The Beacon - August 2008
Attention Auction Winners of the Athenaeum Tour
During the Bucket Auction at Church, you bid for a tour of the Philadelphia Athenaeum. Sandra Tatman, the Executive Director will be showing us around.
We have set the time and date: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th, 5:30 to 6:30ish.
Meet at the Athenaeum, 219 South 6th Street , across from Washington Square, between Walnut and Locust.
As promised, we have arranged a special dinner afterwards, for those who would like it, at the Triumph Brewery. We will have a private room and a special prix fix menu which includes one of their special beers (or a house wine) @ $25.00 It promises to be quiet and convivial.
The Triumph brewery , at 117 Chestnut St., is a 15 minute walk from the Athenaeum, going through the park most of the way. Dane has even arranged the pricing so that two people can share one of the Brewery’s multi-beer samplers (small draws of each of their best beers), this is the best way to do a brew pub. For more information about the brewery:
www.triumphbeer.com
IF YOU WISH TO JOIN US FOR THE DINNER, PLEASE RSVP TO DANE BY SEPT. 20TH.
Dane Wells: joan-dane.wells[AT]att.net - or - 215 545 0536
We look forward to seeing you at the Athenaeum, and perhaps at the Brewery as well. Should you wish to bring a friend on the tour, we have space for about 5 more people (@ $5/person for the Church, of course). We can also add for the dinner package. Let Dane know by September 20th.
Fellow Participants (for ride sharing? beer sharing?):
Karin Tetlow, Marilyn Ashbrook, Connie Baker, Bell/Sonnenberg, Chris Robertson & John Creveling, George & Phebe Shinn, Gary Parchman, Mary Blankhead, Joan Forman, Christiane Geisler, Christine Carlson, Jen Baker, Luana Goodwin, Dane & Joan Wells, Heather & Logan Speers.
Summer Worship Services
(Services are held Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary)
Having a Heart – The Zen of OZ
Sunday, August 3
Mark DeCourval, an OZphile and UU seminarian, has often found spiritual inspiration from the fourteen OZ books written by L. Frank Baum who often included Zen koans and Theosophical beliefs in his writings. The meaning of a well known koan expressed by the Wizard of OZ to the Tin Man - “A heart is not judged by how much you love, but how much you are loved by others” – will be explored; as well as our motivations for loving.
Owning White Privilege: Finding our Footing
Sunday, August 10
So often reminders that the prosperity and influence of our country have been based on the past enslavement and continuing exploitation of people of color leads us to shame and guilt as well as a defensive posture or withdrawal. How can we find a more wholesome and productive response and what does owning white privilege mean? Led by Luana Goodwin, Billy Penn Johnson and Joan Bauer.
The Communion of Brotherly Love
Sunday, August 17
In his Educational Psychology courses, Eric Jordan learned about the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. Together, we will explore how he put that into practice in the classroom, and we will try to apply it to our City of Philadelphia. Please bring a happy thought about our city to this service! Worship Associate: Luana Goodwin
Dying to Live
Sunday, August 24
Join Worship Associate Malika Aanais Levy for her sermon focusing on a hospice chaplain's experience tapping into death and finding life at the end." Malika Levy is a candidate for UU Ministry currently performing her chaplaincy internship.
Seeing the Feminine as Sacred
Sunday, August 31
The final sermon of the month will investigate the key to healing and harmony for individuals, nations, and the earth. Led by Lesley Anderson.
President’s Message
By Heather Speirs
It’s shortly after the 4th of July and pouring. As I sit at home reflecting on my journey at First Unitarian Church, I realize that this is the third summer season I’ve attended. During the first, I remember feeling surprised and then delighted at the services led by lay ministers. I found myself attending more often than was my wont, even though I still knew very few people and spoke to even fewer. As he has been for so many, Steve Lynch had been the first to reach out and make me feel welcome. We’d often go to brunch after the service; for that first year at least, he was the church. I’d like to think that each of us has a similar kind of radical hospitality in us. I know that we could make such a difference in the visitor’s understanding of who we are as a community.
My first Sunday visit had happened on the Homecoming Sunday in September of ’05, the first Sunday that Rev Bill Metzger stood in the pulpit as Interim Minister. I didn’t know what to make of his funny-looking (at least to my Californian eyes) suit and haircut, but I loved how he referenced Jacques Derrida in a sermon. I also loved the strange new rituals I encountered as a pilgrim from the Episcopal Church: instead of Sacraments we had the Water Blessing, instead of incense or candles we had the Chalice. Some hymns had tunes I recognized set to different words, words decidedly less focused on the hereafter and more centered on the here and now. Jarring at first, they soon began to feel natural in my mouth because they more closely reflected what was on my heart.
