The Beacon - May 2007
May Worship Services
(Service is held each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, except where otherwise noted.)
May 6 – At-One-Ment. Join Ministerial Candidate, Rev. Nate Waker, for an exploration of traditional theologies of atonement as they related to two cases: A.I.D.S. and Agent Orange. Two main questions will guide our time together: Is suffering redemptive? Or is it redemptive to be "at one" with all who suffer? A congregational meeting will be held following the service to vote on calling the candidate.
May 13 – The Spiritual Territory. The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach on the challenge of finding peace and stability in life. The inspiration for this sermon was provided by Richard Frey, who purchased the auction sermon last spring, and who suggested the work of Kathleen Norris, who moved from New York City to sparsely populated northwestern South Dakota and wrote the books Dakota and The Cloister Walk about how the experience changed her spiritual life. Sharon Tomalin will be worship associate.
May 20 – Science, Religion, Galileo. This service draws its inspiration from the theatre experience of “The Life of Galileo” at the Wilma Theatre. The Rev. Bill Metzger and worship associate Val Sandberg will share thoughts about the subject.
Sunday Evening Worship Service will be held on the evening of May 20 at 7:00 p.m. in our Chapel.
May 27 – Reverence for Life. Ken Olin and Bill Sternman will lead this Memorial Day service.
A Message from the Reverend Nathan Walker
Dear First UU Family,
I am overjoyed to be considered to serve as your next settled minister! I found the members of the search committee to be hospitable, loving, and generous. They also represented many perspectives within the congregation with honesty and integrity. My hope is that you celebrate their work and shower them with love.
The search process has revealed to me that your deepest aspirations are wonderfully compatible with my own. We both believe in building upon a rich history that has made First Church a progressive urban congregation dedicated to anti-oppression ministries. We both desire to find meaningful ways to treat one another with compassion and respect; to dialogue across racial, religious and political differences; to collectively heal various social and ecological injustices; and to consistently craft vibrant and inspired worship services – that means inspired! Is this too much to expect? Absolutely not!
I cannot wait to hear more about your vision for our UU family. Until then, know that your commitment to shared ministry has created a renaissance that is visible from miles away. It will be an honor to experience it first hand. Until then, may you be blessed with abundant health and happiness.
With excitement and gratitude,
Reverend Nate
CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Greetings From Your CRE Director:
About four years ago, when I was trying to decide what to do with my career, I was told the best way to find out what it is like to be a DRE was to take one of the training modules sponsored by the Liberal Religious Educator Directors Association, or LREDA. The first good opportunity to take a module was in Manhattan, at Fourth Universalist Church. The subject was Worship for All Ages. I showed up on Friday night with my sleeping bag, my tooth brush and my instruments, ready for who knows what?
That first night was a little disorienting. I didn’t know a single person and most people weren’t going to arrive until Saturday morning. The person who welcomed me made me comfortable and set up “camp” with me there on the pulpit stage was none other than Nate Walker! We made our acquaintance that night. He told me some of the history of Fourth Universalist and we shared some of our backgrounds. The following morning, the module started and I quickly became fond of all the participants. It felt like it did when I was a teen-ager attending UU youth conferences. The DRE’s and I stayed up late chatting and singing. Nate read my I Ching (a Chinese fortune), which indicated a transformation ahead for my career after some trials and obstacles.
That weekend gave me the confidence to pursue more training and to be more involved in RE at Main Line Unitarian Church. The rest--as they say--is history. I am preparing to take my fifth module, this time on the subject of multiculturalism. This will be a milestone. I will receive recognition at the next district conference. I have also been accepted into the UUA RE credentialing program. In the next 18 months, I will be hard at work learning, reading and producing a portfolio to demonstrate my competency in 20 or so different areas of religious education.
Wikipedia describes the I Ching as a system designed to identify order in what seem like chance events. The chance events that brought me to New York City in May of 2004 have taken on an order and meaning in a wonderful and mysterious way. Nate Walker was present at the “birth’ of my new career. To say I am thrilled knowing Nate is going to be our minister is an understatement.
With affection,
Jansen Wendell
Looking Ahead for CRE
On Tuesday, April 2, I went to Main Line Unitarian Church to a JPD meeting with Jansen Wendell with other DREs in the Joseph Priestly District to discuss Junior High School Youth programming for next year. Reverend Carol Taylor, district Director of Lifespan Faith Development, and Jan Taddeo, district Coordinator of Youth Activities, led the group in thought-provoking activities and social interaction games that can be used in our work with our junior youth.
Our main goal was to form clusters with other nearby UU churches. The clusters would get together twice during 2007 - 2008. Youth participation in religious education programs drops markedly in all churches during the adolescent years. Keeping youth aware that there is a larger UU community is one goal of clustering.
