Sunday
Services
run from 11:00 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. Nursery
Care is provided and the religious education program is held concurrent
with the service. Coffee and conversation for adults and children
immediately follow the service. Parents should supervise their
children during coffee hour.
SPECIAL
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING September 14,
2003 1:00
PM UUCNH
West Room
The Board of Trustees of UUCNH voted on August 18, 2003 to call a
Special Congregational Meeting to be held September 14, 2003 at 1:00
PM. This meeting call was requested by the Facilities Planning
Committee (FPC). The purpose of the meeting is to consider
motions for proceeding with architect’s schematics for proposed capital
improvements and engaging a Capital Campaign Consultant to perform a
planning study.
The FPC considers this a crucial next step in preparing our facilities
to continue to be useful both to our congregation and our
community. They are preparing a summary letter providing
background, strategic planning, church program needs and financial
viability information for your consideration prior to the meeting date.
This Special Meeting is important to the future of our church.
You will be asked to vote on the proposed actions, and the results of
this meeting will determine the next steps in our planning for capital
improvements. Please do everything you can to be there and cast
your vote. Childcare will be provided
CAROL’S COLUMN:
IN THIS MOMENT
You can tell that the weather has been less than ideal when you’re
sitting in jackets on the beach with friends on an overcast, 70-degree,
mid-August afternoon, with a cool wind blowing over 65-degree ocean
water and someone observes, “This isn’t a bad beach day.” It’s
especially revealing when everyone else quickly agrees, appreciating
that at least it’s not foggy or raining or thundering. Such was
the beach conversation on Wednesday of my second and last week in
Rehoboth this year.
The weather had looked ominous from the outset. In Pittsburgh on
the day before I left for my ocean vacation, all the major television
meteorologist were saying the same thing--”The cloudy, cool, wet
weather you see is going to hang around for about two weeks.
We’re stuck in a weather pattern bringing moisture up from the south on
strong southwest winds.”
I heard the weather forecast, claimed to apply from Pittsburgh east to
the Delaware shore, and promptly went into denial. It was too
bleak to contemplate. They had to be wrong.
On Saturday the skies cleared and the sun came out as I crossed the bay
bridge into Delaware. I thought, “Aha, I knew it couldn’t be all
gray!” On Sunday the ocean remained frigid--due to an unusual up
welling of cold bottom water caused by the prevailing weather pattern
that had driven the warm surface waters out to sea and dropped the
ocean temperature by 10 degrees overnight on the previous Friday.
But the cool air temperature and cold wind were offset by sun until
early afternoon when the dark thunderstorm clouds began to
threaten. Overall, Sunday wasn’t an awful beach day, just an
uncomfortably chilly one. It would soon warm up, I thought.
On Monday, clouds turned to rain by early afternoon. On Tuesday,
the early morning sky that looked like it might clear turned to pouring
rain by 10:00 a.m. Wednesday was nice, though still quite chilly
on the beach, but Thursday proved to be a second wash out. The
local meteorologists kept giving the same bleak forecast - what you see
is what you get for the next week to ten days. Perhaps by
Saturday the 16th, the day I had to leave, the weather pattern would
change and the skies would clear, but all agreed the clouds and cool
weather with fog and showers would continue for all or most of my
precious Rehoboth days.
By the middle of the first week, I noticed that my mood was going
downhill. What had been delight and blissful gratitude just to be
walking the beach again in the early morning with dolphins and birds as
companions, and perhaps some hint of the sun rising, was giving way to
resentment about the bad weather that had been and worry about the bad
weather that might yet be. I found myself dwelling so much in
past and future days that I was neglecting a truth I know primarily
from Buddhist teachings and meditation practice: “The present moment is
always a perfect moment; much of our suffering comes from dwelling in
past or future moments.”
So I began to use my early morning as a walking meditation in which
every time my mind wandered back to past beach days or forward to
remaining, likely inclement beach days, I gently drew it back to the
present moment. To the moment in which I was walking on hard
sand, with the sounds and sight of waves breaking, ocean water lapping
at my feet, shells and sea glass to be found, sandpipers running busily
to and fro, seagulls resting and fishing, delicious smells of ocean
air, and, as often as not, dolphins swimming within 30 or 40 feet of
shore. Never mind the fog, or wind, or chill, or gray
skies. Never mind whether or not the clouds would burn away as
the sun rose higher. I drew myself time and again back to the
moment I was given, the present moment from which we make life.
