The Beacon - September 2006
FALL WORSHIP SERVICES
Services after Sept. 3rd are held at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary.September 3, 10:00 AM. Labor Day: To Find Yourself, Give Yourself. Join Worship Associate Bill Sternman for a Labor Day celebration of volunteerism
September 10, 11:00 AM – Behold New Things.
Note the time change as we resume our fall/winter schedule! The start of a new church year brings together both old and new. The old is the tradition of the water communion and sharing summer discoveries; the new is our expectations for the year ahead, brimming with adventure: the launch of the search for a new settled minister; a new music director on board, work with Partners for Sacred Places and planning for improvements on our building; new programs… where will it take us? The Rev. Bill Metzger will deliver a “small sermon” to go with the big celebration.
September 17 – Remembering Our Past. First Church has an illustrious past—as the first (so-named) Unitarian church in America, inspired by Joseph Priestley. It is a rich history, and we will reflect on the Unitarian heritage we carry—a heritage in some ways unique within the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Rev. Bill Metzger will preach.
September 24 – What Lies Ahead. As the search committee sets its nets for its voyage toward the selection of a new minister for First Church, we will reflect on who we say we are today. The Rev. Bill Metzger will consider the congregational survey and how the people of this congregation characterized who we are and what we stand for.
INTERIM TIMES
(A monthly column from our Interim Minister,The Rev. Bill Metzger)
Well, here we go again. As we enter the second year of this interim ministry, we will be increasingly focused on the Big Decision ahead—the calling of a new settled minister come spring. As we continue our experiment with governance, I am anticipating that we can work out kinks and obsess somewhat less about organizational issues. My own sense of mission this year is to focus more on our self-reflection on what it means to “be church,” what is involved in carrying forward our Unitarian Universalist “big idea.”
I will give more attention to sermons and worship, and to being with you as you focus on what lies ahead. Increased energy will be focused in ministry teams—that’s you—and on building a stronger community. I will always welcome your feedback, and your deeper involvement in helping this church become its best. Our “karma” (if you recall my sermon last year on “karma and dharma”) is embodied in our past—our history, our experiences, etc.—and our “dharma” is discovering who we are to become. What is it we were “meant to be”?
In the months ahead I hope to arrange more pulpit exchanges with other UU ministers, so you can
experience a variety of styles of preaching and ministry. We have several other UU interims serving in the Philadelphia area this year—a time of much change in our churches.
As you know, I have started a new life with Diana Heath. We have moved into a new apartment at the Claridge at 18th and Walnut, overlooking Rittenhouse Square. Diana and I are, we believe, the first UU interim ministers to marry. There have been minister couples serving interims, but they were already married when they undertook an interim. Diana is serving the UU Fellowship of Lower Bucks in Langhorne this year, and we expect to be looking next year for a shared ministry, either interim or settled.
My office hours will continue same as last year. I will ordinarily be in the office Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be available other times by appointment. Wednesday will be my study day and Friday will be my day off. I welcome your calls, comments, suggestions.
With Love,
Bill.
CRE UPDATE
Greetings to everyone. It seems like an eternity since the end of the Church school year last June. I have had a restful break, with a great trip to New England to visit my brothers, my sister and my cousins and to stay at the family cabin on a lake in Maine. Two of our highlights came on the same day. We canoed down Quiggle Brook, the inlet of our lake, and because of the heavy rains this summer, made it farther than I had ever been. There were moments during that trip where no other human activity could be heard. That night, the air was dry, with a moonless sky. We lay on the dock and saw the most extraordinary sky full of stars. The Milky Way was plainly in sight; we saw a number of shooting stars and watched a satellite crossing the sky.
I am looking forward to starting up with the new school year. With a year at First Church under my belt, I know what to expect and what is expected of me. I will be more available to help teachers, students and parents to make the most out of our RE program. Having read the first half of each class’s curricula, I will be able to anticipate teachers’ needs and offer more guidance in lesson planning.
The following is an outline of the curriculum this year:
Preschool: We are adding a pre-school class of 2 and 3-year-olds to accommodate a group of youngsters that are too old for the Infant/Toddler class and too young for the Pre-K/K. They will be using the curriculum called “Celebrating Me and My World.” Their growing awareness of their own bodies and the world around them will be the focus of their year, with stories and songs about hands, feet, their senses, animals, plants and the elements. Autumn Trotty-Burt will be the weekly child care specialist for this group.