Another goal of clustering is keeping youth involved. Jan mentioned if our churches want to grow, we should work on keeping our youth involved in the youth program. When they stay involved, they become members, such as Tracy Jastrzab. She is the newest graduate of our youth program and is an active member of First Church. She teaches church school, serves on the CRE Ministry Team and has participated in the planning of the holiday pageant for the last few years.
It was decided that Restoration, Germantown Society, Cherry Hill and First Church will make up the “Metro Philly” cluster. The group will have about 45 students from area churches in one space. We have decided that our first event will take place on Saturday, October 27, 2007 at Germantown in the afternoon from about 2 - 6:00 p.m. The group will meet, worship, work on a service project and share a meal together.
I’m looking forward to this get-together.
Submitted by Denise McKeon
CRE Co-Chair, Teacher (Grades 5 – 7)
May CRE Worship Highlights
Sunday, May 6, 11:00, Chapel
Children worship in the Children’s Chapel for the first 15 minutes followed by regular CRE classes.
Sunday, May 13, 11:00, Sanctuary
Mother’s Day service. Children will join their parents for the first 15 minutes, followed by regular CRE classes.
Sunday, May 20, 11:00, Chapel
Children worship in the Children’s Chapel for the first 15 minutes followed by regular CRE classes.
Sunday, May 27, 11:00 Griffin Hall
Children participate in the Spring planting on this Memorial Day weekend.
Sunday, June 3, 1:00 p.m., Church Picnic
Join us at Clark Park in West Philadelphia from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for the All-Church picnic, sponsored by the CRE Ministry Team. Last year was a great success, with grilled food, salads, fun and fellowship.
Canvas Shopping Bags for Sale
At our All-Together Sunday on April 29, the children decorated canvas shopping bags, which you can buy and use for your after church “Trader Joe’s” run. Over the long run, this will save a few extra trees from destruction. The bags will sell for $10.00.
GETTING TO KNOW UU
When the founder of your town is known to be of your religious faith, does that translate to your congregation being one of the most prominent organizations in the city? It worked for the Mormons, and they pretty much run an entire state these days! While it’s not often a UU congregation can claim such an eminent heritage, the UU Church of Muncie, Indiana, can.
Goldsmith Gilbert, founder of the town of Muncie, was said to be "a man of irreproachable integrity...honored and beloved by all. In his religious views he was a Universalist." He settled in 1823 in what was soon established as the town of Muncie, and by the time of his death in 1844 he was a state legislator representing the county.
The First Universalist Church of Muncie was begun in 1859 as one of the only venues where free speech was encouraged, and by 1860 a building was erected, proudly boasting the tallest steeple in town.
Among their subsequent ministers were Margaret Brennan, serving from 1897 to 1901, a time when few women served in any pulpit; and Harry Adams Hersey, who during his 1919-1923 tenure was outspoken in his opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, which was prominent in Indiana (and around the country) at the time.The church is now led by Rev. Thomas Perchlik, who is on sabbatical, with a membership of approx. 250. Their website is www.uuchurchmuncie.org.
As UU’s, we are compelled to speak out for justice and against the suffering inflicted by humans on one another. Our UU principles talk of promoting justice, equity and compassion in human relations. As we are about to decide whether to embark on the next segment of our own history, may we continue to strive to make the world a better place for all its inhabitants, both in conjunction with our larger ministry, and our own individual lives
If you’re a member, be sure to attend the congregational meeting and vote following Rev. Nathan Walker’s second candidating service on May 6!
Submitted by Ken Olin
COMMUNITY SERVICE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Recycling
Recycling at Trinity Memorial (22nd and Spruce) continues every first and third Saturday between cardboard and No. 1 and 2 plastic bottles cleaned and crushed.
Good News from West Philadelphia - they are taking part in a curbside pickup weekly of cans, glass, and PLASTICS 1&2 all mixed together plus paper. Hopefully Center City will be next.
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 month 11-3 p.m. Take your books there if you can--if not there is a book bin in our lobby for donations.
Saturday, May 12th Pack-a-Thon!
The Pack-A-Thon is an extended packing party where volunteers raise money for the postage needed to mail the books. It's a fun way to raise funds and get caught up on the huge amount of book requests. You can participate for three hours or more anytime during the day, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. As always there will be lots of good music, great food, and fun door prizes.
For more info call Ginny Beier (215-545-78310 or vhbeierAThep.upenn.edu) and sign up at infoATbooksthroughbars.org.
