The Beacon-March 2008
March Worship Services
Sanctuary, unless otherwise noted)
Surviving Suicide
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Our worship service is dedicated who all those who survived suicide by choosing life and to those who survived being a witness to a loved one who committed suicide. Special attention will be paid to the life of Jane H. Davis.
Religion and Politics:
Can They Be Partners for the Public Good?
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Bob Edgar, president of citizen advocacy group Common Cause (and an ordained Methodist minister), will be our guest at this special service where he will be presenting this topical sermon. Following the service, at 2:00 p.m., there will be a free Common Cause forum in our sanctuary. All are invited to attend.
Poetic Passion Play
Sunday, March 16, 2008
How would the passion narrative found in the Christian New Testament be told if through the eyes of a native woman was known as a teacher, prophet, healer and one who eventually lost her life because of her beliefs? Intergenerational Service. Worship Associates: Katie Ford, M.Div.; Kimya Jackson, Ph.D.; and Virginia DeRolf, M.Div.
Contemporary Evening Worship.
Sunday, March 16, 7:00 p.m., Parish Room. Join us for an alternative worship service hosted by the Young Adult group.
Surrender & Resurrection
Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008
A prominent theme in Islam is the concept of surrender, whereas the theme of resurrection is an essential aspect of Christian theologies. The following worship service will explore the similarities and differences of these themes in the context of our engagement in interfaith dialogue.
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Sunday, March 30, 2008 in the Parish Hall
A special performance will be offered at the morning worship service. Dorothy Prince, an actress and founder of Sojourns LLC, will enact Frances E. W. Harper (1825-1911)
Candlelit Installation Service
Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
The members of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia will formally install Reverend Nathan C. Walker as its next Settled Minister. Guest speakers will include Rev. Mark Bellitini, former chair of the commission that created the grey hymnal; Rev. Ned Wright, the Executive Director of the Veach Foundation; and Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, UUA Trustee, as well as area ministers from the Joseph Priestly District. A reception will follow the service.
Minister’s Message
installation |ˌinstəˈlā sh ən| noun
1 the action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed : the installation of a central air-conditioning system.
2 a thing installed, in particular
• a large piece of equipment installed for use : computer installations.
• a military or industrial establishment : nuclear installations.
• an art exhibit constructed within a gallery : a video installation.
I had to laugh when reading the definition of “installation.” In the context of installing a settled minister it sounds as if the members of the church will take me out of the box, screw me in to the wall and plug me in
One thing is for certain, this new minister is certainly feeling plugged in. I’m energized by the congregation’s momentum, optimism and spiritual depth. I’m constantly renewed by the generosity and care you all show one another and by the relationships we are building together. These are only some of the reasons why this settlement makes me feel grounded and content.
Settlement is another funny word, which can be interpreted as if one is “settling for” or “settling down.” That’s certainly not the case for us! I understand it to mean a settling of the rich soil that you have collectively culled and tilled; a rich soil that not nurtures life but serves as a rich foundation. Such a foundation is made from our commitment to practice loving kindness; to tend to one another when we get warn down or become disenchanted. It is a foundation that will see us into a new chapter into our living history. I am honored to share this journey together.
With gratitude,
Rev. Nate Walker
revnate[AT]philauu.org
CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Greetings From Your CRE Director
At the All-Together Sunday on January 27 the children learned about the remarkable ways geese support each other in reaching their destination. They made a mobile to illustrate the lessons, which you can see on display at the church. I would like to share these insights with you because there are powerful lessons available to us as members of First Unitarian Church on the move. A congregation that shares a goal or direction can achieve success more quickly by studying the teamwork of geese.
• When geese take flight, they form a “bevy” in the familiar chevron or V shape, with a single goose leading the way. This formation reduces drag on all but the lead goose, the same way a bicycle racing team stays close together in a line to save energy. By using the V formation, they can increase their range by 71%.
• When a goose leaves the bevy, he feels the wind resistance and returns to its spot. When the lead goose tires, she moves to the back of the formation and a new goose takes the lead, thereby sharing the difficult work amongst the group.
• Geese honk at the leader to encourage and motivate her. Our leaders need our encouragement and feedback to maintain their energy and morale.
• When a goose is injured or gets sick, other geese will escort him to a safe place until he either dies or recovers. They then return to the bevy or form a new V.
Several people have voiced their concern that the lesson is that of conformity. That is certainly a risk when the group doesn’t share a goal. It is important to be sure that we want to go in the same direction, and to constantly check to see if the goal is the correct one. I have seen geese break formation because that can’t decide which pond to land on. I have also many times watched geese struggle to form the V and break away into separate bevies. Although the analogies are somewhat idealized, it is inspirational to see geese in chevron flight and realize that cooperation is an evolutionary trait.