Pre-K/Kindergarten: The class curriculum is “We Are Many, We Are One.” The goal of this book is to teach religion through relationships: Who am I? How am I related to others? How do I treat other people? How do I live with the natural world? These questions and many more will be examined.
1st and 2nd Graders will use “In Our Hands,” a peace and social justice program, and “Rainbow Children”, about racial justice and diversity. The 6-8 year old child is ready to ask deeper questions about fairness, caring for others and caring for the environment. They are more aware of race identity and cultural differences. These two books address those issues.
3rd-4th Graders will have an exciting year studying “Experiences with the Web of Life.” They will visit a plot of nature, perhaps a nearby garden, that they will visit each Sunday, rain or shine. They will study the ways the garden spot changes through the seasons, and find all the plants and animals that are born, grow and die there.
5th – 7th Graders will have the middle school version of the “In Our Hands” curriculum. This class will look deeply into issues of justice, conflict resolution and Earth stewardship. There will be a helping project and field trip.
The Junior Youth Group, grades 8 and 9, will tentatively meet every other Sunday or have a flexible schedule so they can be together as a group. They enjoy open discussion with minimal preparation.
Teaching opportunities are still available for some of the classes, especially Preschool, 1st – 2nd Grade, 5th -7th, and Junior Youth Group. This is your chance to get to know the children, participate in a special ministry, and to deepen your knowledge of Unitarian Universalism.
Children’s Worship Team: help plan Chapel and All-Together services and/or be a story-teller or homilist.
CRE Ministry Team: Help formulate and guide the CRE program.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
With great fondness and gratitude,
Jansen Wendell
CRE Director
215-563-3980 (office)
610-644-2935 (home)
credirector@verizon.net
GETTING TO KNOW UU
This year, we will look beyond the JPD as a reminder that there are over 1000 UU congregations in the USA. I plan to introduce you to some of them over the coming months. As I write this article, the first anniversary of the devastating natural catastrophe known as Hurricane Katrina approaches. While one could write volumes on the lack of preparations and deplorable follow-up of the federal government, I wanted to bring you up to date on the hardest hit UU congregations on the Gulf Coast. While I’m at it, I also wanted to again say thanks to those First Church members and friends who so generously donated what amounted to about $7,000 to the UUA/UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund.
First UU Church of New Orleans was flooded with 3 to 4 feet of water when the levees broke, and the building was gutted. While they are in the process of making plans with an architectural firm to entirely renovate, they have been meeting at a Presbyterian Church across the street, which apparently was on high enough ground as to not be seriously affected. Their minister, the Rev. Marta Valentin, had just started her tenure two weeks before the storm hit. May that be enough of a test for them all during her time there. Visit www.firstuuno.org to learn more.
Community Church UU of New Orleans was located very near to the breach of the 17th Street levees. As a result, the church was inundated under 8 to 10 feet of standing water for about 3 weeks. The resulting mold and devastation clearly rendered much of the building and its contents unsalvageable, with recommendations it be demolished and removed. However, they are considering whether they can de-mold and replace, saving the main structure. While they make plans to regroup and rebuild, a process that could take up to 5 years, they have been “churching” with the First UU Church at the same Presbyterian Church mentioned above. Of course, many members remain relocated some distance from the city, so the church family is still fractured. For some heart wrenching photos of the flood wreckage, including some taken days after the breach, visit communitychurchuu.org.
North Shore UU Society, on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain, lost its roof and several large trees, but was spared severe flood damage. The small Society’s website is not functional, so let’s hope that they might have replaced the roof by now, at least. I recall hearing about some wind (and perhaps storm surge) damage to the very small Gulf Coast UU Fellowship in Gulfport, MS, but can find no mention of it, other than that they are now meeting at another location. There were other congregations that had lesser damage, mostly caused by wind. Our prayers go out to all who lost from a little to everything due to Katrina, that they may not also lose hope in the long months ahead.
Submitted by Ken Olin
COMMUNITY SERVICE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Recycling
Recycling at Trinity Memorial (22nd and Spruce Sts) continues every 1st and 3rd Saturday between 9AM and 1PM. Bring all mixed paper (including whole cardboard boxes) and plastic bottles (with necks) cleaned and crushed. Stay as long as you can to help organize or toss into the City trucks at 1:00 PM. 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. The church does not have the capacity to store extra paper or plastic but maybe we can figure out a solution other than throwing into the trash (which we pay to have hauled away). Regulars include Luana Goodwin, Finy Hansen, Connie Baker, Jacob Fisher, Tricia Way, Ginny Beier and Diane Frey.
