The Beacon - November 2007
November Worship Services
(Service is held on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the
Sanctuary.)
November 4-“Spiritual Maturity.” Rev. Nate will draw upon the books entitled “Clergy Killers” and “Antagonists in the Church” to humorously poke fun at church life. In this context he will explore the ways that spiritual mature leaders can transform harmful patterns and heal family and church systems. Worship Associates: Luana Goodwin and Heather Spears.
November 11-“Before Forgiveness.” Many clergy are uncritical about the act of forgiveness and advise people to forgive too quickly. Is it possible to counsel a victim not to forgive? Could forgiveness be harmful in some circumstances? Rev. Nate will use these questions in the context of his work with the Poverty Truth Commission, which was inspired by South
Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
November 18-“Hungry for Hope.” A picture is worth a thousand words. What is the picture of hunger in the world? Who is suffering and why? Could it be that a hungry world is desperately hungry for hope? Join Rev. Nate and Worship Associates, Rick Womer and Fran Poodry, for an interactive and inspiring service on world hunger. This will also be an intergenerational service.
November 25-“Last of the Boys.” With increasing frequency Americans are comparing the war in Iraq to the Vietnam War. Media reports and casual conversations across the country are filled with phrases like “noble cause,” “mistaken war,” “lack of preparation,” “quagmire,” “support our troops,” and “no exit strategy.” A whole new generation of veterans are streaming back from Iraq, carrying with them the physical injuries and the psychological scars of a conflict that has divided America as acutely as the rest of the world. Often forgotten or left behind, our veterans understand better than anyone the real price of war. Join Worship Associate Ken Olin and the Theater Discussion Group who are sponsoring this service based on the play Last of the Boys playing Oct 18 – November 18 at Philadelphia’s Theater Club.
Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Worship
November 21, 7:00 PM
(Off-Site Event)
Please join Rev. Nate and local clergy and congregants from faith communities for Center City's Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Worship Service.
When: Wednesday, November 21st, 7:00 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia
201 South 21st Street at Walnut
www.fpcphila.org/
Please bring food to contribute to hospitality hour after the service.
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Begin Anew:
The Congregation’s Covenant of Mindful Relations
I was moved by the tenderness and attentiveness that you brought to our worship service on Deep Listening and Loving Speech. I found you to be aware and receptive. I am also overjoyed that 16 people were willing to become Discernment Practitioners. In this role, they will each facilitate two groups of 5-8 people in crafting the language that will inform the congregation’s Covenant of Mindful Relations.
I am aware of using jargon so let me unpack the meaning behind my words. A Discernment Practitioner is a lay-leader who uses spiritual disciplines (like deep listening and loving speech) to help a small group become aware of their best practices for being in community. Discernment Practitioners will facilitate the congregation in crafting a unique covenant - an agreement and promise that informs how our church family will live and learn together. Hundreds of Unitarian Universalists congregations have crafted Right-Relations Covenants in order to inspire their community to be intentional about how they engage in communication and conflict. This document should not to be confused with dogma or a punitive behavioral policy. The term “right relations” derives from Buddhism’s Eightfold Path: practicing right views, intent, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort and mindfulness and concentration. Instead of using the term “right,” which may imply a “wrong,” leaders in the First Church family have agreed to engage in a year-long process to help the congregation craft a Covenant of Mindful Relations.
The process by which this document is crafted is called Begin Anew. It is an intentional practice used by Buddhist monasteries to reconcile all matters, no matter how small. In the next months the Discernment Practitioners will be learning facilitation techniques that will guide small groups to reflect upon best practices for living and learning in a religious community. By doing so, each of you will have the opportunity to share your wisdom for how we can be together, and thereby demonstrate that, as my friend Tony Panzetta says, “none of us are as smart as all of us.”
Stay tuned for a personal invitation to attend the Begin Anew workshops.
With joy and gratitude,
Rev. Nate Walker
Settled Minister
215-701-9072
RevNate[AT]PhilaUU.org
CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Greetings From Your CRE Director
I just finished reading a book called Everyday Spiritual Practice: Simple Pathways for Enriching Your Life, edited by Scott W. Alexander and published by Skinner House from the UUA. It is a collection of almost 40 essays written by Unitarian Universalist ministers and leaders about their particular spiritual practice or discipline. The writings are organized into different modalities: engaging the mind through contemplation, engaging the body through activity and nourishment, engaging the heart through relationship, engaging the will through right action and engaging the soul through creativity. Practices range from creating an altar to attending silent retreats to swimming to vegetarianism.
