The Beacon - October 2006
WORSHIP SERVICES
Services are held at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.October 1 – The High Holy Days. This is the end of the Jewish high holy days, a period for self-reflection. The previous Sunday marked the beginning, and we considered who we are and what we wish to become as a church community. Let us carry these thoughts forward in terms of our personal contributions to the community. The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach. Debby Schultz will present a pulpit editorial. Rick Womer will be worship associate.
October 8 – Building on Faith. How can intangibles such as faith support tangible work such as building? What is the connection between the two? On Sunday, October 8, members Luana Goodwin, Amy Fraatz, Shirley Steele and more will bring their recent experiences with Habitat for Humanity in Poland and Armenia and Rebuilding Together in Philadelphia to bear on these questions.
October 15 – Where Was God? We will consider this question in light of all the terrible things that happen in the world—from the Tsunami in southeast Asia to genocidal wars in Africa to conflict in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, to terrorism in many parts of the world, the list goes on. The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach. Wendy Jastrzab will be worship associate.
October 22 – Atheism and the Temper of Our Times. It is a curious time in which we live; more people than ever tell pollsters how very religious they are, including many who do not go to church ever, and at the same time there has been an explosion of books challenging religious claims and making the case for atheism. What is the meaning of all this? The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach. Sharon Tomalin will be worship associate.
October 29 – All Hallows, All Souls. This will be a service for the day of All Souls. Luana Goodwin will coordinate the service.
INTERIM TIMES
(A monthly column from our Interim Minister, the Rev. Bill Metzger)A team from our church, including Kim Cox, Richard Frey, Mark Peterson, Dane Wells, and I have participated in four days of training with Partners for Sacred Places. Two days in June focused on assessing the value our church provides to the larger community, and another two days in September provided ideas about fundraising both within and beyond the congregation.
During the coming months this team, which we want to expand to include more of you, will be working to develop a proposal for Partners in quest of a grant, which we would match from the Kaemmerling bequest, to continue high priority building repairs. We have already begun highest priority repairs to the roof. In addition, we will be studying and developing longer-range plans for an eventual capital campaign. This would include seeking support from foundations. We will provide opportunities for you to learn about and become involved in this project.This is an exciting time at First Church, given the search for a new settled minister, work on the building, partnering with Partners for Sacred Places, a new music director on board, and our continuing experiment with new governance policy. My hope is that many of you will be enthusiastic and ready to get more deeply involved in creating the church of the future.
While this is a great time in our congregation, we live in a time of great crisis in the nation and the world. Our Presidency and our Congress and our courts are all in great disrepute across the land, and there is increasing conflict across the globe. This fall we will all be deluged with campaign commercials and asked to vote for one or another candidate for public office.
As a church, we do not endorse candidates; we need to be cognizant of that because the IRS has been increasing its surveillance of possible violations of tax laws by churches. We encourage your interest and involvement in this election season, and we urge you to vote, though we do not tell you for whom to vote.
Still, we should not hesitate to speak on matters of public policy; while not endorsing specific candidates, we can certainly make our voices heard on issues of war and peace, combating terrorism, tax policy, tending to the social causes that matter to us, and working to develop anti-racism and other social justice programs.
I say again, I welcome your input into our efforts here to build on this church’s contributions to the larger community. See you in church, and let me know if you would like to get together to discuss your interests and concerns.
With Love,
Bill
CRE UPDATE
As you may know, I will be co-chairing the CRE Ministry Team with Wendy Jastrzab this year. I have been involved in the Children’s Religious Education since I began attending First Church in February of 2002. It is comprised of a very special group of people, some of whom you may sit next to during the service.
Most recently, I taught in my daughter, Delaney’s, fourth through sixth grade CRE class with awonderful group of people from our church, Meg Dubin, Kim Niemela Bill Sternman and Alan Gardener. They all brought their unique personalities with them. I found it interesting to revisit the stories of Solomon, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as a Unitarian.
When I had initially heard the Bible stories in Catechism class when I was about ten years old, there was no discussion about the corruption of Solomon. The teachers really didn’t want to know what I thought about Mary’s immaculate conception, they wanted me to take the leap. I tried to ask questions because I didn’t understand and couldn’t digest it.
The beauty of teaching in a UU setting is listening to the children form and express their thoughts and opinions about these classic stories. They acted out stories of Joseph and his Coat, Solomon’s Court, and participated in a Passover Seder.