With affection,
Jansen Wendell
Jansen[AT]PhilaUU.org
(215) 563-3980, ext. 305
March CRE Worship Highlights
Sunday, March 2, 11:00-12:15
Children’s Chapel, followed by classes.
Sunday, March 9, 11:00-12:15
Children’s Chapel, followed by classes.
Sunday, March 16, 11:00-12:15
Intergenerational worship service. Children remain
for the entire service and watch a retelling of Jesus’ Passion Play.
Sunday, March 23, 11:00-12:15
Flower Communion, followed by classes.
Sunday, March 30, 11:00-12:15
All-Together Sunday
Getting to Know UU
By Ken Olin
In my work as Business Manager of the Victorian Society in America, I occasionally field inquiries from people in various parts of the country about starting up a chapter in their city or town. Just this week, one such phone call came from a woman in Idaho Falls, Idaho who runs a tea house in a historic 100+ year old building. I asked her from how large an area she draws patrons. She said regulars come from a 150 mile radius, with a fair number thinking nothing of coming from a 250 mile radius. Just for a cup of tea and (presumably) good company!
That got me wondering about UU congregations in Idaho. According to the UUA website, there are just 6 congregations in that entire state. Only Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, with 242 members (www.boiseuu.org) and Moscow’s UU Church of the Palouse (the name referring to the region) (www.palouseuu.org), with 179 members, break the 100 threshold. Not surprisingly, these two churches are the only ones with full-time ministers. Some of the remaining four have part-time ministry, and some are entirely lay-led. From 64-member UU Church of Idaho Falls (www.idahofallsuu.org) to 52-member Pocatello UU Fellowship (www.onewest.net/~pokyuus) – I love that nickname – to Magic Valley UU Fellowship (www.mvuu.org) in Twin Falls and North Idaho UUs in Coeur D’alene (www.home.comcast.net~niuu), with 44 and 34 members respectively, each group is serving as an oasis of hope, justice, and tolerance in their own way. For those of you wondering, that makes a total of 615 self-identifying Unitarian Universalists in all of Idaho. (Our own Joseph Priestley District has five single congregations of that size or larger.)
May all six groups have the wherewithal to not only survive, but thrive and grow – and spur new churches – in the wide open spaces of the northwest.
President’s Commentary
By Debby Schultz
One of the Board goals for this year is ” Enhancing congregational knowledge of and accessibility to the Board … Who are we? What do we do? Underlying Governance Structure guiding the Board; Enhanced Accessibility to the Board?”
I must admit that we have not made a lot of progress on this particular goal this year so in the next months we will use the Beacon and other means to share with you various aspects of the Board. I also encourage you to come to a Board Meeting. Our meetings are open to all members and friends of the congregation, take place on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 and it delights us to have visitors. Thank you Jane Cox, Ann Adams, Thomas Hunter, David Melnicoff, Val Sandberg and Jennifer Hurley for delighting us so far this year with your presence.
If you came to a meeting, what would you see? I say “see,” but your engagement is also important to us as we discuss various topics so silence is not the rule. Our meetings start out with the lighting of a chalice and a few words, check-in by Board Members, Rev. Nate and visitors, the naming of folks to whom the Board and Rev. Nate express thanks and a discussion and vote on the minutes from the previous meeting. Our Treasurer Mark Peterson provides a financial report and Reverend Nate provides a minister’s report, both of which elicit discussion and frequently a few votes. Other topics for discussion and potentially votes vary each month and are generally from a perspective of oversight vs. the direct work that is taking place in the church which is the focus of the Ministry Leadership Team and various Ministry Teams. We review issues and opportunities looking at the overall impact on the church now and into the future. We reference the Ministry and Governance Policies and By-Laws with an eye to adherence and discuss the potential need for change in the policies. The Board currently is responsible for three Working Groups, Audit, Endowment/Investment and Development and thus receives reports and actions for votes from those groups with more actions from the first two as the Development Working Group is still forming. We end each meeting with two questions – What went well? What could have gone better? – as our process is very important to our success.
We also have one or two extra meetings a year to provide us greater time to focus exclusively on the monitoring and enhancement of the Ministry and Governance Policies and ends. One took place the end of February, a report of which is included in this Beacon.
As I wrote this article and went back and read the paragraph describing our meetings, I thought “Phew – our meetings sound boring.” Believe me they are not because mixed in with the objectivity which is important is a passion and love for the church now and into the future.
As president I have been blessed over the past two years with two terrific boards. Our membership is staggered so each year we have the opportunity to blend again. This year we had the added opportunity to blend with a new minister who is an ex-officio member of each Board. I use the term “blend” not because the Board is “mushy” but because it is a truly Unitarian and full of many perspectives, talents and history which makes for a lively and wonderful discussion and perspective.
Next month you’ll hear from the Board Members who will share their perspectives on two questions which I will ask them. What two or three phrases would describe the role you play on the Board? How has your experience on the Board enhanced your personal growth?
