The Beacon - March 2007
March Worship Services
(Service is held each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, except where otherwise noted.)
March 4 – Canvass Sunday. Gratitude and generosity team up as bywords as we enter into the annual stewardship effort. Let us take a visionary look ahead for First Unitarian Church as we move toward the selection of a new minister and big plans for the years ahead. The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach, and Sharon Tomalin will be worship associate.
March 11 – History as Prologue. We will continue our consideration of First Unitarian Church’s place in Philadelphia. Who are we, and what are we doing to get ready for growth of the UU spirit in the city of brotherly love? The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach, and Anne Slater will be worship associate. The children will join us for the first part of the service.
March 18 – Earth Day. As we observe Earth Day 2007, we will consider the possibilities of UUs finding common cause with other faith groups in concern for the environment. The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach, and Luana Goodman will be worship associate. Sunday Evening Worship (SEW) service will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
March 25 – A New Universalism: Dialogue Among Differences. The Rev. Elizabeth Ellis will be our pulpit guest. She says UUs have a unique opportunity in a world that is often passionately divided by differences. One might say we believe in the universal oneness of God and God’s people, and therefore act to achieve understanding and reconciliation among peoples of diverse faith and culture. To actually do this, however we have to be serious about our own
theological grounding and its embodiment in social action. The Rev. Ms. Ellis was an urban minister in Boston for 23 years. More recently she was director of social witness programs at Pendle Hill, and was social action minister at Main Line Church the past year. She has retired and lives in Chester. Rick Womer will be worship associate.
INTERIM TIMES
(A monthly column from our Interim Minister, The Rev. Bill Metzger)
These are perilous times we live in, and it seems we need a quantum shift in the leadership of our nation—not only in the Bush Administration, but on both sides of the aisle in Congress. What we need is a new way of thinking all around, including
our place in the world.
The mistakes of the current President and his people have been regarded by many as a new thing. But as Stephen Kinzer has written in his book Overthrow, “The invasion of Iraq in 2003 was not an isolated episode. It was the culmination of a 110-year period during which Americans overthrew fourteen governments that displeased them for various ideological, political and economic reasons.” Most of these coups, which began in 1893 with the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, have had “terrible unintended consequences.”
Wrapped in the rhetoric of national security and liberation, these interventions have been mainly for economic reasons—“the right of Americans to do business around the world without interference.”
Even today, as Iraq slides further into chaos, the President is itching for another fight in Iran. He refuses to talk with those he calls “evil,” and though he says he “isn’t planning” to invade Iran, he risks an accidental outbreak of hostility with his intemperate tone and disdain for diplomacy.
Another new book, The Utility of Force, by the retired British General Rupert Smith, gives a fresh consideration of the art of warfare. “The old paradigm [of war] was that of interstate industrial war. The new one is the paradigm of war among the people.” In the new paradigm, war can take place anywhere, among civilians rather than in battlefields.
Yet nation-states, General Smith notes, continue to do battle in the old way—and they do not succeed. “Indeed, throughout the past fifteen years both the Western allies and the Russians have entered into a series of military engagements that have in one way or another spectacularly failed to achieve the results intended, namely a decisive military victory which would in turn deliver a solution to the original problem, which is usually political.”
The Israelis, he contends, have wrestled with the same problem as the coalition forces in Iraq. Smith argues that in many circumstances today, our forces as a military force will not be effective. “The test of a good strategy is that it achieves its object without the necessity for battle.” Sun Tzu made the point, yet it still sounds like a learning much in need today.
With Love,
Bill
CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATE
Greetings from your CRE Director
About 4 years ago my wife, Elisa and I took an adult RE class at Main Line Unitarian Church called Parents as Spiritual Partners. The goal of the class was to stimulate our thoughts and feelings about how we engage our children in experiencing the religious or spiritual in their lives. We first examined experiences from our own childhood and youth that had a lasting effect on our spiritual makeup. My strongest recollections were of times spent in the natural world – our family cabin in Maine; camping on an island in the Penobscot bay; observing the stars with my father and visiting New York city with him. Another exercise had us recall conversations with parents or others about our beliefs and theology. I have a clear recollection of a conversation I had with my mother in the MLUC parking lot, when I decided that I thought of God as being the same as Mother Nature. Thanks to the recent congregational survey of spiritual beliefs, I can now give that theology a name: Naturalistic Deism.