This year my son, Dylan’s third and fourth grade class will be going to “A Secret Garden” which just so happens to be on the grounds of his school, Greenfield Elementary.
The CRE Curriculum is entitled “Experiences with the Web of Life” and the introduction states “To be religious today is to act on behalf of planet.”
The children will be observing the seasonal changes of the garden and the plant and animal life. I’m really excited that First Church and Greenfield are working together in our community again. You will remember that Campfire was comprised of almost all Greenfield children.
There are some new teachers who have volunteered on our Ministry Team . They are Julia Bertaut, Ann Slater, Virginia DeRolf and Eric Orts.
They are joined with those teachers who are returning: Meg Dubin, Alan Gardener, Roderick Wolfson, Julie Ream, Pat Ream, Clarice Barbato- Dunn, Dianne Frey, Vicky Scott Shaver, Shelly Berman, Autumn Trott-Burtt and Tracy Jastrzab.
Teaching is a rewarding experience and if you are interested in joining our CRE Ministry Team as a teacher, or assistant teacher, liturgist, or just sitting in on a class to observe our UU children as they wonder, and explore, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Denise McKeon
dtmckeon@verizon.net
215-735-6178
A Message from Your CRE Director
I am excited to be working with the new CRE ministry team, co-led by Wendy Jastrzab and Denise McKeon. We look to build on last year’s enthusiasm and achievements.
We are still in need of volunteers to fill several roles in our CRE program: story tellers, teachers, musicians, artists, anyone with a talent you would like to share with the children for a worship service, an All-Together Sunday, or a church school class. If you have one hour to give or one hour a week, we will welcome your contribution.
With affection,
Jansen Wendell
October CRE Calendar
Sunday, October 1
Children’s worship service in the children’s chapel, followed by regular church school classes
Sunday, October 8
Intergenerational worship in the sanctuary, followed by regular church school classes
Sunday, October 15
Children’s worship service in the children’s chapel, followed by regular church school classes
Sunday, October 22
Children’s worship service in the children’s chapel, followed by regular church school classes
Sunday, October 29
Halloween party in Griffin Hall
GETTING TO KNOW UU
Some of you may be aware that early in the existence of First Church of Philadelphia, a prior sanctuary (located in Old City) was octagonal in shape. Our congregation back then outgrew the unusual structure in less than 25 years, and it wasn’t so long after that we moved to our current location and Frank Furness building. Octagonal buildings were quite popular in the early 1800s, but very few remain these days.
One such church does still stand, however. The Follen Church Society, Unitarian Universalist, is located in Lexington, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1835 in what was then the town of East Lexington. The eight-sided building that still serves as the sanctuary was designed by their first called minister, abolitionist Reverend Doctor Charles Theodore Christian Follen, a German immigrant who had earlier fled his homeland for persecution for his “radical” beliefs, as so many Unitarians were perceived back then. After finding work as a German instructor at Harvard University, he soon thereafter undertook study for the Unitarian ministry at the same school under William Ellery Channing. Rev. Follen had also studied in Germany to be both a lawyer and architect, and so took on the design of the new sanctuary. He decided on an octagonal shape so that all could see and hear, and most importantly, be heard. Unfortunately, Rev. Follen died tragically the day before the building was dedicated in 1840. But his early abolitionist fervor coursed through the veins of his parishioners long after his death, and now is manifested in the social justice work the congregation takes on. They also have a partner church relationship with the Hungarian village of Alsofelsoszentmihaly (which means "lower-upper-Saint-Michael" in Hungarian).
The Rev. Lucinda Duncan serves as the minister at Follen Church Society. They have about 300 adult members, and 150 kids in RE! Their website is fairly extensive, and can be visited at http://follen.org.
Forward in the Faith,
Submitted Ken Olin
COMMUNITY SERVICE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Recycling
Recycling at Trinity Memorial (22nd and Spruce Sts) continues every first and third Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Stay as long as you can to help organize or toss into the City trucks at 1:00 p.m. If anyone with a car who is willing to help the church get rid of our extra paper, contact Ginny Beier 215-545-7831 email vhbeier@hep.upenn.edu.
Bring all mixed paper (including whole cardboard boxes) and plastic bottles (with necks) cleaned and crushed. Recyclable plastics in Philadelphia are No. 1&2 with a necked bottle (no tops, clean and crushed).
The West Philadelphia location is The Firehouse at 50th and Baltimore Avenues - First and Third Saturdays.