It was hard; this drawing myself back to the present moment was
work. It took persistent attention and self-discipline. But
as I walked, I noticed how I suffered each time my mind wandered to
hours, days, or low tides already lost to unpleasant weather.
Mindful of days gone by, I’d get resentful or angry or sad. I
suffered needlessly, too, each time my mind wondered what mother nature
had in store for my remaining ocean days, and I feared the weather
forecast might well turn out to be more right than wrong. The
future was another door opening to resentment, anger and sorrow evoked
by the thought of losses that might never be. Only in the present
moment, dwelling in walking on the beach, did I find any clarity, peace
of mind, connection with the holy, gratitude, or glimpses of serenity.
Last year my trip to Rehoboth called me back to the Serenity
Prayer. This year it called me back to dwelling in the present
moment. I recommend the latter practice to you, for, in the
present moment, we can find a peace unknown in past or future time, and
relief from suffering that need not be.
See you in church.
Blessings,
Carol.
FROM JOHN’S WOODSHOP
. . .
I looked up suddenly yesterday and realized that summer was well on its
downhill side. Summer is skipping by quickly, and we are almost
back to regular Fall Sunday service times and programs. Rev.
Carol is back, rested and full of insight to impart. Excitement
for new programs for children and adults alike runs high.
Fall reinitiates the programs that are the lifeblood of our
community. The RE program is alive and exciting. The choir
is back with zest after taking the summer months off. Our
committees are back in full swing, doing the things that make our UUCNH
community meaningful.
All of these areas are looking to YOU for fresh ideas and talent.
They offer varied opportunities, from singing, to teaching, to finance,
to building planning. Get involved. We need you.
Remember, the Board meets the third Monday of each month from 7:00 to
9:00 pm. You are welcome to join us. See you there.
Welcome back,
John
BOARD PRESIDENT
INTRODUCTION C. John Ritzert – Elected President, UUCNH Board of Trustees
As your newly elected Board President for the 2003-2004 church year, I
thought that a short biography is in order as a means of
introduction.
My wife Connie and I have been UUCNH members for three years, having
graduated
from the choir at Bakerstown Methodist Church. We are both active
in several church programs, especially the choir.
I am a native of Western PA, spent my youth in Chicora, graduated from
Karns City High School and acquired a B.S. degree in Chemistry from the
University of Pittsburgh. My career specialty was inorganic
analytical
methodologies, with an expertise in the chemistry and analysis of
cyanides.
Most of my 26 years in this field focused on commercial analytical
services
related to industrial hazardous wastes and wastewaters. Just
before
my big career change to woodcrafter, I was Pittsburgh Regional Director
for
PACE Inc.’s Warrendale laboratory and consulting business. My
current
“career” is restoring and repairing things, especially things made of
wood,
in my own business, Stuff & Such. I have a definite passion
for
old wooden rockers!
My family includes two grown sons, Marcus and Chalmer, and a
stepdaughter, Karen. My oldest son, Chalmer, and his wife
Shannon, are about to
make me a grandfather for the first time. I’m looking forward to
a
rewarding and challenging year, with both my new grandchild and the
Board!
John Ritzert
UPCOMING SERVICES
September 14: Faith UU Style
The Rev. Carol Meyer preaching
Many associate faith with belief in something that cannot be proven,
such as God, or adherence to a specific religious doctrine. This
understanding does not fit for many UUs, especially those who are
atheist or agnostic. Come this Sunday as we consider a different
kind of faith: one grounded in trusting ourselves and our own deepest
experiences; one that enables us to try again, trust again, and love
again, whether or not we believe in God.
