July 4, 2021
Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25)

What does Independence Day mean to you?  Our Seventh Principle calls upon us to respect the

interdependent web of all existence. This Sunday, we will be encouraged to think about

Independence Day as something more than fireworks and the good old Red, White, and Blue.

A collaboration by the Worship Team: Bryan Bandli, Alice Carnes, Kathy Fein, Louise Jencik, Ward Kelsey, Stephanie Pawlowski, and Melody Platz.  Music by Ellen Gozion, Director of Instrumental Music.

Got a question for Rev. Kate?
Some information you think she might need from your group? Please contact a member of the Transition Support Task Force with your concern.

As you might guess, the purpose of the Transition Support Task Force is to assist Rev. Kate with any matter related to her transition to our church. The task force also serves as a conduit for questions and information for Rev. Kate from the broader church community. Since Rev. Kate will be extremely busy this summer winding up her ministry in Virginia and making the move to Pittsburgh, it's important that she relies on a small, centralized group of people for assistance and does not have to respond to individual inquiries.

The Transition Support Task Force members are Mary Denison, Julie Downs, Stephanie Pawlowski, and Jim Reitz. Rev. Connie will also provide transition assistance to Rev. Kate. Their contact information is in Breeze, the church directory.

July 11, 2021

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25) 

“Minding Nature”

An exploration of how we might heal our relationships with each other and with the planet.

Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, guest speaker.  Music by guest pianist Nanette Solomon.  Bryan Bandli and Stephanie Pawlowski, liturgists.

Rev. Renee Ruchotzke has served as a UUA Congregational Life Consultant with the Central East Region since 2010.  She also works to expand the UUA’s online resources for leadership development, organizational development, governance, growth, conflict transformation, congregational dynamics, and other aspects of congregational life.  Before her ordination, Renee served as a ministerial intern at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh.  Renee lives in Kent, Ohio, and is a local community organizer and activist. She and her spouse Randy practice sustainable living with solar panels, an electric car, a backyard permaculture food forest, and a front yard pollinator garden on their city lot.

 

July 18, 2021

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25)

“Women & Religion in the UUA”

In the 1960s and 1970s UU women became increasingly upset by the dominant use of non-inclusive language including references to the dignity of men, ideals of brotherhood, love to man, and cooperation with men of goodwill. Following the UUA’s 1977 Women & Religion Resolution, work was done to create awareness and dismantle sexist language in our faith, laying the groundwork for further use of inclusive, non-binary language today.  Homily by Alice Carnes.  Music by Kiki Barley, guest musician.  Louise Jencik, liturgist.

Alice Carnes joined First Unitarian in the fall of 2017 after she and her husband Lee moved to Pittsburgh from Charlotte, NC for Lee’s work promotion. Alice is co-chair of Women’s Alliance and is a member of the Worship Team and the Dance Choir. She is the Volunteer Coordinator for UUWomenspirit, a retreat held semiannually (www.UUWomenspirit.org).

July 25, 2021

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25) 

“A Kinder Neighborhood”

A homily in songs and stories from Pittsburgh singer-songwriter and educator Mark Williams, who aspires to create kinder neighborhoods by working in harmony with neighbors and with creation. Liturgist Melody Platz. Additional music by Ellen Gozion, Director of Instrumental Music.

Guest speaker and musician Mark Williams is a father, partner, educator, gardener, mindfulness practitioner, and musician. He works to build bridges between our human family tree branches that have forgotten our shared roots.  It is Mark’s hope that by remembering our shared identity, we can be free to celebrate our uniqueness and work together to create a kinder world--one big kinder neighborhood. 

Women's Alliance Update
This summer June, July, and August and we will meet by Zoom on the first Thursdays of each month to socialize. We hope to meet in person and outdoors on August 5th. Currently, we are researching locations.

Women’s Alliance meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month from September through May. Since March 2020, we have met by Zoom. We have a business meeting at 10:30 a.m., and a unique program of guest speakers from 11:00 a.m.— 12 p.m. on the first Thursday. On the third Thursday, after a business meeting, we check in with one another with a specific theme.

All are welcome! Contact Alice Carnes, co-chair, alice.carnes51@yahoo.com, or Alice Bright Membership Chair ab03@andrew.cmu.edu to include you on our group email list. Information about Women Alliance meetings is shared on our group email list and includes the Zoom meeting invitation.

BECOME A HOST FAMILY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENT

International high school exchange students come to the U.S. to study during the 2021-22 school year. These students will integrate with local families to experience American culture as an American high school student does. In turn, they will provide insight into their own culture.

STS Foundation, a non-profit student exchange organization, is proud to help facilitate these relationships. We have been doing so for the past 20+ years and look forward to finding new host families in the Pittsburgh area and connecting them with exchange students. Two of the teens are coming from Reunion Island (a French territory) and the Netherlands. Julia is 16 and identifies as queer. She has a wicked sense of humor and is active in her school theater program. Julia also enjoys cooking, playing the guitar, kickboxing, reading, and movies. Caroline, 17, is happy and loving and wants to live life to the fullest. She was raised speaking Dutch, French, and English, and likes music (especially country!), acting, singing, dancing, reading, working out, cooking.… Family is essential to her. Julia and Caroline are both excellent students and will have their own spending money and health insurance.

The host family provides a separate bed, family meals, and a safe, loving environment. Hosts do not have to be parents themselves or have children still at home. A couple or single person without children can also host. If you are interested in hosting, please call Karen Bernard at 412-482-7524 or email kbsweethome@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.stsfoundation.org.

Sharing the Plate!
Is there an organization you’d like to nominate to be the recipient of our third-Sunday Share the Plate offering? Please use this form to submit your nomination. The following information is needed:
Name of organization, Website address, or other sources of information, Is this a 501 (c) (3) organization (required)? What is your involvement with this organization? Why do you consider this an appropriate recipient for our Share the Plate offering? Preferred month (if any).

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!