How is a congregation of people like a bouquet of flowers? We’ll honor the unique beauty that each person brings as we celebrate the traditional Unitarian flower communion.
Since we can’t exchange flowers in person this year, congregants have been invited to share a flower picture. Photos have been made into a music video that will be shown during the service and a Flickr album that will be available afterwards.
Message from the Board of Trustees
Congregational Meeting Results
Annual Report Available Online
Thanks to everyone who attended our first virtual Annual Congregational Meeting, which took place via Zoom on Sunday, May 17!
We successfully used an anonymous electronic voting system to elect three new Board of Trustees members, three new Nominating Committee members, and to endorse the search committee that will conduct our search for a new settled minister.
Newly Elected Board of Trustees Members
Kyle Gracey
Heather Masterson
Kate Snow
Newly Elected Nominating Committee Members
Linda Fleming
Christine Milcarek
Martin Schmidt
Ministerial Search Committee Members
Chris Beregi
Mary Denison
David Doorley
Brian Junker
Peggy Parsons
Jim Reitz
Michael Safran
Annual meeting documents, including the Annual Report detailing this year’s programs and activities, are posted on the Congregational Meetings page on the church website.
Read reflections on the events of the past church year from the outgoing Board of Trustees President Martin Schmidt, and from our interim minister Rev. Connie Grant.
General Assembly June 24-28 - Delegates Sought!
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend. To represent the congregation as a voting delegate at the GA business meetings requires approval by the church’s Board of Trustees. If you are interested in serving as one of our five delegates, please email Lynne Porterfield at ljporterfield@yahoo.com by June 10 with your full name, email address and phone number, length of membership in the congregation, and a few words about why you wish to be a delegate. The Board will make a decision about delegates at the June 17 meeting.
The UUA Board of Trustees has passed a resolution to make the 2020 General Assembly a 100% virtual event. The cost of virtual GA Registration is $150.
This year’s theme is Rooted, Inspired & Ready! Sessions will include the bases of our theological roots, ideas about how to transform our faith, and inspiration for taking action in the world. A variety of workshops and special events will provide registrants with tools to live into our mission and continue the work of our faith—both within UU congregations and in the greater world. More information about workshops and other special events is here: https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/registrants
All GA registrants have access to the GA Virtual Participation Portal, which combines multiple modes of participant engagement that include chat, Q&A, and polling. Registrants are able to watch and ask questions in live sessions including workshops and business sessions.
Delegates are also be able to propose amendments in the live business sessions, participate in debates, and vote in general sessions. More information about the role of delegates is available here: https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/registrants/delegates
SERVE
Church Sponsored Activities and Community Events
Women's Alliance Program Featuring Khasi Hills
June 4, 10:30-noon
Maureen Porter who traveled to Khasi Hills in 2019 will speak about her pilgrimage to the school in India that our church has been sponsoring since 2003. She has a PowerPoint presentation of photos and videos that she will share as well as insights. If you heard her wonderful homily last April, you know you are in for a treat. If you were there, then now you will get to see videos that will make you feel like you are right along side her in India. Women's Alliance meets at 10:30 AM for greetings and announcements, and Maureen's presentation is from 11:00 AM to noon. New folks are welcomed. If you are not on the Alliance email list, for the Zoom link contact Alice Carnes at alice.carnes51@yahoo.com or Kathy Fein at kathyrsp@comcast.net.
Helping Each Other
During these trying times members of the church may occasionally need a helping hand. The Pastoral Care Team asks you to identify ways you may be able to assist. We expect you would be called only a few times during the year. Please Contact a member of the team if you are able to help.
You’ll be asked to indicate which of these you may be able to help with from time to time:
□ Transportation
□ Providing a meal for an individual or family
□ Shopping
In the event of a need in the congregation, you may be contacted to see whether you are available to help at that time. Your help will be appreciated!