The Fairmount location is behind the North Star Bar at 27th and Poplar Sts. First Saturdays only.
Books Through Bars
A donations bin is located in our lobby, ready to receive contributions for this national program providing reading material to prisoners. Books in Spanish, how-to/job training manuals, dictionaries, inspirational books, mysteries and science fiction are in high demand.
Anyone with a car is always welcome to help transport the books either on Tuesday nights or on the first and third Saturday afternoons when packing is done. Call Nicole at the A-Space, 215-727-8170 to find out more and how regulars from Social Justice Group headed by Marilyn Ashbrook try to help out on each third Saturday. Members from 35PLUUS head over to the A-Space Tuesday nights to help.
Eat brunch and support Books Through Bars! For the next 5 months Abbraccio Restaurant (820 S. 47th St.- around the corner from the A-Space) will donate 5% of their Sunday Brunch sales on the third Sunday of each month (Oct.15, Nov. 19, etc). They open for brunch at 11 a.m.
Tutors Needed
The West Philadelphia agency Achieve-Ability helps low income, single parent and homeless families become self-sufficient through education, social services and housing. The need for volunteers is a constant, most especially people to tutor children and adults. The children need reading and math assistance, and the adults need help with math and science courses for the GED or college. (Most math is at the remedial arithmetic and/or early algebra level.) Day and evening times are possible. Please call or e-mail Sharon Tomalin if you’d like more information. stomalin@att.net
Philadelphia Cares Day
Join other area UUs Saturday, October 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help paint classrooms, landscape green spaces, refurbish libraries, or restore playground equipment as the church does its part to improve Philadelphia's public schools. There is a free breakfast before the event and free food and music at the Mann afterwards. If you are interested in signing up, please contact Mike Narcowich at narc7@yahoo.com, Seth Carrier at sethcarrier@gmail.com, or Nikyia Rogers at nikyia9@earthlink.net.
For more information on Philadelphia Cares Day:
http://www.philacares.org/events/annualpages/pcd.htm
WinterShelter
Although the weather is nice it's time to plan for our participation in the WinterShelter Project at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church. We are committed to preparing food and serving 22 hungry men the first Wednesday of EVERY month and the fourth Friday. Our first date is Friday, November 24, the day after Thanksgiving. There will be a sign up sheet after church to put your times available and participation. Be sure to put your phone number and email to receive confirmation and information. Try and think of teams or families that might work together - we provide a home-cooked meal with meat, potatoes and vegetables as well as their favorite desserts. These men do not have to go back into the streets in the daytime any longer but instead can go to a daytime shelter with social services, workshops, and prayer designed to help them get back on their feet.
Call Ginny Beier with any questions 215-545-7831 or vhbeier@hep.upenn.edu.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Young Adult Network Happy Hour
As always, the young adult happy hour will be on the second Friday of the month (October 13) at 6 p.m. (I don't know where it will be at this time) and the potluck will be on the fourth Friday (October 27) at 7:00 p.m. at the apartment of Marisa McClellan (1919 Chestnut St., Apt. 2024).
The New UU
Caren Burgermeister has graciously agreed to lead a class entitled" the new UU" this fall. This class is designed to help new members and friends learn more about activities of the church, and explore Unitarian Universalism. Please sign up on the sheets at the back of the sanctuary to reserve your spot. We hope to meet from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the Sundays November 5, 12, and 19. Contact Thomas Hunter at tjh.hunter@gmail.com or 610-522-5347 for more information.
Women's Book Club
Amid a beautiful roof top setting with skyline views we socialized and enjoyed desserts and conversation. We then moved indoors to watch an excellent video of George Lakoff presenting his ideas on how we progressives can fight the radical right. At the end of the evening many of us resolved to send copies to candidates of our choice to make sure their campaigners use the right frames (phrases) in persuading people to vote. On October 2 we gathered in another Center City home (Christina Robertson) to discuss The Romance Reader by Pearl Abraham at 7:30. Discussion will be facilitated by Christine Carlson. Please call Christina at 215-735-8281 or you could e-mail her at 1-chrisrobertson@msn.com to let her know you are coming. The selection for November 6 is Daisy Miller by Henry James.
Depression Support Group
The group will continue to meet on the first Sunday of each month at 12:30 p.m.
Poetry and Spirituality
This fall Reverend Metzger will once again lead a Poetry and Spirituality workshop, together with co-leader Thomas Hunter. We will meet from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on the five Sundays from October 15 to November 12.