September
21:UU Christianity
The Rev. Kathleen Rolenz preaching
Rev. Rolenz comes to us from the West Shore Unitarian Universalist
Church in Rocky River, OH, where she serves as parish co-minister with
her husband, Wayne Arnason. She has been at West Shore since
2000. She's also served congregations in Knoxville, TN and Glen
Allen, Virginia. Rev. Rolenz worked as a chaplain resident for a
year at the University of Charlottesville Medical Center. She and
her husband Wayne were the recipients of the 2003 Richard C. Bordon
Sermon Award. She is a member of the Unitarian Universalist
Christian Fellowship and a certified Spiritual Director with the Shalem
Institute of Spiritual Direction.
September
28: True Freedom
The Rev. Carol Meyer preaching
There’s been a lot of talk about freedom lately--especially the kind
Americans have and Iraqis do not. We are a country pledged to
upholding individual freedom, to liberty, yet many of us live in
prisons of our own making, confined and limited in ways having nothing
to do with declarations of independence, legal or social systems.
This Sunday we’ll consider what true freedom might look like, and how
we might experience it.
FREE FAMILY-TO-FAMILY PROGRAM HELPS
FAMILIES COPE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.
Pre-Registration Required
Family-to-Family is a free 12-week education program offered to the
parents, siblings, children or relatives of someone who has been
diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The course discusses the
clinical treatment of these illnesses and provides the knowledge and
skills that family members need to cope more effectively.
Participants learn about handing crises and relapses; communications
techniques; problem solving and limit setting; stress reduction;
medications; community services and support; as well as advocacy.
For information and class locations, please call NAMI Southwestern
Pennsylvania, 412-366-3788 or toll-free 1-888-264-7872.
DOWN UNDER COFFEEHOUSE, ALLEGHENY UU
CHURCH
You are invited to attend the Down Under Coffeehouse on Saturday, Sept.
20th from 7:30-9:30 to hear the music of New Morning. The
talented folk trio, featuring Betsy Gerson, Tim Reiser and John
DiLeonardo, are well known for their tight vocal harmonies and
well-crafted original songs. The Down Under Coffeehouse will be
held the third Saturday of every month in the basement of the Allegheny
Unitarian Universalist Church, 416 West North Ave, North Side.
Suggested donation is $5.00. Please call 412-322-4261 or go to
the website www.trfn.org/auuc
for more details.
SELLERS WANTED
REGISTRATION
FOR BELLWOOD
PRESCHOOL KIDSTUFF SALE
SEPTEMBER 17,
2003
Bellwood Preschool and Kindergarten invites families with gently-used
infant’s and children’s clothing, furnishings, books, toys and
accessories and maternity clothes and items to participate in the Fall
KidStuff Sale on October 9 & 10, 2003. (Seller set-up is
October 8.) Walk-in registration for sellers is September 17,
2003 at Bellwood Preschool from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. There is a
$10.00 registration fee, $4.00 of which can be rebated to those who
volunteer at the sale. This is a great way to clear out your
closets! Anyone with questions may call Jan Ridenour at
412-366-3812.
REMEMBER CHILDCARE!!!
Attention all committees and special event planners: Don't forget our
members with small children When planning your meetings and events,
please arrange for childcare. Greta Porter will be happy to
supply names of childcare givers, and we have a budget specifically for
childcare for church activities. Just contact Greta for more
details.
ADULT RE FOR FALL 2003
*
Spiritual Growth: Set aside some time twice a month to
pursue your spiritual path. Opportunity to engage in silent
reflection - meditation. Share personal spiritual issues and hear
responses from participants. Purpose is to provide companionship
and sometimes insight as we proceed on our spiritual journeys.
Begins Sept. 28 and continues throughout the year on the second and
fourth Sunday. 9:00 –10:15 a.m. Facilitator: Carol Meyer.
* Eve’s Seed:
Come
discuss the origins and implications of the oppression of women in the
development of agriculture at the start of recorded history.
Includes mythological, and archeological evidence as well as that of
modern day “primitive” cultures. Impact on current attitudes to
be emphasized. Begins on Sept. 21 and continues on the third
Sunday of the month through December. Facilitator: Tony Palermo.
