1. religion and spirituality

THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
FEbruary 2015
PITTSBURGH
THE CHALICE
C O N N E C T
+
I N S P I R E
+
S E R V E
FROM OUR MINISTERS!
~ The Rev. Dr. David Herndon, Senior Minister
~ The Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker, Assistant Minister
Joy and Sorrow woven fine together. Such is a human life.
This month, we are combining our columns as your ministers in order to
enthusiastically co-introduce a new way for all of us to build caring community
with one another - a multi-generational Sharing Table for Joys and Sorrows.
Many of our UU congregations include a time in the Sunday service when
congregants can verbally share a joy or sorrow. Our congregation is a bit too
large for that approach. So, we have created a process that enables meaningful
sharing within our larger community.
The Sharing Table will be located near the front of the Sanctuary, to the right of
the Chancel. You are invited to visit the table on Sunday mornings at any time
before our worship services. You can also visit the table after the service, or any
time you are in the building during the week, and would like a more private
moment for observing a joy or sorrow in your life.
At the Sharing Table, you will have an opportunity to engage in a simple silent
ritual whenever you feel a need to mark an occasion of joy or sorrow in your
personal life. There are three possible silent rituals you can choose
from: lighting a battery-operated votive candle, placing a stone on the
communal “cairn,” or putting your thoughts and feelings into written words on a
card.
Cards will be in the pews to enable you to fill them out at your seat. Political
concerns and announcements will not be shared in this format. The written card
can remain private. If you would like the card read during the prayer portion of
the service, please place it in the basket on the Sharing Table before the service
or during the “Greet Your Neighbor” time.
When you witness a fellow congregant visiting the table, we encourage you to
reach out and speak with that person in a gesture of emotional or spiritual
support. In a congregation as large and as busy as First Unitarian Church, it is
important for us to have opportunities for connection with one another in
accessible ways. The Sharing Table makes tangible our need to be present for
one another in community.
We will dedicate the Sharing Table on Sunday, February 1. Over time, the table
will evolve. For example, we are likely to acquire a larger suitable table in the
near future. And, as with any new system, there may be glitches at the beginning
to smooth out. But we are excited to get started!
Volume 16, No. 2
Inside this issue:
Worship
3
Music and the
Arts
4
Lifespan Faith
Development
Adult Faith
Development
Forum
Children and
Youth Ministries
5
7
8
Social
Responsibility
10
Caring
Community
13
Stewardship
15
Denominational
Connections
20
February 2015
...we are united
in our devotion
to making First
Unitarian
Church a place
of deep caring,
and to
witnessing to
one another
during both the
joys and the
sorrows of our
lives.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
PITTSBURGH
If you would like to donate flowers for the Sharing Table in memory or honor of
someone, you are welcome to do so. Please schedule your contribution with the
church office. You can contact a florist of your choice and make arrangements for
a small flower arrangement to be delivered to the church during normal business
hours on Friday. Or, you can bring flowers with you on Sunday morning. If you
would like to have your flowers mentioned in the order of service, please contact
Jennifer Parsons at jennifer.parsons@outlook.com by noon on Wednesday. If you
have missed this deadline, please give your information in writing to the minister
on Sunday morning prior to the service.
As your ministers, we are united in our devotion to making First Unitarian Church a
place of deep caring, and to witnessing to one another during both the joys and
the sorrows of our lives. We are, as ever, committed to offering presence and
pastoral care whenever we are needed. And, we are grateful for all of the
pastoral care offered friend to friend within our community.
May the Sharing Table be a visible, powerful form of welcome and love in our
church.
“Welcome in your newness and your history,
In the joyful and sad events
Which make you not the same,
Yet, still you,
The one you choose to share with us.”
In faith,
Rev. Dr. David
Herndon
Senior Minister
Contact at:
412-621-8008 x102
dherndon@firstunitarian-pgh.org
OF
Rev. David
Rev. Robin
Cairns, the stone pyramids that hikers
amass to mark the way across treeless
summits, are also ritual symbols of
memorials, anonymous art, and pilgrimage.
Rev. Robin
Landerman
Zucker
Assistant Minister
Contact at:
412-621-8008 x110
412-727-6870
(home study)
flowingforce@
verizon.net
Office hours by
arrangement.
Candles symbolize light breaking into the
darkness of our lives. They can also be
viewed as ritual symbols of hope and a
way to invoke sacred illumination.
2
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
WORSHIP
A M O N T H O F S U N DAY S :
Wo r s h i p S e r v i c e s i n F e b r u a r y
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15
The Rev. Dr. David Herndon, Senior
The Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker,
Minister. “Caring for One Another”
Assistant Minister. “43,200 Minutes
of Love”
Rev. Robin and I will be introducing
How do we witness to love in our
the Sharing Table for Joys and
lives? Rev. Robin and the voices of our
Sorrows. This will provide everyone in
youth and young adults will explore
our church community with an
30 days of love through the lens of
opportunity to engage in a silent
community, justice, personal story,
ritual whenever we feel a need to
relationships, sources and experiences
mark a significant joy or sorrow in our
that have inspired and informed us.
lives. The sermon will address the
What do we talk about and think
importance of taking time in our busy
about when we consider the complex
lives to care for one another as
dimensions of what we call “love?”
members of a covenanted religious
Come with an open heart and feel the
community.
love.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Wilburn Hayden. “Real-Time
Reflections on Race ”
The sermon is grounded in Principles
1 & 2 of our Seven Principles: (1) the
inherent worth and dignity of every
person; (2) justice, equity, and
compassion in human relations. It is a
look at day-to-day personal racism
faced by people of color. Examples
of encounters will be presented as a
challenge for Unitarian Universalists
to become more reflective and
conscious of the impact race continues
to play in our current lives. Wilburn
Hayden, Ph.D., serves as Professor at
the School of Social Work at York
University in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. He and his family are
former members of First Unitarian
Church. They are back in Pittsburgh
during the 2014-2015 school year
while Wilburn in on sabbatical.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
The Rev. Dr. David Herndon, Senior
Minister. “Rebellious Courage:
Exploring the Life of Rosa Parks”
Most of us know Rosa Parks only as
the quiet but courageous seamstress
who initiated the Montgomery bus
boycott on December 1, 1955, by
refusing to yield her seat to a white
man. In fact, her political activism
covered many decades, and she lived
a deliberate, complex, and colorful
life. The primary source for this
sermon is a book by Jeanne Theoharis
entitled The Rebellious Life of Mrs.