In compliance with the UUA General Assembly Statement of Conscience on Global Warning PLEASE support your local efforts to recycle!
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 1st and 3rd 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 3rd Saturday. Members from 35PLUUS head over to the A-Space Tuesday nights to help.
Eat brunch and support Books Through Bars! For the next 6 months Abbraccio Restaurant (820 S. 47th St.- around the corner from the A-Space) will donate 5% of their Sunday Brunch sales on the 3rd Sunday of each month (Sept. 17, Oct.15, Nov. 19, etc). They open for brunch at 11 AM.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Young Adult Network Happy Hour
The next UUYAN monthly happy hour is scheduled for Friday, September 8, 2006 from 6-8:00 PM. The location is being determined, and those interested in attending should contact Nikyia Rogers. UUYAN happy hours are held every second Friday of the month.
Women's Book Club
A very good discussion of Enemy Women took place in August. A majority of us loved the book and would recommend it highly for enjoyment. The historical comments were a distraction to some and a benefit to others. There was a quote in one of these chapter introductions which praised the insights of Ernest Hemingway and church member Harriett Behringer’s husband, Paul Fussell. September's reading will be held ONE WEEK LATER than usual on September 11th. The reading is Don't Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff. The discussion will take place at the home of Devon Davidson. PLEASE call her at 617-501-3230 or ddavidson@afsc.org to let her know you are coming. Our group's annual contribution to a cause we deem worthy netted $122.00 this year. We are about to purchase and send helpful books to women prisoners at Muncie Prison in Pa. Special thanks to Joan Forman who is making this happen and Marilyn Ashbrook and the Social Justice group in making us aware of this need.
Depression Support Group
The Depression Support Group will meet after Sunday service on September 3rd at 11:30 AM. The group will continue to meet on the first Sunday of each month, following regular church services, which resume their regular 11:00 starting times in the Sanctuary beginning September 10th.
35PLUUS
The 35PLUUS group of First Church offers a chance for folks thirtysomething and older to get together for social evenings, outdoor activities and service. Communication and planning takes place online, and all are welcome to join our Yahoo group found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/35pluus.
Second Sunday Potluck. Bring an entree or drinks to share a brunch after church in the Parish Room on Sunday, September 10th (12:30 - 1:00 pm). Come with ideas for social activities that we might want to arrange for coming months.
Third Sunday Meet-Up. A group of 35PLUUS members meets each third Sunday at The Bards pub
(2013 Walnut Street). This month we meet on Sunday, September 17th (7:00 - 9:00 pm).
Planning for the Third Sunday Meetup and the occasional Fourth Friday Dinners takes place on the Meet-up website, http://unitarians.meetup.com/16
MY 250 WORDS’ WORTH
By Bill SternmanTouching
The memorial service for Janet Austin in August was extremely moving. But in spite of the heart-rending reminiscences, the heart-warming tributes and the inspirational readings, I couldn’t help feeling that something was missing.
Of course, Janet herself was missing. As Andrew Turnbull said about the death of Thomas (not Tom) Wolfe:
“…something had gone out of the universe. There was a rent in nature, a hole against the sky.”
But there was something else and I didn’t know what it was until Jack Austin put his arms around me and hugged me.
What was missing was what words cannot convey and often obscure or falsify: the emotion that comes from physically touching another human being.
My first experience at First Church was also a touching one. I had no intention of joining a church, but I did want to be part of a men’s support group. At my first meeting, I told the facilitator that my father had never hugged me. He told me to stand up and then put his arms around me.
It was like rain in the desert. It slaked a thirst I was completely unaware of. We all hugged each other every time we met. Even some men who weren’t part of the support group—straight or gay—hugged.
Little by little the huggers left the church. Nowadays, only gay men hug each other. As a result, something very important has gone out of my universe. I can’t tell you how empty it makes me feel.
Bill Sternman
(1935)
PRESIDENT'S COMMENTARY
A new church year – exciting! This is often a time for me to reflect personally on what I hope this new church year will bring for my family and me. This year is no different with the exception that the audience I’m thinking about is much larger as it includes all members and friends of First Unitarian Church.
What I hope most is that collectively we act as a religious community challenging ourselves to live up to the principles of our Unitarian Universalist faith.
