The Beacon - January 2008
January Worship Services
(Service is held on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the
Sanctuary.)
Sunday, January 6 – “Begin Anew.” The spiritual practice of beginning anew starts with recognizing the true nature of our relationships. We begin by acknowledging the essence of self and we reflect upon what it means to start again with someone we love.
Sunday, January 13 – “Self-Care.” “In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask with descend from the ceiling. Grab the mask, pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs.” Said another way, in order to help others you must first help yourself by practicing self-care. Worship Associate: Malika Levy. New Member Ceremony
Sunday, January 20 – “A Dialogue with Dr. King.” Join Rev. Nate in a prophetic dialogue with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about the State of the Union.
Sunday, January 20 – “Contemporary Worship.”
7:00 pm in the Parish Room.
Join the new Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, Sarah Lenzi, for evening worship in the Parish Room. All ages are welcome.
Sunday, January 27 – “State of the Congregation Address.” All members and friends are gathering for the First Annual State of the Congregation Address. Together we will reflect upon where we have been, and passionately articulate our vision for the future! Addresses will be offered by Debby Schultz, Luana Goodwin, Norman Fouhy and Rev. Nate.
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Reoccurring Dream
A reoccurring dream has been haunting me for the last decade: during my thirty-second year a gun takes my life. The urban setting slightly changes in each dream but some things remain the same. The perpetrator is never identified. When the handgun is revealed my hands and arms open as if giving a hug. I feel peaceful. I hear the sound of the gun. I sense, but do not feel, the bullet going into my chest. I wake up.
I can’t help but recall this dream because my thirty-second birthday is on December 31st. This must explain the increased frequency of its reoccurrence, especially in the context of my direct experience with violence in my neighborhoods. As you know, in November a man was shot and killed outside our Baltimore apartment and in October a police officer and two men were shot a few blocks from the church during an evening board meeting.
I am also aware of my heightened sensitivity to violence. I practice the spiritual discipline of Mindful Consumption by refraining from ingesting items that contain toxins, such as in certain TV programs and films. I, therefore, have not owned a television in 12 years and do not watch films that contain violent images. As a result, when witnessing violence on my streets and in my self-conscience it leaves me feeling troubled and depleted.
I am writing to explain how my spiritual practices help regenerate my sense of stability and safety. I am grateful for practicing Mindful Consumption because it preserves my sensitivity. My intention is to have a heightened awareness of violence and aggression within me and in my surroundings so as to correct for it, even in my dreams. Another one of my practices includes going back into my dreams within moments after they are experienced. I deliberately replay the subconscious experience and treat myself as a conscious agent within the dream so as to alter the events. In the context of my reoccurring dream, my goal is not to prevent the shooting but to understand why it occurred. I want to know why the bullet enters my chest.
I do this because it is my belief that my death in dreams is not a prophecy of my own death in reality. Instead, it is a symbol of part of me that is dying – an aspect of my character that needs to end. For example, in one dream my hands were full of books and in another my hands were holding keys, all of which fell just before being shot. Could this be a symbol of schooling or intelligence or opportunities that need to die in order for my true knowledge to live? Maybe the bullet is a symbol of a piercing truth that penetrates my heart, which feels like life is ending but rather is the catalyst for my rebirth.
What are your thoughts? Do you have an active dream life and engage in the spiritual practice of replaying your dreams? Do you practice Mindful Consumption and refrain from the toxins of television and film that glorify violence?
I pose these questions with the hope to stimulate a conversation about the violence in our own minds and in our communities.
In peace,
Rev. Nate Walker
215-701-9072
revnate[AT]philauu.org
Attention All Congregational Leaders
Orientation to the
“High-Five Stewardship Drive”
Potluck on Friday, January 11 at 6:00 pm
You are invited to attend an evening potluck to orient you to the High-Five Stewardship Drive. All Team Leaders and Trustees are strongly encouraged to attend. This model was developed by Rev. Nate and was featured in the UU World last July as a compelling way to inspire member to give at five-percent of their annual giving. Please RSVP to the church office.
CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Greetings From Your CRE Director
As many of you know, my family and I were called to Florida last month to attend the funeral of my wife's brother, Larry Lang. His family is Jewish, so the practices of a Jewish burial and mourning were observed. The Rabbi who conducted the ceremonies was more conservative than has been the custom in the Lang family. This Rabbi didn't like to cut corners. When the casket is lowered into the grave, it is the Jewish custom for the mourners to cover the casket with dirt, because, as the Rabbi said, "we don't hire people to bury our loved ones". For many Jews, the requirement is fulfilled by a few symbolic shovelfuls of dirt. This Rabbi was not interested in a mere symbolic gesture. After each mourner had his or her turn with the shovel, the casket was still visible, so he toiled in the 85° weather with many shovelfuls to cover the casket. By the time he was done he was dripping with sweat and gasping for air. He joked with us later that we almost got a two-for-one deal.
Another custom is for the immediate family to have a slit torn in their shirt or jacket. They are required to wear that garment during the mourning period, known as Shiva, to symbolize the tearing of the soul. This tearing of the garment was done for Aggie, Larry's wife. In more liberal synagogues, a black button with a torn short black ribbon is worn instead of the torn garment.
During the interment some questions occurred to me: when is it better to perform a complete ritual or ceremony instead a symbolic 'shortcut'? Is there more value in 'working up a sweat' when conducting a spiritual or religious act? Clearly, if we are going to use a symbolic shortcut, it is important to explore the meaning the symbol represents. The lighting of our chalice is a good example. Its meaning and significance are only apparent if we talk about what the chalice represents. But some religious tasks lose their intended effect if they are reduced to symbolism. There is no point in symbolically recycling one can or newspaper; democracy requires people working in polls and canvassing and using our free speech to voice our displeasure about our government; pastoral care goes beyond a card or a phone call; and racial and social justice isn't fulfilled by helping one person. It is important to use symbolism to strengthen our commitment to our goals and to remind us of the importance of our work, but it doesn't replace these 'roll up the sleeves' spiritual practices.
The conservative Rabbi impressed me with his commitment to following through with rituals that he thought were too important to reduce to convenient shortcuts. I think that is why I admire the Amish. They don't just roll out their horse drawn carriages once a year to remind themselves of their commitment to a simple life. They live the life their values dictate. Thanks to the Rabbi, I now have a lens with which I can examine areas of my spiritual life where I haven't been willing to 'roll up my sleeves'.
With affection,
Jansen Wendell
Jansen@PhilaUU.org
(215) 563-3980, ext. 305
January Worship Highlights
Sunday, January 6, 11:00, children’s chapel: Children will worship for 15 minutes, followed by church school classes
Sunday, January 13, 11:00, children’s chapel: Children will worship for 15 minutes, followed by church school classes
Sunday, January 20, 11:00: sanctuary: M.L. King Service / Time for All Ages
Sunday, January 27, 12:30: sanctuary: All Together Sunday / State of the Congregation
Sunday, February 3, 11:00, children’s chapel: Children will worship for 15 minutes, followed by church school classes
GETTING TO KNOW UU
By Ken Olin
Heading Returning to the Clara Barton District in New England, the Unitarian Society of Hartford was one of the first Unitarian congregations in Connecticut. Organized in 1830 in conjunction with what would become the Brooklyn Congregational Church, it split off a few years later to form as the First Unitarian Congregational Society in 1844. The USH has had 4 very different buildings in its history. When its first church was completed in the 1846, the American Unitarian Association decried the Gothic building’s extravagance, when simpler designs were favored elsewhere. That building soon proved to be more costly than the young congregation could afford, and to settle debts it was sold to a bank in 1860, suspending ecclesiastical services for 17 years (but not disbanding). A small profit on the sale grew and in 1877 allowed them to buy land and build a new, less burdensome church.