Rosa Parks, which was published in
2013 by our own Beacon
Press. What might we learn from
Rosa Parks that can move us forward
at this time?
3
Spiritual Theme
for February:
ACCOUNTABILITY
In what ways are you
accountable to
others? In what ways
are others
accountable to you?
Do you believe that
you have a duty or a
purpose or a
responsibility toward
something or
someone larger than
yourself or outside
yourself? Are you
accountable only to
people in positions of
authority, or are you
also accountable to
people who live on the
margins of society?
Are you accountable
for social injustices
engineered by your
ancestors?
SUNDAY
CELEBRATIONS
COMMITTEE
Allison Haley
Louise Jencik (chair)
Ward Kelsey
Marty Lieb
Bruce McConachie
Stephanie Pawlowski
Jean Peterson
Scott Smith
Pat Trudeau
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
I n
t h e
U n d e r c r o f t G a l l e r y
February 2015
T u r n i n g To w a r d t h e L i g h t
Sher ri Rober ts, Fiber Ar tist
SongSpace
at
First
Unitarian
SongSpace at First
Unitarian is a
celebration of folk,
old-time,
bluegrass, singersongwriter and
world music,
featuring local,
regional and
national artists.
We are dedicated
to establishing a
joyful and
meaningful space
both for making
and listening to
quality music.
Visit us at
www.uusongspace.co
m, like us at
facebook.com/
songspace, and
follow us on Twitter!
As a self-taught fiber artist since 1986, Sherri feeds her experimental urges
through free-hand doodling to tease out her comic-style characters. They then
show up in wall hangings and some three-dimensional pieces. The show’s name
comes from her desire to consistently show characters who are “turning toward the
light”-- staying positive in spite of the toughest barriers. The artwork will feature
both Sherri’s early, mostly Judaic, designs as well as some of her recentlydeveloped cartoons. For a preview of Sherri’s style, view her website at
www.galilthreadworks.com.
Opening Reception: Sunday, February 1, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
All are welcome!
FAMILY CHOIR
The Family Choir provides an
opportunity for families to sing
together and to create a friendly,
informal, supportive community. From
September through May, with a break
in January, rehearsals take place on
most Tuesday evenings, 6:30 to 7:15
p.m. preceded by a simple meal
served from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Family
Choir provides music for the 9:30 and
11:00 a.m. services about once each
month and for the Family Christmas Eve
Service.
4
All kinds of families are invited to be
part of the Family Choir! New families
are welcome at any time. You can find
the current Family Choir rehearsal and
performance schedule as well as the
Family Choir registration form on the
church website, www.first-unitarianpgh.org. Just follow the “Getting
Involved” link and the “Music and
Performing Arts” link.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT
T H E M E E T I N G H O U S E AT F I R S T U N ITA R I A N
~ A Gathering Place for Adult Learners
and Seekers
Welcome to “The Meetinghouse” – our gathering place for adult learners and
seekers at First Unitarian Church. As Unitarianism developed in America,
congregations often met in buildings called meetinghouses, because learning, civic
discourse, and religious activity all took place there. In this way, the concept of
the Meetinghouse captures our mission and vision for our programs for adult
learners and seekers.
These offerings are divided into four paths that lead to and from the
Meetinghouse – Membership/UU Core, Spiritual Growth, Social Responsibility,
and Leadership. The program guide with complete descriptions and registration
links on our website. To register on the website, click “Our Shared Ministry,” then
“Lifespan Faith Development,” and then “Adult Faith Development.”
If you have an idea for a Meetinghouse program or have questions, please
contact committee chair, Julie Childers, 412- 726-3590; julie36pa@gmail.com
or Rev. Robin Zucker at 412-727-6870; flowingforce@verizon.net.
Other groups within our congregation also offer and sponsor programs,
especially musical affinity groups and Social Action groups such as the Green
Sanctuary Committee and Multicultural Transition Team, so keep an eye out for
details about these programs in your order of service and future newsletters!
See you at the Meetinghouse!
WINTER/SPRING PROGRAM PREVIEW:
POP-UP INSTITUUTE: Save the Date - PATH TO MEMBERSHIP AND UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST IDENTITY:
Saturday, March 14, 2015, 9:00 a.m.
- 3:30 p.m. featuring The Art of

Membership Orientations
Falling Safely with Barbara Litt;
Three Sundays: Feb 22, Mar 1 and
Gratitude and the Happiness
8.
12:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Advantage with Dave Russell; The
Three Sundays: Apr 12, 19 and
Inspired Energy Citizen with Kirsi
26. 12:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Jansa; UU Parenting with Jen
Leaders: Rev. David Herndon and
Halperin; Conflict Zen with Rev. Robin
members of the Membership
Zucker; and a creative Soul Collage
Committee.
workshop with Mary Schinhofen.

The Epic of Unitarianism
Four Thursdays, Feb 26, Mar 5, 12
and 19. 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Leader:
Dave Dunn, Intern Minister.
5
Registration
for Adult Faith
Development
Classes
Please register in
advance for courses and
programs so we can
prepare for the proper
number. If you decide
not attend, please cancel
your registration
promptly.
ONLINE
REGISTRATION
PROCESS
You can find course
details and Register on
our newly-designed
website: www.firstunitarian-pgh.org.
Click "Our Shared
Ministry" then "Lifespan
Faith Development,"
then "Adult Faith
Development. "
Program Guide link:
www.first-unitarianpgh.org/
adultfaithdevelopment/
winterspringcatalog.pdf
Registration
link: http://
fs18.formsite.com/
FirstUnitarianChurch/
AdultFaith/index.html
Adult Faith
Development
Committee Members
Julie Childers, chair
Marie Baird
Linda Fleming
Mary Schinhofen
Bob Sullivan
Rev. Robin L. Zucker
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT
(continued)
Covenant
Groups at
First
Unitarian
Church
Covenant Groups are
an important part of
the Adult Faith
Development
program. A covenant
group includes six to
twelve church
members and
friends who meet
regularly and
intentionally to build
a sense of
community with one
another and to share
the process of
personal spiritual
growth. A covenant
group offers
opportunities for
friendship, spiritual
growth, mutual
responsibility,
leadership, and
service. Many have
found that belonging
to a covenant group
has become one of
the most important
parts of their
connection with
First Unitarian
Church. A covenant
group orientation
will be scheduled for
this Spring. Look for
details. To learn
more about covenant
groups, please see
the church web
site: http://
www.first-unitarianpgh.org/ministry/
covenant-groups
THE MEETINGHOUSE
(continued)

Bad Girls of the Bible
Four Sundays, Apr 12, 19, 26 and
May 3. 1:15 - 3:00 p.m. Leader:
Mary Schinhofen
 Now
Starting in March: “From
Jesus to Christ: The First
Christians” PBS FRONTLINE DVD
and discussion series - Four
Sundays, Mar 1, 8, 15, and 29,
1:15 - 2:45 p.m. Leaders: John
Ballance, Intern Minister and Alice
Lieb.