In August I had the pleasure of hearing Rev Bill Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association speak at the BuxMont UU Fellowship. Rev Sinkford talked about leading the UUA staff out onto the streets of Boston in a Freedom to Marry march. He observed the anger and often hatred that was demonstrated by people on both sides of the Freedom to Marry issue. As he thought about how the UUA staff should respond, it hit him that the most appropriate response was to sing hymns because after all we are a religious community and so the UUA Staff powerfully and compassionately responded by singing hymns such as “We Are a Gentle, Angry People” as they marched through the streets of Boston.
Would singing hymns have been your response or would you have engaged in a rigorous critique of dissenters or a debate of the issue? I’d like to see myself and others consider “singing” more this year, singing the praises of or words of encouragement for those who try something new or who contribute to the work of a ministry team or who take on a challenge, which may be a perfect fit or quite a stretch.
But I do hope some debate occurs particularly if that debate is a personal debate which each individual has with him or herself in challenging perspectives each one of us has regarding race, sexuality, poverty or other social issues, in confronting personal biases and in exploring one’s own spirituality. May we embrace small group ministry teams, the Journey to Wholeness program (anti-racism program) and any other opportunity that allows each one of us to take a hard look at ourselves or to contribute to the greater community because after all we are a religious community who prides itself on continuous “spiritual growth,” a “free and responsible search for truth” and “the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.”
So with these lofty wishes have I given up on last year’s hot topic of policy governance? Absolutely not. Because of the hard work that was done last year in defining and understanding the framework for policy governance, this year we get to utilize and refine the framework providing a structure that allows the real work of our religious community to get done.
Am I too dreamy? I don’t think so. First Unitarian is a wonderful religious community that is ready to become more compassionate, encouraging, spiritually rich, self-aware and focused, living even more up to the principles of our faith.
With great hopes for a rich church year,
Debby Schultz
FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joint Board and Ministry Leadership Team August Meeting Highlights
Fair Compensation slated for settled minister. The Board selected and approved a compensation range which the Search Committee will include in the church’s packet for the Settled Minister search. The compensation range followed UUA guidelines for fair compensation.
An additional endowment draw of approximately $20,000 was approved for essential additional roof repairs which exceeded the 2006-2007 amount already budgeted for these repairs.
A plan to complete the 2006-2007 StUUardship campaign was presented by Carl Denlinger. Included in this process will be the careful culling of the membership list.
2006-2007 Church Year Calendar: A full-year church year calendar was built highlighting key milestones for church events, meetings, reports and policy reviews. The Board and Ministry Leadership Team will finalize the calendar in September and distribute it to Ministry Teams and other leaders.
The Board and Ministry Leadership Team Retreat will be held September 22-23.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The Property Committee continues to pursue many different projects to improve the longevity and cosmetic appearance of our church building and grounds. With the supervision and documentation of Marianna Thomas Architects and our caretaker, Christina Doe, progress is being made in the conditions identified in the Ortega/Hillier report.
Two areas which you will notice when we are able to complete them are the Chestnut Street porch and the Parish House lobby and stairs. Stay tuned—the refinishing and carpets will make a big difference—but we have a ways to go. In fact the Committee really needs help. If you or someone you know could and would take on the project of researching about three possible floor covering firms—please get in touch. You don’t have to join the Property Committee to do a piece of work with us.
Save the Date: Saturday, October 21
On Saturday, October 21st, at 9:30 AM, there will be a Building Brunch, with Omelettes created for you by Chef Richard. There will be dialogue with our architects, engineers and advisors in attendance to answer your questions. There will also be special exhibits and brief, fun tours
Richard Frey
Chair, Property Committee
richardfrey@dca.net
215-735-7156
MINISTERIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
Greetings from the Ministerial Search Committee! In August, we compiled our Congregational Record, which will be placed on a password-protected portion of the UUA website in September.
Using the information from the Congregational Survey and the collective judgment of the Search Committee, we spent considerable hours completing a positive yet accurate profile of our church and congregation. Special credit goes to Lora Thornburg for compiling sheets of financial and statistical information, and to Fran Poodry for coordinating the effort. And thanks to the members of our congregation who aided us by giving us vital information and input.
Each minister interested in the position will then complete his or her own Ministerial Record which will then be released to the Search Committee in October. Once we review these Ministerial Records, we will select nine to twelve candidates with whom we will exchange more detailed informational packets. By the end of the year, we will have narrowed the field to three or four of the best candidates for our church.
As we start a new Church year, stay tuned for opportunities to meet with members of the Search Committee. The ongoing support and feedback from everyone in the congregation is critical to our success.