The purpose of this RE course was to help us parents be open to those “parking lot moments” with our children – moments when they are comfortable enough to ask deep questions or share insights, and we are ready to listen and respond. These moments are unpredictable and fleeting. We may not even recognize them at the time. I came away from the course with a greater commitment to giving my daughter, Rosalee, opportunities for her to develop her own spirituality. She has inherited the sense of wonder about the night sky that my father shared with me. My father had no expectation that I become an astronomer; he was just sharing his sense of awe and wonder (and his extensive knowledge). Rosalee has experienced that same cabin in Maine (which is 50 years old this year) and I sense that she has a strong attachment to the place. One of her favorite activities there is to lie on the dock on a clear night and sky watch. The sky is so clear and the night so dark we have watched a satellite cross the sky and seen many shooting stars.
The reward for being open to our children’s spiritual growth is that we become open to our own.
When Elisa, Rosalee and I are star gazing, I am re-experiencing that wonder and awe I felt myself at Rosalee’s age.
Even if you don’t have children or yours are grown, it is possible to recall moments from your childhood that had a big effect on your spiritual growth. Take a few moments to recall those times. If there is a special place or piece of music or story that has spiritual meaning to you, make an effort to be with that experience again. It may reconnect you to that sense of connection and wonder that feeds your soul.
With affection,
Jansen Wendell
CRE CALENDAR
Sunday, March 4
Children worship in the children’s chapel for the first 15 minutes, followed by regular classes
Sunday, March 11
Intergenerational worship service: Children worship in the sanctuary with the adults for the first 15 minutes, followed by regular classes
Sunday, March 18
Children worship in the children’s chapel for the first 15 minutes, followed by regular classes
Sunday, March 25
Children worship in the children’s chapel for the first 15 minutes, followed by regular classes
Special Thanks
Thanks to all of you who helped with a successful Two of a Kind concert .
Thanks to the January and February chapel homilists: Wanda Studley (and her dog Shorty), Jane Jordan, Denise McKeon, Bill Sternman and Keith Orts.
We still have openings for anyone who wants to be a homilist for our children’s chapel service: share a story talk about a holiday or speak about a spiritual experience. Contact Kate Connolly or Jansen Wendell to be scheduled.
CONNECTU
Hey all, as planned, the ConnectU initiative was successfully rolled out in February. The mission of ConnectU is to welcome visitors into the existing First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia community and to start the process of making them feel like they belong. Our first training session yielded 11 enthusiastic participants, who are now officially ConnectU welcomers. Thanks much to everyone who showed up!
ConnectU is an enhanced welcoming and greeting program, to help make sure that we not only welcome, but that we also embrace all those who walk in our doors seeking community and shared spirituality. We all usually agree that greeting visitors and newcomers is important, but we don't always make the extra effort required to ensure that guests feel that sense of welcome. ConnectU is an attempt to raise our level of awareness about welcoming, to make sure that our visitors start to feel as at home at church as we do.
Our second orientation session will already have been held on Feb. 25th by the time the Beacon is mailed, but we have two more training sessions planned on Sunday, March 11th and Sunday, March 25th at 12:30pm in the Fahs room. Orientation is only 20 minutes, so there's no reason not to stop by and help us make First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia a more welcoming place! If for any reason you can't make one of the four initial orientation sessions, e-mail me (sethcarrierATgmail.com) and we'll get you oriented and involved ASAP.
Remember: We are blessed to call this place home. The doors are always open. Let us make sure our arms are open as well.
Submitted by Seth Carrier
GETTING TO KNOW UU
As many of us know, Philadelphia was the first location in the United States where a Unitarian church was started, back in 1796, when our very own congregation was founded. In New York State, however, Universalism was often the religious foundation for the liberal congregations that sprang up in the 19th Century. In the small city of Binghamton, Universalism found a foothold in 1835, and the First Universalist Society was founded in 1843. The Society found it difficult going, unfortunately, and after a fire struck in 1868, the organization lay dormant for over 20 years.
In March of 1891, the First Universalist Church of Binghamton was reformed and incorporated, and they soon after built a small church downtown. The congregation moved in 1929, and after struggling through the Depression and war, built a new church on Riverside Drive (ironically, next door to a Catholic hospital) in the late 1950’s, where it stands today. In 1992, the members voted to become the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, and to become a Welcoming Congregation. Now with over 250 members, it has found the need to expand to two services to accommodate its growing numbers. The Rev. Douglas Taylor has been popular during his nearly four years in the pulpit. You can visit their website at www.uubinghamton.org.
As I write this article on Valentines Day (yes, after the deadline), I must admit to having a soft spot for the Binghamton Congregation, since it was in that building that my partner Bill and I first met in 1984, and where a year later he introduced me to Unitarian Universalism after we had become a couple. While I don’t presume to measure in their history, they do figure in ours!