PATH TO SPRIITUAL GROWTH:
 Now
Starting in March: Spirit in
Motion, a Dance Choir seminar Three Mondays, March 2, April 6,
and May 4, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Leader: Mary Pat Mengato.
 Dark
Green Religion: An
Introduction - Four Mondays, Mar
30, Apr 6, 13 and 20, 7:30-9:00
p.m. Leader: Dave Dunn, Intern
Minister.
 Walking
Towards Walden
(rescheduled form rained out date)
- Sunday, May 31, 2:00 - 4:00 pm.
Leader: Rev. Robin Landerman
Zucker, Assistant Minister.
 Essays,
Coffee and Conversation
at the Chalice Café - Tuesdays,
10:00-11:30 a.m., Feb 17; Mar 3,
17, 31 and Apr 14. Noon - 1:30
p.m.
Leader: Rev. Robin Zucker.
 Spiritual
Road Trips in the Burgh Dates and Times TBA. Leader: Rev.
Robin Zucker.
6
PATH TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
 Common
Read: Reclaiming
Prophetic Witness, by Paul Rasor.
A cluster-wide “town meeting”
about the book will be held later in
2015, led by cluster activists. NOTE:
The book is available to purchase
at the First Unitarian bookstore; we
also have “library” copies to
borrow.
 FLICKS
THAT STICK: “Cloudburst”
movie and discussion Friday, June
12, 7:30 pm.
PATH TO LEADERSHIP:
 Financial
Integrity - Transforming
Your Relationship with Money.
Three Sundays in 2015: Jan 4, 11,
and 18, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Leader:
Trina Brown.
 (LD)
Compassionate
Communications Basics - Ten
Saturday mornings, 10:00 – 11:30
a.m. Mar 7, 21, 28, Apr 4, 18, 25,
May 2, 16, 23, and 30 (note gaps).
Leader: Claus Makowka.
PASTORAL GATHERINGS:
 When
Mother’s Day Hurts: A
Sharing Circle - Sunday, May 10,
1:15 - 2:45 p.m. We will gather for
reflection, sharing and support.
Leader: Rev. Robin Landerman
Zucker.
Also in the works at the Meetinghouse:
A Rise Up Singing winter folk
gathering and a vegan potluck Spring
picnic in the garden. Watch for
details.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT
(continued)
FORUM
Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Sc hweitzer Room
Forum is the weekly discussion/lecture that considers the broad weft and warp of
topics that engage our heads and our hearts. Our speakers are often from local
universities, organizations, church members, or government institutions. The format
is usually a short presentation (20 to 40 minutes) followed by a half hour of
vigorous discussion.
FEBRUARY 1
FEBRUARY 15
Climate Changes: Confronting the
The Obesity Epidemic: How Did We
Climate Crisis. Robert R. Mitchell, PhD.
Get Here and How Do We Get Out?
Martin C. Schmidt, PhD.
The scientific community is essentially
Starting in the early 1980s, Americans unanimous in recognizing the human
cause of climate change, predicting
have been putting on weight. At
ominous consequences for humanity,
present, over two thirds of all
and calling for urgent action. Yet
American adults are overweight and
climate deniers continue to hold sway,
one third are obese. Obesity directly
public opinion does not reflect scientific
affects our health and has placed a
gigantic financial burden on the health understanding and Congress opposes
meaningful action. We all need to ask
care system. Dr. Schmidt will review
ourselves the question: What can I do
what we know about the obesity
to address the climate crisis and
epidemic and present one hypothesis
preserve our “beautiful blue boat
for the connection between processed
home” for our children and their
foods and metabolic disease.
children?
FEBRUARY 8
Plus or Minus - Some Stories from the FEBRUARY 22
Wounds That Heal: The Tipping Point
History of Mathematics. Stuart
from Normal Wound repair to
Hastings.
Pythagoras enforced vegetarianism on Pathologic Fibrosis. Cecelia Christina
his disciples, but banned the eating of Yates, PhD.
Fibrotic diseases are one of the largest
lentils. Archimedes probably did not
groups of disorders for which there is
jump out of his bathtub shouting
Eureka, because apparently he rarely no effective therapy, resulting in
significant morbidity and mortality
bathed. Newton may have poisoned
worldwide. Dr. Yates research interest
himself via alchemy. Yet one can
is skin fibrosis and capturing the
argue that the modern world, for
clinical diversity among patients to
better or worse, would not exist
develop effective personalized
without the work of these three. My
therapeutic. She will discuss using
goal, however, is not to defend this
thesis but simply to tell you about them genomics, engineering, and biology to
design tailored treatments for skin
and a few others who helped to
fibrosis and non-healing wounds.
develop the mathematics we study
today.
7
HOW TO
SUBMIT
ARTICLES
TO THE
CHALICE
The Chalice is
published monthly
(except August) by
the First Unitarian
Church of
Pittsburgh. Our
editor for The
Chalice is Jennifer
Parsons.
Newsletter
Deadline:
Submissions to
The Chalice are
due by the 15th
of the prior
month. Submit
your articles via
email to the editor
at
jennifer.parsons@
outlook.com.
The very best way
to contact our
newsletter editor,
Jennifer Parsons,
is through email:
jennifer.parsons@
outlook.com.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
lopment
Lifetime Faith Deve
REflections
s News
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t
is
in
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t
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d
Children an
First Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh-Children and
Youth Ministries
Calendar of Events
February 1
Regular
classes,
Social Action
Sunday
February 8
Children’s
Chapel.
Coming of Age.
February 15
Regular
Classes.
Ice Cream Social.
February 22
9:30
Workshop.
11:00 regular
classes.
Coming of Age
Spaghetti Lunch.