Fast forward to the 1960s. Their third building was too small for the burgeoning membership, and it was decided to move to the suburbs for a more spacious lot. A very modern church, resembling (to this writer) a very large circus tent, was designed with 12 fin-like concrete piers (no two alike) spreading out from a central hub which forms the basis for the sanctuary. To paraphrase architect Victor Lundy, it was intended to suggest the organic, diverse source of Unitarian-Universalism belief in architectural form. The leak-prone roof has proven to be problematic for much of its existence, as is often the case in unusual structures such as this.
While First Church has structural problems that crop up, I find I prefer our building. You can see pictures of the USH church (along with drawings of their past ones), and learn about their history and current activities, by visiting www.ushartford.com.
President’s Commentary
By Debby Schultz
Over the next two weeks the Board will be brainstorming in preparation for the January 27th State of the Congregation address. Since the role of the Board of Trustees is to focus on policy, strategy and vision, it would make sense that much of the Board’s address would focus on where we are going and the state of our plans for getting there.
It struck me one Sunday early in December as I looked around and realized how many people I did not know that our congregation appears to be changing. Since this is a congregational church, the congregation clearly plays a strong role in defining our mission. Who are we now as a congregation and where do you believe we are headed?
Are we ~
• Humanists or earth-based or theists or liberal evangelists?
• A center for political and cultural forums providing an opportunity to experience many points of view some of which may be in conflict with members and friends in the congregation or are we supporters and advocates of a consistent liberal viewpoint?
• Visible and well-known in our community for actively engaging in relevant social justice issues such as housing or violence or are we congregants whose focus to become well-informed regarding current social justice issues
• A financially struggling church with a constant focus on balancing priorities based on limited financial resources or are we a responsible and fair landlord and employer who financially recognizes our obligations for maintaining our building and supporting our staff?
• A center that recognizes a spiritual component of the arts or do we offer a strong music component at our Sunday services?
• Responsible congregants who ensure that budget exists for Children’s Religious Education or are we engaged supporters of our children and youth making sure they are very much part of our church community?
• Associates or friends or care-givers or warm welcomers of visitors?
• A Congregation where decision and leadership reside with the minister or with the lay-leadership?
What are your thoughts regarding the answers to these questions and probably several others not stated here? As trusted representatives of the Congregation, the Board needs your input in defining who as congregants we are and where we are headed. There is a key opportunity at the January 27 Pot Luck luncheon following the State of the Congregation address to share your thoughts. Board Members Carl Denlinger, Mark Peterson, Karin Tetlow, Virginia DeRolf, Heather Speirs and Shirley Steele welcome one-on-one conversations during Coffee Hour or at other times, via eMail or letter. Please join us in this exploration.
With love and curiosity,
Debby Schultz
SOCIAL JUSTICE & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Racial Justice
“Building the World We Dream About”
All are encouraged to enroll in this new curriculum being field-tested for the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (the UUA) by a select number of groups around the country. It is the multicultural, anti-racism equivalent of the UUA's Welcoming Congregation program, which focuses on becoming even more welcoming of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in our congregations.
Race is a social construction of human beings, not a biological reality. Racism is a system of privilege and oppression based on race, enforced by a group with social and economic power in a society. In the U.S., racism informs our psychological state, personality structure, the institutional and social values that shape our working lives, the view of how we interpret the world, and even the values we place on human life. Building the World We Dream About is a curriculum that seeks to interrupt the workings of racism and transform how people from different racial/ethnic groups understand and relate to each other. It helps to develop the understanding, knowledge, and skills we need in order to work toward eliminating racism in ourselves individually, in our congregations, and in the institutions and systems in the wider world. As Unitarian Universalists, we hope developing anti-racist, anti-oppressive and multicultural habits and skills lead us to actually build the Beloved Community and the multicultural world we dream about.