Submitted by Ken Olin
SOCIAL JUSTICE & COMMUNITY SERVICE
The UUA Service Committee is the national social justice coordinating group for the UUA. They sponsor the Guest At Our Table event and also an annual Justice Sunday action. This year's topic is Darfur and the date is Sunday, March 25. Please watch the website for updates on activities.
Contact Janet Scannell (jscannellATbrynmawr.edu, 215-991-6325) if you would like to participate in the planning."
Follow-Up to “House With No Walls”
Nearly 80 UUs from eight different congregations, stretching from South Jersey to the new start in Chester County, attended the play House With No Walls at the Interact Theater and returned to the church for discussion and dinner on February 10. The play and exchange were so dynamic and we would like to keep the excitement going and growing. We are proposing to all who attended that they come to the UU revival service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 at the Germantown Church and plan to stay for a brief sharing afterward. A news sheet identifying the anti-racism efforts of all the participating churches will be available at that time.
WinterShelter
The men continue to enjoy the feasts of the First Church and our warm hospitality. On January 26, Marcie Hammond and her whole family (two kids and a husband) provided Mexican enchiladas; Dale Rohrbaugh and Stephanie Roulias and new neighbor Carol Hauffler provided all the yummy things to go with it - sour cream, salsa and chips as well as beans. And of course -dessert. On February 7, The men had another family team with Debbie Schultz bringing lots of beef stew and biscuits. Even though the shelter donates bread and rolls they loved the biscuits; experienced helpers like Jeff Kilburn and Tricia Way (and friend Kris Roscoe) rounded out the menu with homemade brownies, applesauce and clementine oranges. Trish and Kris had such a good experience they signed up to do it again in March. You too can sign up in the back of the church or call Ginny Beier at 215-545-7831 or vhbeierAThep.upenn.edu.
Recycling
Recycling at Trinity Memorial (22nd and Spruce) continues every first and third Saturday between 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Bring all mixed paper, cardboard and No. 1 and 2 plastic bottles cleaned and crushed.
Books Through Bars
We continue to support this national program which sends books to prisoners in response to their requests. Packing and sending 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 m,onth 11-3 p.m.. Take your books there if you can--if not there is a book bin in our lobby to receive. Take a flyer to spread the word (located on the bulletin board by the bin).
ADULT PROGRAMS
Interweave
Interweave is the group that is concerned with BGLT (or LGBT) issues in the church and in the community of Philadelphia. The group has a regularly scheduled brunch on the fourth Sunday of the month (March 25 this month) and members often go to brunch on other Sundays as well. Anyone may join us for brunch. We also participate in Gay Pride and street fairs in the gayborhood. Contact Gerry Parchman (lib2uusATcomcast.net or 856-829-4561) for details.
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is a series of eight foreign policy discussions based on a briefing book published by the Foreign Policy Association. We will meet at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings to discuss a new topic each week (based on a 10-page briefing read in advance). All internationally-minded individuals, friends and guests are welcome to participate in any or all of the discussions.
Topics are as follows:
March 4—"Mexico”
March 11—“Migration”
March 18—“South Africa”
March 25—“War Crimes”
April 1—“Central Asia”
April 8—No meeting, due to Easter
Depression Support Group
The group will continue to meet on the first Sunday of each month at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Arcenia Rosal at 215-561-6506, or Lynn Rubin at 215-837-3371.
Women's Book Club
Despite the cold outside, nine members gathered to discuss a warmly well-written book of short stories. On March 5 we will contrast the Indian American heritage with the British Colonial viewpoint of Rudyard Kipling and his novel Kim. We will meet at the home of Joan Forman with Phebe Shinn facilitating. Please call Joan at 215-732-5478 or joanformanATverizon.net to let her know you are coming and to get directions. April selection will be On Beauty by Zadie Smith.
Native American Spirituality for Women
This group has been meeting since last March, and we have reopened the group through March of this year. Each year we undertake a yearlong course of study; this year we have already met twice, so now is the time to join! This year’s text is The Thirteen Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams—a Seneca woman who retrieved the teachings set forth in this book after tracking down two elderly women whose families had fled the U.S. rather than be forced onto a reservation. The group meets on first Fridays at 7:00 p.m. For further information, you may contact Connie Baker at 856-282-7448, or email her at conniejazzATcomcast.net.
President’s Commentary
By Debby Schultz
It may be cold outside but hardly within First Church. This place is alive with activity.