Ministry is that quality of being in community that affirms human dignity ‐ beckons forth hidden possibilities, invites us into deeper, more constant, reverent relationships, and carries forward our heritage of hope and liberation. ~ Rev. Gordon McKeeman Nurturing a Child’s Spirit in a Faith
Community
W
ho am I? Where do I belong? How did we get here? What happens when
we die? Addressing these questions and broad questions of being, love
and truth are important to the spiritual development of children. Each
family makes different choices on how to tend the spirit of their child, and while
feeling part of something bigger, practicing gratitude and caring for others are not
specific to faith communities, UU congregations have traditions that have evolved
over time to be effective when providing a child with a sense of belonging, a spirit
of gratitude and a love of neighbor.
Many parents find their way to First Unitarian Church looking for a faith
community for their child(ren), thinking that it is important for children to
experience religion in a way that is compatible with their own views on
theology. Many times parents come as a proactive effort to provide a frame of
reference other than the less inclusive and judgmental views of their children’s
classmates or neighbors. These parents come for their children and they end up
staying because they find a multigenerational
community that nurtures them and deepens
their faith.
With a warm welcome,
Jennifer Halperin
Director of Children and Youth Ministry
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
Children and Youth Ministries
Ice Cream Social
Sunday, February 15th
A fun activity planned for February is the Ice
Cream Social. Children and youth of the
congregation will be matched up with adults to
have ice cream sundaes together after both
services on February 15.
February 2015
Youuth Nuus
March 20—22, 2015
Fundamentals of
Healthy Youth Ministry
for Youth and
prospective Advisors.
Contact Jennifer
Halperin at jbhalperin@
yahoo.com for more
information. Toledo, OH
****************************
Children and adults who would like to participate should
sign up online at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4DA9AE22A57icecream1/14870962 . Adults who sign up will receive the name
of their “special friend” along with the classroom where
they will pick the child up. After picking the child up, they
go downstairs and have ice cream (dairy and non-dairy)
together! It is a wonderful way to get to know others at
church and build intergenerational friendships. Hope to
Coming of Age
Ohio Meadville District
Youth Schedule 2015
Social Action Con:
March 6 - 8, 2015,
For Senior High
students and older
Junior High students.
First Unitarian Church
Cleveland, Shaker
Heights, OH.
Spring Con YAC Meeting:
a meeting to plan
Spring Conference.
April 17-18 at UU
Church of Akron.
Spring (All Ages) Con: A
Spaghetti Lunch and Silent Auction
con for all ages. That's
7th graders, through
Sunday, February 22nd
19 year old. Because
Plan on staying for lunch after the 11am service or for
of the vast age range,
refreshments after the 9:30am service! This is a wonderful 7th and 8th graders
are only permitted to
time of fellowship and food, and an opportunity to be
served by our Coming of Age youth. There will be a Silent attend if they have
attended a Junior High
Auction and Raffle of baskets and other goods and
Con. May 15-17.First
services. Proceeds go toward the Coming of Age trip to
UU Church of
Washington, DC in April.
Columbus, OH.
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
I refuse to
accept the view
that mankind is
so tragically
bound to the
starless
midnight of
racism and war
that the bright
daybreak of
peace and
brotherhood
can never
become a
reality.... I
believe that
unarmed truth
and
unconditional
love will have
the final word.
~ Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Celeste Taylor
Social Action
Coordinator
Contact at:
412.621.8008 x104
uusjcpittsburgh@
gmail.com
Office Hours:
Wednesdays,
Noon-3:00 p.m.
KHASI HILLS PARTNERSHIP BOOKMARK
S I G N I N G E V E N T ~ S u n d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 5
Our church has had a relationship with
the Unitarians of Khasi Hills India since
about 2001. You may be surprised to
know there are 45 congregations and
10,000 adults and children in this very
poor and rural part of Northern India.
For many years we facilitated a
Sponsor-a-Student program for the
Annie Margaret Barr Secondary School
in Kharang and contributed $5,000
yearly. For a variety of reasons, more
recently we moved to funding a capital
improvement project about yearly. This
included funding a fence so goats
would not eat the student outdoor
science projects and most recently
funding media equipment following
Reverend Herndon’s visit during his
sabbatical in 2012.
The Khasi Hills social justice program
was very ably led most recently by
Ebe Emmons-Apt for many years.
Recently Karen Litzinger was inspired
to sign up for a pilgrimage to Khasi
Hills that is conducted annually through
the Unitarian Universalist Partner
Church Council (UUPCC). Karen has
since volunteered to facilitate our
church involvement over the next two
years. She will be traveling to the
Khasi Hills in March. Karen has created
bookmarks to distribute to the children
of our school when she visits. She is
inviting us to sign the backs with a
greeting to personalize the bookmarks
and foster our relationship. The
Bookmark Signing Event will be on
Sunday, February 15 after both church
services at tables in the Undercroft
Gallery during social hour. You will
also be able to review a display and
photos of past church involvement.
Sunday School students will also be
10
signing and/or drawing on bookmarks
that same day.
Our involvement began initially through
the Religious Education program when
Katie Horowitz was selected as one of
two youth representatives from the
United States to travel to Khasi Hills
around 1999. After that we began a
cultural exchange program between
our Sunday School and the Sunday
School of the Jowai church, the largest
Unitarian church in the region. Jen
Halperin and Ebe Emmon-Apt visited
Khasi Hills in 2005, including the
Unitarian Church in Jowai and the
Annie Margaret Barr Secondary School
in Kharang, our partner school. Katie
Scudera, a Carnegie Mellon student
and member of our campus ministry
program, spent about 9 months in India
in 2008-2009 working on putting
together an orphanage, which continues
to house around 20 children from the
Unitarian community. John Williams
assisted with this project in the fall of
2008.
We have also had visits to Pittsburgh
from Indian leaders of the Unitarian
Union of Northeast India (UUNEI),
including Darihun Khriam and Nangroi
Suting, both of whom at internships with
the UUA International Office.
Karen will have more information to
share with us about Khasi Hills when she
learns first-hand about their needs.
With our church having such a rich
history of supporting the Khasi
Unitarians, we look forward to more
opportunities to support them
financially and through cultural
exchange.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
(continued)
SOCIAL ACTION COUNCIL
Committees Leaders and
Representatives:
- Alternative Gift Market Committee
(AGM), Cindy Kirsch
- Congregational Study/Action Issue
(CSAI) Reproductive Justice
Committee, Pat Ulbrich
- East End Cooperative Ministry
(EECM): Kim Lincoln, general; Keith
Bryner, Men’s Shelter Meals
- Green Sanctuary Committee, Peg
Schmidt
- Matters of Racial Equality (MORE)
Our work is guided by the seven
Committee, Kay Gordon
principles which Unitarian Universalist
- Multicultural Transition Team,
congregations affirm and promote: 1 ~
Vespera Barrow and Tara Tappen
Each person is important. 2 ~ Be kind in
- Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact
all you do. 3 ~ We're free to learn
Network (PIIN) Core Team: vacancy,
together. 4 ~We search for what is
general; Education Committee, Irene
true. 5 ~ All people need a voice. 6 ~
Haberman
Build a fair and peaceful world. 7 ~
- Share the Plate Committee, Laura
We care for the Earth.