WinterShelter
We Did It! Thanks to many teams and individuals we cooked and served 11 dinners this season. Hopefully we can continue our success and commitment next year on every First Wednesday of the month and Every Fourth Friday of the month from November to May. Before I try and list all the wonderful volunteers (let me know if your name is missing), I want to report on our last evenings. On March 23, the men had a treat with Lari Robling bringing two six-pound filets of beef donated by Jim Coleman. We found out that the men still wanted it cooked well done and some still felt that hot sauce was needed--even though it melted in the mouth. Abbie and Lewis Wendell and their friend who was celebrating a birthday were able to fill in at the last moment for missing volunteers despite a hectic schedule. They brought potatoes and homemade cookies. On April 4 the men were again treated to an oven baked chicken, sweet potatoes made by Arthur Salter and Debbie Schultz. Yours truly brought the collard greens done in bacon and onions and garlic. Diane Frey brought cookies and Trader Joe's donated mature apples. Last but not least, the whole Sherretta family cooked and served Friday the 13th. The only bad luck was that while engaged with conversation with the men the rolls in the oven were forgotten and caused lots of smoke. Not only did Carrie's father Marvin help cook the main dish of pasta and meat but he surprised the men with flowers for the tables. They loved them! Liza and Aubrey made cookies for dessert.
Thanks again to our volunteers! Those volunteers with an astericks volunteered more than once:
Denise, Delaney and Dylan Mckeon and family friend Monica, Justine Hansen, Ginny Beier*, Luana Goodwin*, Jeffrey Kilburn*, Tricia Way*, Christina Castellino, Finy Hansen*, Nicole Haentjens, Rob Richards, Virginia DeRolf, David and Elijah Tatgenhorst, Mike Coyle, Marcie Hammond, Dale Rohrbaugh, Stephanie Roulias, Lari Robling*, Carol Hauffler, Debbie Schultz and Arthur Salter*, Kris Roscoe, Joan Haldeman, Diane Frey, Carrie, Steve, Liza and Aubrey Sherretta, and Marvin Hirschorn.
Drumbeat for Darfur
On March 25 our congregation participated in the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's (UUSC) annual "Justice Sunday" event. This year's topic was the genocide in Darfur. We were called to get informed and to take action. Visit our website (http://www.philauu.org/index.php/outreach) for links to more information and to ask Congress to take action. Our congregation also donated $1500 to the Solar Cookers project (equivalent of seven sun ovens or 75 water pasteurizing aqua paks) and $1200 to support the international efforts of the UUSC. Thank you to Virginia DeRoelf for her amazing information about the Solar Cookers project (and getting us a sample oven!) and to Debby Schultz for arranging for the guest drummers.
Rebuilding Together
This April, First Church participated in Rebuilding Together for the thirteenth consecutive year. It was another great year of building relationships and rebuilding homes. Ms. Anna Franchi and her family appreciate our help. Many, many thanks to the First UU members and friends who volunteered:
Nikyia Rogers, Ken Barthold, Rabia Gibbs, Anne Slater, Mike Tomalin, Earl Marsh, Kristen Park, Lora Thornburg, Mike Narcowich, Denise McKeon, Seth Carrier, Paul Vazuka, Bill Sternman, Kim Cox, Ned Motley, Colleen O'Donnell, Cat Adler-Josem, Erica Ward, Cynthia Jolissaint, Debby Schultz, Janet Scannell, Beth Goodell, and especially to Jim Fraatz and Amy Hillier Fraatz for helping with house selection and doing the shopping and Arthur Salter for co-captaining the selection and preparation.
Rebuilding Together Homeowner Profile
This year’s Rebuilding Together team worked on the house of Anna Franchi in the Kensington/Fairhill neighborhood. Anna’s husband’s family have lived on Atlantic Street for five generations, and she and her husband moved there with their five children in the late 1960s. They moved from southwest Philadelphia, a place teaming with children, to the quiet block of Atlantic Street. They added an above-ground pool in the backyard and, with the help of their children’s many friends who came to sleep over, they quickly livened up the block.
Kensington was full of working factories at the time—knitting mills where many of the older women worked, the Philco plant where they made radios, and sweater factories. A series of bad fires in factories along Allegheny Avenue in the mid-1970s marked the end of the neighborhood’s strong industrial period, as jobs moved south and many of the mostly white residents moved to the suburbs. Anna credits the new Puerto Rican migrants with saving the neighborhood by moving in and restoring the older homes. Anna still knows many of her neighbors, though she often needs a translator to help her communicate with the Spanish speakers. Despite the physical and economic decline of the neighborhood over the past 30 years, Anna is committed to staying on her block and in her neighborhood so that future generations of her family can enjoy the home where she has so many good memories.