Come to share your favorite poets and poems and to discover new ones. Please sign up on the sheets in the back of the sanctuary so we'll have some idea how many to expect. Contact Thomas Hunter at tjh.hunter@gmail.com or 610-522-5347 for more information.
Interweave Reorganized
Our local Interweave chapter, the UU group interested in gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered (BGLT) civil rights issues in our church, denomination, and community, met last week and chose Gerry Parchman to lead our group for the coming year. The national Interweave organization is involved in UUA activities at the General Assembly (see http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/orgs/uua/uu-interweave.html) The UUA sponsors an office (Office of BGLT Concerns; http://www.uua.org/obgltc/) supportive of our community and has been involved for years in initiatives to advance our civil rights. Our local chapter has not been visible in the larger BGLT community for several years and has decided to get more involved in Philadelphia community events and initiatives. We see our mission as oriented mainly towards three different constituents: 1) integrating BGLT members of our own church community into our church family and providing them with support when needed, 2) serving as liaison to potential new BGLT members who attend our church as visitors, and 3) reaching out to the thousands of BGLT residents of Philadelphia who have been ostracized from their previous religious communities.
1. For our own members, Interweave will continue to participate/sponsor Sunday brunches every Sunday after the service. We ask for suggestions about the best way to make this attractive to all interested, including straight members of the church. (Where should these be held and when?) We also intend to have regular monthly meetings to provide information and get feedback from group members. We will try to inform our church members of ongoing activities in the Philadelphia and national BGLT communities. Advice for doing this is requested from all church members. Every year, the national Interweave organization holds a Convo in February in different cities. These meetings are always informative and interesting. We would like for members of our church to attend.
2. For reaching out to visitors at our church, we encourage all church members to try to greet all visitors in a friendly way. For those visitors that look isolated and lost, we should all make an attempt to make them feel welcome and comfortable. We tried having an Interweave Spirituality monthly meeting to help visitors learn about us and find answers to their own spiritual quest. Attendance was not very high. Suggestions are requested from all church members about how we might do this better.
3. For reaching out to the wider community, we plan to have monthly meetings at church for those interested in becoming involved in the activities of the BGLT community of Philadelphia. We will announce these times after they are scheduled. Suggestions are also requested for how best we might do this. One suggestion is to have information tables at events such as June's Gay Pride festival and October's street festival, etc. We had an information table at the William Way BGLT Community Center for their Out and Faithful event on September 13. Are there other ways to become visible and effective in the Philadelphia community? One suggestion has been to have a book club discussion of relevant books. (for example, Sex and the Sacred: Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth by Daniel A. Helminiak) and invite the Philly BGLT community to participate. Another is to have a potluck for BGLT members of the congregation that would be open to the Philly community. Another suggestion is to visit other BGLT religious groups and BGLT-friendly churches to develop social networks. Let us know your views.
We will be compiling a list of email addresses for those wanting to be kept informed. Please let us know if you want to be on the list. Contact Gerry Parchman for suggestions and information at 856-829-4561 or by emailing lib2uus@comcast.net.
MY 250 WORDS’ WORTH
By Bill SternmanAt a Loss for Words
“Oriental” is now considered politically incorrect. My two Korean students describe themselves as Asians. Of course, they are, just as I am North American. But “Oriental” brings a sharp picture to mind of shared physical characteristics and cultural background. “Asian” could just as easily refer to Pakistanis.
I believe the word is taboo because there is a lot of prejudice against Orientals, particularly Koreans. But if we use the euphemism, we are legitimatizing the bigotry. I think we all ought to defiantly use “Oriental” until it loses its pejorative connotation.
Just as the black comedian Dick Gregory defiantly used another inflammatory word for the title of his autobiography. As he explained to his mother: “Whenever you hear the word…you'll know they're advertising my book.” It became the #1 bestseller in 1963.
Many a school library has banned Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because Huck uses the same word to describe the runaway slave Jim. But to Huck, the word was explanatory rather than derogatory.
Can the constant use of a word take away its sting? When I was in high school, none of us said a certain word, even though all of us knew it and what it meant.
Times have changed. Now that forbidden word is used so often that the only people its coarseness bothers are old fuddy-duddies like me. Sometimes I can’t help feeling that if it were to disappear from the English language, some folks would be left literally speechless.
One lives in hope.
Bill Sternman
(1935)
PRESIDENT'S COMMENTARY
“Does your congregation have a soul?”
