UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF MEADVILLE

BETWIXT & BETWEEN WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

JUNE 13, 2018

Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker, Interim Minister

rzflowingforce@gmail.com

(814)- 724-4023 Ext. 302

Minister’s Home Study– 412-727-6870 (Talk or Text- preferred number)

Please see calendar for schedule, or by appointment

Church Contact Information

346 Chestnut Street Meadville, PA 16335

(814)-724-4023

www.uumeadville.org

church@uumeadville.org

The deadline for B&B submissions is Tuesday by 2:00 pm.

The deadline for submissions for the July Oracle is Monday June 25th by 9:00 am.

Please submit entries in a word document to our Office Administrator Jodi Sipos church@uumeadville.org.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR CURRENT CALENDAR

CLICK HERE FOR OUR JUNE ORACLE

This week at the UU Church of Meadville:

 YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS

***PLEASE COME TO THE SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE AND BE PART OF BUILDING UP THE ENERGY AND SPIRIT OF OUR COMMUNITY. Your presence matters. See you in church.  ***

SUNDAY June 17, 2018, 10:30 AM

“Unsung Hero of An Uncommon Denomination: Abner Kneeland, Heretic”

Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker, Interim Minister

Some know him as “The Last Man Jailed for   Blasphemy.” Abner Kneeland was a Universalist minister and social reformer who spoke out against strident religion, and who advocated equal rights for women and blacks, supported interracial  marriage and birth control – in the 1820s, mind you! No wonder he was said to be 100 years ahead of his time! Given the rise in fundamentalist religion (Christian, Islamic and otherwise), and with it, rigid labeling of believers and heathens, and renewed calls for banning blasphemous books, artwork and ideology, what might we modern-day UUs learn as a cautionary tale from Kneeland’s crusade and its price?

Ministry of Welcome (Ushers): Dan Hunter and Matt McElhinny

Shared Ministry of Connection (Coffee Hour Hosts): Amelia Carr and Rachel Meerson

Shared Ministry of Worship and Arts: (Pulpit Assistant): Joan Mason

(Sound Technician): Melissa Mansfield

SHARE THE PLATE: SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE

Showing Up for Racial Justice Crawford County is a chapter of SURJ in Northwestern PA. SURJ is an inclusive group working for a racially just Crawford County. We believe that racism hurts everybody and that none of us can really be free until we end white supremacy. Through education and community organizing, SURJ moves our community towards justice for all. We are part of a multi-racial, multi-class movement, which is intentionally accountable to communities of color.

THE MINISTRY WE SHARE Signing up to bring your gifts to our Sunday morning experience is easy! You can sign up for all positions through December 2018 in the Parish House foyer or online through “SignUp Genius http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4eaeae2ca0fc1-sundays are reconciled on a daily basis.

COFFEE HOUR HOST SIGN UP

A new coffee hour sign-up sheet is now at the Parish House desk for dates beginning in July and ending in December, 2018.  As summer comes on and vacations approach we want to be sure that coffee hour hosting does not interfere with your plans.  Please sign up for the date most convenient for you in the next 6 months.  We will be meeting in early June to fill in the dates not spoken for, so please make your selection as soon as possible.  Thanks for your help with the ongoing tradition.

CALL FOR CONGREGATIONAL MEETING -11:30 AM SUNDAY JUNE 17, 2018

The motion to be considered at the Congregational meeting is:

“The Congregation approves the withdrawal of up to $32,000 from the endowment fund for replacement and repair of the Parish House roofs.  The actual withdrawal will be the real cost of the repairs.  Any unused balance of the approved withdrawal will remain in the endowment fund.”

There will be a discussion of the proposal in advance of the vote.  If you have any questions please contact Dave Anderson or Bob Ackerman

We are calling a Congregational Meeting to consider a withdrawal of up to $32,000 from the Endowment funds for replacement and repairs of the Parish House roofs.

The Parish House has three roofs.

The Kitchen and Office/Arthur Room additions have flat rubber membrane roofs.  Both are thought to be 20 + years old and are leaking.  Attempts to repair these roofs have not been completely successful.  Two roofing contractors have inspected the roofs and recommended replacing both roofs.  The membranes are past their expected service life and will continue to develop new leaks.  The insulation under the membranes is water saturated.

The main building has a slate roof.  An inspection of this roof was completed in 2017 and minor repairs were made.  At that time, it was recommended the hip cap slates be replaced.  The hip caps are the rows of slates which cover the ridges were the four roof faces meet.  These slates would be replaced with copper flashing.

The Endowment fund balance as of 5/31/18 is $361,100.86.

The costs are as follows:

Fuller Roofing – Replace two flat roofs          $24,800

Doug Lodge – Replace slate roof hip caps     $4,800

Contingency    $2,400

Total    $32,000

The motion to be considered at the Congregational meeting is:

“The Congregation approves the withdrawal of up to $32,000 from the endowment fund for replacement and repair of the Parish House roofs.  The actual withdrawal will be the real cost of the repairs.  Any unused balance of the approved withdrawal will remain in the endowment fund.”