Submitted by Amy Hillier
ADULT PROGRAMS
Interweave
Interweave is the local and national group of UUs that support and promote civil rights for the BGLT. The group has a regularly scheduled brunch on the first Sunday of the 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.
Gay Men's Potluck
Interweave is teaming up with the Men's Programming Committee of the William Way LGBT Center to hold a potluck at the church on Sunday, May 20, at 6:00 p.m. We are encouraging gay men who are involved with the church as well as those who are not, especially if they live in the neighborhood, to come. We would like local gay men to see what a welcoming place our church is. Those attending should bring a food item or beverage to share.
Submitted by Hal Tarr
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
A dozen of us gathered at the home of Amanda Diesel on 4/2 for a lively discussion On Beauty. Seven of us formed a caravan of walkers on our way to her South of South Street home. As often is the case even if you don't like some of the characters portrayed an appreciation of the writer's ability to show these flaws is often brought out in our group discussion. Our next reading will be The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag at the home of Marilyn Ashbrook on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Please call her at 215-218-0295 or marilynashbrookATverizon.net for directions and to let her know you are coming. June selection is The Middle Ages by Jennie Field.
Early Christianity Book Club
We continue to meet on the fourth Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. at the church. We are now in the process of reviewing, for the next few months, the textbook The New Testament - A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. The course also will deal with the gnostic scriptures and the recently uncovered gospels and scriptures suppressed by the orthodox Roman church. Contact Gerry Parchman (lib2uusATcomcast.net or 856-829-4561) for details.
PRESIDENT'S COMMENTARY
by Debby Schultz
Ah, at last the settled ministerial candidate for First Church has been announced – an event we’ve been awaiting for a year or maybe two for some!
I have a lot of confidence in the Search Committee. They are a diverse, extremely dedicated and thoughtful group who I believe represent our congregation well. So I believe they selected an excellent candidate. At the same time I am quite confident that Rev. Nate is human and one aspect of being human equates to not being perfect. That trait in itself is pretty appealing to me.
Who really is Rev. Nathan Walker? In the glossy candidate brochure the Search Committee described their weekend candidating session with Rev. Nate using terms such as “the sun had come out” and “magical.” In response to this language, one congregant asked me if I was prepared for the “Messiah” to arrive. Another asked if he really walks on water. I suspect that neither applies, so our task is to decide how his humanness (strengths and weaknesses) can engage our humanness (strengths and weaknesses). That is, is Rev. Nate a “fit” with us?
How will we get to know Rev Nate ourselves? Our April 29 through May 6 Candidating Week is here. Thanks to the Search Committee, Virginia DeRolf and Rev. Nate, there are numerous opportunities to meet and learn more about our candidate. Rev. Nate will preside at two Sunday morning church services (April 29 and May 6), be available for informal meet and greets over coffee, dinner or drinks, meet with various Ministry Teams and the staff and even be available via a call-in teleconference.
I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking about questions I would like to ask, information and stories about First Church that I would like to share and kinds of traits for which I will be looking and listening. Lately my focus has been on how I will respond to what I love, like and am uncomfortable about. On top of all of this, I’ve thought about how I as a very committed President of this Congregation will respond to everyone else’s responses. Phone calls, conversations and emails over the past few weeks have afforded a bit of practice with this already!
So here’s my personal guidelines for Candidating Week:
• Take many deep breaths, relax, listen and observe with as open a mind as possible
• Think about the balance between Rev Nate’s qualities and those of our congregation. How will Rev Nate help us to grow or prosper? How will we as a Congregation need to support Rev Nate and help him to grow? How and in what areas will we grow and prosper together?
• Provide plenty of space for others and myself. Step back occasionally and think before openly responding about my own thoughts and to those of other congregants. Recognize the value of listening knowing that every eMail or conversation isn’t necessarily looking for my response or opinion.
• Take time for some thoughtful conversations with friends in the Congregation to sort out our joys, impressions and concerns.
• Be patient recognizing that we all take different amounts of time to make key decisions. At the same time be decisive recognizing that Candidating Week is only eight days with the vote on the eighth day.
• Be respectful knowing that “we need not think alike to love alike.”
• Have fun and treat this week as a bit of a vacation in which I get to experience new people and events and take a week’s break from some of the rigors of ongoing church life.
With love for this Congregation and Church
and great hopes for our next settled minister,
Debby Schultz
Upcoming Congregational Information Sessions and Meetings
Get out your calendars and save the dates!
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
May 6
In fond memory of Lucille Olin. Given by her son, Ken Olin.
May 13
For mothers everywhere. From Carol and Mark Peterson.
May 20
In celebration of Glorie Steele’s 92nd birthday on May 23. Given by her daughter, Shirley Steele.