“To create an authentic church will require a conviction in our hearts and minds that Unitarian Universalism can change people’s lives for the better in some fundamental way.”
“A model of membership . . . “Three level ministry” … First … attend worship regularly….Second, parishioners can do something for themselves, such as sing in the choir….Third, members are expected to engage in ministry to those in the congregation who may be in need, or an outreach effort beyond the congregation that serves others.”
“What are we doing with our faith?”
These are just a few quotes from The Almost Church, a book which the Board and Ministry Leadership Team read in preparation for our September 22-23 retreat. In the book Michael Durall attempts to “redefine Unitarian Universalism for a new era.” As you may imagine, the picture which Michael Durall, a church consultant who works with numerous denominations, paints of the current state of Unitarian Universalism is pretty bleak and somewhat controversial. I must admit that I read the majority of the book on a plane the night before the retreat, but my timing, though last minute, was perfect as I entered the retreat with my mind abuzz as to how First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia could build more soul and truly make a difference in the world. I was delighted to find a similar response with the rest of the Board and Ministry Leadership Team so needless to say the retreat was exciting.
What was the result of the retreat?
• We ended up with an exciting and ambitious Vision of Ministry for our upcoming year. Please see the “Vision of Ministry” article following my commentary.
• We learned a lot more about each other and may I say that you as a Congregation selected a terrific group of leaders for which I am extremely thankful. We as a church are also blessed by the dedication of Norman Fouhy (Church Administrator), Jansen Wendell (DRE) and Chris Barnard (Music Director) who joined us at all or part of the retreat.
• As individuals we also signed up to lead or play a strong role in a variety of initiatives, some of which are directly captured in the Vision of Ministry and some which are more peripheral but important to the church (e.g., Partners for Sacred Places, fundraising, visible property improvements, education, ….).
• We began thinking about how best to bring the Congregation in the spring into the process of defining the 2007-2008 Vision of Ministry.
So I ask you to spend time thinking about the 2006-2007 Vision of Ministry finding a place where you already fit or can serve as an active contributor. Throughout the church year dream a bit about First Unitarian Church and its role in changing people’s lives, about your yearning for First Church and about what our expectations for membership should be. If you desire to read The Almost Church, please let me know and we’ll get a few copies to circulate. It will certainly encourage some lively Breakfast with the Board and Ministry Leadership Team or other small group discussions!
With love and appreciation for this church as it is now and for the force in the world it can become,
Debby Schultz
VISION OF MINISTRY 2006 - 2007
Jump ahead for a moment and picture you and the rest of the Congregation in the Spring of 2007. We as a congregation are evaluating our progress toward reaching our Vision of Ministry. May we be able to say the following:
In 2007 the Church became a visible and effective entity in the community.
Social Justice
We moved toward the social justice vision of this church by:
• Holding quarterly social justice events (e.g. worship services, social justice potlucks, lectures, etc.)
• Reaching out to the BGLT community by providing education and engaging with other BGLT groups
• Supporting two new visible service projects for the wider community, e.g. West Philly Neighborhood Center, Habitat for Humanity, Philadelphia Cares.
Spiritual Development and Membership
We enhanced congregational and individual spiritual development by encouraging and supporting new worship forms and activities.
• Specifically, we laid the groundwork for small group ministries (creating a plan for implementation in the coming year)
Governance
• The congregation will have agreed to a clearly defined governance structure (including the roles of the Board, Minister/Ministry Teams, and Congregation) and adopted new By-Laws reflecting that structure.
• Core ministry teams are adequately staffed and functioning competently.
Finance Administration
Budget Prep
Stewardship
CRE
Membership
Property
Worship
This is an exciting year as we call a settled minister. The time is right to move forward with greater Social Justice actions, enhanced spirituality opportunities, a clearly defined governance structure and adequately staffed and competent core Ministry Teams along with a variety of other well-functioning Ministry Teams. So where do you see yourself engaging this year? Where do you find something for yourself? Where do you find an opportunity for reaching out to someone else? Please feel free to share your interests with the Ministry Teams, the Ministry Leadership Team and/or the Board.
Throughout this church year our progress toward meeting this Vision of Ministry and will be monitored and published quarterly reports will appear in the Beacon.
Let’s make it happen,
The Board and Ministry Leadership Team
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Omelets and Experts
Join us on Saturday, October 21, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Griffin Hall to find out What’s Going On With Our Beautiful Frank Furness Building?