Submitted by Christine Carlson
MUSIC NEWS
Welcome to Our New Music Director
Christopher Barnard is a native of Sarasota, Fla. He has been singing and playing the piano since he was 12 and joined the Sarasota Boys Choir.
In high school, he became the pianist for all of the choirs at Sarasota High School, and eventually included the "swing choir" and the jazz ensemble. He became the student conductor of the concert choir in his senior year, and went on to a state choral competition and received a "superior" rating for his conducting of Randall Thompson's "The Paper Reeds by the Brooks.”
Chris graduated from Shenandoah College and Conservatory in the Music Education program. During his junior year he performed at the Kennedy Center and on a nationally broadcast PBS Christmas special.
After graduation, he became the music director for seven years at a church in Sarasota. There, he built the choir from 5 to 18 regular members and wrote and developed special concerts and worship services which helped the congregation and the music program grow.
In 1998 Chris moved to San Francisco where he became the organist at St James Episcopal Church. He also became the accompanist for the SF Children's Musical Theatre, and started his own cabaret/swing dance band, "Alan and Martin." Seven years later, Chris moved to Boston to become Music Director at Faith United Parish (UCC) in Fitchburg, Mass.
The Search Committee and the Choir are excited and happy to have Chris Barnard with us!
Submitted by Anne Slater
FINANCE COMMITTEE
For many years, the financial operations of First Church have been managed through a body known as the Finance Committee. Members of the congregation involved in First Church finances, including Rev. Metzger and Board President Debby Schultz, came together on Monday, August 14 to discuss the future of this work. To be consistent with the experimental Policy Governance structure, the old Finance Committee structure must be replaced by a structure of working groups and ministry teams designed to take on the array of different tasks associated with finance. This new structure recognizes the split in church governance between Board (ends-oriented, directing through policy) and Ministry (concerned with practical work to serve the church mission) that is written into our new Governance and Ministry Policy Manual.
Description of these Groups and their Purpose
The following groups are necessary to the continued operation of the church. Some, such as the Endowment Working Group, have already met, and will merely need to refine their focus. Others, such as the Financial Oversight (Audit) Working Group, will need to be organized afresh. We invite you to look over descriptions and consider how you might be able to contribute to the ongoing financial supervision of the church. If you would like more information, feel free to contact First Church Treasurer, Mike Dorn <mdorn@temple.edu> or the group/team contact listed below:
1. Groups that report to the Board of Trustees
a. Financial Oversight Working Group (contact Mike Dorn)
This group, known informally as the Audit Group, will be developing various strategies to verify the accuracy of First Church’s books and financial activity procedures, and implementing the preferred strategy or strategies.
b. Endowment Working Group (contact Janet Andereck)
Last spring, this group began meeting to review strategies for more active management of the First Church’s financial investments. The group will continue to review the performance of these investments in comparison with other options. Finally, this group has an important role of educating the congregation on the existence and purpose of the endowment, providing opportunities for members to learn more about estate planning and planned giving.
2. Teams that report to the Minister
a. Financial Administration Ministry Team (contact Mike Dorn)
This team, comprised of the Minister, staff and lay members, meets monthly to review the church books, make recommendations for improving financial results and to prepare reports that will be submitted to the Board.
b. Budget Preparation Ministry Team (contact Mike Tomalin)
Members of this team will work closely with Minister and staff to develop a proposed annual budget, soliciting feedback from other ministry teams, the Board, and the congregation as a whole along the way before presenting the budget at the Annual Congregational Meeting.
3. Supported by both Board and Ministry
c. Stuuardship Campaign (contact Debby Schultz or Rev. Bill Metzger)
Encouraging the growth and vitality of the congregation is a responsibility of each of us. With this in mind, the Board of Trustees and the Minister share the responsibility and offer support to our annual stewardship campaign. There is a place for each of us in campaign, but a strong campaign requires coordination. Perhaps this is the gift that you can offer to First Church!
While we are still developing and tinkering with the new policies, we also see a need for periodic First Church Financial Summits. The next one is going to be held in the Parish Room beginning at 5:30 pm on Monday, September 18. Here we will be reviewing and critiquing sections of the new Governance and Ministry Policy Manual that relate to finance, including endowment and memorial gift fund management, audit management, and limitations on the Minister’s use and management of church funds.
All who are interested in the financial policies of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia are invited to attend this next First Church Financial Summit.