As I first began to read the essays, I approached the collection as a sort of menu from which I was supposed to choose the practice that held the most meaning. Some were certainly attractive and had meaning, but none resonated enough to make me think, “I need to try this”. As I neared the end of the book I realized that isn’t the point, or at least, that’s not where the power of the book lies. All of these men and women found their spiritual practice not by copying someone else’s, but through trial and error over years. I realized that it is better to examine my own life and look for themes that I can develop as an everyday spiritual practice. Rather than looking at a specific technique, it was helpful to look at the modalities that have more meaning for me. The two that interest me the most are relationship and creativity.
So what is a spiritual practice? A clue comes from the subtitle, Simple Pathways for Enriching Your Life and is further explained in the introduction: “This book [shows how you can] spiritually examine, shape, and care for your life--and the life around you--to achieve more wholeness, satisfaction, depth, and meaning.” In theory, almost anything could become a spiritual practice with the right approach. Think of the Japanese tea ceremony or Zen archery. For me, a spiritual practice should nourish my spirit, calm me in turbulent times, help me determine correct action and broaden my heart. Right now I can’t say I have a practice that fulfills all those requirements, so I have some work to do. Perhaps there is something I do now that, with some added consciousness and intention, could become a spiritual practice. You are welcome to ask me how I am doing in my search.
With affection,
Jansen Wendell
Jansen[AT]PhilaUU.org
November Worship Highlights
Sunday, November 4, 11:00, children’s chapel: Children will worship for 15 minutes, followed by church school classes
Sunday, November 11, 11:00, children’s chapel: Children will worship for 15 minutes, followed by church school classes
Sunday, November 11, 11:00: sanctuary: Thanksgiving family service. Children remain with their parents for the entire service. Childcare for younger children and infants is available.
Sunday, November 25, 11:00, Griffin Hall: All Together Sunday. All children, K-8 share a worship service and program together.
A special thank you goes to Kim Cox for her special chapel homily about differences.
Chalice Lighting ceremony: Any family that wants to participate in the chalice lighting for an adult service is encouraged to contact Jansen. There will be enough Sundays to accommodate all interested families.
CRE Registration: Don’t forget to bring in your legible registration, complete with check and at least one activity in which you are willing to participate.
Teachers needed: We still need one 4-5 grade, two Pre-k/Kindergarten and two 1-3 grade and teachers to complete our teams. Now is the time to step up and contribute.
Getting to Know UU
As many of you may have heard, the very active First Church member Seth Carrier recently decided to move back to his hometown of Northampton, MA. It just so happens that this writer visited the city of Northampton in early October and got to see the church where Seth grew up (and has returned). The Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence was originally founded as the Second Congregational Society of Northampton in 1825 with a lovely Greek Revival structure built that same year. (Another link to the Northampton Society was the Rev. Charles Eliot St. John, who also served at our own First Church at the turn of the last century.)
In 1863, the Free Congregational Society of Florence was also formed a few short miles away as the evolutionary result of a utopian society founded in the 1840’s known as “The Northampton Association for Education and Industry.” The Florence group was quite radical for its time, with a manifesto that read, in part, “Respecting in each other and in all, the right of intellect and conscience to be free, and holding it to be the duty of everyone to keep his mind and heart at all times open to receive the truth and follow its guidance, we set up no theological condition of membership and neither demand or expect uniformity of doctrinal belief; asking only unity of purpose to seek and accept the right and true, and an honest aim and effort to make these the rule of life. And recognizing the brotherhood of the human race and the equality of human rights, we make no distinction as to the conditions and rights of membership in this society, on account of sex, or color, or nationality.” All members had an equal vote, including women and African Americans. Sounds very UU, but this was far too radical even for the Unitarians of the mid-1800s!
As both Societies saw their numbers dwindle in the early 20th Century, they merged as The Unitarian Church of Northampton and Florence in 1944 and in 1972 changed their designation to that of a Society. Their membership has strongly rebounded since the merger to over 400. Now in the 2nd year of Interim Ministry, they are on the next step to finding a new minister. Their website is www.uunorthampton.org.
Submitted by Ken Olin
President’s Commentary
Ah, November. What always comes to my mind when I think November is Thanksgiving, a major holiday in our home with relatives visiting for various periods of time between Wednesday and Sunday. It’s a wonderful tradition, one that I am thankful for as I am blessed by a loving extended family. First Church is part of that extended family and interestingly, being president has enabled my First Church extended family to grow. For the love and support so many of you have extended, I am thankful.
I’m delighted to say that the Board has continued the practice of writing Thank You notes. I also am delighted with the addition of the Kudos column in the Beacon and encourage you to submit entries. It’s wonderful to recognize the passion, hours and love that many contribute to First Church and so here I go! Thanks for….