The Search Committee has begun spending weekends with potential candidates all with the goal of presenting to the congregation by the end of April the best candidate for our settled minister.
The Social Justice Ministry Team has presented several wonderful opportunities to challenge our thinking beginning with our luncheon discussion with Manal El-Menshawy and Iftekhar Hussain, followed by an opportunity with other UU churches to see and discuss the powerful play “A House with No Walls” and the one day mini Anti-Racism Workshop.
The Membership Ministry Team has offered ConnectU, a program to enhance our welcoming spirit.
The Property Ministry Team is engaging in some projects to spruce up the church – new flooring in the Parish House and a new iron fence for our front gardens.
The By-Laws Committee is working on a total rewrite of the ByLaws, the congregational adoption of which will make our Ministry and Governance Model official.
The StUUardship campaign is about to be off and running with a whole network of potlucks and presenters and an ambitious goal.
The Young Adults have hired and welcomed Jason Kelley, the Young Adult Ministry Coordinator and are offering a once a month alternative service.
And there is music in the air with the wonderful surprises of the choir each week, the drumming circles and the upcoming CRE sponsored concert “Two of a Kind.”
I could go on and on but suffice it to say, this place is alive!
I had to laugh as after the mildest of winter weather the advent of a few cold days and stormy weather has everyone talking about spring! Spring can be a mixed blessing for church life as there are many competing events such as spring sports, garden clean-ups or bike rides that move people away from church life.
With two major decisions/votes to take place this spring, this is one spring when we as members of this congregation must remain fully engaged. Within a two week period in May this congregation will have the opportunity to vote on both a settled minister and a new set of ByLaws – monumental!
So please stay tuned, attend upcoming congregational informational sessions and meetings, actively join in the opportunities to welcome, meet and vote for the settled minister candidate during the April 29th – May 6th candidating week and read, contemplate, ask questions and offer suggestions regarding the new set of by-laws.
Upcoming Congregational Information Sessions and Meetings
Get out your calendars and save the dates!
Sunday March 4 - Informational Session
1st Draft Budget Discussion, StUUardship KickOff, Auction Description and Volunteer Sign-Up, Search Committee Update, Partners for Sacred Places Task Force Report
Sunday, March 25 - Informational Session
New ByLaws Discussion
Sunday, April 1 - Informational Session
By-Laws follow-up discussion, Budget Review, StUUardship Update, Property Presentation, Assessment of 2006-2007 Vision of Ministry
Sunday, May 6 - Congregational Meeting
Vote on Settled Minister
Sunday, May 20 - Congregational Meeting
Vote on Budget, Officers Slate and By-Laws, Recap of the 2006-07 church year
FLOWERS
March 4
In memory of Erving Close. Given by his son, Edwin Close.
March 12
In memory of John McNamara Connolly. From his sister, Kate.
March 19
In loving memory of my father, Ted Motley, on his birthday, March 22, 1914. Ned Motley.
March 26
From Ken Goggins in memory of his mother, Dorothy Johnson, and his father, Sherry Goggins. From Gerry Parchman in memory of his mother, Helen, and his father, Lonnie.
If you are interested in donating flowers for a Sunday service, the cost is $45. Please contact Connie Mast at 215-496-0840.
BEACON BITS
2007 UUA General Assembly
Interested in attending GA this summer in Portland Oregon? Let’s make sure First Unitarian Church is well represented. Please speak with Debby Schultz, schultzdATcomcast.net, this month if you are interested. This will be her first GA and she’d be delighted to have you join her.
Save the Date—Saturday, March 3:
A Drumming Circle for Women
Join Marcy Francis, Minister of Healing through Music, Movement and Touch at The Christian Association at Penn, as she and her professional team lead a drumming circle from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at the
UU Church of Delaware County.
Bring your sister, daughter or granddaughter over 10 years, a friend or neighbor to join you in learning the rhythms and sounds of the African traditions of drumming and whole-body involvement as a way to shake out unhappiness and suck in the unbridled joy of celebrating life!
Pack a brown bag lunch (drinks will be provided), wear loose clothes and comfortable shoes and bring your own hand-held rhythm or percussion instrument. If you don’t own one, Marcy will provide instruments for you to use. Enjoy hours of drumming, dancing, and movement designed to imbue you with a happy, healthy spirit.
The fee is $20 for adults, $15 for 16 and under. Space limits us to 50 participants: sign up and pay now to be sure of your place!
Questions? call Anne Slater at 610-896-6468
Gathering of UU Flocks Planned
The Philadelphia/Wilmington Growth Team plans to hold an area-wide worship service on Sunday March 18 at the Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia.
