New Website is Nearly Here

Within a few weeks, First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh will have a new website. The site will live at its current address, so if you’ve bookmarked www.first-unitarian-pgh.org, you won’t have to change a thing.

• We want to improve the site’s ability to reach and attract prospective members.

• We want to make it easier for members to share information about church-related activities.

• And, we want to put our best face forward for ministerial candidates.

The new site includes easy-to-use forms to submit information for the church calendar of events and for announcements or reports about activities and happenings. We’re asking all church committees to regularly contribute to events, news, and other updates. The site will also include familiar forms for pledging and making donations.

After the site launches, we’ll need your help. New websites often are a little “buggy,” despite best efforts to make sure everything is perfect. If you find typographical errors, links that don’t work, or other issues as you browse the new site, please send an email describing the problem to webteam@first-united-pgh.org.

 

NEW Racial Justice Series – Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

A weekly racial justice discussion series based on the new book by Isabel Wilkerson, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is co-sponsored by Pittsburgh Freethought Community, Sunday Assembly Pittsburgh, and First Unitarian Church. Each of the eight sessions will focus on one of the Pillars of Caste which Wilkerson identified by researching commonalities among the Hindu caste system in India, Anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany, and Anti-Black racism in the U.S. These pillars undergird our arbitrary systems of human separation.

Each session will begin with a brief explanation of the selected pillar and a discussion focusing on how it manifests in our society and how we can dismantle racial-caste based policies and practices and create a world without caste. It will not be necessary to have read the book in order to participate and it is not necessary to attend all sessions. Sessions begin on Sunday, October 11, from 1 PM to 2:15 PM. Register at pghfreethought.org to receive the Zoom link.

As of last Sunday, we are at $223,361 in pledges, 54%of our goal of $415,000! Thank you to everyone who has pledged. If you haven’t pledged yet, you can make your pledge now at https://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/pledge-form.html

Your pledge is your ticket to a special Anniversary Celebration virtual concert Sunday, October 18 at 4 PM for a special virtual concert headlined by First Church favorite Dr. James Johnson of the Afro-American Music Institute and his jazz band. 

Members and friends are telling us what they value about First Unitarian Church. Here’s what one of them had to say: 

First Unitarian Church has been a warm village home for me and my daughters since we moved to Pittsburgh 23 years ago…….how lucky I feel to have a place where spiritual nurture and friendship, music and learning, and social justice work are all priorities.  Best of all is the children and peers and grownups and how you all have become part of my inner and outer world.  I have learned so much and appreciated being among you every day!  I can’t wait until we can be together again in person (but I will.)

What do you value most about our church? Let us know when you fill out your pledge form!
 

For a special virtual concert headlined by First Church favorite Dr. James Johnson of the Afro-American Music Institute and his band. Featuring our own Kris Rust, Ellen Gozion and many of our own talented musicians, this concert is FREE with your completed pledge form.


 

Ever since I read The Artist’s Way in my early twenties, I have come back to it now and again throughout my life to find direction, inspiration, and reconnection to myself and that which is sacred.

When I was younger, I thought it made perfect sense:  I’m an artist!  Being an artist is not an occupational path….it’s a spiritual one.  I was fortunate enough to be raised in a family that encouraged creativity, so I never questioned whether it was worthwhile to put energy into artistic, imaginative, or creative things.  It was not until early adulthood that I really came to understand my experience was unusual.  It came at a good time, too...The Artist’s Way reconnected my innate spiritual wires when I was just coming out of the death of my previous religious identity.  It literally made me alive again.

During this year of quarantine, I have returned to inspiration from Julia Cameron, in this book and her other writings.  I have also returned to the second book that made a similar impact in my adult spiritual life; I remember when I found it in the bookstore, and I saw the author crediting Julia Cameron herself as both a personal influence and a friend.  It was clear to me I was meant to find this book, so of the pile I had next to me, I knew which one to get.  The book is called Your Psychic Pathway, by Sonia Choquette, and I have since come to learn that the two authors are apparently thick as thieves.  Their writings complement and reference each other.  And they have much in common.

Right now what I’m most struck by is how they both seem remarkably simple, intuitive, and natural, and at the same time, completely backward in their shared paradigm!  I find it incredible that it feels both so natural, and so unnatural, to practice being led by intuition instead of “logic,” by inner knowing instead of surface worrying, by what is beautiful rather than what is frightening.  This is more real to me now than it ever was, with some more life experience behind me.