By November, I felt ready to become a member. When I met with Rev. Metzger, I asked him if there was any doctrine I needed to affirm: when he said no, I felt overcome with joy. Then, I embraced Unitarianism-Universalism for what it was not; over time, I’ve come to affirm it for what it is. In my experience of the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches, as well as an academically strong if conservative evangelical college, I’ve noticed that even though we all profess (or in the case of the college, sign) a set of shared beliefs, individual members often privately disagree with one or more of them. Certain beliefs, particular objections, simply could not be shared aloud. At First U-U, we disagree publicly, yet still manage to respect one another as individuals. Personally, I’d like to see us engage in more dialogue, for I’d like to hear more of the stories and thinking that have led others to believe what they do. The Build-Your-Own-Theology Course I took that first year proved liberating indeed.
That Spring, I signed up to become an Usher, figuring that I would get to know people’s names that way. I still felt very resistant to any extensive commitment to church work; although new to the city, I was determined to build my life here carefully. That first year, I volunteered as a literacy tutor; the second as an ESL teacher. Who wants to be a “church lady” anyway, I thought. (Those of you who prefer your anonymity, I understand.) But I remember an Interweave brunch with Gerry Parchman and one or two others where he said, in reply to my question about getting to know more people, that the best way to make friends is to work on a common task. How right he was. The more involved I’ve become, the more people I’ve begun to know in a way deeper than Sunday coffee hour, or even Circle dinner, could allow.
So here I am, at the start of my year as President, wanting very much to inspire us all to commit ourselves more fully to one another and to the community in which we live. If you have ideas about how we might do that, please let me know. I’m all ears.
Contact Me
Heather Speirs
President, Board of Trustees
Cell Phone: 610-209-4751
Email: HmSpeirs[AT]Gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY TEAM
CELEBRATES A GREAT YEAR
The new co-chairpersons of the Membership Ministry Team for the 2008-2009 church year will be Sharon Tomalin and Kate Hertzog. They are looking for some new members of the membership team so please let them know if you are interested.
Phyllis Belk, the chair for the past two years, said “this ministry team is one of the most enjoyable groups to involve yourself with since we focus on the totally positive tasks of welcoming visitors, providing Sunday morning hospitality, coordinating the ushers and greeters, organizing Circle Dinner Groups, orienting persons interested in our church, working with new members, helping Rev. Nate to connect new members to the congregation, and addressing the concerns of visitors and new members.
During the past church year, fifth persons joined the church, and the Membership Ministry Team had helped all of them with orientation and connections. Steve Lynch took their photos and arranged with the property committee for a display board.
Kate and Sharon hope some new people will volunteer to take on the tasks that they had been responsible for as members of the team. Kate coordinated “ConnectU,” a special outreach to welcome visitors; Sharon coordinated the Supper Groups which are monthly get-togethers that help church members and friends become better acquainted.
Paul Costa will continue in the important role of coordinator of ushers and greeters. Steve Lynch will continue as photographer. Kim Cox is continuing as coordinator of refreshments for Sunday morning after-church hospitality hour.
The final Orientation of the church year was held June 1, and lunch was provided by Sharon and Paul. The first Orientation of the new church year will be held August 17th after church.
One of the final events of the past church year was a “Listening Session,” co-sponsored with the property committee, for persons with disabilities. It was held June 29, and many excellent ideas were provided. For instance, people with vision disability would like a detailed walking tour of the church so that they have a mental picture of where are the rooms for classes, storage areas, kitchen cabinets, etc Joanne Perilstein advised the group, “Don’t hesitate to ask us to help with church events. We’ll tell you if we can’t.” She said that part of her rehab training when she lost her eyesight was to prepare a meal for 40 persons and serve it, all by herself! We said, “Watch out, Joanne. You may have to fend off requests.” Eric Jordan suggested better signage around the church, and a directory prominently displayed. The group also discussed the various options for placement of an elevator in the building –all very expensive but needed!
Congregational Goals for 2008-2009
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What directions do you think the church should take?
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What projects would you like to build into the life of the congregation?
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Specific goals, ideas that can be analyzed and measured at the end of the church year.
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Member art in the sanctuary? Collaboration with a Food Bank or Shelter?
