary
Schinhofen
- Campus Ministry Endowment Committee –
Jennifer Detchon
- Endowment for Ministry with Children and
Youth – Jennifer Halperin
- Library Committee – Mary Schinhofen
- Religious Education Committee – Cathy
Rohrer
- Sunday Morning Forum Steering Committee
– Michael Lotze
- Young Adult and Campus Ministry
Community – Jennifer Detchon
- Young Adult Steering Committee – Taylor
Paglisotti
(continued)
One of the incredible truths about gratitude is that it is impossible to feel
both the positive emotion of thankfulness and a negative emotion…
Gratitude births only positive feeling—love, compassion, joy and hope…
As we get older, we get schooled in our mistakes and learn to focus on
what’s not right, what is lacking, missing, inadequate, and painful.
That’s why gratitude is so powerful. It helps us to return to our natural
state of joyfulness where we notice what’s right … Gratitude reminds us
to be like plants, which turn toward, not away, from the light.
~ MJ Ryan in Attitudes of Gratitude
21
GET
CONNECTED
Sign up for our
Email
Distribution List!
We use our all-church
email distribution list
to send out our
monthly newsletter as
well as our weekly
email update. You
may add your email
address to this
distribution list by
visiting our church
website, www.firstunitarian-pgh.org,
and following the
“Subscribe to our
email list” link.
“Like” us on
Facebook!
Like our official
Facebook page to stay
up to date with
various
developments,
opportunities, and
conversations taking
place within our
religious community.
First Unitarian
Church on Facebook
may be found at
www.facebook.com/
firstunitarianpittsburgh
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
BUY
BEACON
BOOKS
When you are
considering gifts for
those near and dear
to you (for holidays,
for birthdays, for
anniversaries, and so
on), please consider
buying books from
Beacon Press.
Founded in 1854,
Beacon Press is the
publishing house
owned by the
Unitarian
Universalist
Association. Beacon
Press publishes
books that reflect our
progressive,
humanitarian values.
You can visit the
Beacon Press web
site by visiting the
UUA Bookstore at
www.uuabookstore.
org or by going
directly to
www.beacon.org/
index.html. Our very
own First Unitarian
Church Bookstore
stocks many books
from Beacon Press.
You can also order
Beacon Press books
by calling the
Unitarian
Universalist
Association
Bookstore at
800/215-9076.
C H U RC H G RO U P L E A D E R S
(continued)
Social Action Council – Celeste Taylor
Gift Market Committee – Cindy
Kirsch
- East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) –
Keith Bryner and Kim Lincoln
- Green Sanctuary Committee – Peg Schmidt
- Inter-Arts Social Justice Committee – Dave
Green and Bruce McConachie
- Khasi Hills Partnership Committee – Ebe
Emmons-Apt
- Matters of Racial Equality (MORE) – Kay
Gordon
- Multicultural Transition Team – Vespera
Barrow and Tara Tappen
- Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN)
Core Team – Irene Habermann
- Reproductive Justice Committee – Pat
Ulbrich
- Social Justice Endowment Committee –
Maureen Porter
- Share the Plate Committee – Laura Conkle
- Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania
- Alternative
Legislative Advocacy Network (UUPLAN) –
David Green and Liz Perkins
- Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the
Middle East (UUJME) – Kathy Parker
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
(UUSC) – Ebe Emmons-Apt
Caring Community Council
Ministry Discussion Group – Jim
Pashek and Annie Stunden
- Covenant Group Advisory Committee – TBD
- Gathering of Men – Jim Reitz
- Helping Hands – Rev. Robin Zucker
- Humanist Group – Roy Frye
- Kindred Spirits - Rev. Robin Zucker
- Membership Committee – Lynne Porterfield
- Quilters – Annie Stunden
- Social Events Committee – Eileen Hastings
- Transitions – Mary Schinhofen
- Womanspirit – Pat Schuetz
- Women’s Alliance – Betty Duquesnoy and
Kathie Brodie
- Addictions
Imagine ~ ANNUAL BUDGET DRIVE
This year's annual budget drive runs
through October and into early
November. During the drive, we ask
you to reflect on the many ways this
church touches you. We continue to be
an active voice for liberal religion, a
source of inspiration, personal growth
and spiritual support for generations of
members and friends, a home for
wonderful music and the arts, and a
growing presence in community
outreach and social activism. Many of
us cannot imagine being part of
another religious community.