Each month is broken into two parts. The first session is a Seminar (primarily a large-group experience) that introduces "big ideas" and concepts through readings, film clips, dramatizations, speakers, music, etc. The second session is primarily a small-group experience called a Reflection Group, scheduled a week or two after the Seminar to give the ideas a chance to "marinate". The Reflection Groups often involve "homework" back in the real world (observing, collecting data, looking through other eyes, and testing skills) so provide a bridge for moving from theory to real life at the individual, congregational, and wider world levels.
The Seminars will be Tuesday evenings 6:30-9:00 p.m., beginning on Tuesday, January 22, and the Reflection Groups Sundays 4:00-6:30 p.m., beginning Sunday, February 3.
Participants are expected to commit to come to every session; of course, one or two absences due to emergencies are understandable.
Our goal is to have 24 participants, eight each from the local UU churches, with as much racial/ethnic/cultural and other types of diversity as possible.
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, 6900 Stenton Ave., in Mt. Airy. Carpooling from First Church is available.
Registration: free
Please register by January 14 to be assured a position. For more information, contact Bruce Pollack-Johnson at 215-848-6246 or via email at pollackjohnson[AT]verizon.net .
Economic Justice & Housing
WinterShelter
Every first Wednesday and fourth Friday of each month from now until April, volunteers donate their time to help feed the homeless men who depend upon this community service. Sign up now! Teams and families especially wanted. The financial burden of cooking a meal is shared, while donations of money will also help to provide our delicious meals. Despite an oncoming illness, Lari Robling and Ginny Beier provided a delicious beef stew for the men on November 23. Heard in the hall: "Hi, Honey, I'm home!" (A testimony to our cozy atmosphere?) If you can provide any clean, cot-size blankets, they would be appreciated--as well as clean, warm clothes. December 5’s feast of turkey and gravy was provided by Claire and Paul Toy along with Christina Castelino's mashed potatoes. Ginny added ice cream and brownies for dessert. Please call Ginny with any questions and/or sign up on the sheet at the back of the church. 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu.
Fair Trade Coffee
Our church continues to serve only Fair Trade Coffee that we get from Equal Exchange, a worker-owned coop. The UUService Committee receives a portion of their profits. In addition to this service on Sunday we encourage you to look for the fair trade symbol on products you buy elsewhere . If enough people are interested this service could be offered at the church. Contact Ginny, 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu.
Recycling
Great News for our neighborhood! We now have curb side one stream recycling. This means in addition to your cans, glass, and paper, you can add plastics 1&2 containers to your bins.
Criminal Justice
Books Through Bars
We continue to support this program which sends books to prisoners. Packing takes place at the A Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave. every Tuesday 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. and the first and third Saturday of the month 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Check the flyers attached to the donations bin in our lobby, and on their website, www.BooksThroughBars.org. In support of this program the Women's Book Club has donated the change they collect monthly and mailed a check for $153.00 to this worthwhile cause.
ADULT PROGRAMS
We invite you to check out the new Adult Religious Education brochure available in our lobby. A new brochure featuring the programs and events for the coming year will debut the first week of January!
Population Education:
Sunday, Jan. 13, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
This one-time workshop is designed to train CRE teachers on how to use Population Education with the children. Population growth affects our environment, including air and water; it affects economies; it affects energy availability, use, and distribution; and it also affects our everyday lives, whether we live in the city, the suburbs, or anywhere in the world. We’ll explore activities that can be done with children at multiple age levels (elementary through high school) to introduce the issues and develop strategies for dealing with them in a way consistent with the UU principles. Facilitator Fran Poodry 610-544-8056, fpoodry[AT]speakeasy.net
Depression Support Group
The group continues to meet on the first Sunday of each month, following service (January 6). For more info contact Arcenia Rosal at 215-561-6506, or Lynn Rubin at 215-837-3371.
Women's Book Club
Despite a low attendance four of us thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the cozy atmosphere of Phebe Shinn's house reading aloud the poetry of Billie Collins. There’s a VERY important meeting on January 7 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss our agenda for the year's reading as well as analyzing diminishing attendance. Please call Christine Carlson, our hostess at 215-732-0308 or email her at Christine.carlson@prufoxroach.com to let her know you are coming and to get directions. Please bring one or two books that you highly recommend (or someone else you trust has). Please check out their availability in the library as well as being in paperback. Any questions about the group may be directed to the coordinator - Ginny Beier at 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu.