Conkle
Activities: Long-term Strategizing,
- Social Justice Endowment
Sponsoring Justice Actions, Supporting
Committee, Maureen Porter
Social Action Groups
- Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania
Legislative Advocacy Network
Meetings: First Wednesdays, 7:00 (UUPLAN): Reproductive Justice, Liz
8:30 p.m., Undercroft Gallery
Perkins; LGBTQ, David Green;
Staff Coordinator: Celeste Taylor,
Economic Justice (vacancy),
(uusjcpittsburgh@gmail.com) or
Immigration Reform (vacancy)
412.621.8008 ext.104. Regular office - Unitarian Universalist Service
and phone conference hours on
Committee (UUSC), Ebe Emmons-Apt
- Unitarian Universalists for Justice in
Wednesday (Noon-3pm).
the Middle East (UUJME), Kathy
Parker
Purpose:
 To coordinate our social justice
actions over the year throughout the
church.
 To share learnings and expertise.
 To strategize so that our social action
and justice efforts align with the
mission of First Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh.
 To raise visibility of our
congregation's commitment to social
action.
SOCIAL JUSTICE CALENDAR
Men’s Shelter Meal Preparation: First
Sunday each month.
Green Sanctuary meetings: First
Sunday each month.
Share the Plate: Third Sunday each
month.
Social Action Council meetings: First
Wednesday each month.

EECM
FOOD PANTRY
COLLECTION
You are invited to
bring contributions
for the East End
Cooperative Ministry
Food Pantry to the
9:30 or 11:00 worship
service on the first
Sunday of each
month. All nonperishable food items
are welcome.
Following is a
suggested schedule of
items:
January
peanut butter
February
tuna or vegetarian
alternative
March
canned soup
April
canned meat or
vegetarian alternative
May
jelly, jam, or
preserves
June
boxed meals
July
pancake mix
August
chili
September
pasta
October
spaghetti sauce
Matters of Racial Equality (MORE)
meetings: Fourth Sunday each month.
The PIIN Core Team meetings: Third
Monday each month.
Collection for EECM Food Pantry: Any
Sunday
Multicultural Transition Team
meetings: First Thursday each month.

11
November
canned fruit
December
beef stew or
vegetarian alternative
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
(continued)
OUR
MISSION
The mission of the First
Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh is to . . .
Connect deeply in
community
Inspire reverence and
spiritual growth
Serve each other and the
world
We connect deeply in
community by . . .
gathering together in
fellowship in a safe
space
listening with empathy
and without judgment
warmly welcoming
everyone who enters
our doors
We inspire reverence and
spiritual growth by . . .
celebrating and
exploring the
moments of awe we
experience in life
encouraging each
other along our
journeys toward truth
and meaning
fostering humility in
the pursuit of wisdom
and understanding
UUPLAN UPDATE
The Women's Health Agenda, aka
The Pennsylvania Agenda for
Women's Health:
Of the 14 bills introduced in 2014,
three were passed: Equitable
protections for domestic violence
victims; Stop intimate partner
harassment; and Required "cliff effect"
study (regarding poverty programs).
The remaining 11 bills will be reintroduced in 2015, possibly the first
five to be presented in mid-February.
We will be following closely in order to
encourage support from co-sponsors
new and old and committee chairs (also
new and old...and Republican!).
Our partner, Planned Parenthood, has
assigned us a Faith Outreach
Coordinator: Jamie Blair, who is
preparing a Clergy Sign-On Letter to
be distributed to all UU clergy in order
to educate them on the Women's
Health Agenda. This will also provide
an opportunity for our team to begin
an on-going dialogue with our clergy
regarding the relevance and urgency
of their participating publicly in
supporting legislature that affects poor
Pennsylvanians.
We serve each other and
the world by . . .
providing support to
those experiencing
hardship or distress
working for social
justice by standing on
the side of Love
being active stewards
of our environment
12
Statement of Conscience re:
Congregational Study/Action Issue
(CSAI) on Reproductive Justice:
We are working individually and also
across the nation via conference calls
to provide feedback on the Statement
of Conscience. (Due: Feb. 2, 2015.)
Lobby Day, Spring, 2015:
We are considering joining Planned
Parenthood's Lobby Day, set for April
13, 2015, in Harrisburg.
Anti-Racism Efforts:
We have had extensive conversation
regarding our relationship with efforts
of women of color and how our roles as
white allies is best understood and
implemented. This study, reflection, and
self-education is on-going.
Pennsylvania Progressive Summit:
Sponsored by Keystone Progress, will
be held February 6 & 7, 2015 at
Harrisburg Hilton. Several of us will
attend and are eager to hear from
Katha Pollitt, Cecile Richards, Krystal
Ball, among many others.
Reproductive Justice: The
Reproductive Justice (RJ) Team
welcomes new members at all times.
We meet by monthly conference call.
Please contact us! Judy Wilson:
j4ewilson@gmail.com or Liz Perkins:
liz.f.perkins@gmail.com.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
CARING COMMUNITY
WOMEN’S ALLIANCE
Founded in Pittsburgh in 1891
Preser ve the legac y!
Join us on the first and third Thursdays of each month,10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in
the Schweitzer Room (coffee at 10:00 a.m., meeting at 10:30 a.m., program at
11:00 a.m., lunch at noon).
Good company, good programs, good conversation, good cookies.
Bring your lunch.
Questions about Women's Alliance? Contact Ellen Parkes Collie, Co-Chair, 412-435-8646,
collieparkes@gmail.com or Betty Duquesnoy, Co-Chair, 412-682-6161,
betty.duquesnoy@comcast.net.
February 5. Liz Perkins presents
“The UUPLAN: How UU's Can Support
Women via the Unitarian Universalist
Pennsylvania Legislative Advocacy
Network.”
February 19. Irene Habermann
discusses “Why Pennsylvania Needs An
Education Fair Funding Formula, and
What That May Look Like.”
TRANSITIONS GATHER-IN
Second Mondays, 10:00 a.m. - noon
“Transitions Gather-In”, a group of
folks talking about life transitions, the
challenges we face as we get older, as
we want to down-size, as we find living
in our homes harder, as we just want to
make our lives simpler, meets once a
month on the second Mondays of the
month.