* Simplicity
Circle:
Would you like to lead a simpler life? Come share ideas with
like-minded folk. This group started with working through Cecile
Andrews book The Circle of Simplicity; however please feel free to join
the group even if you haven’t read it. This group will begin on
Sept. 5 and continue on the first Sunday of the month. 7-8:30
p.m. Facilitator: Carol Ballance
* Automatic
Writing:
Automatic Writing is an excellent tool for developing your intuitive
skills and gaining insight into your life issues. This class will
help you communicate with your Higher Self and perhaps meet your spirit
guides or other entities using pen and paper. This class will
begin Oct. 14 and continue for four Tuesdays until Nov. 4 from 7-9
p.m. Facilitator: Roxianne Moore.
* Community
Circle:
Monthly meetings, usually in members’ homes, to provide the opportunity
to connect, check in and deepen friendships. The groups also
explore religious/spiritual issues chosen by group members.
Please sign up on the bulletin board in Friendship Hall. Watch
the Orders of Service and the bulletin board. More classes in
Nov.! If you have questions please contact Carol Ballance.
YOGA CLASSES
New Life Yoga is offering yoga instruction for the mind, body and
spirit. Come improve your vitality, relaxation and circulation
while restoring balance, flexibility, posture and muscle tone.
Practice will include breathing and stretching designed to reduce
stress, enhance relaxation and increase mental concentration.
Classes will emphasize gentle, flowing movement with deep breathing in
a noncompetitive, friendly atmosphere. No prior yoga experience
is necessary. Classes begin September 16th and will be held each
Tuesday from 7:00-8:00pm in the East Room. The cost is $8.00 per
class for our church community members and $10.00 for all other
participants. Please call Trish to register.
UU CAMPING TRIP
Eighteen families packed up and headed for Loleta Campground in the
Allegheny National Forest, near Marienville, at the end of July.
We hiked, biked, swam, fished, birded, read, mused, kayaked, splashed
in the stream, sang at the campfire and bravely tubed and canoed on the
Clarion. Due to the rainy summer, the river was higher than ever
before. In fact, the outfitting company closed the river to
tubing expeditions after our group finished a pretty fast float down
the river. A very adventurous pair went kayaking from our
campsite to the Clarion River by way of Sugercamp Run and Millstone
Creek.
Yes, we did have rain. We had one rainy night, which found at
least one wet camper leaving his soggy tent and running for shelter in
his family's tent. (No names, but this camper is soon to go off
to RIT as a freshman.) This year we had the pleasure of Craig
Thompson’s company. He stayed in a "deluxe tent" in the nearby
town, with lights, running water and a real bed! He joined us at
the communal campfire for fun, food and laughs. If you are not a
camper, consider joining us next year. Talk to Craig about the
"deluxe tent" he found, called The Pioneer, I believe.
Also new this year: porcupines! Several people saw them near
camp, usually at night. We enjoyed deer, birds, minnows and a
very lush green forest. Thanks to the wet summer, there were many
mushrooms and all kinds of odd fungi around, every color, size and
shape.
Best of all was the chance to relax with fellow UU 'ers, get to know
each other better, and sing around the campfire while eating
s'mores! And a very special thanks to Janine Brobst and her
autoharp for keeping us on key, to Sharon Sykora for organizing the
group dinner and to Tom Bodie for organizing the float trip.
See you next year!
Kathy Miller
It's that time again...
TIME TO SIGN UP FOR ROUND
ROBIN DINNERS!
Round Robin is the perfect way to spend more time with old friends, or
make new ones, while sharing food, drink and conversation.
Dinners will be held in November, January and February. Regular
participants will attend two dinners as guests and host one dinner in
their home. (Can't
host? We also need alternates to fill out the schedule as guests
only.)
Family dinners include the kids; adult dinners don't. You can
sign up for whichever format you prefer (or both!). You're
welcome to sign up as a couple (married or not) or as a single.
Sign-up sheets will be posted in Friendship Hall beginning on September
7th. These dinners are fun, relaxing & stimulating all at
once! Join us!
For more information, or to sign up over the phone, please call Diana
Hull or Jan Allen.
UPDATE ON PIIN (Pittsburgh
Interfaith
Impact Network)
Don Shepherd, Sharon Pillar and I have been attending the meetings of
the PIIN Economic Equity Task Force. Activities have included
following up on the county commitment to begin addressing housing
problems in Wilkinsburg, collecting and analyzing existing information
on regional smart growth, and conducting interviews with local
officials to learn more about how they see development opportunities
and how available funding is being distributed and used. Don and
I have also attended most of the PIIN board meetings in the last few
months.