Native American Spirituality for Women
This ongoing class, facilitated by member Connie Baker, will start its third year in January. It is for women who would like to know more about traditional Native American spiritual practices and culture. The class currently meets on the first Friday of every month, but that is open to change, if there is consensus.
Native Americans lived a balanced life, in terms of how they used natural resources, and considered everything to be sacred and equal in importance. They believed in living harmoniously with nature, and were taught to be aware of the impact of everything they did. The first class of the new year will be on January 4, at 7:00 p.m., in the Fahs Room. Suggested reading to bring interested people up to speed is Mother Earth Spirituality, by Ed McGaa, Eagle Man. For further information, you may contact Connie at 856-282-7448, via email at conniejazz[AT]comcast.net, or see her after church.
BEACON BITS
Bob Edgar to Speak at First Church
Heads-up notice of an exciting event scheduled for Sunday March 9 at First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. The new head of Common Cause, Bob Edgar, will speak at the service that morning, and then lead a forum in the afternoon. Our church is sponsoring the forum. Bob Edgar was General Secretary of the National Council of Churches for two terms, until he took the Common Cause helm three months ago. In the 1970s and early 1980s he served as Congressman from Delaware County
Philadelphia UU Meetup Group
We meet in the evening, 5:00 p.m. every third Sunday before the Sunday Evening Alternative Worship Service. More information on the Meetup Group can be found on our church website, http://www.philauu.org/index.php/meetups and at our meet-up site, http://unitarians.meetup.com/16.
THE HEADY MAGIC OF RUMMAGE SALES
RUM--an intoxicating beverage!
MAGE - a magical person!
SALE - a disposal of goods at reduced prices!
TO RUMMAGE - to sort over or sift through many objects!
RUMMAGE SALE - Almost all of us stop at a pile of thrown-out items on the sidewalk, just to check and see if, maybe, there might be something we could use. Because, after all, what one person discards with disdain another person grabs with glee. The fondue set you never used could be just exactly what your neighbor needs for her next party; his cracked chimney flue could make an interesting plant holder in your yard. And that’s what rummage sales are all about.
The 5th Annual World-Class Rummage Sale at First Church on Saturday, Feb. 23, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. will give you a chance to rid yourself of all that stuff taking up space in your home -cluttered closets, bursting basements. Save your stuff for our sale the last week in February.
And we will also need your help in this winter fund-raiser for First Church. Put it in your 2008 calendar now, to donate a few hours to the Church the last week in February.
Extra Seats at Famous Beer Dinner
Bidding at May's Auction was intense for Rick Womer and Dane and Joan Wells' special beer dinner, and the 10 seats sold quickly. In response to several requests, Rick Joan and Dane searched their cellars and inventoried their larders and decided to offer six more places at the dinner. The theme this year is "In Praise of the English Pub." Join us to learn about pub life, food and drink and to find out just what makes them so popular. Call Mike at the office, 215-563-3980, ext. 301, now to reserve one of these six extra places. The date is set for Saturday, January 26, 2008, 6:00 p.m; Place: 2010 Spruce St., 3rd floor. Suggested donation: $50.
Submitted by Dane Wells
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS
Play Discussion Group for 2007 – 2008
Our next play in this year’s Play Discussion Group program is entitled “Wittenberg” that will be performed at the Arden Theater from January 17 to March 9. This play is set in late October of the year 1517, and features an audacious battle of wits with Dr. Faustus (a man of appetites), Martin Luther (a man of faith) and their student Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (a youth struggling not only with his beliefs but also with his tennis game.) This philosophical exploration of reason versus faith seems highly appropriate for this Unitarian congregation. Please get your tickets and join us in this venture. The date for the discussion meeting is Wednesday, March 12. Mark your calendars.