May 27
In memory of Russell Weigley. Emma, Jared and Catherine.
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
Update on Parking
Increasing weekend staff use of the College of Physicians parking lot on Van Pelt street makes it impractical for church people to assume the right to park there.
The large parking lot across from it is available free of charge most Sundays of the year. Access via 21st Street is the best bet (right off Market onto 21st, right into the lot) as the Van Pelt Street exit is frequently chained. This lot is owned by the College of Physicians who have graciously given us access to it.
Meanwhile, 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.
WANTED: Conscientious Volunteer for Task-Oriented Job at First Church!
We need a Coordinator for Ushers & Greeters for the rest of the church year. This is a great position for someone who likes a defined volunteer job, and one where you will have the chance to become acquainted with many church members. If you are willing to offer your services, you will be given lots of help and many hosannahs. If you don’t want to do this alone, find someone to be Co-coordinator. It should take no more than one hour a week. The coordinator lines up four persons to be ushers and greeters for each Sunday, gives them instructions (already available), and reminds them on Friday to show up Sunday. It’s not hard to recruit people, we just need an organizer. Contact Phyllis Belk (Phyllis.belkATverizon.net)
UU Birdwatching in South Jersey
If you are a birder, or would like to learn about bird watching in the company of other Unitarians, this announcement is for you. the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore is having their 8th annual “Birding B&B,” where they provide beds, meals, and guided birding tours for their guests. There is an abundance of woodland and shore birds in this area. The weekend is May 18-20. There are a few spots left that they are anxious to fill. You can get more information from their website, www.uucsjs.org. Or, simply contact Betsy Searight at betsysearightATcomcast.net or by calling (609) 645-2869.
DENOMINATIONAL AFFAIRS
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.
“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, and 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. For more information call Mary at 215-843-5881.
Mid-Atlantic UU Gathering
We are the Unitarian Universalist Mid-Atlantic Community. For one week each summer, we stay at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, about five miles southeast of Allentown, to learn, grow, retreat, and recreate together. UUMAC is open to people of all ages, races, abilities, genders, and sexual identities and orientations. We are intergenerational and our recreation is playful for everyone. For some, UUMAC is an ever-expanding family reunion. For others, UUMAC is an opportunity for rest and renewal. This year our Theme Speaker will be Rev. Lisa Ward from the UU Fellowship of Harford County in Churchville, Maryland, speaking on "The Power of Family Values in Liberal Religious Communities." Our Minister of the Week will be Rev. Clare Petersberger from the Towson UU Church in Lutherville, Maryland. We hope you will join us at UUMAC July 22-28, 2007!
Please download and share our brochure: http://uumac.org/UUMAC2007Brochure.pdf or visit our website: www.uumac.org.
UU Rowe Camp and Conference Center.
Seasonal newsletters for this retreat center in the Berkshires of Western Massachussetts are available in our literature racks at the back of the sanctuary and in our lobby. Since 1924, Rowe Camp has offered Unitarian and later Universalist youth a chance to experience UU values and get to know UU young people from all over the Northeast. Since 1974, Rowe Conference Center has provided a place for adults and families to come for relaxation, reducation, community and spiritual nurturance. Rowe offers programs on relationships, nonviolent communication, tracking, feng shui, singing and songwriting, Celtic shamanism, ecstatic Kabbalah and more. Our workshop leaders include Starhawk, Rabbi David Cooper, John Lee, David Roth, Don Campbell, Grace Paley and many others.
For more information, please pick up a newsletter, or visit www.RoweCenter.org.
MINISTERIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
I must confess that I’m a little nervous. On April 1, the Ministerial Search Committee announced the selection of our candidate, The Reverend Nathan Walker. As a true representation of our diverse congregation, we unanimously and enthusiastically selected Reverend Walker and feel he is truly special and everything we could hope for in a minister. He meets all of our criteria: preaching and worship skills, intellectual and spiritual leadership, caring and connectedness, a commitment to social justice, and the capability to administer our new governance system. We have every confidence he will bring a new vibrancy and sense of excitement to First Church.
So why are there butterflies pounding my stomach? Because even though I am full of joyful anticipation at the thought of a ministry with Nate, I can’t help but wonder, “Will everyone else feel the same way I do?” After all, it is the members of the congregation who will make the ultimate decision whether or not to call him to a settled position.
If you attended church on April 29, you will have already experienced Reverend Nates’s warmth and skills. If you receive the Beacon in the mail, there are still many opportunities throughout Candidating Week to meet Nate and ask him what his ministry will mean to you. He will also conduct our May 6 service which will be followed by a congregational meeting where a vote to call will take place. If the vote is overwhelmingly positive, he will accept our call. Perhaps then I’ll be able to cut back on the Pepto-Bismol.