The team, part of the denomination’s Joseph Priestley District, hopes the service will raise fervor and awareness about our faith and our place in the region.
The 2:00 p.m. service will include a regional chorus and homilies by three local ministers. It will last about 90 minutes, with coffee and cookies afterward. Children ages 5 to 13 will participate in a separate service and an activity period. Child care provided.
Parking at First Church
The Central Parking System has issued vouchers for parking at the Ambassador Garage (21st and Chestnut) on Sundays and weekday evenings for $5. Pick up vouchers from the ushers or by contacting the church office. Free parking is still permitted on the east side of 22nd Street from Walnut to Market Streets on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Want to Make Money??
First Church Needs You!
The annual Services Auction is our major fund-raising event. It's also a terrific way to meet and make new friends. It's also a marvelous source for your social calendar for the whole year. All this in one evening, from one big party!
The 2007 Auction (our 21st - we're of age!) is scheduled for Saturday, May 12. We have a silent auction, and during the evening a live auction as well. Attendees enjoy a Happy Hour, dinner and lots of socializing in addition to bidding on the many and various goods and services offered. Then we spend the rest of the year enjoying the items we bought and providing the services we donated.
We will need lots of helpful hands, before and during the Auction itself. We'll want coordinators for: Planning. Donations. Publicity. Catalogs. Decorations. Kitchen. Checkout. Etc.
How about one of these jobs? You'll find sign-up sheets on the tables so you can join the happy crew producing the 21st Auction.
Got questions? Contact Phebe Shinn, at 215-382-1691, or pandgshinnATverizon.net, or talk with Norman in the Office.
All-Church Seder, March 30
Save the Date!
The UU Seder is an event for the whole congregation, with ritual and history, dinner and song. It is based on the ancient Jewish rite commemorating the exodus from Egypt and the release from slavery. It resonates not only with Jews and Christians (the Last Supper was a Seder meal) but with all who value freedom. Our updated service is UU-friendly and inspiring for all ages. There will be a fee (price dependent in part on number who plan to attend) as the main portion of the meal will be catered. And LOTS OF VOLUNTEER HELP is needed. So keep your eyes open for sign-up sheets and further information in the Order of Service. Also feel free to contact me with questions or if you can help organize this special First U. event: Dea Silbertrust, 610-667-5328 or dcsilbertrustATcomcast.net.
Return of Good Friday Service
Whether you are just curious about Christianity or already a follower of Jesus you are welcome to join members of the congregation and the broader community in a observance of Good Friday. Through readings, songs and silence we will honor the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. The service will be in the Chapel at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 6. For more information contact Elizabeth Terry at niaworkATjuno.com or 215-747-1284.
Calling All Artists! First Church Spring Art Show on April 8
You might have noticed that First Unitarian Church is full of artists, professional and amateur, working in all media. These shows encourage all who make and attempt art to bring their work together to share with each other and our congregation.
Whatever you make--photographs, paintings, sculpture, fiber art, prints, ceramics, graphic design--anything that can be displayed, done by any member of the First Unitarian community--members, friends, and staff--please bring your work to the 23rd Community Art Show Sunday April 8.
Work is to be brought to church the morning of April 8 (before 10 am if possible), ready for hanging (or for leaning, standing, or whatever suits the work). If you have big work or work you’d like to see in the big churc space, give us advance notice , and we will arrange for earlier delivery. The exhibition will be arranged in the Church and the Parish Room, and it will be on view during Coffee Hour. Everything is to be taken home after Coffee Hour--the show will be short but sweet. All media and all themes will be welcome--no content restrictions! Contact Richard Frey, 215-735-7156 email richardfreyATdca.net, if you’d like to know more or to lend a hand.!
This is about the 24th community show we have held. It’s a great way to get to know one another, so please join in.
“Honoring Our Elders” Retreat
How can our congregations best nurture, support and celebrate our older members? Join us as we:
-celebrate the intergenerational nature of our communities
-shatter some myths and stereotypes of aging
-hear from a panel of experts on what UU elders really want from their churches
-listen to success stories from pastoral care teams
-create an action plan to take it all home
Open to everyone, and especially recommended for elders, Caring Committee members, Pastoral Care Associates, ministers, lay visitors, lay leaders, and advocates. There is no charge to attendees, and lunch will be provided.
The retreat is scheduled for June 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Pendle Hill Retreat Center in Wallingford, PA.
Facilitators: Mary J. Fallon, Outreach Director, and Rev. Libby Smith, Chaplain, both of Unitarian Universalist House in Philadelphia. For more information call Mary at 215-843-5881.
MINISTERIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
The Mystery of the New Minister
A Cautionary Tale
Do you enjoy reading mystery novels? When I was growing up, Nancy Drew was my absolute favorite. I remember losing myself in a world where a brave amateur sleuth transcends the odds, finding the clue that solves the puzzle. I’ve been thinking of writing a whodunit myself. Here’s the plot…
A historic church is searching for a new minister. Knowing that the ministerial search committee will observe potential candidates at neutral pulpits in the area, a congregation member decides to attend a service at a nearby church to hear a guest minister. “Ah-ha!” he says. “I’ll be the first to solve The Mystery of the New Minister!”
One might think, “How clever! And what harm could this do?
Let’s think of some ways my novel could end:
Our amateur sleuth observes a visiting preacher give a wonderful sermon. “How marvelous!” he says. “I can’t wait to tell everyone what a great preacher we are going to have!” When the search committee announces a candidate, our sleuth is dismayed. “How could they have picked someone else? I don’t care if they spent months going over resumes and packets, checking references, conducting telephone interviews, and reading sermons. I don’t care if they spent hours getting to know and interviewing each pre-candidate face-to-face. And I don’t care if the committee unanimously agreed that their candidate is the right choice for our church. They made a big mistake!” Our sleuth lets his dissatisfaction be known throughout the congregation. By the time our candidate arrives to be introduced, some members have already decided they are unhappy with the search committee’s choice. Our candidate senses some discord, and even though a majority of members vote to call her, she declines. We can only hope that in the novel’s sequel, our sleuth joins the search committee to select our next interim minister!
Or…our sleuth visits a nearby church. She doesn’t notice that the search committee members have entered discretely, in pairs or as singles, giving no indication as to who they are and why they are there. Our sleuth stands and introduces herself as a member of First Church. At coffee hour, she talks about her quest to solve the Mystery of the New Minister. Back at our church, she whispers of her outing and the minister she observed. Word gets back to the pre-candidate’s congregation. Feeling his confidence has been betrayed, our pre-candidate withdraws his application. His congregation also feels betrayed, and starts proceeding towards a negotiated resignation. Our sleuth thinks, “I suppose his congregation didn’t know he was applying for a new job.”
My mystery novel could take many twists and turns, but the most likely outcome will not end with our amateur sleuth as protagonist. And the character found with a knife in their back just may be the congregation.
And now, the moral of the story: The neutral pulpit serves several important purposes. It protects the confidentiality of a minister currently serving another congregation. It avoids splitting our congregation into factions supporting different pre-candidates. And it allows the candidate selected by the search committee to be presented in a manner most fair to everyone involved.
Our congregation has entrusted the search committee to present the candidate that is the best choice for our church. We hold this trust sacred and are diligently working towards this end. So we ask any of you who are thinking about trying to solve The Mystery of the New Minster, please put your magnifying glass away. Don’t violate the trust the congregation has placed in us. Allow us to complete our work without interference If you do, I predict my novel will have a happy ending.
Submitted by Christine Carlson
MINISTRY LEADERSHIP TEAM
The MLT, which assists the minister in administering the programs of the church, invited Mark Peterson to its last meeting to consult regarding ways to move ahead with better defining and establishing the MLT’s role. Mark offered the framework which he will lay out at the next Congregational Meeting on March 4. He stressed the importance of the MLT and also the other ministry teams in the church defining their goals, roles and procedures. Members of the MLT will be working on the goals of the team for the next meeting which Mark will again attend as consultant.
The members of the Ministry Leadership Team and their respective liaison assignments: Rev. Bill Metzger, Chair; Luana Goodwin, Co-Chair, Liaison to Finance MT; Connie Baker, liaison to Membership and Social Justice; Carol Peterson, liaison to Worship and Young Adults; Phebe Shinn, liaison to Communications and Property; Dan Widyono, liaison to ARE and CRE.
You may direct any questions of suggestions you have regarding the MLT to Rev. Bill or Luana Goodwin.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE
The Bylaws Committee is currently gathering information and drafting the new bylaws to reflect the change to policy governance. This continues the process we began last year of streamlining our bylaws. This rewrite will involve more substantive changes to reflect the congregational vote in January. We have gotten information from the UUA and sample bylaws from other UU churches who are working under a policy governance system. Currently, we are talking to people at First Church, other congregations, and the JPD to create a first draft which will be reviewed by a number of people in the congregation, including the Board.
How can you get involved? First, keep reading the notes in the Beacon and Order of Service. Second, attend one or both informational meetings where you can ask your questions and voice your concerns. Third, you can contact either of us to talk about a specific issue.