Please come if you would like to talk
about these life issues with us.
W O M A N S P I R I T ~ S e c o n d We d n e s d a y s
Womanspirit is the evening women’s
group at First Unitarian Church. We
meet on the second Wednesday of
every month for a pot-luck dinner in a
member’s home. Dinner is usually
followed by a group discussion focused
on what we value in our lives, or how
we can improve our own lives or our
communities. We welcome new
members and friends of First Unitarian.
A Womanspirit dinner is an
entertaining and low-impact way to
meet other women of a broad range of
ages and interests.
To receive regular notice of our
monthly dinners, contact Pat Schuetz at
patschuetz@verizon.net or 412-7311429.
13
Men’s Group
February 11
The February
meeting of the
Men's Group will
be Wednesday,
February 11, 7:30 9:00 p.m. in the Semple Room.
John Ballance will
be the leader,
continuing in our
occasional
series, “Life
Histories.”
Anticipate
opportunities to
discuss what
experiences lead
him to us.
Contact: Jim
Reitz,
J5650R@comcast.
net.
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
CARING COMMUNITY
(continued)
OUR CARING CONNECTIONS
DAISIES
A big bouquet to
our finance team—
Ward Kelsey,
Gordon
Hargreaves, and
Bari Roman. They
all put in a lot of
volunteer hours to
keep our finances
on track.
Daises to our
Women’s Alliance
whose generosity
is always plentiful
year after year.
Thank you to the
Social Events
Committee for the
many hours of
cooking and
serving every
year.
Confidential pastoral care is available
to all members and friends, new and
longstanding. Our Caring Connections
program is coordinated by the Rev.
Robin Zucker. If you would like to join
the Caring Connections team, please
contact the Rev. Zucker at 412-7276870 or flowingforce@verizon.net.
Threshold Choir Founded in 2007, the
Pittsburgh Threshold Choir honors an
ancient tradition of women singing
a cappella at the bedsides of people
who are dying, ill, or experiencing a
difficult life transition. They share the
healing gift of voices in private
homes, hospitals, hospice facilities, or
anywhere and any time when support
Helping Hands provides concrete
through song is appropriate. To request
assistance (such as rides and meal
a visit by the choir (or inquire about
coordination) to church members and
joining the group) , please contact Rev.
provides opportunities for congregation
Robin or Choir Director Cindy Harris
members to reach out to others. To
(412-447-1812; cah329a@gmail.com.
express a need or volunteer, please
contact the Rev. Robin at 412-727Marion's Purse has practical resources
6870 or flowingforce@verizon.net.
to share. We have bus tickets, Giant
Eagle cards, and cash reserves in our
Kindred Spirits: The ministers are
fund to help with financial and life
assisted by a Lay Pastoral Care Team,
needs. Please contact Rev. Robin in
who companion church members in
confidence. Donations are welcome
need of spiritual and emotional support
(checks to First Unitarian with Marion's
during life challenges; they offer a
Purse in the memo).
presence for elders, caregivers, and
families in crisis. Please contact
We have created a Medical
coordinator MR Kelsey at 412- 362Equipment Loan Program. If you have
1514 or maryruthkelsey@gmail.com.
items to loan or need to borrow
something, please contact Jim Reitz at
Homemade Cook It Forward meals are
j5650r@comcast.net
available in our church freezer. Please
Contact the ministers, the church office,
let Mary Ruth (MR) Kelsey,
maryruthkelsey@gmail.com (412-362- the Director of Religious Education, a
1514) or Rev. Robin know you'd like to musical group, or your covenant group,
put together a meal for one of our
when you or someone you know is in
need of support or care. Please contact
congregants.
the ministers with pastoral life issues, to
Comfort Quilts Two beautiful comfort
be included in the pastoral prayer on
quilts have been created by First U
Sunday morning, or about memorial
quilters. These washable quilts can be
services.
loaned to members and friends who
seek comfort as they cope with illness,
loss or other difficult life events. Please
contact Rev. Robin or Mary Ruth
Kelsey.
14
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
STEWARDSHIP
F RO M Y O U R B OA R D O F T RU S T E E S
Your Board of Trustees met on January
21 and recognized visitors in
attendance: Dave Dunn, Claus
Makowka, and Gordon Hargreaves.
Rev. Herndon reported on the status of
the sound upgrade in the sanctuary,
which had been approved by the
board. Half of this project has been
completed.
Ward Kelsey gave the Treasurer’s
report, noting that pledge giving at the
end of 2014 was 94 percent of the
amount pledged (in keeping with past
patterns), with a (not unexpected)
deficit of $35,700 for 2014. On a
positive note there was substantial prepayment of pledges for 2015 in the
amount of $55,000. Meanwhile, the
shortfall in pledging to meet program
and staff needs of the 2015 budget is
now determined to be around $65,000
(down from the $85,000 projected in
December, due to additional pledges
received since then). Board members
gave considerable time to the question
of what should be done to address our
financial shortfall. There is agreement
that our response must consider both
short-term program and staff
expenses, and long-term budget restructuring. We acknowledged that the
church has been operating as though
we are a 500-member congregation,
when in fact we are now at 357
members (44 less than last year).
While cuts to the budget will be
necessary, it was agreed that any cuts
should be made only with great care.
Toward that end, we considered
whether long-term structural decisions
would benefit from a survey of the
congregation to more fully assess why
our numbers are down and determine
our priorities for the road ahead. We
considered how such a survey might be
constructed and what it would hope to
accomplish. A committee was formed to
investigate this possibility.
As a matter of principle, the board
feels it is essential for the board to
hear what members of the
congregation want, but in the end, the
board must be responsible for making
budget decisions and being
accountable for them.
Meanwhile, the board accepted Rev.
Herndon’s offer to put together a
couple of revised budgets for 2015: a
reduction of $40,000 dating from June
1, and a reduction of $65,000 for full
year implementation. These revised
budget proposals will help us see what
alternative budget options might mean
for our church and will be the basis for
further discussion.
Finally, several fund raising possibilities
were presented: increased sale of
Giant Eagle cards (the church gets 5
percent from each sale), member
donations on your birthday, and other
ideas. A fantasy auction is planned for
the spring. We agreed that in spite of
the financial challenges deriving from
the shortfall in pledges for 2015, our
church continues to be a marvelous
source of inspiration, community
engagement, and spiritual growth. We
invite church members to share their
concerns with members of the board.