With love,
Debby Schultz
TREASURER'S REPORT
Dear Friends and Members of the Congregation,
For more than 12 months, a small dedicated group of men and women have been engaged in a careful process of identifying firms which could be responsible for managing both our investments and our endowment. We owe a debt of gratitude to Val Sandberg, Janet Andereck, David Melnicoff, John Lehman and Norman Silbertrust for their contribution to this effort. They have engaged in a painstaking process and will make their recommendation to the Board within four weeks. The Board--the legally responsible entity--then selects the firm which will manage our funds.
At that point, their work will be done and they will have a well deserved rest. However, the Board will be forming a permanent Working Group charged with overseeing the investments and insuring that our funds are well managed as well insuring that restricted funds (donations provided to the Church for a specific purpose) are properly used.
This Working Group will report directly to the Board at least quarterly on our investments and make recommendations as to actions which the Board should take. From time to time, other business may occur which the Working Group will be asked to address. The Board is looking for individuals to compose this Working Group. If you are interested or know of others who you would recommend, please let me know. We hope to appoint the membership of the Working Group in the next month or two.
Financial Facts!
From time to time, I will try to bring a few facts to you about our church and its finances.
I hope that these facts are informative and encourage you to contact me if you would like further details...
Submitted by Mark Peterson
Treasurer
FACT: The first $120 of your dues pays for being a part of the UUA, the Joseph Priestly District, The Beacon and our Web Site. Any contribution beyond this goes to the Church.
FACT: Inflation is calculated at 4.1% for the past year. Since our budget is $506,000 we have to assume that next year's budget will require about $20,000 more than this year.
FACT: Total costs for ALL personnel for Sunday Services is $70,000 per year. Heat, light and other expenses are extra. This amounts to $1760/Sunday.
SOCIAL JUSTICE & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Racial Justice
Building the World we Dream About
This is a new UU curriculum being field tested this year. We have joined with the Germantown and Restoration churches in order to participate. The group is being led by Rev. Chester McCall and Bruce Pollack-Johnson of Restoration and our own Luana Goodwin. Rev. Nate also participated in the early planning session.
Our First Church group of enrollees are: Marilyn Ashbrook, Joan Bauer, Phyllis Belk, Thomas Hunter, Billie Penn Johnson, Carmen Lamothe, Mark and Carol Peterson, Bill Sternman, Rev. Nate Walker. Together we comprise the largest delegation although the total group numbers nearly 30. We are eager to see how this new curriculum develops and pleased to be a part of it.
Economic Justice & Housing
Housing in Philadelphia
Join the Social Justice Ministry Team for a brief (15-20 minute) presentation about housing issues in Philadelphia on Sunday March 16th at 12:30 in the Parish Room. Beth Goodell, an attorney at Community Legal Services, will be available to share information and answer questions about the sub-prime mortgage situation and the factors that are making it difficult for low-income homeowners in Philadelphia to maintain their homes. The Social Justice Ministry Team meeting will follow this presentation for those who wish to stay to discuss upcoming projects such as Racial Justice, Justice Sunday and Rebuilding Together. For more information contact Janet Scannell at jscannell[AT]brynmawr.edu"
Katrina Relief Work Project
Come to New Orleans in April with a group of local Unitarian Universalists who are going to combine Good Works with Good Music. The group, led by some folks from the Delaware County UU Church, will work with Habitat in building homes for citizens of New Orleans who lost almost everything when Katrina ravaged the City in August 2005. They are paying their own way to New Orleans ($300 to $350 if you get a flight now), but will keep board & lodging costs down by staying at a Habitat camp -- Camp Hope for $30 a day that includes two meals. They are going down April 11 in order to enjoy a JazzFest weekend in the French Quarter before starting work with Habitat on April 14.
Phyllis Belk is a contact for our congregation. But if you are interested, contact the organizer Regina Pound in Media at 610-566-7106.
WinterShelter
Our first Wednesday and Fourth Friday commitment to Feed and Serve the up to 22 men from Bethesda Project who are housed every night at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church (22nd and Spruce) continues until April 2. The men were treated again on 1/25 to a pot roast dinner with fresh biscuits made by Debby Schultz and Arthur Salter. Denise Mckean and her daughter Delaney brought mashed potatoes. Christine Carlson and her kids Ellen, Carlson and friend Emma came bearing brownies with hand drawn love notes. The men LOVED this treat of intergenerational social justice. 2/6 the men were exposed to more loving service from Trish Way, her brother Rick and friend Kris. Ginny also added some cornbread to the Mexican lasagne. Kris brought two giant cookies as well as emergency container of animal crackers. Spaces still are available to join a team. Efforts are made to match financial as well as culinary assets to produce a team effort. Donations accepted. Sign up at the back of the church or contact coordinator Ginny Beier at 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu.