We would really like to hear from you
during the Budget Drive! You see, we're
not only about securing financial
support for the church. We're about
22
connecting with each other and sharing
our thoughts and wishes for the future
of our church community. It's our
combined dedication and commitment
to each other that makes everything we
do here possible.
Whether you welcome a visiting
steward, reply to a stewardship
mailing or receive a phone call during
the annual budget drive, please
respond as generously as you can. And
tell us what you think! Let's imagine
what we can do as a liberal religious
community and make it happen
together!
Questions? Contact: Alison Schwartz [email protected].
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
PUBLICIZING YOUR EVENT
Do you have a church event that you would like your fellow church members and
friends to know about? Here are nine ways that you could publicize your event.
1. Newsletter. The Chalice, our church
newsletter, is published at the
beginning of each month. You may
submit items to Communications
Coordinator Jennifer Parsons at
[email protected]. The
deadline is the fifteenth day of the
preceding month. For example, the
deadline for the November
newsletter would be October 15.
2. Order of Service. You may submit
items for the weekly order of
service to Communications
Coordinator Jennifer Parsons at
[email protected]. The
deadline is noon on Wednesday
for the following Sunday.
3. Weekly All-Church Email. If you
would like to have your event in the
weekly all church email, please
email Program Assistant Marlee
Keffer at [email protected]. Events listed in the weekly
email should be relevant to all
church members and friends.
4. Facebook Page. You could post an
announcement on our Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/
firstunitarianpittsburgh. Sayf Sharif
or Christine Milcarek could help you
with this.
5. Program Guide. The
church publishes a
comprehensive
Program Guide for
the Fall, the Winter/
Spring, and the
Summer. You may
be able to publicize
your event in this
way. Please check
with Communications Coordinator
Jennifer Parsons at
[email protected]
about deadlines.
6. Bulletin Boards. You may post
flyers about your event on bulletin
boards around the church. Some
bulletin boards have restrictions.
For example, the music bulletin
board is reserved for music-related
notices.
7. Undercroft Gallery Table. You
may set up a table in the
Undercroft Gallery so that you can
share information about your event
with church members and friends
during the social hour after our
Sunday morning worship services.
8. The Church Website. We have an
on-line calendar embedded in the
church website. Program Assistant
Marlee Keffer maintains this
calendar. If you have reserved
space at the church for your event,
Marlee will most likely include your
event in the on-line calendar. But
you could check with her if you do
not see your event listed.
9. Announcements during Worship
Services. In rare circumstances,
events can be
mentioned by a worship
leader during our
Sunday morning worship
services. Events
publicized in this way
should be relevant to
the entire congregation!
23
CONTRIBUTE
VIA ELECTRONIC
FUNDS
TRANSFER
Please consider
contributing to First
Unitarian Church by
setting up a regular
electronic funds
transfer. This will move
money from your
checking or savings
account directly to First
Unitarian Church. You
can choose to make
your contribution
quarterly, monthly, bimonthly, or weekly.
This option will save
you the trouble of
writing checks and it
will help ensure a level
flow of contributions to
the church throughout
the year.
Please fill out
the Vanco form online
by clicking the
DONATE NOW
button in the left
sidebar at www.firstunitarian-pgh-org.
You can also make your
2015 pledge online by
clicking the PLEDGE
NOW button in the left
sidebar at www.firstunitarian-pgh-org.
October 2014
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
TO THE POINT: Unitarian Universalist
“Eleva tor Speeches”
ACTIVITIES
FAIR
Sunday
October 5
after the 9:30 and
11:00 a.m. services
Our 2014
Activities Fair
will be held,
Sunday, October
5 after both
services.
This year we are
expanding the
fair throughout
the entire church
to highlight our
many activities.
Plan to stay for a
light lunch and
to investigate all
the wonderful
opportunities
you have to
engage with our
church and our
friendly
congregation.
Enjoy!
Quick! What is Unitarian Universalism?