All of the Liturgists, Worship Associates, Ushers and Greeters that ensured stimulating, community building summer services. Their contributions have continued throughout this church year.
The wonderful “new” lights on the porch … Christina Doe, Dane Wells and the team who cleaned them. Truly eye-catching.
The Staff for attending to so many details in really sprucing up and preparing the church for Rev. Nate’s first September service
An inspiring Water Communion, a collage of wonderful intentions.
All who contributed to the reception on September 9th welcoming Rev Nate and honoring our ministers … Christine Carlson, Anne Slater, Ed Close, the Staff, the Tomalins and all who brought some real treats.
The well-attended Ministry Team brunch providing many the opportunity to get engaged and share ideas. It was great to see the Parish room overflowing into other parts of the church.
Rev. Nate whose passion, energy and openness is amazing
All who have lovingly shared with Rev. Nate their joys and concerns regarding changes in the Sunday services
The generosity demonstrated by the hosts and hostesses of auction events/offerings. What fun and in many cases feasts!
The Ministry Leadership Team, the many Ministry Teams and the individual contributors who lovingly ensure the work and ministry of the church get done.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Joseph Priestley District (JPD) who support First Church through vision, information, programs, consultants and grants.
Our volunteer and paid office staff who always can help with my inquiry when I call the church. Norman, what would I do without you!
A terrific Board. Our October meeting felt and was great.
Jane Cox and Ann Adams who attended our open Board Meetings in the spirit of better understanding our governance model
Our membership, a wonderful combination of long-term and newer members and friends. You are the church. Your generosity in the form of ideas, skills, time, love and money make it happen.
Our visitors, many of who are considering becoming members. You bring new life and welcome perspectives.
Our children whose sheer presence, continuous motion, insightful and some times very funny comments, actions and outfits just capture my attention. It was wonderful to start our year with a child dedication. May they continue.
Our friends and members who have reached out to help someone and to those who have reached out to the church family for support
Arthur, my spouse and Liz and Kate, my daughters for your love, patience and suggestions when church work starts to consume me.
Each of you who have reached out and supported me via a smile, comment, eMail, call, letter, hug, you name it!
I am blessed. May you too experience the blessings of First Church. They come in so many forms and for the “gifts” of this community I am thankful.
With love,
Debby Schultz
SOCIAL JUSTICE MINSITRY
Recycling
Please bring your cleaned, crushed, plastic bottles with a neck to the corner of 22nd and Spruce Sts. on the first and third Saturday of every month (between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.). Also bring cardboard and mixed paper. The Community Outreach Program benefits from the funds gained from this project, along with programs like WinterShelter, in which we participate.
Books Through Bars
We continue to support this program which sends books to prisoners. Packing takes place at the A Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave. every Tuesday 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. and the first and third Saturday of the month 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Check the flyers attached to the donations bin in our lobby, and on their website, www.BooksThroughBars.org. They do not need hardback fiction, out of date reference, old textbooks. The late Barbara Hirshowitz, founder of Books Through Bars, was honored along with 29 other heroes of social justice at the Bread and Roses Community Fund 30th Anniversary dinner on October 11.
Winter Shelter
In conjunction with the Bethesda Project and Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church (and many other churches and individuals in Center City) we help to provide a good dinner and friendly servers to 22 men for the five coldest months of the year. They come from their own daytime shelter with social serevices, workshops, and prayer designed to help them get back on their feet. We are committed to cooking and serving on the first Wednesday and the Fourth Friday of every month at Trinity(22nd and Spruce Sts). Sign up sheets are available in the back of the church. Teams of people, families are encouraged to take part but registration MUST be made at least a week ahead of serving with the coordinator. Call Ginny Beier to register at 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu.
Fair Trade Coffee
If individuals are interested in purchasing Equal Exchange coffee through the church please leave your name on a SIGN UP SHEET NEAR THE COFFEE AND TAKE A BROCHURE. To receive a discount orders must be in quantities of 6 pkg. of 10 oz. coffee. Contact Ginny Beier, 215-545-7831.
Volunteer as a Literacy Tutor
The Social Justice Ministry will be exploring the ways FirstUU can support literacy (among other topics). Without improvements in literacy in Philadelphia, improvements in economic and legal equality are not likely to occur. At this moment, Sharon Tomalin is looking for volunteers who will tutor children and adults at AchieveAbility, a social service agency serving homeless families in West Philadelphia. If you are unsure of how to go about tutoring, Sharon will support/train you. 215-735-5047.