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Creation of a book of meditations? More Books through Bars? Anti-Gun Violence Action?
Please accept this invitation from the Board of Trustees and the Ministry Leadership Team
to send us three goals you would like the church to work on in the coming year or two.
Your responses will be food for thought and action at the Leadership Retreat in late August.
Please send your three goals to Chris Trace (bctrace[AT]gmail.com) and Anne Slater (slater.anne[AT]gmail.com) .
Chris and Anne are members of the Ministry Leadership Team.
Annual Congregational Meeting
The Annual Congregational Meeting held on May 18th of this year proved a happy conclusion to Rev. Nate's first year. After the President's Report and the Leadership Team Report, a vote was held to affirm the potential donation of the cross to Prince of Peace Baptist Church. Votes were then held to affirm the nominations for officers and new members of the Board, as well as new members of the Nominating Committee.
The Board of Trustees for the 2008-09 year stands as follows:
Heather Speirs, President (one-year term)
Christiane Geisler, Vice-President (two-year member of Board)
Karin Tetlow, Secretary (second of two-year term)
Mark Peterson, Treasurer (second of two-year term)
Patrick Ream, Member-at-Large (one-year replacement for Heather Speirs as member-at-large)
Steven Tomcavage, Member-at-large (two-year term)
Patricia Way, Member-at-Large (two-year term)
The Board members look forward to making themselves known and accessible to you this year. We will have new identifying pins, a Leadership Installation on September 14th and a set of our photos up in the back of the Church this September. In the meantime, members are encouraged to view our photos and statements on the Members page of the Church website.
The Nominating Committee:
Alan Gardner (Chair, second of two-year term)
Phyllis Belk (second of two-year term)
Sharon Tomalin (additional year term, continuation of appointment by the Board)
Leroy (Lee) Forney (two-year term)
Connie Baker (two-year term)
Amy Fraatz will continue in her two-year elected position as Moderator.
Getting to Know UU
By Ken Olin
Nebraska may not be known as a bastion of liberal faiths, with only 5 UU congregations in the entire state, and fewer than 750 members spread amongst those churches. Still, the First Unitarian Church of Omaha, with 244 members and founded in August 1869, was the pulpit of Rev. Newton M. Mann, the first minister in the country to accept and proclaim the philosophy of evolution, during his ministry begun in 1889. The concept can still evoke controversy in some quarters.
The church had been in existence for only two years when they built their first brick chapel in town. Over the ensuing years, they saw enough growth to build a new church in 1918, moving with the population as the city grew in size. The building’s Georgian revival architecture was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in the 1980’s. The Joslyn Museum, opened in 1931 (the height of the Depression), was a gift to the city of Omaha by Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband, both of them prominent members of the church. Mrs. Joslyn also donated the church’s pipe organ.
The congregation continued to grow and by 1974 they begat an off-shoot church, Second Unitarian Universalist Church of Omaha, serving the western areas of the city. Their current minister is Rev. Dr. Kate Rohde, who had previously served in our area, at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester. She begins her second year in the pulpit in September, and the church celebrates its 139th birthday this month. To learn more, visit their website at www.firstuuomaha.org.
Social Justice and Community Service
Criminal Justice
Books Through Bars
Books continue to be collected in our lobby but its preferable to have them taken to the A - Space (4733 Baltimore Ave.) for packing and sending to prisoners all across the nation needing something to read. Our thanks to Gillian Stickney -Swann , Associate Director of the Beacon Center who has helped us transport them there in her car..
Drop-offs and/or packing take place on Tuesday evenings and 1st and 3rd Saturdays 11-2. For info go to www.booksthroughbars.com. Our new Board member, Tricia Way is also on their board.
Recycling
In the church neighborhood there is Single -Stream Recycling (this means you can combine paper, glass, And plastics (1&2) neatly together, separated from trash. Collection is weekly on your regular trash night or day. Since the Partnership program with the Community Outreach Partnership (CORP) which helped to raise funds for
WinterShelter at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church has ended, a NEW partnership program with Recycling COPS (Community Outreach Program Support) has formed. To help protect the environment AND raise money to support the homeless and seniors programs at Trinity an inkjet and laser cartridge recycling program has been launched. Bring your used items to 2212 Spruce Street between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on the third Saturdays of every month. Tell your coworkers, friends and neighbors about this opportunity to help strengthen recycling in Philadelphia and support citizens in need!