All are invited to join in a close look at the past, present, and future of this Victorian masterpiece.
•We’ll show plans and photos of the extensive roof repairs and the transformation of the Chestnut porch.
•New fundraising initiatives will be explored,
•Representatives from Marianna Thomas Architects and other consultants have been invited.
•Consultants, Property Committee members, and staff will be on hand to answer your questions.
•Mini-tours will explore any part of the buildings you like.
•Brunch provided (with omelets built to your specs), and a warm welcome extended to all interested in the uses and historic preservation of our community-serving buildings.
Please RSVP to Richard Frey at richardfrey@dca.net or 215-735-7156 or the Church Office.
WHEEL OF LIFE
Former First Church Ministers Retire
The fall issue of UUWorld recently reported the retirement of four ministers, including two former First Church ministers, Kenneth Collier and Brian Kopke.
Ed Close Photography Exhibited
Earlier this month, Ed Close’s B&W photograph entitled “Christina at the Gate” was exhibited at the Main Line School Night Open House. A copy will be on display at the First Church Art Show held Sunday, October 15.
Phillip Tang Memorial
Philip Tang, a member of First Unitarian Church, a pioneer of the first Philadelphia restaurant renaissance, artist and mentor of city youth, died at Lankenau Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was born in mainland China, fled to Macao after the Cultural Revolution and was trained in Hong Kong, where he completed apprenticeships in culinary arts, design, and structural engineering. He had lived in Philadelphia since 1969. He is survived by his wife Kimberley Niemela; two daughters, Grace and Siufung; a son, Gregory; and four brothers.
A memorial service will be held at First Unitarian Church Saturday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m., with the Rev. William Metzger officiating.
FLOWERS
October 1
In memory of my grandmother, Alta Lee. Kim Cox.
October 8
In loving memory of Otto Sperr. Portia and Oona.
October 15
In loving memory of my mother, Margaret Mason Motley, August 24, 1918 – October 31, 1999.
October 22
Donated by Margaret Dubin in memory of her mother, Rita Morrison Sunner, October 22, 1916-August 21, 1999.
October 29
In loving memory of Joseph D. Armstrong. Given by Sarah Armstrong.
Thank you to all who have donated flowers on behalf of their families, friends and loved ones.
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
Parking at First Church
The Central Parking System has issued vouchers for parking at the Ambassador Garage (21st and Chestnut) on Sundays and weekday evenings for $5. Please pick up vouchers from the ushers or by contacting the church office. Parking is still permitted on the east side of 22nd Street from Walnut to Market Streets.
Interfaith Gathering on Global Warming
On Sunday, October 8, national, state and local leaders of Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths will gather to discuss issues pertaining to global warming. Sacred Seasons, Sacred Earth: An Interfaith Call to Reflect and Act, will be held at the Arch Street Friends Meeting House at 4th and Arch, from 3:00 p.m.. until 8:00 p.m. For more information, call 214-844-8494 or visit www.shalomctr.org.
Monthly Church Tours
Starting October 7, on the first Sunday of every month, there will be an architectural and historical tour of the First Unitarian Church, starting about 12:15 (15 minutes after service). Anyone interested in finding more about the First Church, is invited to first get some refreshments then join us for this 30-45 minute tour and conversation. These first Sundays would be a good time to invite a friend to come to church with you, for the tour will show some of the ways our church is special. Interested is becoming a guide? Join us on the tour and discuss it with your guide.
Seeking Housing
Senior woman needs furnished one bedroom sublet with private bath in Center City or vicinity for April - June 2007. Non-smoker, allergic to cats, and requires own refrigerator. Microwave preferred. Please contact Sally at 415-271-1402.
Seeking Worship Associates!
Would you like to participate in shaping and leading worship services at our church? Do you have ever find yourself thinking, "Now that would be a great sermon topic?” Perhaps you'd like to become a Worship Associate. The Worship Associates Committee meets approximately four times a year to discuss the structure and style of worship services and congregational feedback, and to plan services through the next quarter. Between meetings, we assist with research of individual sermon topics and meet with the minister to share ideas and research findings prior to sermons and serve as liturgists in the chancel on Sunday mornings. If you feel you could contribute your time and talents to this committee and could make such activities a part of your own spiritual growth, please contact incoming co-chairs of the Worship Associates Committee, Sharon Tomalin or Rick Womer.