Social Justice Ministry Team Meeting
Sunday, November 11, 12:30 PM
Please come to the Social Justice ministry team meeting on Sunday, November 11th from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. in the Parish Room. Snacks will be provided (and childcare). We're going to hear from folks who are heading up smaller groups working on Anti-Violence, Literacy, Homelessness and Housing projects. They'll be presenting ideas about what they hope to do this year and how the congregation can participate and be educated about the issues. We'll be adding subgroups as leadership teams emerge. The more participants the more we can accomplish, so please come. For info, contact Janet Scannell at jscannell[AT]brynmawr.edu or 215-991-6325.
Racial Justice: Creating a Jubilee World
Friday, November 16 – Saturday, November 17
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Unitarian Society of Germantown
Led by experienced Unitarian Universalist Association anti-racism trainers, participants will examine their personal experiences with racism as well as understand institutional racism. The program empowers participants to help Unitarian Universalist congregations dismantle racism. This is accomplished by developing a realistic plan that can move their congregations forward in working for racial justice. A light dinner will be provided Friday evening. Saturday, a continental style breakfast and a delicious soul-food lunch will be provided. To registrar please contact Rev. Chester McCall at 215-840-6656 or by email at minister[AT]Restoration.us. Registration Deadline: Thursday, November 1, 2007.
ADULT PROGRAMS
We invite you to check out the new Adult Religious Education brochure available in our lobby where you can learn more about these and other programs going on this Fall at First Church!
Population Education:
Sunday, Jan. 13, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
This one-time workshop is designed to train CRE teachers on how to use Population Education with the children. Population growth affects our environment, including air and water; it affects economies; it affects energy availability, use, and distribution; and it also affects our everyday lives, whether we live in the city, the suburbs, or anywhere in the world. We’ll explore activities that can be done with children at multiple age levels (elementary through high school) to introduce the issues and develop strategies for dealing with them in a way consistent with the UU principles. Facilitator Fran Poodry 610-544-8056, fpoodry[AT]speakeasy.net
Depression Support Group
The group continues to meet on the first Sunday of each month, following service. For more info contact Arcenia Rosal at 215-561-6506, or Lynn Rubin at 215-837-3371.
Women's Book Club
Please note the change in date for our November meeting. We will meet on Monday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. Please RSVP to hostess Diane Rukavina at 215-732-1928 or dianeruk[AT]aol.com. To keep pace with a busy church schedule (plus a 500 page book) we are postponing the meeting one week.
Unfortunately last month's discussion of The Children of the Alley was somewhat limited because of conflicts but a valiant effort was made by the facilitator Shirly Trauger to lead us in this historic novel. We hope the added week of reading will produce a larger crowd to contemplate the world's new geography. Contact Ginny Beier with comments or questions. 215-545-7831 or vhbeier[AT]hep.upenn.edu. Next month's reading 12/3 is Sailing Alone Around the Room by Billie Collins (poems).
Native American Spirituality for Women
This ongoing class, facilitated by member Connie Baker, will start its third year in January. It is for women who would like to know more about traditional Native American spiritual practices and culture. The class currently meets on the first Friday of every month, but that is open to change, if there is consensus.
Native Americans lived a balanced life, in terms of how they used natural resources, and considered everything to be sacred and equal in importance. They believed in living harmoniously with nature, and were taught to be aware of the impact of everything they did. Of course, there were differences among the 500+ tribes, but those are general statements that can be made.
The first class of the new year will be on January 4, at 7:00 p.m., in the Fahs Room. Suggested reading to bring interested people up to speed is Mother Earth Spirituality, by Ed McGaa, Eagle Man. For further information, you may contact Connie at 856-282-7448, via email at conniejazz[AT]comcast.net, or see her after church.
Parents as Spiritual Guides
Parents are invited to join us for this course bringing about awareness and intentionality to your home spiritual life. The course runs on Sundays after service through Nov. 18. Contact: Jansen Wendell, CRE Director, (215) 563-3980, ext. 305, Jansen[AT]PhilaUU.org.
BEACON BITS
Ministry Discernment Group
Have you ever considered enrolling in seminary? Do you feel compelled to be an ordained minister? If so, please contact Rev. Nate so he can connect you with five other individuals in the congregation who will begin to meet regularly to discern their call to ministry.
Winter Rummage Sale
GOT TOO MUCH STUFF? Don't forget our Winter Rummage Sale! START COLLECTING NOW! The Sixth Annual World-Class Rummage Sale will be held Saturday, February 23. We want your stuff. Keep it, collect it, amass it and donate it. And don't forget - Saturday, February 23 is the date!