PUT THIS DATE
ON YOUR
CALENDAR! OCTOBER 9. Save a small block of time:
7-8:30 p.m. (plus travel time) for the next PIIN public event. At
this meeting PIIN will present an update on the results of the
commitments made at the February meeting, recognize new member
congregations, and discuss the regional nature of economic development
in southwestern PA and how regional alliances are needed to address
inequities. Please plan to come.
Sue Broughton
“EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG” DISCUSSION
GROUP
The next meeting of this discussion group has been changed from
September 14 to October 12 due to the special congregational meeting on
September 14. We will meet after the service in the East
Room. "Everything You Know Is Wrong" by Lloyd Pye is an adult
discussion group on the origins of life and man on Earth. If you
have an open mind and an interest in man's origins, then plan to
attend. Need more information? Call John Bernhard.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT TO BE
INTERVIEWED HERE
The Facilities Planning Committee is evaluating candidates to help us
plan a possible capital campaign for UUCNH. One candidate, Dave
Rickard, came to UUCNH a year ago. The other candidate will be
here on Saturday, September 6, to meet with the FPC, Board members and
any other church members who are interested.
You are welcome to come meet Paul Mack in the West Room on September 6
at 2:30 p.m. He will make a presentation on his proposal to lead
a capital campaign here, and he will take your questions.
WORKSHOP:
“ASK A FRIEND TO CHURCH” - TALKING ABOUT UUISM.
Do you find it tough to describe UUism? Are you a bit shy about
asking a friend to visit our church? Then this workshop is for
you! Rev. Carol Meyer will help us learn about discussing our
faith in this hour-long workshop on Sunday, September 21st at
12:45pm. After the workshop, you can think about whom you might
invite to Bring-A-Friend Sunday on October 5th! (If you have
questions, call Jennifer Blackstone.)
THE TEN MOST FAQ’S ABOUT THE
DINNERS
AT THE PLEASANT VALLEY MEN'S SHELTER
Many of you may be wondering what exactly happens when UUCNH members
and friends volunteer to serve dinner at the Pleasant Valley Men's
Shelter. Well, here are the ten most "Frequently Asked Questions"
about the program from the past few years:
Where is the shelter?
The shelter
is located on Brighton Road in Pittsburgh's Northside near the Mexican
War
Streets neighborhood.
How many volunteers are needed?
Three or
four people are needed to serve dinner but sometimes more volunteers
help with food preparation at home.
What dates are available for dinners?
Volunteers serve dinner almost every day of the year. Many
churches volunteer
for a regular day or days every month. Those days not regularly
reserved are available for UUCNH and others.
How many shelter residents will be
there?
There are usually about 35 to 40 men at the dinner. They are all
temporary residents who stay about a month and take advantage of the
services of the Northside Common Ministries.
Where do I prepare the food?
Although
the shelter has a full kitchen, it usually works best to prepare the
food at
home and warm things as necessary at the shelter.
What time does the dinner start?
Dinners
start about 9:00 PM but volunteers should arrive between 8:00 and
8:15. The residents have usually already set the tables.
Dinner is served buffet style.
What do they like to eat and how much?
The men at the shelter are always graciously appreciative of our help
no matter what we bring and some have big appetites. A meat
entree, perhaps
potato or pasta, a vegetable or salad, bread and butter and of course
dessert
can be included in the meal. It's best to keep in mind that there
may be someone with a dietary restriction so variety is good.
There
doesn't seem to be a formula for how much should be prepared.
"Suggested"
serving sizes aren't always trustworthy.
Who pays for all that food?
Many times
the volunteers donate the food but there is some money available in the
Social Action Committee budget to reimburse purchases.
Do I have to clean up and do all the
dishes after
dinner? Not at all! The men cleanup, do the dishes and
will
even wash any pots, pans or serving plates that you may have brought
with
you.
How can I get involved? Call
Greg Jarold
at 412-766-9120 to get things started or to ask any questions that
didn't make the top ten.