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. A gratifying day was spent on MLK Day by Ginny Beier at the A Space along with volunteers from The White Dog Cafe. Many of the back letters from prisoners requesting books were able to be filled due to all the helpers from 9:30 until 1:00. The experience is a lot like solving a crossword puzzle or granting a wish when you find that particular subject that the prisoner is looking for. For info: www.booksthroughbars.org.
ADULT PROGRAMS
We invite you to check out the new Adult Religious Education brochure available in our lobby.
Depression Support Group
The group continues to meet on the first Sunday of each month, following service (March 2). For more info contact Arcenia Rosal at 215-561-6506, or Lynn Rubin at 215-837-3371.
Women's Book Club
The Ladies of The Club - the name of the book that inspired an old time member of the First Unitarian Church (Dot Johnson) to start a Women's Book Club over 15 years ago. We first only discussed books by women authors( they were neglected then) but now we try to have an eclectic mix of books to discuss by men and women. We meet mostly in Center City in each other's homes from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Our March 3 selection is The Rebel Angels (Cornish Trilogy) by Robertson Davies. This first of the trilogy novel deals with the world of mysticism, historical allusion, and gothic fantasy. Join us at the home of Ruth Crispin to discuss it. You must let her know you are coming at 215-389-5417 or rkcrispin[AT]verizon.net. Questions about the club or difficulty obtaining the book can be directed to coordinator Ginny Beier - 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu.
Upcoming books:
April 7—A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.
May 5—The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman.
Interweave
Calling all BGLT members and friends to join the new Interweave listserve:
interweavephila-subscribe[AT]yahoogroups.com
The listserve's purpose is to notify about upcoming Interweave events and share information of interest to the BGLT members and friends of our congregation. The listserve will be moderated.
Submitted by David A Dubbeldam & Ken Olin
Native American Spirituality for Women
This ongoing class, facilitated by member Connie Baker, started 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 at 7:00 p.m., 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. There were differences among the 500+ tribes, but those are general statements that can be made.
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.
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is a series of eight foreign policy discussions based on a briefing book published by the Foreign Policy Association. Topics for 2008 include: Iraq End-Game, European Union at 50, Talking to our Enemies, Russia, U.S. Defense & Security Policy, Latin America, U.S.-China Trade Policy, and Private Philanthropy. We will meet at 9:30 on Sunday mornings to discuss a new topic each week (based on a 10-page briefing read in advance). All internationally-minded members, friends and visitors are welcome to participate in any or all of the discussions. Contact Jacob Fisher, jacob.fisher[AT]gmail.com.
WHEEL OF LIFE
Martin Kinsey
Former member Martin Kinsey passed away on February 1 at Temple Hospital following surgery. He was 58. Martin grew up in Moorestown NJ where one of his accomplishments was playing the violin in a state competition. Martin graduated from Dartmouth with a major in Russian. Graduate work followed at Yale and the University of Pennsylvania. At the latter he received a Masters degree in Science Education. Those who were members of the church at the time of the bicentennial celebration of our building’s 200th year will remember Martin’s “Bicentennial Minutes” frequently given from the pulpit. His interest in history led him to interesting tidbits gathered various places in the city. He wrote several issues of a special Bicentennial Newsletter.
Plagued with health problems for a number of years, Martin kept up his interest in reading and sharing his wide knowledge with friends. He is survived by his father and brother David. Memorial plans will be made this month.
He was my neighbor and friend.
Submitted by Ann Adams
BEACON BITS
Bali Ha’i Auction Updates
Calling all seafarers and tars, nurses & lovers, for our own tales of the South Pacific! If you haven’t yet volunteered for a post, we still NEED YOU to find your sea legs. Please sign up on a sheet at the back of the church, sharing your talent (song? sets? costuming? cooking? accounts?) or muscle (set up? clean up?) with the rest of us in preparation for the Enchanted Evening. Remember, we all set sail on Saturday 3rd May. Last date for donations is Sunday, March 23. Let’s match the winning format of Rodgers and Hammerstein (34 Tonys, 15 Oscars, two Pulitzers, two Grammys!) by making this the best auction ever!!!
Congregational Potluck—Sunday, March 9
Our next potluck event is set for Sunday, March 9. It will enable us to welcome new members joining that day, share current congregational information and fortify ourselves before the Bob Edgar forum scheduled at 2:00 pm.
Moving right along with our alphabetical assignments, this time around it will be: A-D – Main Dish, E-H – Dessert, I-M – Bread or Beverage, N-S – Soup or Salad, T-Z – Vegetable. We look forward to another sumptuous spread!