Our next play is “Eurydice,” performed at the Wilma Theater from April 30 through June 1, 2008.
MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY TEAM
The Membership Ministry Team will meet at the church Wednesday January 9 at 5:45 p.m. We welcome new committee members, or visitors checking us out to see if you'd like to join the Membership Team. We'll be planning a reception for new members that will be held January 13 at the home of Portia Sperr. Also, we'll have a serious discussion about ways to make sure that our new members are feeling at home in our congregation, and that they are connecting with activities that interest them.
State of the Congregation Potluck
Our last Potluck was a spectacular success, thanks to the generous contributions of all. Our next is set for Sunday, January 27, following the State of the Congregation service. Designations for dishes are as follows: A - D Desserts; E - H Bread or Beverage;
I - M Soup or Salad; N - S Vegetable;
T - Z Main Dish
Thanks also goes to Phebe Shinn, Anne Slater, Carol Peterson, MLT members; Ed and Kate Hertzog and others who assisted with the set-up and breakdown in November.
MUSIC NOTES
Dolce Suono Concert Series Continues at First Church
The Dolce Suono Chamber Music Concert Series is known for offering chamber concerts of the highest level of artistic excellence to the public free of charge. Its core musicians hail from such institutions as the Curtis Institute of Music, The Philadelphia Orchestra, University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University. Dolce Suono’s founder and artistic director is flutist Mimi Stillman, internationally acclaimed as soloist and chamber musician.
Concerts at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 7:30 pm Love Songs: A Valentine Serenade
Mimi Stillman, flute (Yamaha Performing Artist) & Allen Krantz, guitar (Temple University).
Music of Fauré, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Piazzolla, Brahms, and Dorff
Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 7:30 p.m. Homage to America: Celebrating American Music
Daniel Lickteig, baritone (Temple University); Mimi Stillman, flute (Yamaha Performing Artist); Hirono Oka, violin (The Philadelphia Orchestra); Jeremy Gill, piano (Temple University); Danny Gordon, voice (Actor, Syracuse University)
Music of Ives, Copland, Barber, and Rota
WELCOME TO THE STAFF
Meet First Church’s New Young Adult Coordinator
Thanks to a grant from the Joseph Priestly District, we are proud to introduce Sarah Lenzi as the next Young Adult Ministry Coordinator. In this role she will be working with the Young Adult Ministry Team to plan and execute two events per month for the group. One of these events will include a worship component (usually the third Sunday evening of each month). Her weekly activities will include ministering to young adults, coordinating social events and worship services, and fostering leadership among peers. Special attention is paid to serving historically marginalized groups through anti-oppression ministry.
Sarah Lenzi grew up Unitarian Universalist in New York City, the product of a second generation interfaith marriage. After attending college in western Massachusetts and then a year spent in Dallas Texas, Sarah went to Harvard Divinity School for her Masters of Divinity degree in the hopes of pursuing both her ministerial and her academic aspirations. Earlier this fall she moved to Philadelphia to start a religious studies PhD at UPenn, focusing on the connections between art and religious practice in northern Italy during the medieval period. She is very excited to be participating in the life of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
Call for Team Leaders
Are you interested in serving on the Young Adult Ministry Team? If so, please contact Sarah at 215-563-3980 x 315 or sarah[AT]philauu.org.
January Young Adult Calendar
January 12, 5:30 p.m., Happy Hour, The Black Sheep Pub, S. 17th (between Locust and Spruce)
January 21, 7:00 p.m., Contemporay Evening Service, Parish Room at First Unitarian
January 26, 7:30 p.m., Potluck Dinner, Jessica Manlove's House in Fairmount Neighborhood, email for directions: jmanlove@alumni.upenn.edu
MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS
At the December 9, 2007 Service, eight persons joined the church in our in-gathering ceremony. This brings the total of new members to 24 since the beginning of the church year. Thank you to Steve Lynch for taking the photos of the new members.