Housing and Economic Justice
Casserole Alert from Bethesda Project
This is the umbrella organization of which WinterShelter is a part. Although our efforts in the past have been only November to May, Bethesda Project offers help year round to all levels of homelessness. Their motto on their website says Hope, Healing,Home, Family - To find and care for the abandoned poor and be family with those who have none. Go to www.bethesdaproject.org to find out about them and how to donate casseroles. They receive over 450 casseroles a month and use them all. There are recipes to use as guidelines and delivery instructions. Call Linda Green (215-545-6178 to deliver a donation to their freezer at their Sanctuary Residence (816 S. 20th St).
ADULT PROGRAMS
Depression Support Group
The group continues to meet on the first Sunday of each month, following service (August 3). For more info contact Arcenia Rosal at 215-561-6506, or Lynn Rubin at 215-837-3371.
Interweave Social on August 9:
Calling All Women-Identified Women!
Interweave will host a social on August 9 for all lesbian, bisexual, transgender and Intersex women. It will be in the Parish Room, from 7 - 9 p.m., and refreshments will be served.
Come and tell us what you’d like to see Interweave and First Church do/provide offer for our community! See you August 9!
Women's Book Club
Despite the heat outside we were fortunate to meet in the cool home of Joan Forman in July to discuss The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing.
Many of the ideas of feminism which were so controversial in the 60's when the book was written fortunately are practices of the past. The various themes of the book seemed to vary according to the reader's age and perspective. The next two months books are said to be much easier to read. August 4, we will be meeting at the home of Sharon Tomalin to discuss Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh. PLEASE call here at 215-735-5047 or stomalin[AT]att.net to let her know you are coming and to get directions. If you are driving there is a garage in her building and she has vouchers for $4 for the evening. Joan Forman will facilitate the discussion. The September 8 reading, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, is 676 pages but several have said it's enjoyable and quick. The discussion site has yet to be determined but it will be facilitated by Ruth Crispin. General questions about the group can be directed to the coordinator, Ginny Beier at 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu.
Beacon Bits
Donate to the Breast Cancer Site
A favor to ask, it only takes a minute. The Breast Cancer Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their web site and click on "donate a mammogram" for free (it’s the pink window in the middle). This doesn't cost a thing. Here's the web site: ww.thebreastcancersite.com.
Ken Olin Appointed Vice President of the Joseph Priestley District
From our own Ken Olin: “Just thought I'd confirm the inevitable - that I have been appointed by the District Board to serve as JPD Vice President through the next District Annual Meeting next spring, when the congregational delegates will vote on someone to fill out the remainder of the two-year term. I am replacing Liz Hrenda, former VP who is moving out of the District.
The Music Class
The Music Class' 10-week Fall Session featuring the brand-new Giraffe Collection starts September 9. No classes on Sept 30th & Oct 1st for Rosh Hashana, and Oct 9 for Yom Kippur. Fall Session ends Nov 20th. Fall tuition is $155 for the first child, and a $50 discount for subsequent children. Registration is open - classes are filling up, register soon at 215-701-0594 or visit us on-line at www.themusicclass.com/philadelphia.
Drumming and Dancing Workshops
Get in touch with your “INNER MUSCIAN” and have some fun! A wonderful team of leaders is providing drumming and dancing workshops at Murray Grove Aug. 15-17 (full moon weekend). Register for the weekend or Saturday session, and also enjoy the labyrinth, pool and grounds. Just minutes from Exit 74 off the Parkway. Visit www.murraygrove.org for more info. Express yourself creatively & spiritually – ancient practices with roots in ritual, religion, and celebration.
Labor Day Retreat at Camp Tockwogh
Mark your calendar! MLUC’s and First UU’s 2008 Labor Day Weekend Retreat at Tockwogh
August 30 –September 1. For online registration and more information about Tockwogh, please visit www.oldmacd.org/Tockwogh.
Orientation Session-August 17
There will be an Orientation session August 17 in the Parish Room at 11:30 a.m. for persons interested in knowing more about this church and about Unitarian Universalism. RSVP through the church office at Mike[AT]Philauu.org, 215-563-3980, x.301.
A CALL FOR UU CALENDAR ARTISTS!
Back by popular demand! Art Is Universal - and Unitarian! For 2009 - another Calendar exhibiting work from First Church artists! We will feature at least one artist for each month of the year. Any Church member or friend is welcome to submit work. You can submit up to 5 pieces.