Volunteers Needed!!
Want to lend a hand? On your own schedule you could help First Church..
• touch-up paint in the lobby or stairwell (some experience required).
• to vacuum pew pads, and do minor sewing repairs (mending buttons and rips)
• wax removal
… Contact Christina[AT]PhilaUU.org !
Circle Dinners
This is the time of year we sign up for Circle Dinner groups. It's a great way to get to know the people of FirstUU. Sign-up sheets and Circle Dinner flyers are available on the table at the back of the sanctuary. Sign up now!
Friendly Voices, Smiling Faces
The many callers and visitors this fall deserve our warmest welcome. An attentive receptionist is the best person to provide information and to encourage deepening an interest in our church and our programs. If you are able to volunteer your services (morning or afternoon hours), please call Mike McKee or Norman Fouhy at 215-563-3980, or email mike[AT]philauu.org.
KUDOS
Thanks to Mike Dorn, Abigail-Reponen Wendell and Lewis Wendell for their generosity in transporting our donations for Books Through Bars.
- Marilyn Ashbrook
Send your words of appreciation in to the Kudos section! Send your submissions to Heather Speirs at hmspeirs[AT]gmail.com.
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS
Play Discussion Group for 2007 – 2008
All members and friends of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia are invited to sign up for this on-going theater discussion program. Please sign up for the program on the sheets at the rear of the sanctuary or by e-mail to valsand[AT]earthlink.net indicating your preferred meeting day of the week for the discussion group. If you are interested in hosting a discussion group please indicate that on your sign-up sheet or e-mail.
For our second play, we have selected the play at the Interact Theater at 2030 Sansom Street - Last of the Boys, which runs from October 19 through November 18. The discussion for this play is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20 at the Sandberg apartment, #508 in the William Penn House, and the sermon of November 25 will relate to this play. Please contact Val Sandberg if you are interested in attending the discussion, Val, valsand[AT]earthlink.net.
Following plays include:
Wittenberg at the Arden Theater
January 17 - March 9, 2008
Eurydice at the Wilma Theater
April 30 – June 1, 2008
MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY TEAM
New Member Orientation (…And More!)
Orientations for new members, introductions for visitors during service, recruiting more people for the Circle Dinners, plans for Interweave, Sunday morning coffee hour, and follow-up calls to visitors. These were some of the topics on the agenda of the Membership Ministry Team the past few weeks.
Our next meeting is 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 29 in Rev. Nate’s office (the Shared Ministry Suite) at the church. We welcome new people as members of Membership! This is a good committee for new members because, based on their own experience, they can provide ideas for improvement to our processes of welcoming people and helping newcomers become integrated into our congregation.
This fall, the Membership Team provided an all-church Brunch on September 23 (with help from many other church members who brought food); and coordinated the Orientation session Oct. 7, attended by about 20 persons, and helped with the new member in-gathering ceremony on Oct. 14. We’re preparing the biographical information on new members and taking photographs (thanks Steve Lynch) that will be in the Beacon and on the website.
We are very pleased that nine persons, all of whom had attended the October 7 Orientation, joined the church the following Sunday in a ceremony coordinated by our team with Rev. Nate. Information about them is in this issue of the Beacon.
Other responsibilities of our committee include the Circle Dinners (Sharon Tomalin), editing the all-purpose brochure about the church and membership, and calling all visitors to tell them we’re glad they came to the church and to obtain feedback. The names and phone numbers of visitors are divided among the Membership Team to make calls. Helping with that are Gerry Parchman, Paul Costa, Luana Goodwin, Steve Lynch, Anne Slater, Sharon and Mike Tomalin, Karin Tetlow and Phyllis Belk.
We’ve added three new team members –Paul Costa, George Shinn and Kate Laepple Hertzog.
On the agenda for our next meeting is a critique of the Orientation and New Member ceremonies, the need to find people to help with Sunday coffee hour refreshments and a monthly brunch, revving up ConnectU training, deciding about offering “The NewUU,” and the ongoing responsibility of helping existing members as well as new members connect to church activities.
If you’d like to attend our meeting and/or think about joining the team, contact Phyllis Belk, 215-769-3553, or Phyllis.belk[AT]verizon.net.