JENNIFER BAKER (Jenny) AND MARY BETH BONGIOVANNI
Jenny Baker and Mary Beth Bongiovanni are a loving couple devoted to each other, and equally as devoted to the education of young people. They live in South Philadelphia. Jennifer is Chair of The Design Department at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design, and Mary Beth is a teacher and student advocate at the Miquon School in Conshohocken, PA, where she teaches a co-ed multi-age classroom of 5-6th grade scholars.
Jenny has over fifteen years of freelance experience in arts and design, including toy design and museum space design. Jenny also has worked for many years as a freelance fashion stylist for film, television, and magazines. She has led several seminars and been included in many panels and forums related to business, design, and education in a variety of forums, including The Yale School of Management, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Women's History Month Celebration 2000. Jenny has also taught activity & discussion workshops for children in Philadelphia at The Franklin Institute, Friends Central, Montgomery County Community College and The Prince Music Theatre. Outside of her work, Jenny has been a volunteer "big sister" through Big Sisters of Philadelphia. She holds a BFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, and an MAT from The University of the Arts.
Mary Beth is devoted to issues and implementation of social justice, equity, and student activism. She has been teaching in the world of elementary scholars for 16 years, and is a board member of the Multicultural Resource Center of the Philadelphia Area Independent Schools. Mary Beth received a Masters of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She is active in her South Philadelphia neighborhood where she works to promote diversity, environmentalism, and safety in the city.
Separate from their education experience, Jennifer and Mary Beth are co-founders of Kids Know More, a non-profit dedicated to introducing interactive digital information to children who currently have no access. Through Kids Know More, they are working to provide strong models of inter-school collaboration so that interactive digital learning is a visible part of school and after-school learning in Title I schools in Philadelphia. They believe that providing digital art tools in schools will transform how children learn and help to eradicate the disparity in the education students now receive in Philadelphia Title I schools.
KATE LAEPPLE HERTZOG
ED HERTZOG
Kate grew up Methodist in Northumberland, PA a small North Central PA.town known to UUs because Joseph Priestly lived there. She came to Philadelphia in May 2000. After graduating from Lebanon Valley College with a degree in American Studies and a minor in Theatre, she moved here in 2000 to work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Kate is a community activist and volunteer, serving now on the board of Hotel Obligado Physical Theatre and as a newly elected member of the board of the Fairmount CDC. Kate loves to be out and about with friends trying new restaurants, reading and cooking and baking, and you will usually find her in at least one yoga class a week.
Since that first job at the PMA, Kate has worked at other nonprofit organizations including being the Development Associate at the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and most recently as the Director of Programs and Member Relations at Delaware Valley Grantmakers. In mid-December Kate becomes Assistant Director at the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in Fairmount Park. (She encourages all the little ones at First UU Church to come and take a ride on the giant slide).
Kate recently married Ed Hertzog. They found First Church early this past summer and knew they had found just the community they had been looking for. She says they both are excited to be joining First Church and ”being involved in a place with so much history, and one that has so much life and is looking toward the future.” Kate is already serving on the membership committee and has volunteered to help rejuvenate the Connect U program.
Ed is a native of Philadelphia, and a graduate of Penn State with a degree in Political Science, Ed sought further career skills in network engineering and data communications before beginning a career in information technology. For the past 10 years Ed has been a part of a few technology start-ups, including a four-year stint of self-employment. He now works as object-oriented programmer for a firm located a few steps from Independence Hall. Ed enjoys reading and writing as much as he possibly can about politics, history, and current events. He typically performs graphic design and programming duties for blogs where he provides content. He's an avid music listener and possesses a CD and vinyl music collection that is larger “than most wives would tolerate.”
Whether he is taking pictures around town, making videos for his real estate blog, writing about a hot item in the news, or refurbishing furniture, Ed likes to keep busy varied creative projects.