We welcome your ideas and counsel,
truly.
Report submitted by Kathy Parker
krparker.4487@gmail.com.
15
Board Members
2014/2015
Brady Hunsaker,
President (2016)
Amy DeChicchis, Vice
President (2015)
Vespera Barrow (2015)
Marty Lieb (2017)
Brian Rohleder (2015)
Bari Roman (2017)Corey
Layman (2016)
Kathy Parker (2016)
Tara Tappan (2017)
Board Contacts:
Brady Hunsaker,
President
bradyhunsaker@
gmail.com
412-370-8307
Amy DeChicchis, Vice
President
amydech50@
gmail.com
412-421-1367
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
C H U RC H G RO U P L E A D E R S
Committees, covenant groups, performing arts groups, social action groups, and
affinity groups are opportunities for you to become involved in the life of First
Unitarian Church. Some of these groups provide opportunities for you to be of
service to our church, some provide opportunities for you to explore your own
personal spiritual journey, some provide opportunities for artistic expression, and
some provide opportunities for you to help make the world a better place. And
all of these groups offer opportunities for you to build a sense of community with
others here at our church.
Board of Trustees – Brady Hunsaker
- Building Expansion Committee – Corey
Layman
- Organ Renovation Committee – Roy Matway
Nominating Committee – Irma Tani
Some days there
won't be a song
in your heart.
Sing anyway.
~Emory Austin
Stewardship Council
- Annual Budget Drive Committee - Raeann
Olander-Murray and Alison Schwartz
- Building Committee – Ray Schinhofen
- Fantasy Auction Committee – David Doorley
and Patricia Goettel
- Garden and Grounds Committee – Suzanne
Powell
- Investment Committee – Claus Makowka
- Marketing and Communications Committee
- Rob Schwartz
- Memorial Garden Committee – Linda
Kauffman
- Operations Administrative Team – Rita
Gates
- Planned Giving Committee – [TBD]
- Program Administrative Team – Rev. David
Herndon
- Right Relations Team – Holly McCullough
- Safe Congregations Team – Jennifer Halperin
- Shared Ministry Committee – Jim Bain
Worship Council
- Sunday Celebrations Committee – Louise
Jencik
- Ushers and Greeters Committee – Rev. David
Herndon
16
Music and the Arts Council – Brian Junker
- Art Committee – Ali Masalehdan
- Dance Choir – Mary Pat Mengato
- Family Choir – Rev. David Herndon
- Folk Orchestra – Emily Pinkerton
- Music Endowment Committee – Shelagh
Collins
- Recorder Ensemble – Mary Denison
- Sanctuary Choir – Jon Erik Schreiber
- SongSpace – Linda and Mark Holsing
- Young Adult Spoken Word Choir – Rev.
David Herndon
Lifespan Faith Development Council
- Adult Faith Development Committee – Julie
Childers
- Bookstore Committee – Cathy Kerr and Mary
Schinhofen
- Campus Ministry Endowment Committee –
Jennifer Detchon
- Endowment for Ministry with Children and
Youth – Jennifer Halperin
- Library Committee – Mary Schinhofen
- Religious Education Committee – Cathy
Rohrer
- Sunday Morning Forum Steering Committee
– Michael Lotze
- Young Adult and Campus Ministry
Community – Jennifer Detchon
- Young Adult Steering Committee – Taylor
Paglisotti
(continued)
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
C H U RC H G RO U P L E A D E R S
(continued)
Social Action Council – Celeste Taylor
Gift Market Committee – Cindy
Kirsch
- East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) –
Keith Bryner and Kim Lincoln
- Green Sanctuary Committee – Peg Schmidt
- Inter-Arts Social Justice Committee – Dave
Green and Bruce McConachie
- Khasi Hills Partnership Committee – Ebe
Emmons-Apt
- Matters of Racial Equality (MORE) – Kay
Gordon
- Multicultural Transition Team – Vespera
Barrow and Tara Tappen
- Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN)
Core Team – Irene Habermann
- Reproductive Justice Committee – Pat
Ulbrich
- Social Justice Endowment Committee –
Maureen Porter
- Share the Plate Committee – Laura Conkle
- Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania
- Alternative
Legislative Advocacy Network (UUPLAN) –
David Green and Liz Perkins
- Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the
Middle East (UUJME) – Kathy Parker
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
(UUSC) – Ebe Emmons-Apt
Caring Community Council
Ministry Discussion Group – Jim
Pashek and Annie Stunden
- Covenant Group Advisory Committee – TBD
- Gathering of Men – Jim Reitz
- Helping Hands – Rev. Robin Zucker
- Humanist Group – Roy Frye
- Kindred Spirits - Rev. Robin Zucker
- Membership Committee – Lynne Porterfield
- Quilters – Annie Stunden
- Social Events Committee – Eileen Hastings
- Transitions – Mary Schinhofen
- Womanspirit – Pat Schuetz
- Women’s Alliance – Betty Duquesnoy and
Kathie Brodie
- Addictions
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a
day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed,
revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at
the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one
for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.
~ Audrey Hepburn
17
BUY
BEACON
BOOKS
When you are
considering gifts for
those near and dear
to you (for holidays,
for birthdays, for
anniversaries, and so
on), please consider
buying books from
Beacon Press.
Founded in 1854,
Beacon Press is the
publishing house
owned by the
Unitarian
Universalist
Association. Beacon
Press publishes books
that reflect our
progressive,
humanitarian values.
You can visit the
Beacon Press web site
by visiting the UUA
Bookstore at
www.uuabookstore.
org or by going
directly to
www.beacon.org/
index.html. Our very
own First Unitarian
Church Bookstore
stocks many books
from Beacon Press.
You can also order
Beacon Press books
by calling the UUA
Bookstore at 800/215
-9076.
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
TO THE POINT: Unitarian Universalist
“Eleva tor Speeches”
Quick! What is Unitarian Universalism?
If you’ve been tongue-tied about how
to answer this question, you are not
alone. The UUA has produced a
brochure of brief responses - short
enough for an elevator ride, cashier
line, or sidewalk (or soccer sideline)
chat. We will include one each month
in the Chalice. Feel free to use them as
is, or let them inspire your own
responses. Do you have an elevator
speech about UUism? Send it to Rev.