If you’ve been tongue-tied about how
to answer this question, you are not
alone. The UUA has produced a
brochure of brief responses - short
enough for an elevator ride, cashier
line, or sidewalk (or soccer sideline)
chat. We will include one each month
in the Chalice. Feel free to use them as
is, or let them inspire your own
responses. Do you have an elevator
speech about UUism? Send it to Rev.
Robin at [email protected]
UU Elevator Speech #7
“I am a UU because I am convinced I need other people who
love what I love. I am a UU because I want to join hands with
others to create a community where we grow spiritually,
where we support one another, and where we work together
to create a world in which everyone matters, everyone is free,
everyone is respected, and everyone lives in peace. I am a UU
because I have seen what love, understanding, and
commitment can do. And finally, I am a UU because I am
convinced that if we let the love in our hearts guide our ways,
the possibilities before us are breathtaking.”
~ Rev. Peter Morales, UUA President
GIANT EAGLE GIFT CARDS
You can provide muchneeded financial support
for First Unitarian Church by
purchasing Giant Eagle gift
cards, which are available
at our table in the Gallery
after church on Sundays. Giant Eagle
gift cards can be used just like cash,
and they can be used to purchase
anything in the store - including gift
24
cards for other businesses!
First Unitarian Church
receives five percent (5%)
of all Giant Eagle gift cards
purchased at our church. Of
course, you do not have to
use gift cards as gifts; you can use
them for your own personal shopping.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
October 2014
DENOMINATIONAL CONNECTIONS
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION:
OHIO-MEADVILLE DISTRICT
G R E AT E R P I T T S B U RG H A R E A C L U S T E R O F
C H U RC H E S A S S E M B LY
November 1, 2014
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
Better Together
SCHEDULE
WORKSHOPS
8:25-9:20
Cluster Choir Practice
9:00
Registration
9:30-10:15 Worship led by Cluster
Ministers; Music led by
Jon-Erik Schreiber
 Youth
Mental Health First Aid for
Adults: Led by Jennifer Halperin.
 The
Shared Pulpit: Led by Rev. Robin
Zucker.
 UUPLAN
Panel: Led by Anita
Mentzer
10:15-10:45 Keynote Speaker: Anita
Mentzer, UUPLAN
Director
 Communication
10:45-11:00 BREAK
 Stewardship
11:00-12:15 Workshops
12:15-1:00 LUNCH (children eat
free)
1:00-1:45
Business Meeting
1:45-2:15
Closing Ceremony
If interested in participating in
MarketPlace, please contact Jennifer
Halperin at [email protected].
& Social Media: Led
by Amy Walters and Celeste Taylor.
Panel: Led by Randy
Weinberg (First Unitarian); Carol
Ballance (North Hills); Michelina
Olmstead (Indiana)
 Music:
Led by Jesse Landis-Eigsti
(Allegheny)
Child care and children’s programs
available upon request, children must
be pre-registered. Please indicate your
needs on the registration form.
We are not human because we think. We are human because we
care. All true meaning is shared meaning.
~ Forrest Church
The Days of Yay are Here! Wake Me Up When They're Over
25
Are you a
congregational
leader?
Saturday,
October 18, 2014
9:30a.m. - 3:00p.m.
Unitarian Church of
Akron
Congregational
Leaders - especially
board officers - are
invited to join
members of the OMD
Board at a Leadership
Roundtable on
Saturday, October 18,
2014 at the UU Church
of Akron, OH.
Featuring Keynote
Speaker, Rev. Tricia
Hart speaking on
Financial
Stewardship for the
21st Century.
Events of the day
include small group
discussions and a
forum on
Regionalization with
CERG. This is your
opportunity to learn
more about the
regionalization plan
and timetable.
Free if registered by
October 8 ($10 after
October 8.)
Register here.
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
A Member of the Unitarian Universalist Association
605 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2999
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage Paid
PAID
Permit No. 2259
Pittsburgh PA
Address Service Requested
The Reverend Dr. David Herndon
Senior Minister
Rita Gates
Business Manager
The Reverend Robin Landerman Zucker
Assistant Minister
Brady Hunsaker
President
Jennifer Halperin
Director of Ministry with Children and Youth
The Chalice
Connect + Inspire + Serve
Newsletter of the First Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh
Volume 15 Number 9
October 2014
Church Office Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Telephone: (412) 621-8008
FAX: (412) 621-9011
www.first-unitarian-pgh.org