Submitted by Mike Dorn, Treasurer
Participants in the August 14 Summit
William Metzger, Minister
Mike Dorn, Treasurer
John Lehman, Assistant Treasurer
Mike Tomalin, Budget Ministry Team
Dan Widyono, Chair of the Leadership Ministry Team
Debby Schultz, Board President
Fran Poodry, Chair of the New Minister Search Committee
Jane Cox, Member of the Finance Committee
WHEEL OF LIFE
Choir Congrats to Joan Bauer
Joan Bauer auditioned for Anna Crusis Women’s Choir and was accepted. Practices start in September. On March 31, Joan retired from 18 years at the University of Pennsylvania. Her new email address is jeb.ret06@navpoint.com
Remembering Lee Gumm
First Church member and former sexton Lee Gumm passed away on Sunday, August 6th. A memorial service was held near Lee’s home in Texas, on August 12th.
FLOWERS
September 10
In memory of Mrs. Jonathan T. Rorer, Dominic Umine, and Saverio Del Sindaco, whose bequest has provided these flowers.
September 17
Donated by Elizabeth Ralston in loving memory of her mother, Marjorie Brereton Ralston.
September 24 – Given by Connie Mast in loving memory of her cousin, Philomena Barauskas.
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
Ushers, Greeters Needed
The Search is On… for a crew of people who are wanting to continue or expand their Sunday participation in the life of the church by being Ushers or Greeters. Both are important roles: the Usher requiring a bit more attention to the details of counting people and money, the Greeter requiring enthusiasm for talking with new visitors to the church. We are also in need of a Coordinator of Greeters.
At our recent Membership Ministry meeting, we decided that persons in these roles deserved some more distinguishing markers, such as ribbons for their name tags or sashes. You could, of course, create your own.
At any rate, the rewards are great! To make your availability known, please call or e-mail Jane Cox at 215-963-0069 or e-mail her at jhmarcox@aol.com. Please indicate whether you are volunteering as Usher or Greeter. Thank you.
Sermons Online
We are gradually updating our website to include transcripts of sermons. Those who were unable to attend services throughout early August can still read over the sermons presented by Val Sandberg, Rick Womer and Karin Tetlow online via the First Church website at FirstUU-Philly.org.
Campfire Alert!
Shirley Steele and a band of regular and irregular volunteers have kindled and nourished a Campfire group at our church for the past two years.
Meeting weekly, on Thursdays, for a couple of hours after-school, it has attracted a regular attendance of 10 boys and girls from our neighboring Greenfield School.
It has been a delight to our volunteer corps and to the children and their families. It is a visible outreach of our church to our local community.
As she has assumed membership on our Board, Shirley is not able to continue in her role as leader. We are, therefore, looking for someone or ones to follow in her footsteps and keep this vital community service alive. If you have an interest, please contact Luana Goodwin of the Ministry Leadership Team at 215-235-2343 or lugoodwin@msn.com.
Chalice Lighter Ambassadors Wanted
The JPD‘s Growth and Extension Committee gives $20,000 grants to new and existing congregations that have a vision and a plan to share and grow Unitarian Universalism. The grants are funded by having a congregation-by-congregation drive to recruit new Chalice Lighters in alternate years. A Chalice Lighter is someone who “Lights the Chalice” by promising to give $20 three times per year to fund these grants for growth.
The JPD Growth and Extension Committee wants to reach a goal of at least 1/3 of each congregation's members as Chalice Lighters during the 2006 Chalice Lighter recruitment drive. This would allow them to make 3 more grants a year and would avoid having to turn down grant applications.
The recruitment of dynamic Chalice Lighter ambassadors at First Church will be key. This should be someone who can explain to the congregation the importance of Chalice Lighters and who is not afraid to ask people to consider signing up to be one.
The Chalice Lighter Ambassador at First Church will be given a step-by-step implementation plan, and lots of materials to make the job easy. Most of the work is done during the four weeks leading up to Chalice Lighter Sunday, mostly on Sunday mornings, although preparation beforehand will be very important.
Jane Cox has already agreed to be a Chalice Light Ambassador. Interested in joining Jane as an Ambassador? If so, please contact Debby Schultz (schultzd@comcast.net or 610-664-0886).
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS
After our June 25th service, which focused on “Arts: the Religious Connection,” a group gathered to form a Ministry for the Arts. The sermon by Val Sandberg is available on line at www.firstuu-philly.org.
This Ministry team is open to all First Unitarian Universalist Church members and friends. Its mission is to organize activities for the church community that supports an exploration of the arts in Philadelphia and to find ways to relate the arts to the spiritual life of the church.
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
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