Submitted by Christine Carlson
CANDIDATING WEEK SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 28
7:00 p.m., Sunday Evening Worship in the Chapel.
Monday, April 30
12:00 p.m., Brown bag Lunch with Volunteer Office Staff (invitation only)
6:30 p.m., Ministry Leadership Team
7:30 p.m., Property Committee
8:30 p.m., Partners for Sacred Places
Tuesday, May 1
12:00 p.m., Brown Bag Lunch
(All welcome. Bring your lunch to the Parish Room and enjoy some time with Nate)
5:30 p.m., All Church Potluck
(Please RSVP to Christiane Geisler, via email at dgeislerATcomcast.net;
or call 215-964-9019 or cell: 202-997-3373)
7:00 p.m., Social Justice
8:00 p.m., Interweave
Wednesday, May 2
10:30 p.m., Staff Meeting
12:00 p.m., Brown Bag Lunch for Money Related Committees
5:30 p.m., Worship Associates
7:00 p.m., CRE/ARE Meet and Greet
(Children welcome. Will be followed by Intergenerational Game Night)
8:00 p.m., “Call Nate”
(Dial 1-866-305-2467, use guest code 604128# to sign in)
Thursday, May 3
12:00 p.m., Lunch with area UU Ministers
5:30 p.m., Search Committee
8:30 p.m., Choir Reception
10:00 p.m., Equality Forum at Woody’s (13th & Walnut)
Friday, May 4
Nate and Sam’s personal day
Saturday, May 5
9:30 a.m., “Sacred Places” Spring Trolley Tour
(Tickets needed and must be reserved today, April 29. The group will be meeting here in
the lobby before departure)
Sunday, May 6
9:30 a.m., Coffee and Tea with Nate and Sam in Parish Room
11:00 a.m., Worship
12:30 p.m., Congregational Meeting and Vote
Meet Our Candidate
Nathan Walker was born in Munich, Germany and raised near the base of the Sierra’s near Lake Tahoe. For the past eight years, he has served churches in Manhattan, South Boston and White Plains, New York. He currently serves as the Consulting Interim Minister to the Unitarian Church of Staten Island.
As an administrator and educator, Nate worked at New York University, Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, Western Nevada Community College and Lake Tahoe Community College. He is a contributing author for the Dictionary of Unitarian Universalist Biography and currently serves on the Board of Murray Grove with church member Elizabeth Terry.
Nate is a candidate for a Doctor of Education at Columbia University, where he received a Master of Arts degree. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emerson College. He also trained with the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
Nate has presented his doctoral research at a staff briefing in the United States Senate and was recognized by Mother Jones and Air America as one of the top ten student activists in the country. His leadership has been featured in numerous publications including the New York Times, Village Voice, the Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed. You can learn more about his ministry at www.NateWalker.org.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Candidates for 2007-2008 First Church Positions
The 2007 Nominating Committee is delighted to present the following slate for positions on the Board, the Nominating Committee and Moderator. This slate will be voted on at the annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 20, 2007.
Nominating Methods: Members may become candidates for office by one of the following three methods: (1) by petition to the Board or the Nominating Committee; (2) by solicitation by the Nominating Committee; or (3) by nomination from the floor at the election meeting. Under any of these methods no one shall be nominated without their prior consent. Bylaws Article VIII: Elections.
Board Positions:
President: Debby Schultz
Treasurer: Mark Peterson
Secretary: Heather Speirs
At Large: Awaiting confirmation
Nominating Committee:
Phyllis Belk
Paul Carbino
Alan Gardner
Moderator
Amy Hillier Fraatz
Debhy Schultz (President, 1 year)
Debby has been a member of First Unitarian Church for approximately 30 years. She is currently serving as President on the Board of Trustees, after serving as Vice President and Trustee responsible for Personnel. She has also served five other years as Trustee on past Boards. For many years Debby playeed a very active role in CRE as committee chair and teacher. For over thirty years she has enjoyed her active involvement with the Church and cites her participation in Rebuilding Together and Community 2125 as two of the highlights. Debby has two daughters, Kate and Liz Salter, who grew up in First Church. She is married to Arthur Salter who although is not a member is an ardent supporter of First Church.
Mark Peterson (Treasurer, two years)
Mark Peterson, a retired psychologist who worked in New Hampshire for 32 years, is a recent transplant to Philadelphia, which makes it possible to be more actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren. Since arriving here, he has been involved with the property committee and more recently with issues related to the management of our endowment.
He has been involved in Unitarian Churches since the 60s but had a much greater level of activity since his retirement in 1998.Mark and his wife are avid travelers who have visited more than seventy countries. He continues with some training and consulting opportunities which appeal to his very deep love of teaching.