Bob Edgar Speaks at First Church on March 9
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia and Common Cause-Pennsylvania will co-sponsor a public forum on Sunday, March 9, featuring Bob Edgar, president and CEO of Common Cause, one of the nation’s oldest and largest citizen advocacy organizations. The forum will begin at 2:00 p.m.
The forum will address issues of public official accountability, increased voter participation and improved voting systems, transparency in government, the importance of a diverse media and the need for a responsive Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We are inviting local officials to come and be part of the forum. Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania (CC/PA) will talk about the aggressive campaign that is being waged in our state around election issues. With over 12,000 members and affiliates, CC/PA currently is tackling the three major government reforms -- Open Records, Campaign Financing and Redistricting --that affect the outcomes of all other hot-button issues about which Pennsylvanians are concerned. Common Cause is a nonpartisan government watchdog organization with a national network of citizen activists fighting to ensure that powerful institutions in society—including government, corporations, and the news media—serve the public interest, not narrow special interest.
John Gardner, the founder of Common Cause, once said “The things that UNITE us as a people are more important than the things that divide us. No particular interest group can prosper for long if the NATION is disintegrating.” Could there be a more important time in U.S. history to pay attention to these words? Bob Edgar is well known to Pennsylvanians, having been born and raised in the Philadelphia area, served as protestant chaplain at Drexel University, elected as a Democratic Congressman from Republican-dominated Delaware County in an amazing election in 1974. He served until 1987. He has managed to combine religion, politics, public service and national leadership in unique ways. He has been president of Claremont School of Theology in California, and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches. At our morning service March 9, Bob Edgar, an ordained Methodist minister, will give the sermon on the topic of “Religion and Politics: Can they be partners for the public good?”
Presidential Primary
On February 14th, the Inquirer published an article stating that the Presidential Primary on April 22nd is a "closed primary" which means that if your are not affiliated with a political party you will not be able to vote. You must declare or change your affiliation by March 24th. More information is available at www.phillyelection.com or by calling 215-686-1500 or 215-686-1509.
Mindfulness Trainings
Monday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m.– 9:00 p.m., second floor Shared Ministry Suite. Facilitated by Rev. Nate, meditation techniques will be used to explore each of the mindfulness trainings developed by Thich Nhat Hahn, who was nominated by Martin Luther King Jr. for a Nobel Peace Prize. They include: protecting life; deep listening and loving speech; integrity in intimacy; generosity; and mindful consumption.
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.
Needed: Copies of the UU World
If you’re not a pack rat, and if you don’t save old copies of the UUA magazine, UU World, please donate them to the Membership Ministry Team for us to share with new members and interested visitors. Even issues that are several years old will help newcomers learn more about the activities, interests, issues of our denomination. Let Phyllis Belk (Phyllis.belk[AT]verizon.net) know if you have some issues to donate. We’ll set up a box on the Newcomers table if there are enough UU World magazines donated.
Art of Living
All are welcome to attend a free, introductory seminar to the Art of Living course on Saturday, March 1 at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Room. Experience the deep relaxation of meditation and the energizing power of the breath in this seminar presented by David McColgin, Art of Living teacher. For more information, call (215) 242-2024.
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS
Cecilia Beaux Lecture
Save the Date!-Sunday, March 2, 1:00PM. All are welcome to attend a free lecture by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts here in our Sanctuary on the American figure painter Cecilia Beaux. (It is Beaux who painted the wonderful rendering of William Henry Furness in our Parish Room.)
The lecture is being held in conjunction with the Academy’s exhibition of Beaux’s work, running from now until April 13. The 30-minute lecture will be on the life and work of this legendary woman and artist, declared by painter William Merritt Chase to be "not only the greatest living woman painter, but the best that has ever lived.”
Play Discussion Group for 2007 – 2008
Our current play in this year’s Play Discussion Group program is entitled “Wittenberg.” Having opened at the Arden Theater last month, the engagement lasts through 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 discussion meeting is set for Wednesday, March 19, at the home of Val and Marilyn Sandberg. Mark your calendars.
Our next play is “Eurydice,” performed at the Wilma Theater from April 30 through June 1, 2008.
YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM
This week for my course on Romanesque art we had to read some of the miracles of Sainte Foy. St. Foy (in English, St. Faith) was a Christian martyr who lived in the Third, perhaps the Fourth, Century. She reportedly refused to make sacrifices to the pagan gods when required to do so by Roman law, and was punished with death. Her body had been buried at the church built on the site of her martyrdom, but in the Ninth Century was stolen by a monastery at Conques.
From that time, her relics worked many miracles, the story goes, including the restoration of one man's eyes. A man was unjustly blinded by his godfather, who believed him to be a sinner. St. Foy appeared to the blinded man in a dream and then proceeded to restore the eyes that had been plucked out. The part of this tale that struck me, however, was the reason St. Foy gives for restoring the man's sight. In the book of miracles she basically says that bodily violence to another offends God, but not only that, it makes God angry, provoking His wrath of God. But even in that anger, God gives the man back his sight via a miracle, rather than taking vengeance on the one who first acted in violence.