Robin at flowingforce@comcast.net
UU Elevator Speech #11
“The historical organizing principle of Unitarianism was the
unity of God, not the trinity. The historical organizing
principle of Universalism was the goodness of God, not the
judgment of God. Unitarian: God is one. Universalist: God is
love. We have evolved into a religion that has no creed, each
person is free to believe what they find to be true. This means
that, on a Sunday morning, you might be sitting next to
people who give different names to what they believe (theist,
atheist, agnostic, Christian, Jewish, undecided, humanist,
Muslim). We become Unitarian Universalists because we
believe that humans need the freedom to grow toward their
own beliefs. We gather in community to encourage one
another in our spiritual growth, to learn how to
live together in loving diversity, and to work together for
good purpose in the world.”
~ Rev. Kathleen Hepler
GIANT EAGLE GIFT CARDS
You can provide muchneeded financial support
for First Unitarian Church by
purchasing Giant Eagle gift
cards, which are available
at our table in the Gallery
after church on Sundays. Giant Eagle
gift cards can be used just like cash,
and they can be used to purchase
anything in the store - including gift
18
cards for other businesses!
First Unitarian Church
receives five percent (5%)
of all Giant Eagle gift cards
purchased at our church. Of
course, you do not have to
use gift cards as gifts; you can use
them for your own personal shopping.
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
February 2015
STEWARDSHIP
(continued)
PUBLICIZING YOUR EVENT
Do you have a church event that you would like your fellow church members and
friends to know about? Here are nine ways that you could publicize your event.
1. Newsletter. The Chalice, our church
newsletter, is published at the
beginning of each month. You may
submit items to Communications
Coordinator Jennifer Parsons at
jennifer.parsons@outlook.com. The
deadline is the fifteenth day of the
preceding month. For example, the
deadline for the November
newsletter would be October 15.
2. Order of Service. You may submit
items for the weekly order of
service to Communications
Coordinator Jennifer Parsons at
jennifer.parsons@outlook.com. The
deadline is noon on Wednesday
for the following Sunday.
3. Weekly All-Church Email. If you
would like to have your event in the
weekly all church email, please
email Program Assistant Marlee
Keffer at mkeffer@first-unitarianpgh.org. Events listed in the weekly
email should be relevant to all
church members and friends.
4. Facebook Page. You could post an
announcement on our Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/
firstunitarianpittsburgh. Sayf Sharif
or Christine Milcarek could help you
with this.
5. Program Guide. The
church publishes a
comprehensive
Program Guide for
the Fall, the Winter/
Spring, and the
Summer. You may
be able to publicize
your event in this
way. Please check
with Communications Coordinator
Jennifer Parsons at
jennifer.parsons@outlook.com
about deadlines.
6. Bulletin Boards. You may post
flyers about your event on bulletin
boards around the church. Some
bulletin boards have restrictions.
For example, the music bulletin
board is reserved for music-related
notices.
7. Undercroft Gallery Table. You
may set up a table in the
Undercroft Gallery so that you can
share information about your event
with church members and friends
during the social hour after our
Sunday morning worship services.
8. The Church Website. We have an
on-line calendar embedded in the
church website. Program Assistant
Marlee Keffer maintains this
calendar. If you have reserved
space at the church for your event,
Marlee will most likely include your
event in the on-line calendar. But
you could check with her if you do
not see your event listed.
9. Announcements during Worship
Services. In rare circumstances,
events can be
mentioned by a worship
leader during our
Sunday morning worship
services. Events
publicized in this way
should be relevant to
the entire congregation!
19
CONTRIBUTE
VIA ELECTRONIC
FUNDS
TRANSFER
Please consider
contributing to First
Unitarian Church by
setting up a regular
electronic funds
transfer. This will move
money from your
checking or savings
account directly to First
Unitarian Church. You
can choose to make
your contribution
quarterly, monthly, bimonthly, or weekly.
This option will save
you the trouble of
writing checks and it
will help ensure a level
flow of contributions to
the church throughout
the year.
Please fill out
the Vanco form online
by clicking the
DONATE NOW
button in the left
sidebar at www.firstunitarian-pgh-org.
You can also make your
2015 pledge online by
clicking the PLEDGE
NOW button in the left
sidebar at www.firstunitarian-pgh-org.
February 2015
THE NEWSLETTER
OF
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF
PITTSBURGH
DENOMINATIONAL CONNECTIONS
Save the Date:
March 27-28
2015 Joint
District
Assembly with
St. Lawrence
District
Keynote
Speaker:
Rev. Scott Tayler
Niagara Falls, NY
District Assembly is
a chance for
congregational
leaders and
ministers to meet,
network, ask
questions, provide
input on the
direction of the
district and gather
resources and
information on a
variety of topics and
programs. It is an
opportunity for
education,
leadership
development and
networking in a
stimulating UU
setting. Consider
sending a
congregational
team to collect
information from
many workshops as
well as to represent
your congregation
as delegates.
THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF THE NORTH
HILLS INVITES YOU TO:
W O N D E R F U L W E D N E S D AY S
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS ARE BACK!
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills will be holding Wonderful
Wednesdays again on February 11, 18, 25, and March 5. There will be a potluck
dinner at 6:00 p.m. Classes will follow from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Two offerings and a
children’s program are available in this 4 week series. Come for dinner, bring a
dish to share, and stay for an offering. Or just come for dinner or just for an
offering.
One class is called Moving Meditation/Dance Jam, led by Rev. Scott Rudolph.
Moving and dancing! We create a safe time and space for being in and moving
our bodies.
The other class is called I Talk, You Talk, We All Talk for TED Talks, led by Doug
Ickert and Ron Smart. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a global set of
conferences that feature 18 minute presentations of “Ideas Worth Spreading.”
Participants will watch select, amusing and entertaining talks and join in
conversation after.
Childcare for children under 3 and children’s activities are being organized by
Robyn Travers.
UUCNH is located at 2359 West Ingomar Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237. You may
contact the church by email: office@uucnh.org, or phone: 412-366-0244. The
website is www.uucnh.org.
20
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
A Member of the Unitarian Universalist Association
605 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2999
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage Paid
PAID
Permit No. 2259
Pittsburgh PA
Address Service Requested
The Reverend Dr. David Herndon
Senior Minister
Rita Gates
Business Manager
The Reverend Robin Landerman Zucker
Assistant Minister
Brady Hunsaker
President
Jennifer Halperin
Director of Ministry with Children and Youth
The Chalice
Connect + Inspire + Serve
Newsletter of the First Unitarian Church of
Pittsburgh
Volume 16 Number 2
February 2015
Church Office Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Telephone: (412) 621-8008
FAX: (412) 621-9011
www.first-unitarian-pgh.org