Submitted by Phyllis Belk
Membership Team chair
Phyllis.belk[AT]verizon.net
MUSIC NOTES
Dolce Suono Concert Series Announces New Home at First Church
The Dolce Suono Chamber Music Concert Series, a highly acclaimed and innovative performing organization in Philadelphia, enters its third season. After two seasons at the University of Pennsylvania, Dolce Suono has moved to a new, larger home here at First Unitarian Church. The season has expanded from four to five concerts. Dolce Suono’s educational outreach partnership with the Penn Alexander School in West Philadelphia is entering its third year. www.dolcesuono.com
The Dolce Suono Chamber Music Concert Series is known for offering chamber concerts of the highest level of artistic excellence to the public free of charge. Its core musicians hail from such institutions as the Curtis Institute of Music, The Philadelphia Orchestra, University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University. Dolce Suono’s programming is fresh and diverse, and it breaks down barriers between performers and audience with musicians speaking from the stage, post-concert Meet the Artists, and educational outreach partnerships in the Philadelphia public schools. Dolce Suono’s founder and artistic director is flutist Mimi Stillman, internationally acclaimed as soloist and chamber musician. A Yamaha Performing Artist, she was the youngest wind player ever to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and at twelve was the youngest wind player ever accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree.
Concerts at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 7:30pm Air Power: Wind Quintet and Piano
Mimi Stillman, flute (Yamaha Performing Artist); Geoffrey Deemer, oboe (Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia); Sam Caviezel, clarinet (The Philadelphia Orchestra); Michelle Rosen, bassoon (Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia); Jen Montone, horn (The Philadelphia Orchestra); Susan Nowicki, piano (Curtis Institute of Music)
Music of Poulenc, Barber, Ibert, Higdon
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 7:30pm Love Songs: A Valentine Serenade
Mimi Stillman, flute (Yamaha Performing Artist) & Allen Krantz, guitar (Temple University)
Music of Fauré, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Piazzolla, Brahms, and Dorff
MINISTRY LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Ministry Leadership Team (MLT) met to review the work of the various Ministry Teams and overall progress on achieving the Annual Vision of Ministry as written by the Board and MLT at the August retreat. We were able to note a lot of activity and accomplishment in many areas.
The team noted Rev. Nate has made himself especially available to the teams as they reformed and resumed their work this year. We recognized that, while it has been important and appropriate to make these initial connections, his regular appearance at all ministry team meetings was not an expectation. Ministry teams should be aware of the many demands on his time and pin point those areas where they feel they need his specific input.
Members of the Ministry Leadership Team are Rev. Nate and Luana Goodwin, Co-chairs; Carol Peterson, Phebe Shinn, Anne Slater.
The broad program areas of the church are: Adult Religious Education, Children’s Religious Education, Communication, Finance, Membership, Property, Social Justice, Worship, Young Adult. All of the members of the MLT have liaison roles to these various teams: Luana to Finance and Social Justice, Carol to Membership and Young Adult, Phebe to Property, Anne to ARE and CRE.
If you have questions, concerns or suggestions relating to a particular Ministry Team, please contact the head of that Ministry Team or pass it along to the MLT member who is liaison to that area.
Submitted by Luana Goodwin
Start-Up Workshop with Our New Minister November 9-10
Our congregation’s Ministerial Start-Up workshop will be held at the church on Friday evening, November 9 through Saturday, November 10. All members and friends are invited to participate in the Friday Evening Event, which is from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Church leaders (Board and Ministry Team leaders) are invited to participate in both the Friday and Saturday (8:45a.m.-4:00 p.m.) programs.
What is a ministerial start-up? It is a very important time of focused conversation with our new minister, congregational leaders, and members to clarify expectations, roles, and priorities as we embark upon the first year of our new ministerial relationship. The Joseph Priestley District of the UUA provides facilitation for such conversations. Our facilitators will be Meredith Higgins and Rev. Melora Lynngood.
Please come and participate! RSVP to Norman Fouhy at 215-563-3980 x 303 by Monday, November 5. Let us know if you need child care. Fridays’s supper will be potluck. Coffee and simple breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday.
FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Board Happenings
Key actions/discussions at the October 10th Board Meeting included:
September financial status discussion
Budget: Review and approval of an amended budget to mainly address the pledge shortfall
Audit – First steps in ensuring an audit occurs this year (Mark Peterson)
Board Goals – October through May
Enhancing congregational knowledge of and accessibility to the Board – Who are we? What do we do? The underlying governance structure guiding the Board. Enhanced accessibility to the Board.