Maybe, then, the miracle is not so much the unbelievable replacement of actual eyes, but the response to violence; God and St. Foy have an initial abhorrence at unwarranted bodily harm to another human being and a subsequent desire to heal, rather than commit more violence. I guess I just think we could use more miracles like that in the world: more responses to unkindness with kindness, to injustice with peaceful anger, and to violence with healing.
With hope,
Sarah Lenzi
Young Adult Coordinator
Sarah[AT]PhilaUU.org
March Young Adult Calendar
March 5, 7:00 p.m., Games Night, Parish Room
March 14, 5:30 p.m. Happy Hour, The Bard
March 16, 7:00 p.m., Contemporary Service, Parish
March 28, 6:30 p.m., Potluck, Location TBA
MUSIC NOTES
Dolce Suono Concert Series
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. Founder and artistic director Mimi Stillman is internationally acclaimed as flute soloist and chamber musician. First Church is proud to serve as home to Dolce Suono’s 2007-2008 season.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Homage to America: Celebrating American Music
Daniel Lickteig, voice (operatic and concert baritone); Mimi Stillman, flute (Yamaha Performing Artist); Hirono Oka, violin (The Philadelphia Orchestra); Jeremy Gill, piano (Temple University)
Music of Ives, Copland, Barber, Rota, and a world premiere by Jeremy Gill
MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY TEAM
Membership of 188 Reported to the UUA
The Membership Ministry Team at its most recent meeting received reports and/or made decisions about the following items that relate to its responsibilities:
The church administrator reported to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) that our church had 188 members as of Feb 1. Every year at this time, the UUA requires a membership report from congregations, and it then bases our assessment (dues) on that number and allocates votes & delegates to conventions on the number. Last year we reported 191 members. In the past few weeks, the staff, minister and membership chair have been communicating with members who have become inactive to see if they intend to become active again or if they no longer want to be listed as members.
The directory will soon be reprinted with an updated list of members and friends. Members are persons who have signed our membership book, indicated their interest in being active and have made a contribution-of-record. The ‘friends’ listed in the directory are persons who like being affiliated with our congregation, and have made a contribution-of-record, but no not wish to join. There is still a brief window of time in which persons may join in time to be listed in the directory, or indicate their wish to be listed as “friends.”
The February Orientation for visitors interested in knowing more about our denomination and our congregation was the best attended of any of these sessions this church year, with 22 persons present (not counting the minister, board president, and membership team). Steve Lynch’s lunch was delicious and snapped up quickly! It is a good thing that Luana Goodwin brought a big pot of soup, too. About half of those in attendance were young adults.
The next Orientation will be Sunday March 2, and Kate Hertzog will coordinate the lunch.
Six new members joined the congregation in February, and there is more information (and photos) about them in this newsletter. This brings the number of new members this church year to 35 persons.
Circle Suppers
Sharon Tomalin said 54 people are participating plus the search committee which wanted its own circle supper group. The question is “what to do with new members who are asking now to participate?” Most dinner groups are full. Sharon doesn’t want a group that is only new members because the idea is to mix up groups and help new members meet ‘old’ members. What would be nice is if three or four ‘old’ members, not now participating, would agree to start up a circle group for the next four months and take in some new members. How do we make that happen?
Connect U
Kate Hertzog said she and Chris Robertson have prepared a “training” session for persons who will enlist in our ‘radical hospitality’ program and wear salmon colored nametags! They have scheduled two training sessions for after church Feb. 10 and Feb. 24.
The membership team welcomed two new members –Ed Close and Mark DeCourval. Mark came with information about an ad on the church page in Phila. Gay News (PGN). We are in the free lists but not on the page with ads. It’s a budgetary consideration, and also a decision that belongs with the Communications Ministry Team. However, the membership team unanimously felt it was appropriate to recommend to Communications that if at all possible, funds go in the budget for 1/8 page ad once or twice a month (we’d like it every week but know that’s not feasible at the current time).
The bulletin board project is moving along, we were told by Christina Doe, head sexton. Steve Lynch is honcho for us for the project which will enable us to post many photos of new members, not just the most current ones.
Kim Cox said Sunday hospitality was working well in regard to volunteers bringing refreshments. She will emphasize need to have food brought ready to serve so that we don’t have to have knives at that table.
The Ministry Finance Team had requested a three year budget from Membership. After much discussion, we decided to base our projected costs on expectation of 60 new members over the three years (and we believe that is very conservative). We are recommending $2750 over three years. An itemized budget will be sent to Finance.
How to help new members become oriented to our congregation? This was a major item on the agenda of our meeting held on Feb. 27. Our meetings are held every fourth Wednesday at the church. Visitors welcome.
MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS
NOTE: The six new members welcomed into our congregation in February were Maddy LaFerla Jenni, Katy Morris, Judy Haraburda , Mark Pryzby, Paul Vazuka and David Zarambo. We are very happy to welcome them. Judy and Mark are returning as members of this congregation after some years away.
JUDY HARABURDA
Judy was born and raised in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia where she went to Catholic school for 12 years. As an adult, she rejected what she saw as the dogma and politics of the Catholic church even though she enjoyed the smell of incense, the ritual and the” Golden Rule.”
Her educational background includes Pittsburgh’s Carnegie-Mellon where she earned a degree on Professional Writing. While there, she took graphic courses and worked on the school newspaper which actually gave her marketable graphic skills. Initially she worked for a graphic design firm and then for five years with Jefferson Hospital and University in its marketing department. Recently--and for the last six and a half years--she has had what she felt was her dream job working as a designer for the Philadelphia Horticultural Society organizer and producer of The Philadelphia Flower Show. Like all dreams, Judy’s dream job came to an end. She left last September to freelance and, perhaps, to explore new creative avenues possibly in writing and editing.
The last year and a half have been an emotionally difficult period for Judy. Her father, her all-time favorite person on earth, died of pancreatic cancer a year ago days before Christmas followed by her mother’s death from complications from diabetes four months later. About that time her feisty 95 year old grandmother had a bad fall. With a married brother in Ohio and a married sister in Connecticut, the onus of relocating her grand mother to a nursing home, emptying her house and then selling it fell on Judy’s shoulders--not an easy task for a young woman. Until her grandmother’s relocation and the settlement of her estate was accomplished Judy felt she had to put aside the full grieving for her parents. Right now is a difficult time for Judy. Fortunately she has had friends and the Wissahickon Hospice to help her through a very difficult personal time.
Judy is a returning alumna to First Church having originally joined in 1994 after discovering the feeling that she had been a UU all along. Originally she was actively involved in social justice and the social life of our church. She taught church school, she organized a fund-raising book sale, game nights and a trip to the Barnes Foundation as well as being involved with many other activities. As could be expected, she was also asked to design many of our brochures. As so often happens to some of our new younger members, she became burned out and left us to regroup but continued to stay in touch with several of the members she felt were good friends.
Having been away from First Church and having explored other churches, she has missed the spiritual community of our church. A beautiful thing has happened here for Judy. Still in her grieving, Judy asked Reverend Nate for a pastoral meeting. That meeting resulted in Rev Nate and Judy initiating the idea of a short open “Healing Grief” service in our chapel after the regular service. Judy resides in the Logan Square area with her cats. She is actively interested in Yoga, is taking a class in screen printing and is working on a children’s book with an illustrator friend. She very much enjoys being an urbanite. She loves reading, dining out, visiting museums and galleries, shopping and just plain exploring. She also feels she has been lucky in being able to travel to Europe, to Paris, London and Switzerland but most of all to experience exciting pre-9/11 trips to Bali and Indonesia where her brother’s wife was born and raised and to experience the cultures of beautiful and friendly peoples different from Western culture.
MADDY LA FERLA JENNI
Maddy La Ferla Jenni (pronounced “Yenni”—it’s Austrian) is a second generation UU: she and her mother both grew up UU. She was dedicated in the UU church in Rochester, and grew up in UU churches in Michigan and Minnesota.
Maddy also lived in Wisconsin and Georgia before setting off for Mexico and Guatemala in 2004. That is where she met Lucas Jenni, her Austrian husband. She spent the last 3 ½ years living in Vienna and Barcelona before returning to the US to complete her college work at Temple, where she is studying sociology. She’s interested in public health, specifically women's reproductive health in central and South America. During her 10 year hiatus from college, Maddy became a certified professional massage therapist She has discovered that the university setting is exactly where she needs to be right now: she is thriving! Maddy is close to her parents and step-mother, to her older brother and his wife who are going to make her “Aunt Maddy,” next spring. She was labor coach at the birth of her “little” brother, the first person to put hands on him!
Maddy visited her husband Lucas and his family in Vienna over the Christmas holiday. He will be moving to Philadelphia late next fall (his green card is in the works).
She loves learning languages and cultures: she speaks German fluently, has a good grasp of Spanish and is always looking for conversations in either. She enjoy cooking, eating, crafts, making lists, dancing, walks, bike riding, doing homework, learning, laughing, going to church, growing! Ours is the first church Maddy has ever joined. She feels she has found a spiritual home here, and for that she gives thanks.
KATY MORRIS
Katy Morris grew up in Melrose Park, but now lives by the old Graduate Hospital with her husband and two daughters, Talia (6-1/2 years old) and Monica (almost 2 years old). Talia attends first grade at Greenfield Elementary and enjoys music and drawing merpeople. Monica is learning to speak words that the rest of the family can finally understand.