Dates to remember:
3/18/07 Draft of bylaws available to
congregation
3/18-4/8/07: Period for comments and input on
bylaws from congregation
3/25/07: Congregational information
meeting on bylaws only
4/1/07: Second congregational information
meeting on bylaws and other topics
Submitted by Dea Silbertrust & Diane Frey
Co-chairs, Bylaws Committee
MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY TEAM
March 11 is a Big Day for Membership
The month of March will be full of activities organized by the Membership Ministry Team. An in-gathering to welcome new members will be part of the Sunday service on March 11, and a reception for new (and prospective) members will be held that same afternoon. The ConnectU project will be in full swing with orientations on two Sundays in March to bring existing members into our special welcoming program. See article by Seth Carrier in this Beacon.
One of the aims of a Membership Team, as defined in our purpose statement, is to “help visitors and members find places to connect within a congregation.”
In doing this, we also provide support and connections for existing activity groups like 35 Plus, Interweave, Circle Supper Groups, ReBuilding Philadelphia, Young Adults. How does this happen? We review the visitor information forms every month and refer visitors and prospective members to activities. We want to see folks “plugged in” to our community.
Sure, there are some people who only want to share in our Sunday mornings –our worship services, maybe coffee hour, an occasional after church lunch or before church Great Decisions discussion. But many of the individuals who fill out our visitor information forms check off the boxes indicating they want to know more about Unitarian Universalism, or want to be part of an activity.
What happens with those forms? Mike McKee in the office enters the information on a data base. The Membership Ministry Team and several other lay leaders peruse them to get a sense of interests. A packet is sent by the office to every visitor. The visitors go on the mailing list for the Beacon for six months (longer if they ask). This winter, invitations were sent to 94 visitors inviting them to The NewUU class. The class leader, Virginia DeRolf, personally mailed those invites.
Individuals who indicate a real interest in becoming part of our First Unitarian Church community will be invited to a special gathering). Please let Rev. Bill Metzger, or the membership chair Phyllis Belk (Phyllis.belkATverizon.net) know if you are ready to become a member of First Unitarian Church.
Sunday mornings are important times, and the membership team is working to provide warm hospitality for members and for visitors. Thank you to all the persons who have brought refreshments for coffee hour. Keep it up, please!
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS
Theater Discussion Group
If you are interested in participating in this Theater Series as a part of the new Ministry of the Arts, please sign up at the table in the rear of the sanctuary. You can also sign up or direct questions to Val Sandberg at valsandATearthlink.net
Caroline, or Change March 8-April 8, 2007
ARDEN THEATER
The Life of Galileo April 11-May 13, 2007
WILMA THEATER
EDITORIAL
I was puzzled by the warmth of the reception accorded to Iftekhar Hussain when he spoke at our church potluck after the service on January 28 in spite of his expression of satisfaction at the idea of living under shari'a or Muslim religious law. When asked about how he felt about the idea of living under the U.S Constitution versus living under shari'a law, he responded that the two were similar in their breadths and that he'd be happy to live under shari'a law. However, the condition of living under religious law is in direct contradiction to UU principles, "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process" and the "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Early Unitarians struggled under theocratic governments and Unitarians have developed pride in the influence of Unitarian-like leaders in creating American democracy. And yet right here in our midst someone was applauded who would quite willingly help to set up a theocracy.
After observing the response to Mr. Hussain, I wondered if a similar response would have been accorded to a speaker who said he'd be happy to live under Biblical or Catholic law. If not, why not?
Have we become so eager for the esteem of religious minorities as to overlook their ideologies even when they are intrinsically incompatible with our own?
I used to think UUs would always stand for democracy and freedom.
Now I wonder if that is true.
Submitted by Hal Tarr
YOUNG ADULTS PROGRAM
We have very exciting news to start off with! Jason Kelley is both our newest church member, as well as newest staff member: he has been hired to be our new Young Adult Ministry Coordinator. Jason graduated from Plattsburgh State University in 2002, magna cum laude, with a B.A. in Secondary Education/Social Studies. He is a workshop facilitator and coach for Non-Violent Communication, the ideas of which are very much in line with UU principles (check out their local website at www.phillynvc.org).
Jason was invited to join us at the end of January, and already has injected a great deal of energy and enthusiasm into the group, sponsoring several impromptu events, giving a reading at last month's Sunday Evening Worship service, and participating heavily in our planning and implementation on pending and future events. We are excited to have Jason with us -- he brings renewed energy, excitement and ideas to our Young Adult Ministry team. Jason, welcome!