Ed appreciates the excellent education he received in the Diocesan school system and respects the history of the Roman Catholic Church, but said his intellectual differences are great and he left the faith at a fairly early age. While studying Buddhism in college, Ed stumbled upon the notion of Unitarian Universalism. When Ed and Kate decided to marry the topic of belonging to a community of shared values came up. “When the sum total of our life experiences were combined, Unitarian Universalism was the obvious choice.” Ed is now serving on the Development Working Group and is looking forward to helping preserve the history of First Unitarian while becoming part of it himself.
RUSSELL PALMER III AND STEPHEN JANICK
Russell Palmer III and Stephen Janick have been together since 1986. Stephen was born and raised in Connecticut, and graduated from Haverford College Russell was born in Denver, Colorado and grew up in Gladwyne and Connecticut. Russell said “We met in 1986 through a friend at an AA meeting. We were 21 and 22, and all of our friends said not to go with each other. Thank God we were both defiant.”
They started a flower business on the street in Rittenhouse Square area, and expanded to a point where they eventually had a terrace gardening business and two flower shops called Beautiful Moments in the Fairmont/Art Museum area, 1989-1994, and participated in the Philadelphia Flower Show in 1991 and 1992. They added a cafe to one of the flower shops and re-named it ”The Cafe Flower Shop,” winning a “Best of Philly” award in 1994. After working 18+ hours a day, they decided to sell both businesses, bought a Winnebago, traveled the country for more than a year and ended up back in the Art Museum area.
Russell started a sign manufacturing business called Sign Solutions, a division of Spike’s Trophies (1998-2007). In 2004 he bought Spike’s Trophies together with four other partners. Stephen went back to school and obtained a masters’ degrees in history (Temple University) and library science (Drexel.) He worked as University Archivist at Drexel University 1998-2005.
In 2007, Russell sold his interest in Spike’s Trophies. He and Stephen are currently taking time off to enjoy life and travel in their motor home. They are planning a trip to Alaska next summer.
They are big supporters of opera in Philadelphia and are involved in the Academy of Vocal Arts and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Russell is a fabulous chef and Stephen enjoys knitting and needlepoint. They have a collection of 1200 cookbooks They are excited to become part of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia and look forward to actively participating in the community.
DONALD ST. PIERRE
Donald St. Pierre is from Madison, Wisconsin, but has lived in Philadelphia since 1990. He moved here to teach at The Curtis Institute of Music, where he is on the faculty of the Vocal Studies Department. Don also teaches at Temple University, and is composer-in-residence for the Mendelssohn Club Chorus of Philadelphia. A composition of his will have a premiere at the Mendelssohn Club concert next week. He is a pianist, composer and conductor, and have performed extensively in Europe and the U.S. His religious training was Lutheran and Catholic, and I enjoy reading scripture from all traditions.
Don says, “I was led to join First Unitarian because I've been looking for a spiritual community that is gay-friendly, noncreedal and diverse--qualities I find here. And I find Rev. Nate inspiring and the congregation welcoming. “
JILL ZANCK
Jill first came to First Church at the invitation of her step-daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Zanck and Steven Tomcavage. Her husband Bert (Jennifer’s father) and she first attended holiday services for a couple of years, and she said she became more intrigued as she learned about the church's search for a new minister and its efforts to define its goals and direction in the community.
Jill was raised in a small town in north-east Texas in a Southern Baptist home with Pentecostal tendencies. She says, “I left there with a love for the music but a deep suspicion of righteous indignation and people who feel comfortable telling folks they are going to hell. I am grateful for First Church's openness to other traditions and am finding it a good fit with my inquiries into Tibetan Buddhism. I am also delighted at encountering some of my favorite old hymns in the new context First Church provides.”
Jill taught English and Women's Studies at Penn for eight years while pursuing a doctorate. She then decided that academia was not for her and trained for and then opened her own business as a doula--which is to say a birth and postpartum assistant and women's health educator. She is now on a hiatus from that due to a neck injury, and is helping out at the Black Cat gift shop in West Philadelphia.
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