Entries must made in one of two formats only:
■ a JPEG file (AT LEAST 250 dpi, at 8 x 10" or 5 x 7 "---bigger is better).
■ high-quality 8 X 10” or 5 X 7” photographs.
We cannot accept any other format.
The works will be juried for acceptance by a Philadelphia artist unconnected with First Church.
Entries must be received in the Church Office by Monday, Sept. 10.
The Calendars will be available for sale during the Holiday Season - perfect for your gift list! And we also suggest - “One for you, one for UU (house)”. Last year many people bought an extra calendar to be sent to the residents of UU House. These were gladly and gratefully received. All proceeds from sales of the Calendar will go to the Church.
Artists - here’s your chance to be remembered for a year - 365 days! We want to display the many and varied artistic talents of our artist members.
--Phebe Shinn, for the Fundraising Team
GLBT Artists Festival
It is a Pleasure to announce the inception of the Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival, an autonomous project operating under the Mission of TAP: Traverse Arts Project. This is a project with a goal of promoting the careers and visibility of independent, emerging and moderately established artists that identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender that live and perform their work in the city of Philadelphia. Never before in Philadelphia has there been an exciting festival that integrates all of the Fine and Performing Arts with a focus of demonstrating the magnificent creativity of those artists that identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender. Thus, we are most excited about the Festival's creation.
The city of Philadelphia has an incredibly vibrant Arts Scene unparalleled by major cities across the United States; however, less than 10% of the programming is decidedly queer. The Philadelphia GLBT Artist festival fills this gap by presenting an annual festival showcasing the Artistic creations of Philadelphia's Musical, Dramatic, Visual, and Movement Artists. Artists identifying as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender or Queer, who are independent, emerging, or moderately established are encouraged to inquire about being an active part of the festival. The Philadelphia GLBT Artist Festival is an autonomous project under the mission of TAP: Traverse Arts Project, a Philadelphia-based non-profit Arts organization. Any contributions to the Festival are tax-deductible to the highest extent allowable by law.
We invite Members of First Church to join hands with us in this unique and history-making festival of Artistry!
Submitted by T. Desiree Hines
Founder and Artistic Director
From YOur Music Director
As summer is starting to come to a close, I am looking forward to another “new” church year. The Music Committee and I have discussed and are in the planning stages of some very exciting new ventures that you will be seeing over this new year.
The first exciting new venture involves the choir. So many folks in our congregation have come to me over the past year and have said, “I really want to join the choir, except that I have a commitment on Thursday evenings and cannot attend to rehearsals”. Well, we have listened and I am pleased to announce that starting on September 3 we are changing choir rehearsals to Wednesday nights from 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (with child care also being offered). My wish is that this change in rehearsal schedule and the addition of child care will afford more people interested in the choir to be able to do so. The choir is and always has been an open and welcoming family and you are invited to join us.
First Church has the honor to welcome the Luscina Choir, a mixed voices choir of high school students from Eastern Europe, to perform at our church on Saturday evening, September 13. This choir is touring in the U.S. with Philadelphia as one of their tour cities. They are delighted to perform a full concert for us and I am very excited. They have asked for assistance from us, as well. They are in the need of some “host families” for housing while visiting. We are currently in the process of getting the full details of their needs, so I will be contacting you shortly. I sincerely ask that anyone in the Center City area that can open their home’s for a few days to help this visiting choir, please consider and do so. This surely will be a wonderful experience for both the Luscina Choir as well as for us! Again, more details soon!
Blessings to all!
Christopher Barnard
Christopher[AT]PhilaUU.org
Financial Facts
There is a Financial Fact of which we are all too aware: the huge increase in energy costs.
In the late Fall of 2007, Nate and Norman were asked to put together a budget which would anticipate a 5% increase in costs for each of the next three years. They accomplished this goal, focusing particularly on the "energy sensitive" expenses that we incur.
Given the current run up in energy costs, we are going to have to re-evaluate our budget because it is clear that our plans are inadequate to deal with what has transpired over the last six months. And since the increases are so great, it is possible that other areas of our budget will be impacted with subtle effects on other products and services which were not considered in their planning. No one knows at this point what this is going to mean, but rest assured, we will be looking hard at what we can do to continue to fund the projects and activities that are important to the Church while being fiscally responsible.
It might be wise of you to consider how the increases in costs are going to impact you just as we are doing so for the Church.