Our first Sunday Evening Worship (SEW) service was a great success, with 38 people in attendance. SEW is a contemporary worship service sponsored by and oriented towards young adults, but open and warmly welcoming to all. We will have successfully conducted our second SEW service in February when the Beacon comes out, featuring Virginia DeRolf as our guest speaker with the overall theme of "Love." Mark March 18th at 7pm down on your calendars as the date for the third SEW -- our theme for March's service is "The Ides of March."
Our first Intergenerational Games Night also went extremely well. We had 13 hearty souls brave the cold and come out to church to play games, drink (non-alcoholic) beverages, and be merry! Apples-to-Apples, Taboo and Hearts were the featured attractions, with numerous other games played briefly. We have many more games yet to be played, so we hope to see many more of you at the next games night.
Submitted by Seth Carrier
Young Adult Happy Hour, Friday, March 9
The March UUYAN happy hour will be held at Independence Brew Pub (on Filbert Street between 11th and 12th Sts) on Friday, March 9 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Please contact Nikyia Rogers at nikyia.rogersATgmail.com with any questions.
Young Adult Ski Trip
Wax your skis, get your gear ready, and hit the slopes with other Young Adults as we travel to Camel Back Mountain (an hour and a half from Philly) to enjoy the winter season and the camaraderie of others to share lift rides and laugh at us when we wipe out. We will carpool from town. We will ski on Saturday March 3. Contact Jason at jasonATphillynvc.org or 609-790-2430 to get in on the fun.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
On February 17, our structural engineer from Keast and Hood, Suzanne Pentz and her assistant, Christopher Ibrahim, visited the church to inspect the roof structure. Christina and I conducted them up the ladders to the topmost attic. I thought you might be interested in a preliminary update on this and other matters that the Property Committee will be considering.
1. Roof engineering examination by Keast & Hood, preceding NW aera roofing. We stated our need for a decision as to whether we can or cannot replace the roof area with the 50-year CertainTeed shangles proposed by roofer Bill Hill. Suzanne Pentz understands our need and said we would have her report in a week or two.
Pentz also looked at the “temporary’ shoring posts in the sanctuary, and she joined our other engineers in advocating we refurbish the posts, maybe painting them and other non-original supports a color which would distinguish them as later repairs, and, additionally, replace the continuation posts, or reinforce the steel beam, in Griffin Hall.
2. Budget process, dates – Capital Priorities – 3-year plan
A subcommittee of John Lehman, Bill Metzger, Norman Fouhy is to draft Property budget for 07—08, to be considered at next Committee meeting. Here are some big ticket items with cost guesses that the church needs to budget for beyond the ordinary annual Property budget. How they will be funded is unclear.
a. Entranceway-
i. Porch stone walls - $8k
ii. Porch woodwork - $5K
iii. Garden fence - $3--5K
b. Architectural Building Assessment. - $25K
Building on Hillier Building Envelope report to include all aspects of our buildings. This is a necessary first step toward fundraising from groups like Partners for Sacred Places.
c. Future Roof Fund - $50K
We are assuming roof work now being studied and carried out, as well as floor and stair being done this spring, are funded 06-07)
d. Universal Access ramp through Parish House garden - $35K
e. Lobby and coatroom makeover and lighting - $15K
f. Sanctuary sound and lighting design surveys - $10K
3. Chestnut garden fence does not have to be a complex, drawn out approval and design and build process. I spoke with architect Marianna Thomas, and she said that in about three weeks from now she could take our roofing and fence concerns to the Philadelphia Historical Commission for an initial staff level review. She will need photos of previous and proposed fences. (If you have some, please contact me.) A possibility she suggested, that sounded good to me, was that we photograph the existing fencing to the east, and perhaps design fence on the south front to match it.
4. Chestnut porch masonry repairs and paint – Mason Vern Knapp’s estimate and painters estimates (at least 2 will soon be in hand) will give us a dollar figure to go with fence proposal. We need to build consensus on the importance of renovating this public entryway—fence, garden, and porch stone and woodwork. Make the first things a visitor sees inviting.
5. Floors, carpeting, tile Freshly painted stair well will soon ge complemented by risers, landing pads, and new tile in the lobby.
Kudos to Christina Doe for the painting and kudos to her and to Ed Close for material research and selection.
Thanks for your attention to these items. We’ll consider them at our next meeting; meanwhile give a call or drop a line if you have comments.
Next meeting dates – Wednesday, March 7, 6:30 p.m., and every first Wednesday this spring until May.
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