Coming from a multiracial family of liberal thinkers, Katy says she was drawn to First Church by its focus on respecting and valuing all people. “I wanted to introduce my children to a spiritual practice centered around being good to people. I also wanted to feed my own spirituality. While I split my time at First Church between adult services and spending time in Talia's CRE class, every Sunday provides a lesson and food for thought for the coming week.”
“My parents are the source of my liberal leanings. My mom is a hard-working, underappreciated social worker, advocating for the rights of disabled persons living in institutions,” Katy says, and her dad has made a long career of helping religious communities around the country conserve energy. Her parents live in a house whose electricity and hot water are supplied by solar panels. Her mother is of Chinese descent, born in NYC's Chinatown the year after her parents immigrated.
Katy’s husband Contrell is from Mississippi, was raised in the Southern Baptist tradition and was completely turned off by organized religion. She says he understands and supports her wish “to have our daughters learn the lessons of love and compassion that this church offers”. He works at the University of the Arts and is a free-lance photographer. In 2005, Katy was the IT Director for a non-profit in Center City whose mission is to reduce the effects of substance abuse on families and communities. She was also volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in the Family Court system.
“While I believed in the importance of my day job, I felt I needed to have a more direct positive impact on the lives of children. So, I took a job teaching math to under-achieving students in Lower Merion. I started and am today running a program striving to close the minority achievement gap and help all learners achieve success in math.” Katy explained.
Aside from teaching, Katy does private tutoring and web design and programming. “The little free time I do have is spent with family. I also love to sing and do crossword puzzles,” she said.
MARK PRZYBY
In addition to returning member Judy Haraburda, Mark Przyby has renewed his membership in First Unitarian after some years away. Mark was raised as a Catholic in Northeast Philadelphia where he still lives. He says he left the Catholic Church because “I got tired of being told I was going to Hell!”
He is a machinist who loves the Blues and plays harmonica. A claim to fame –he almost ended up in professional baseball. When he played high school ball, the Pittsburgh Pirates scouted him out. We’re glad to have Mark back in our fold!
DAVID ZARAMBO
David lives in Levittown and has made a career in architecture for more than 20 years. For years his favorite saying was by the Spanish poet Antonio Machado "There is no path. Paths are made by walking." Although being a very active member of his church in his teen years he began to question the existence of a god that most religions want to make you believe created everything; but loves only a small portion of that same creation. David walked away from all that was taught him and embraced making his own path.
David’s statement on the Sunday he joined our church was very meaningful, “Today before you is a person who once again is lost and searching for that deeper meaning to existence.” Recently David was shaken by a dream he had in which a voice directed him to a part of the bible he had never read. This writing had great relevance to him and who he was at that time. Because of this dream he felt compelled to once again seek direction to see if maybe there IS a path after all.
Finding this community through the Internet, he has been attending services for the past four months and stands before this congregation today promising to support this church both actively and financially; asking only for your kindness and wisdom that will help him become a better person.
David’s interests are many, and include working on cars, computers, kite flying, roller coasters, gardening, animals, home remodeling, furniture refinishing and upholstery. He has already become involved with First Unitarian church as a member of the property ministry team.
PAUL VAZUKA
Paul Vazuka has been coming to our church regularly for many months. He was the most faithful usher for our summer services, and has continued helping out in that way on many Sundays. His stepfather, David Melnicoff, became a member last year. They began coming to First Church about the same time. Paul was born in the Philadelphia area as a Roman Catholic. His father died when he was young. His mother, a psychiatrist, married David Melnicoff, an economist whose job required several moves. Paul went to school at Penn Charter here, at Georgetown Day School in D.C., and then attended high school at Friends Select in Philadelphia. Most of his life has been spent in Pennsylvania and Delaware. He attended LaSalle and Widener, and for awhile was enrolled in hotel & restaurant management. In recent years, he was Dairy Manager at Hillary’s wonderful ice cream store until it closed.
Paul went through a divorce about two and a half years ago, and is living back in Philadelphia now helping care for his mother and stepfather at the William Penn House. He enjoys cooking and magic and dreams of being a film director. He says that “in my heart I’m more tuned to Shinto than any other religious practice” but in the meantime, he feels at home in our First Unitarian congregation.
FLOWERS
March 2 – In memory of my best friend, Jon Eric Ericson. Given by Edwin Close.
March 9 – In memory of John McNamara Connolly. From his sister, Kate.
March 16 – In loving memory of my father, Ted Motley, on his birthday, March 22, 1914. Ned Motley.
March 23 – Easter
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.
We are still in need of a donor for our March 30 service. If you are interested in donating flowers for a Sunday service, the cost is $45. Please contact Connie Mast at 215-496-0840.
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