Thoroughly understanding the Members and Friends of First Church – Their interests, talents, wishes, long-term goals; Process for engaging new members into the teams and other activities of more seasoned members
Establishing an Endowment and Gifts Management Working Group with the goal of establishing processes for encouraging, maintaining and recording bequests/gifts and their ongoing associated expenditures and for regularly reviewing and reporting the state of the funds
Completing an independent audit/review of financial records in the 2007-2008 church year
Ongoing Policy work
Safe Congregation – Ongoing work to add a policy statement and enhance current procedures (Debby Schultz)
Budget Responsibility – potentially enhancing the current policy
Rentals – New policy statement (Shirley Steele and Virginia DeRolf)
Fair Share Contributions – Consideration of a policy statement
Questions? Feel free to talk with any member of the Board. All members and friends are welcome to attend the Board Meetings which are held the second Wednesday of each month in the Ministry Suite.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The Property Ministry Team is moving forward with projects large and small.
The walls of the Chestnut Street porch are freshly restored and painted in the color of the original lime wash from 130 years ago. The original paint colors of the woodwork and ceiling have been established--but finding a painter able and willing to take on this somewhat tricky project has been impossible so far. Property has decided to go ahead with the door painting first. This is because the project recently was blessed with a grant of over $5,000 from an anonymous donor who wants to help along this restoration project. THANK YOU!
Projects proposed in this year's church budget have had to be scaled back. Property casualties include resetting bluestone sidewalk pavers and retiling the basement restrooms.
Complete renovation of the masonry exterior of our buildings may be possible in the next few months, Property is working with our architects and engineers to prepare for this vital work to stop water penetration and structural failure--and greatly enhance the appearance of the church.
The gardeners among you already know this--we have a master gardener on our church staff. The plantings along the walk to the Parish House have been chosen with care over several years. This is a challengingly shaded area, and yet, our gardener finds dozens of species, big-leafed and delicate, to thrive along this shady path and cheer us every day as we walk to the entrance. Here's hoping all will enjoy this garden--it should get a prize!--and let us all thank Caretaker Christina Doe for the creation and maintenance of this lovely aspect of our grounds.
Submitted by Richard Frey
Chair, Property Ministerial Taskforce
MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!
Missouri Ammons
Missouri Ammons is a recent Boston transplant. In reply to our request to tell us about her, she said, “I’ve traveled far and wide and stayed close to home. I don’t know exactly where I’m going -- but I sure know where I’ve been. I’m glad to have found the U.U. and all you welcoming folk.”
Eva Baker
Eva is currently an Architecture graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania and will be graduating in May. Originally from Belmont, Massachusetts- a suburb of Boston, Eva attended Syracuse University for Chemistry before coming to Philadelphia to continue her education. When not at studio, you can usually find her eating her way through all the amazing restaurants here in the city or riding one of her many bikes- mountain, road, or fixed gear- in an effort to burn off all those calories she has just consumed as well as a way to fundraise for various causes such as the American Cancer Society or Multiple Sclerosis.
Having grown up at the Unitarian Universalist’s First Church in Belmont, Eva has a long history with the church and UUism. Despite having refused to attend Sunday school and having to be bribed with a cat to attend AYS- the older version of OWL- she ended up falling in love with the youth group. By the time she arrived at college, she realized just how much UUism was a part of her life and started a campus ministry group. Upon arriving here in Philly, she happened upon this church and was excited to find such a wonderful congregation.
Eva is a list maker, and has started what she calls a 30 by 30 which are thirty things she needs to do before she turns 30. Some of the items Eva has put on her list include learning how to milk a cow, ride an elephant, bike a century (which is 100 miles), learn to fish, and to actually make it apple picking since it always seems to rain every time she attempts to go. Eva most recently accomplished learning how to rock climb.
Mark DeCourval
Mark DeCourval recently retired after 50 plus years working in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. Originally from Michigan, he came to Philadelphia
courtesy of the US Navy, and upon discharge, went to work for the Philadelphia National Bank/CoreStates/First Union/Wachovia as a Vice President in Information Retrieval and Delivery Systems. Both his Bachelors and Masters degrees were earned from Drexel University. He is currently single and busy renovating his recently acquired co-op in center city. He plans to have a busy retirement time with traveling, pursing his hobby of buying and selling TV/Movie memorabilia (focus of which is the Wizard of OZ), volunteer work for Manna and First Unitarian, and square dancing with the Independence Squares who used to rent space in this church basement. Additionally, he welcomes this time to pursue a life long dream of becoming part of the Unitarian ministry and is currently exploring seminary studies. He wishes for all of you peace, love, and good health.
Janet Elfring
Janet is reconnecting with our congregation after eight years in China. With an uncle who is a Unitarian minister, Janet’s history of involvement with Unitarianism and the UU church goes clear back to the 40s when she started in Unitarian Sunday school in Cincinnati.