There will be a discussion of the proposal in advance of the vote.  If you have any questions please contact Dave Anderson or Bob Ackerman

VANCO SYSTEMS INSTRUCTIONS

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville is excited to announce that you can now manage your giving online!  Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet.

Simply follow these easy steps:

1. Visit the church website at uumeadville.org
2. Click on the give link located at the very top of the webpage next to the Facebook Icon. You can also find the give link under Stewardship.
3. Click on the Create Profile button, then
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your one time or recurring contributions.

SPIRIT OF THE SUN SOLSTICE CIRCLE

Thursday, June 21, 12:30 p.m.

Family friendly, 20-30 minutes

Led by Rev. Robin and friends

Join us in the church’s back garden for an earth-based Solstice Circle to celebrate the longest day. Bring a drum or noisemaker if you have one. Be part of the festivities of “Making Music Day” on the diamond and stroll over during the lunch hour. We may also have a craft activity inside during the day (stay tuned for details).

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR OUR CHILDREN

Nursery care is always available for our youngest.

Our Spring curriculum was a great success! Horton Hears A UU – Life Lessons from Dr Suess. Thank you for all that participated. 

COMING FALL 2018 – “HOW WAS THE WORLD MADE?” CREATION STORIES AND MYTHS FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES
We are planning a fun, hands-on, and creative new curriculum for Fall 2018 that explores Creation Myths. Stay tuned for details.

Join in at any time, we welcome you.
Questions? Contact Kristina Brink, CRE 724-977-2945 kbrink1618@hotmail.com.
REGISTER: Please register each child using this downloadable registration form.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE RE PROGRAM: If you would like to get involved as an adult helper for the RE Classes or family-friendly activities or events, please check the boxes on the RE registration or contact either CRE Kristina Brink (kbrink1618@hotmail.com) or RE Chair, Jane Anderson (jane.anderson811@gmail.com).

ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

WORD FOR WORD: WRITING FOR SELF-DISCOVERY AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL WITH REV. ROBIN

Mondays, 5:30-7:00 p.m., June 18

THIS PROGRAM IS FULL

UU CHURCH OF MEADVILLE EVENTS

**PLEASE NOTE: All meetings must be scheduled through the church office to avoid conflict.

UU GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2018 – WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEND?

The UUA General Assembly is happening June 20-24, 2018 in Kansas City, MO. GA is our    denomination’s Annual meeting and celebration and offers an opportunity to experience the broader UU Universe, with an amazing array of worship services, workshops, lectures,        celebrations, social justice witness and voting on relevant important issues. We have typically sent three delegates to the Assembly, who receive voting cards for the daily penary sessions. Attendees are expected to bring new ideas and information back to the congregation.

To learn more and see the schedule of events, go to https://www.uua.org/ga

Registration opens on March 1 for attendance and housing. Please speak to Rev. Robin if you are interested in attending. We have some funds available to help defray expenses.

STEWARDSHIP AND FUNDRAISING

GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER

June 15th & 16th 9:00-5:00

Mike and Michele Baker’s garage- 16231 Conneaut Lake Road

Needed: Set-up on June 12th, 13th & 14th any time after 9:00 am- 8:00 pm

Clerks on June 15th & 16th

Packing and clean-up at 5:00 pm June 16th or on June 17th after church

Call Mike or Michele at 333-8518 to arrange time for dropping off items to sell and to volunteer. Mark your calendar and clean the attic, but please, no books or old TV’s.  This is our major fundraiser & our goal is $4,000.  Furniture & big-ticket items are needed to achieve our two day goal.

Call or email Peggy Bell 333-1378/peggytbell@ gmail.com if you have questions or to arrange pick-up.

KEEPING THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING, RAISING $4,000 FOR OUR BELOVED CHURCH AND IMPROVING YOUR PERSONAL SPACE

Ambitious I know, but if we really think about the accumulations of stuff that no longer serve the purpose we got them for it is possible that we, small creative group that we are can accomplish this goal. Good quality clean items are needed and can be dropped off this week at Mike and Michele Baker’s garage.  Michele and I are a team of 2 with great spousal support but we need your organizing skills, laughter and energy to keep it fun.  Call the Baker’s at 333-8518 to confirm your drop-off time.  We will be working on set-up TODAY and TOMORROW from 10-4.  The sale will be Friday and Saturday and if you can’t stay to work, we won’t turn down a fruit platter or pie!  If none of those invitations suit you, please stop by to shop on Friday or Saturday. Baker’s live in the big yellow house at the entrance to Whitestone Estates Mobile Home Park across from Walmart~ Rt 322 right before Palmiero Toyota.

Someone abandoned an old lamp post and a gas grill behind our property by the YMCA dumpster recently, so in an effort to make the best of what is, I enlisted my husband to help me load it in the van to recycle.  We got $15 for that stuff; 1/266th of our fundraising goal!  Except for the time required to drive over to Lincoln and muscles used to load and unload the scrap, it was easy. If you can bring your metal scrap to church this Sunday and leave it in the back parking lot of the parish house I will be going on Monday with another load. Call me- Peggy Bell on my cell (724) 256-2268 if you have questions or comments.   May you have a plentiful summer in things you value most.