You will be hearing more about this as we learn more about the implications of this problem
Submitted by Mark Peterson, Treasurer
Member Travelog
Steve Russell and Lulu’s Great Adventure
Mid-May, left Philadelphia in our RV for Canada and Alaska … Experienced buffalos, bears and wild horses crossing in front of us … Snow-capped mountains, forests and big blue (open) skies: still a frontier … inexpressibly beautiful … Off the Alaskan highway onto the Klondike Loop, 250 miles of dirt and gravel to Dawson City (old mining town) with views of rivers and mountains 50 miles away … made it to Chicken, Alaska, population 6 (yes, SIX full-time residents) … back to the Alaskan highway … experienced buffalos, bears, a mother duck with ducklings crossing … lots of sudden breaking… Calgary, reminiscent of Denver … next Bailiff in the Canadian Rockies … Lake Moraine near Lake Louise … tea at the lodge, all very beautiful! On to Jasper, 300 miles NW of Calgary and a whole host of wildlife… Elk, mountain goats, big-horn sheep, a coyote, a black bear with cubs (Lulu went wild wanting to play with the cubs) … up to Lake Maligne in the Canadian Rockies … Joined our Alaskan caravan of June 23rd … began our road trip to Fairbanks, but not without some mishaps … installing tight-weave chickenwire to protect the radiator. “Very simple job” was the quote from the caravan leader … Six hours later in torn jeans, torn skin and grease all over, draining water from the water separator, another “simple” project, managing to lose all our diesel fuel, causing the RV to die one minute after being turned on … Left first campground and reached 40 mph on the Alaskan highway… window in the front door partially popped out of its seal… used dust tap to keep it in place until it could be fixed … braked to keep from hitting another road crossing black bear… cabinets flew open inside the RV and stuff flew everywhere, requiring major clean up … Reached second campground, a muddy marsh with gnats the size of small airplanes … sunset at 11 p.m., sunrise at 3:30 a.m., equals 4 hours of sleep … with it all still having a fabulous adventure …Arrive in Fairbanks … acres of peonies in full bloom at the University … Flew in a six-seat propeller airplane to the Arctic Circle … cold and overcast with snowy mountains in the distance at Homer, Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula …temperature in the 70s… recorded high for Homer is 81 degrees … 14 to 16 days of sun is the norm … small boat out to a island … millions of puffins, gulls, ducks, cranes, eagles, otters, seals, whales … On to Seward, Palmer and then Valdez, whatever the weather, it is magical.
A Message from UUPLAN
“The importance of cyber connectedness for all interests groups can not be denied. Unitarian Universalist activists certainly are aware of the potency and promise of the web. Its capacity to shape partisan opinion is undeniable. UU's are also aware of the dangers of being absent from the dialogue which so influences our elected representatives.
Since politics are "local," UUPLAN (Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania Legislative Advocacy Network) was organized in 2005 as part of the Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Networks (UUSAN). State networks are ever mindful of the force we religious liberals could bring to bear on our state legislatures if we advocate from the base of our principles using the technology to organize our advocacy efforts. We, too, can/must be one of the forces which influences pending state legislation.
The September 20, 2008 meeting described in the attachment represents our continuing effort to provide UU justice advocates access to each other around specific justice priorities which have statewide implications. UUPLAN seeks to serve our advocacy community by sharing ideas, programming, and encouragement. All too often, we have no knowledge of the justice engagements of our UU neighbors within the same city or county. We believe that communication amongst all Pennsylvania UU churches will enrich all UU's and, certainly, our Commonwealth. Through our concerted activities, we find our strength as a denomination that promotes the "worth and dignity of every person." For more about us, please consult our web site, www.uuplan.org.”
From,
Pat DeBrady
UUPLAN Coordinator
267.679.8120, patikesdottir[AT]aol.com
UUA Presidential Elections Forum
From blog moderator Martin Voelkner: “Next year at General Assembly we Unitarian Universalists will elect a new president for our association. Given that we have two excellent candidates, the reverends Dr. Laurel Hallman and Peter Morales, who bring different conceptions for the future of our religious movement, I decided to create a neutral online forum where their platforms can be discussed publicly in a civil manner. Since this will be neutral territory perhaps the candidates will chime in with clarifications or commentary. But most importantly, we hope for input from members of your congregation or fellowship! Please visit this new moderated forum, and then post your opinions, or submit materials worth discussing. The forum came online July 8, with an introduction and the opening speeches of the candidates. The complete transcript and links to video are also available on the site: http://uuapresidentialdebate2009.wordpress.com.”
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