She spent five years in the youth organization LRY (Liberal Religious Youth) in Ohio. Janet left Unitarianism and left this church about 10 years ago before leaving for China in 1999. Surprisingly, she reconnected to the UU religion while living in Beijing by joining and becoming active in the virtual Unitarian-Universalist church FUUSL in the virtual world, Second Life. Originally from Ohio, Janet has lived in many places across the country from Massachusetts to Alaska plus two years in the Peace Corps in Brazil and eight years teaching in China. Much of this moving about is a result of the co-op work program from Antioch College where she got a bachelors degree in Chinese history. Among her many jobs she has worked for the civil rights organization SNCC in Chicago, for the Democratic Party in Seattle, and for the Phila Corporation for Aging as a lobbyist and PR director. She has also worked as a government press secretary in Pennsylvania.
Janet has two daughters and will be a first time grandmother in January. She would welcome connections and suggestions about potential jobs.
Joan Forman
Joan Forman grew up in Montgomery County, PA where her parents had a paint and wallpaper store. She said, “As the granddaughter of immigrants, I had the advantage of living in a trilingual home (Hungarian, Yiddish, English) which I believe to have been an enriching experience.” After graduation from college, she became a teacher in the Philadelphia School District where she shortly had a position as a reading specialist, finally retiring in 1999.
“My spiritual journey has been long,” Joanie says. “I was raised Jewish, attended Sunday School, learned bible stories, enjoyed the holidays, and worked very hard at being a good girl. However, for most of my adult life I simply didn’t ‘do’ any religion at all. When I came to First Church, I enjoyed the services, and this loving community.”
She also attended a liberal synagogue for awhile because she felt she “should” check out her roots. “However, my problems with the image of god as Big Daddy in the Sky never went away so I dropped out for several years. Then, friends, who were planning to attend the 2006 Services Auction at First Unitarian invited me to come along. Unsure that I would be welcome, I hesitantly agreed. As I entered the community room an old friend loudly announced, "Joanie’s back" so, I knew it would be o.k. I am very happy to be here where I feel so welcome.”
Desiree Hines
Desiree Hines was born in Jackson, Mississippi to a Multi-Cultural family with roots in Haiti, Tunisia, French Guyana, and the Choctaw Indian Tribe. She comes to us with a backrgound in the Episcopal Church but also with a strong desire to explore other valuable religious traditions.
Desiree is currently in the Second Phase of starting a New York based Catering and Event Management company. She enters this after serving 12 years in the field of Church Music. She is also employed with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. She currently resides in Center City. She is a classically trained Organist and has studied Organ and Choral Conducting with many major individuals in both fields.
Eric and Jane Jordan
Eric Jordan is a stay-at-home Dad, a freelance jack-of-all-trades, and a shameless punster and humorist. He and Jane have been married for seven years and have a three year old daughter. Eric says he has come to First Unitarian to remind everyone that the greatest danger lies in taking ourselves too seriously. You cannot laugh at yourself and at the same time hate someone else. He hopes to someday enter the UU Ministry.
Jane and Eric moved here from Tennessee a year ago in order for Jane to be an AmeriCorps VISTA worker at PathwaysPA where she writes press releases. She’s already joined the Communications Ministry Team at our church. Jane enjoys reading fiction and nonfiction, and listening to NPR programs. She has a strong sense of purpose, “a desire to see that those who are less fortunate receive all the assistance and benefits they are entitled to and to help get them on their feet.”
Ed Rinear
Ed is originally from Northeast Philadelphia. He graduated from Penn State, majoring in psychology. After school, Ed was in the Navy for 4 years. He has held various positions, but the main ones are as follows: real estate specialist for PennDOT for 2 ½ years, public welfare worker for 7 years, and residential counselor in a group home for the mentally ill for almost 18 years. He has recently become interested in cyber space purchasing a computer March 2007 and taking several non credit courses at a local college. Dining out and movies are among his interests. Ed retired in July 2006. He moved to Lower Bucks County to help care for her mother. After her death, he has stayed on in the house with his dog, Sabrina. Ed was a member of our congregation some years ago, and is pleased to be returning.
FLOWERS
November 4
In loving memory of our “Pop-Pop,” James W. Strothers. Given by his grandchildren, Asuo, Nile, Rajni and Angaza James.
November 11
To celebrate the life of my grandson, Thomas Huber, on his seventh birthday. Barbara Higgins.
November 18
In loving memory of my mother, Margaret Mason Motley, August 24, 1918-October 31, 1999. Ned Motley.
November 25
In loving memory of her niece, Rachel Maria Asrelski, 1967-1988, given by George and Phebe Shinn.
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