VANCO ONLINE GIVING

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville is excited to announce that you can now manage your giving online!  Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet.

Simply follow these easy steps:

1. Visit the church website at uumeadville.org
2. Click on the give link located at the very top of the webpage next to the Facebook Icon.  You can also find the give link under Stewardship.
3. Click on the Create Profile button, then
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your one time or recurring contributions.

ON GOING FUNDRAISING

Consignment and Virtual Yard Sale Still looking for easy mu-la-la from OOh La La- If you have any women’s clothing is excellent shape that no longer suits you, please donate them to Oh LA LA under the UUCM account.  We have made a painless $150 towards ongoing fundraising and if you shop there, shop under our account as well, then as we receive store credit, we can offer it to women in need.

We continue to list and sell items on the web to profit the church, so if you have any items you no longer need and want to sell, please text Michele Baker at 814-332-0999 with a description and photo and she will tell you how to proceed.

SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION TEAM

POOR PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGN On May 14, the Campaign launched its first nation-wide event of the season with nonviolent moral direct actions in over 30 state capitals. Through highly publicized, non-violent moral fusion direct action over a 6-week period in at least 30 states and the District of Columbia, the Campaign will force a serious national examination of the enmeshed evils of systemic racism, systemic poverty, ecological devastation and the war economy during a key election year. Find your local event using the map to the right.  For more information visit: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/index.php/events/ .

SURJ: SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.
All are welcome to meet with SURJ Mondays at 7:00 p.m. at Pizza Villa and for social action witness on the south end of the Diamond on Fridays, 12:00-1:00 pm.
NAACP
NAACP Unit 2271 meets monthly at United Faith Fellowship Church of God, 561 State St.
ACT
All Citizens Together (ACT) is a local group dedicated to progressive action in the area. It has recently produced health care signup support sessions and now is involved in a state-wide effort to reform gerrymandering, Fair Districts PA. Website: https://www.fairdistrictspa/. Stay tuned or check its Facebook page for the latest meeting.
CRAWFORD AREA LGBTQ+ JUNE 17TH This support group meets at the Parish House on the third Tuesday each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  All persons interested in supporting the LGBTQ community are welcome to attend for discussion, snacks and fun.  See the Facebook page at Crawford Area LGBT+ Public Page. Next meeting is Tuesday, June 17th.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS (AFFILIATED WITH FAMILY SERVICES OF NW PA)

Is looking for mentors to help with their program.  For more information, contact the office or check out the poster in the Parish House. For more information visit http://www.fsnwpa.org/our-services/parent-education/big-brothers-big-sisters-program/ .

REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS

SOUP KITCHEN JUNE 8, 10:00 AM

Every second Friday each month a group of UU volunteers serve meals at the Meadville Area Soup kitchen as a way to help alleviate some of the symptoms of poverty in our region. You are welcome to volunteer. Our congregation’s contact is Marty Thaeler, mthaeler@zoominternet.net  814-807-1480

WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY

CONNECTING WITH YOUR INTERIM MINISTER

Do you have a question about Unitarian Universalism, the life of this community, or your own spiritual journey? Are you struggling with life’s challenges, seeking support or resources to help you create meaning of it all? Do you have ideas to help enrich congregational life? Schedule a time now to talk or meet with Rev. Robin by emailing rzflowingforce@gmail.com   or calling 412-727-6870 (talk or text).  She is typically in Meadville every other Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Rev. Robin will be holding cafe hours at Tarot Bean from 8:30-10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays while she is in residence in Meadville. Come for a cup and a chat.

FLOWERS, FLOWERS EVERYWHERE!

Last week’s Flower Sunday brought beautiful blooms to the church. As we moved to the planting areas, were greeted by the many weeds that had established themselves over the flowerless season. Flowers were put aside as the task of uprooting those stubborn greens began. As we trimmed and pulled, we realized that flower planting would have to wait until preparation of the beds were completed. Something else, we needed more people!  We also realized that EVERYONE IS BUSY! We came up with the 10 MINUTE RULE. If every member gave 10 minutes a few times during the seasons, we would greatly increase the viability of maintaining our landscape. Garden tools and bags will be available in a tote placed in the back yard. So grab a trowel, pull a few weeds, plant a flower be a part of making our little spot in the world a visual pleasure. It can be as little as 10 MINUTES to accomplish.

OUR CARING CONNECTIONS

Pastoral care is available to all members and friends, new and longstanding. Our lay pastoral team works with our minister to offer support, practical assistance, and companionship. Please let us know (through our team, staff, musical or affinity groups) of needs for our caring connections. Rev. Robin:  814-724-4023 (x 302), 412-727-6870 (home study – talk or text) or rzflowingforce@gmail.com.

RIDES TO SERVICE

If you need a ride to any event or to Sunday’s worship service, please call the church office by noon on Fridays and leave a message (814-724-4023)

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

There is a collection basket in the Parish House for box tops and labels for education. They are being collected for the Creating Landscapes Learning Center. For more information and a list of participating products please visit www.boxtops4education.com.