Participation in this activity
is
sponsored by the UUCNH Social Action Committee.
SOCIAL ACTION FOCUS
PROJECTS FOR SEPTEMBER
Here you will
find out where
and how our church is socially active within our community and how you
can become involved. Check the next few pages for
information. If you know of a project or
event to add to the list, please contact Chris Hill and Sue Luebbert,
co-chairs of the Social Action Committee..
Here is this month's list of
projects
* Equal
Exchange Coffee
Equal Exchange cuts out the middlemen, ensuring that more money reaches
the farmers. Their guaranteed minimum of $1.26/lb means a far
better standard of living for these farmers and their families.
UUCNH is proud to be selling Equal Exchange coffees. See Chris
Hill or Sue Luebbert to take some home today!
* IF IT'S MADE
OF PAPER,
RECYCLE IT!
At UUCNH, we collect all forms of paper and
cardboard
for recycling. Most of the paper is recycled through Agents of
Change recycles, located on Rt. 8 just south of Glenshaw Glass.
We collect the following categories of paper and cardboard:
* Any
Corrugated Cardboard
can be flattened and placed in the left-hand dumpster.
* Office Paper
is
any good quality paper from mailings, photocopies and notepads.
This is the premium category, so please remove and place in separate
bins any glossy materials, woven or fiber products, or newspaper.
The bin for office paper is in the church office, in front of the desk.
* Paperboard
includes cereal boxes, shirt cardboard and other containers of
non-corrugated cardboard. Please flatted these containers and
place them in the bins in Friendship Hall, underneath the window to the
office.
* Newspaper
should
be collected in paper bags and placed by the bins in Friendship
Hall. Please remove all the glossy ads and magazines and place
them in the Mixed Paper bin.
* Mixed Paper
is
everything else. And we mean everything-glossy advertisements,
mailing, catalogs, telephone books, other bond materials, woven or
fiber products (like Express Mail bags), even rinsed and flattened milk
& juice containers. These can be collected in your own bags,
or placed in the bin in friendship Hall.
We take the items down to Agents of
Change every Saturday or two. If you would like to help
out one Saturday per month, we could use the help. If you have
any questions about the recycling system, please speak with Chris Hill
at coffee hour.
Thanks for recycling and SAVING TREES!!
*North Hills
Community
Outreach
(NHCO) Food Bank
Donations are requested for the North Hills Community Outreach Food
Bank for September. NHCO has requested that we bring "rice and
rice mixes” to UUCNH. Laundry detergent, toilet paper,
toothpaste, shampoo and bar soap are always needed. Our donation
box is located in Friendship Hall near the entrance of the church and
the East Room. The UUCNH Social Action Committee sponsors
collection for the Food Bank. Thanks to all who have contributed
to reaching our goal of 100 items a month!
Check back next month for
more
information on social action at UUCNH.
A MESSAGE FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Unitarians in South Africa (and we are few and far between) are seeking
to promote Unitarianism in South Africa. For this, we need to
raise some funds. NO, we are NOT looking for a donation!
We are selling Unitarian Greeting Cards from our website. They
are high quality cards that depict an African Flaming Chalice.
UUCNH is selling Giant Eagle and Ingomar Sparkle grocery
certificates. This is an excellent fundraiser for the Church and
it is so easy for the purchaser. You pay $100, $50 or $25 for a
certificate that is now the size of a credit card and is worth the same
dollar amount at the checkout counter. Please participate in this
easy church fundraiser.
Look for them during coffee hour!
INTERCOM
SUBMISSIONS
The next Intercom
will be
published on September 28, 2003. That makes the Intercom deadline
Wednesday, September 24, 2003. Submissions may be made in
handwritten form, on diskette, or emailed
to the editor. Please include YOUR NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER on
the submission so that the editor can contact you should there be any
questions or problems concerning your submission.
Please email your submissions IN PLAIN TEXT ONLY; NO HTML emails - they
are NOT compatible with the Intercom format; check your format box on
your actual email and choose plain text. Diskettes may be in
Word, but please, PLEASE, do not format the article in any way.
Thank you!