Heather Speirs (Secretary, two years)
I knew I would become a member from the first service I attended at First UU, in September of 2005. Although I had never attended a U-U service before, like so many other new members, I realized that I had always been a Unitarian. After signing the book, the first thing I did was to join the Build Your Own Theology class, a wonderful and affirming experience. Since then, I have served as a Greeter and an Usher, as well as interviewing and writing up the profiles of new members, participating in the organizing of the Trolley Tour of old Philadelphia Churches (to be held on May 5), editing some church documents and enjoying a Circle Dinner group (along with my husband Logan). I’m also an active member of Interweave. Perhaps the highlight of the past year in the church has been attending the many events we bid for at last year’s auction: from the poker party to the wine tasting, every host/hostess has been wonderful, every event a great chance to get to know another group of members.
Much of my previous life was spent as an English professor and Associate Dean in charge of Off Campus Programs/Study Abroad at Westmont College, a Christian liberal arts college in Santa Barbara, CA. So far, our life in Philadelphia is proving a much better fit. We’ve just bought our first home here, and one of the criteria was that it be walking distance from the church.
Phyllis Belk (Nominating Committee, 2 years)
Phyllis has been a UU for more than 30 years. She and her family belonged to the Delaware County UUs for years, and then in the 1990s she helped found a congregation in the Wilkes-Barre area. She has served as President of the Board and is currently leader of the Ministry Membership Team. In community activities, she is an officer in the American Association of University Women (AAUW), a member of the League of Women Voters (LWV), a worker for Habitat in countries abroad including South Africa, a member of the National Advisory Board for the National Council of Churches (NCCC) and a long-time board member of Pennsylvania Women’s Campaign Fund. Phyllis is mother of four and grandmother of eight.
Paul Carbino (Nominating Committee, 2 years)
I had attended services at a couple of Delaware Valley UU congregations, and realized that I was, and had been a Unitarian Universalist. But I knew, felt in my bones, upon entering First Church about 7 or 8 years ago, that I had indeed found a true spiritual home. I was warmly greeted, and found the coffee hour and the genial interaction with First Churchers to be the "deal maker.” I was hooked and knew that I would become a member of The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia.
Joining First Church was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am drawn to the congregation by not only the warmth and intelligence of our members, but by the values we share. I once said that it is nice to be with people to whom I do not have to explain myself.
I would not make the weekly 72 mile round-trip from my home in Vineland, NJ if I did not derive value and inspiration from communion with my fellow First Churchers. Our values matter, not only to ourselves, but to the nation and world at large. Though we are small in number, our message of hope and our liberal tradition may well be the beacon which shows the way in these troubled times to our fellow countrymen.
Alan Gardner (Nominating Committee, 2 years)
Alan has been a member of First Church since 1990 and has been involved in a number of different groups and committees over the years. Presently he co-teaches the 5-7 grade class in the Children's Religious Education program, and served as the Congregational representative on the Negotiating Team for the contract with our new minister. Alan and his spouse Kate were married at First Church in 1998 and they currently live in Mount Airy with their children Frances (5) and Simon (2). Alan enjoys meeting and welcoming new people into the First Church community, and at the same time he deeply values the caring friendship of those he has known for the past 15 years.
Amy Hillier Fraatz (Moderator, 2 years)
Amy Hillier Fraatz has been a member of First Church since 1996. She is especially interested in church issues relating to children, having served as a Sunday School teacher and member of the Children's Religious Education team for several years. She cares deeply about the way the church is governed, having served as chair of the Program Council and Vice President of the Board for two years. Her favorite church activities include children's chapel, potluck dinners, participating in Rebuilding Together, and singing hymns. She's not afraid to speak up and is committed to helping others have their voice heard.
Submitted by the 2007 Nominating Committee:
Karin Tetlow, Chair
Patrick Ream
Lynn Rubin
Dea Silbertrust
INTERIM TIMES
(A monthly column from our Interim Minister, Rev. Bill Metzger)
Here we are at candidating week and you should soon have a new minister-elect. This is an auspicious time, as we lay the groundwork for a new era in church life. Much has happened—with a new approach to governance and new initiatives in young adult programming, membership, social justice, and visible building improvements and planning for more restoration underway. You have stepped up to these challenges.
Just a few further thoughts about the relationship between congregation and minister: Last month I quoted the Rev. Andrew Backus who welcomed a colleague into ministry with these words: “You are not in charge here. This is not your church. You are not indispensable.” As Backus tells the story, a stunned silence followed, and he wondered why these things were not obvious.