Submitted by Jacob Fisher, Out-Going Chair
Auction Update
A superb Spanish feast was had at the home of Ginny and Gene Beier in August with special thanks to chef Sharon Tomalin. After sipping Manzanilla and munching on Spanish olives and cheese, seven guests adjourned to the dining room where Mike Tomalin placed a beautiful bowl of steaming paella on the table. This way of entertaining will hopefully be repeated with the same opportunity at next year's Auction.
Autumn First Church Art Show
Whatever you make--photographs, paintings, sculpture, fiber art, prints, ceramics, graphic design--anything that can be displayed, done by any member of the First Unitarian community--members, friends, and staff--please bring your work to the 23rd Community Art Show Sunday, October 15, 2006.
These shows encourage all who make and attempt art to bring their work together to share with each other and our congregation.
Work is to be brought to church the morning of the show (before 10 a.m. if possible), ready for hanging (or for leaning, standing, or whatever suits the work). If you have big work or work you’d like to see in the big church space, give us advance notice, and we will arrange for earlier delivery. The exhibition will be arranged in the Church and the Parish Room, and it will be on view during Coffee Hour. Everything is to be taken home after Coffee Hour--the show will be short but sweet.
All media and all themes will be welcome--no content restrictions! Contact Richard Frey, 215-735-7156, richardfrey@dca.net, or Paul DuSold, 215-438-0985, pddusold@aol.com, if you’d like to know more or to lend a hand. By the way, Paul is back to his regular round of painting and family. He says his surgery of last spring is but a fading memory.
Communique from Former Music Director John Herrick
Ed Close recently received a very gracious thank you from John four our reception this past June and thegifts he received. A copy of the letter has been posted on the church bulletin board in the lobby. Here is an excerpt: “I was very touched by the gifts and the lovely sentiments that accompanied them, and it helped (somewhat) to take the sting out of leaving … I will continue to hold the members of First Church in highest regard and look forward to visiting when I’m up north.
Sound System Fund Appeal
Two Sundays ago I noticed that the sound in the Church was so poor that much of the service was inaudible to me and my wife. I asked others and they said that they had the same experience. I had noticed the poor sound quality on other occasions as well but not quite to that extent. I asked around and found out that Jim Fraatz is our volunteer sound guru. He gave me a very in-depth explanation about some of the problems with the sound system in the Church as it exists.
For the following Sunday, Jim was able to make some repairs and replacements which improved the sound markedly. Nevertheless, as an expert audio technician he understands that there are some major deficiencies in the system. It would take $10,000 to do things right but he assured me that with $2,000 we could begin the process of making some major improvements. I told him that I was prepared to send in the first check for a special fund for the Church sound system. I checked with Norman on how to go about it, he got approval from the Board and now the special fund for the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia Sound System is in place. I sent in a check for $300 to get it started and hope that other members of the church that value good clear sound will join me in making a contribution. I think a better sound system will be a great benefit to everyone who comes to the Church. It will enhance our enjoyment of the service and the music and will resonate with our visitors and potential new members. So for the sake of clarity and being heard, please donate to the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia Sound System Fund.
Submitted by Lewis Wendell
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS
This Ministry team is open to all First Unitarian Universalist Church members and friends.
On Sunday, October 8 at 12:30 p.m., the Ministry for the Arts will meet in the Fahs Room.
Theater Discussion Group
During the coming year buy your own ticket, at your own schedule, to see the four plays listed. Discount tickets are usually available for students and seniors, for preview performances, and may be offered through www.phillyfunsavers.com on a space-available basis.
The group will gather for a discussion about each of the plays in one of our homes. Hopefully, subsequent sermon topics will be generated by the discussions and will be shared with the Workshop Associates and Minister.
If you are interested in participating in this Theater Series as a part of the new Ministry of the Arts, please sign up at the table in the rear of the sanctuary. You can also sign up or direct questions to Val Sandberg at valsand@earthlink.net
Waiting for Godot Oct 11-15
ZELLERBACH THEATER
My Children! My Africa! Dec 6, 2006-Jan 7
WILMA THEATER
Caroline, or Change March 8-April 8, 2007
ARDEN THEATER
The Life of Galileo April 11-May 13, 2007
WILMA THEATER
On October 25 the Playgoers Discussion Group will meet at the apartment of Marilyn and Val Sandberg, 1919 Chestnut St. Apt 508, Philadelphia at 7:00 p.m. The play, "Waiting for Godot" will be the topic of discussion.
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