Pastoral Care Team Contact Information:
Christine Beregi: cberegi1@verizon.net Phone: 412-992-1888 Jan Carlino: jancarlino807@gmail.com Phone: 412-727-0200 Julie Childers: julie36pa@gmail.com Phone: 412-726-3590 Jim Cunningham: cunni@comcast.net Phone: 412-256-0205 (Co-Chair)
Kathy Miller: kathymillerotter@gmail.com Phone: 412-639-8012 (Co-Chair)
Bob Sullivan: r.sullivan13@verizon.net Phone: 412-952-7772 Rev. Connie Grant: constance.l.grant@gmail.com Phone: 847-840-8542 (Church Office: 412-621-8008)
Face Masks
Many members of our congregation have been sewing reusable and washable face masks to help their family, friends and neighbors do what they can to be safe.
If you need a mask or two, please email Julie Childers of the Pastoral Care team at julie36pa@gmail.com with your request, including your street address, so we can mail or deliver a mask to you.
UUPLAN Update The 2020 Annual Report is available at https://www.uuplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-Annual-Report.pdfand documents what has been happening around the state with the Justice Teams. There is a section in the report on “PA UUtheVOTE” that provides an overview of how UUPLAN is supporting both non-partisan and partisan electoral work. Look for these activities to ramp up during the coming summer.
LEARN
Adult Religious Education
New Zoom Book Discussion Groups!
Two books exploring our connection as Unitarian Universalists with the causes and lessons of indigenous people in the U.S.
The UUA Common Read: An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States - 10 Sessions Tuesday nights @ 7pm beginning 6/9; Please have read Chapter 1 for the first session! We will reading through and discuss the book chapter by chapter, to keep the reading manageable, and to have a chance for meaningful delving and discussion. We will explore intersections between our learning, and how we can respond as Unitarian Universalists.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants - 6 Sessions
Thursday nights @ 7pm, beginning 6/11; Please have read Section I: Planting Sweetgrass, for the first session! We will explore the spiritual wisdom gifted to us by indigenous peoples, and ways to make spiritual connections with the earth that restore and nourish us.
Parents' Check In on Thursdays, @ 8:30 pm. ZOOM LINKPassword is required; will be sent out to parent email list. If you are not receiving these emails, you can request to join by emailingeshadowsong@first-unitarian-church.org.
Family Social Hour w/ Joys & Sorrows on Sundays, @ 10:00 a.m. ZOOM LINKPassword is required; will be sent out to parent email list. If you are not receiving these emails, you can request to join by emailingeshadowsong@first-unitarian-church.org.
INSPIRE
Some ways to receive a periodic dose of spiritual sustenance:
Braver/Wiser
Life is full of hard edges and complicated choices. Braver/Wiser gives you weekly message of courage and compassion for life as it is. Every Wednesday, an original written reflection by a contemporary religious leader, and brief prayer, grounded in Unitarian Universalism. Subscribe at uua.org/braverwiser.
A Common Meditation for All Souls
A daily meditation from All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City, intended “to help spark our moral imagination and set our moral compass as individuals.” To sign up to receive a daily meditation via email, contact rachel@allsoulsnyc.org.
The Daily Compass
“Inspiration for your spiritual expedition.” The Daily Compass offers words and images to inspire spiritual reflection and encourage the creation of a more loving, inclusive and just world. Produced by The Church of the Larger Fellowship, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation with no geographical boundary. Subscribe at http://www.dailycompass.org/author/admin/.
CONNECT
Covenant group Opportunities
Consider joining or creating a virtual covenant group.
If you are interested in joining or creating a new covenant group, you can complete a Covenant Group interest formor contact Alice Bright : ab03@andrew.cmu.edu
If your group would like to set up meetings using the church account please contact Rev. Connie Grant at Constance.L.Grant@gmail.com.
OMBUDSMAN
Need an answer to a question and don’t know who to ask? Want to pass along some feedback and not sure who to contact? Reach out to your Board Ombudsman Ebe Emmons. Ebe will coordinate with staff, committees, and the board to get an answer or pass along feedback. Ebe can be reached atfirstuupghombudsman@gmail.com