So true, so true. The point is that the minister does not “run” the church. The minister is inevitably offered power, but as Backus says, “Ministry is nothing if it does not empower people to conduct their own religious lives and growth.”
Effective ministry is always a risky business; it is a tricky balance of giving and receiving power. You can kill it if you try to overdefine it with detailed job descriptions, or if you turn over all power to the minister. Sometimes we ministers enjoy this power and it can go to our heads. But a genuine sharing of the ministry between minister and laity is, I think, always the better choice.
This is a pivotal time in the life of the church. By the time you read this, Diana and I will have spent the better part of a week in Florida for the annual interim ministers’ retreat. At the end of the month, as you meet the settled minister candidate we will be in Texas, exploring the possibilities for “what’s next?”
Now is the time for the members and friends of First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia to step up some more, making generous pledges to the work of growing this church in its new era. Remember that gratitude and generosity go hand in hand—your gratitude for the presence of this vibrant religious community and a corresponding generosity to support its work.
With love,
Bill
YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM
Our UU Young Adult Group is as active as ever. Some members were hankering for a hike as signs of spring are in the air, and on Saturday, April 28, we launched our first official hike.
Others hit the streets to participate in an afternoon of giving away free hugs. A small group met up in Love Park bearing signs that read "Free Hugs." Anyone who wanted a hug got one, and the event proved very inspiring as we heard over and over that we made people's days. Many faces lit up as they realized what our little experiment was about, and we had some enthusiastic teenagers join our efforts, donning our signs as we called it a day. We had group hugs, hugs for people on roller blades, and one skateboarder coordinated a hug where he skated up and jumped off into the arms of one of our free huggers. Though many people said we made their day with our random acts of hugging, all involved felt as if our day was made by participating.
Our Sunday Evening Worship service has continued to be a source of joy and inspiration, and has migrated to a cozier and more informal venue in the Parish Room.This month we included two services to account for Candidating Week. Our young adults continue to be creative as we put together services based on different themes.
On April 23 we invited a laughter yoga leader into our midst to tickle our funny bones. Laughter Yoga was developed by an Indian doctor, and has been featured on Oprah. We have also held our first meditation group. Our regular events continue to be well attended.
The Young Adults continue to be active, and we look forward to being a vital part of the church community.
Submitted by Jason Kelley
REFLECTIONS
“Free At Last!”
Originally published in The Queen Village Crier
Driving home from my evening job, I used to chant, coming around the corner to Queen Street, “Please, let there be a parking space!” Sometimes there was, but often I circled many blocks before finding one.
After retirement, there was time to walk more—and more, and more. It was pleasant. I walked to the theater, concerts and the super market. Or just walked. The old preoccupation with parking spaces didn’t leave. I noted empty parking spaces, even in other neighborhoods.
My car (which I was fond of) sat for long stretches without any exercise, as I got more of it. It began to seem strange to be paying $6.00 a day for auto insurance, when I didn’t use the car very much.
So I sold it. I take buses and cabs a lot, since there’s no auto insurance bill. Friends who know I don’t have transportation offer me rides. But I could join Philly Car Share or rent a car, too.
It’s great to be free of the need for a parking space, and an adventure, deciding how to get the transportation you need.
Submitted by Marilyn Ashbrook
The Tragedy at Virginia Tech
(Excerpts from a letter by Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche)
We can see from this event that the negative thinking and negative meditation of one person can cause a lot of suffering in the world. We should also know that the practice of Dharma, of positive thinking, of one person can cause a lot of happiness in the world.
We hear on the news again and again the discussion of blame and praise. But not hear anyone say what is really the cause of this matter, that that man practiced angry meditation more and more strongly over time until he exploded with anger. Even though he seemed weak and shy, through the power of his anger manifesting, he was able to kill and hurt many people physically and millions of people mentally by hearing this sad news.
We should know that the power of thinking is immeasurable, and its potential for harm and also benefit are also immeasurable. We should understand this, and understand that anger and angry meditation are bad.
When we hear of bad things, we can practice positively. We should think of these suffering people and victims, even including the criminals and evil people who do these things as if they were our own parents, or our own brothers and sisters. We should have compassion for them all and feel the need to help them all, without omitting any.
Whatever negative things we hear of, we should know to practice immediately the opposite of those negative thoughts and meditations in our own minds. Those negative things should be like fuel that we throw into the fire of our own compassion for others. And we should eagerly and optimistically look for ways to help others both near to us and far away. We should not try to ignore these things or make ourselves nervous worrying about them in a helpless manner. We should practice the Dharma of positive thinking more and more.
Submitted by Karin Tetlow
Previous page: The Beacon - June/July 2007
Next page: The Beacon - April 2007