I find it very difficult to unlearn the embedded, habitual way of living the world has molded me into.  No longer does it seem to make perfect sense; now I find my adult voice questioning whether or not it could really be true, that our spiritual essence and being is simply an extension of the Creator, that we are here to create, that it’s not a question of what we do, but who we are...we are all artists, and that is a legitimate way to prioritize one’s life. Most of all, that somehow, when you live this way, things fall into place and make sense...you become an endless stream of energy, instead of a constantly drained tap having to hoard your emotional resources. Who does that? Who manages to actually live that way, especially in these times?

This year, I’m adding Braiding Sweetgrass to the list of books that, for me, have become part of what I might call my own scripture.  These are teachings and readings that seem to have the very essence of life itself in them...they can sit on a shelf, and still feel just as alive and fresh when reread years later, again and again.  And they are remarkably simple truths that the earliest part of me finds obvious, but the layers of me that have grown since find increasingly incredible. These kinds of writings are, in fact, revolutionary...and maybe that's why they feel so risky, almost dangerous. They truly threaten to upend the carefully constructed, evolutionary instinct-led paradigms of reason and organization that we now take for granted as "right."

Thank goodness for these authors and many like them, who, against all assumptions of what is practical, popular, or acceptable, take the risk to share their gifts and art with the world.  Imagine what this world would be like if we all lived that way...if we all embraced our divine, creative power to create the world around us? 

What personal scripture have you found that you return back to time and again?

Sincerely, Erica

RUaUU? Orientation Toward Membership at First Unitarian Church
Saturday, October 17, 9:30 am-noon by Zoom

Are you considering becoming a member of the congregation and want to find out more about what that means?

How do people of diverse beliefs become part of one congregation? Enjoy a morning of exploration about your own spiritual and religious orientation and the workings of the church, led by Rev. Connie Grant and representatives of church programs.

The session will be held if a minimum of 6 people are registered by Wednesday, October 14. RSVP to Constance.L.Grant@gmail.com by to receive a Zoom link.

 

Introduction to Unitarian Universalism
Fourth Sundays of the Month, 11:30 – 12:15

Find out more about the history, varied theologies, and organization of Unitarian Universalism. Led by church staff and representatives of the Membership Team. Fourth Sundays of the month, October 25, and November 22. Start out in Zoom social time following the service, and you’ll be directed to a breakout room for “Intro to UU.” RSVP to Constance.L.Grant@gmail.com to receive the link.

Connecting with the First Unitarian Church
It's easier than ever to share your enthusiasm for our church and congregation. Just like you might tell friends and family about First U, you can use your social media accounts to do the same, especially in this digital world. Here are a few things to try:

If you are a Facebook member:

· LIKE and FOLLOW our Facebook page

· LIKE, comment, and SHARE when you see a post (you could share the weekly service announcement and invite your friends)

If you've been attending/watching the Sunday Services on YouTube:

· LIKE the service video each week

· SUBSCRIBE to the First U YouTube channel

It's amazing how many people we can reach just by sharing with our friends. You may be a lifeline for someone searching for a community in these trying times. If you have questions on how to do this, reach out to Nancy Latimer (nlatimerc@gmail.com) or Mark Whittaker (mwhit14@gmail.com) for help.

VOTE – VOTE – VOTE

The last day to vote is less than four weeks away. Do you know how you are going to vote?

If you have an absentee ballot you can complete it and mail it right now.

• Alternatively, this weekend, October 10 and 11 you can turn in your absentee ballot in a ballot drop box at CCAC in Homewood, 701 N Homewood Av – Saturday between 9 am and 5 pm, Sunday between 11 am and 7 pm. You can only put your ballot in a dropbox.

• Next weekend, October 17 and 18 you can turn in your absentee ballot at the Hill District Shop n’ Save, 1850 Centre Ave, Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 11 am – 7 pm

• You can take your absentee ballot to the County Elections Office, 542 Forbes Ave, weekdays between 8:30-4:30 and weekends Saturday 9-5, Sundays 11-7

• For additional drop box locations and times go to VotesPa.com – a great website with info on voting this year.

• In all instances, when using your absentee ballot, be sure to put it in the privacy envelope before you put it in the outer envelope. (It won’t be counted without the privacy envelope). Sign and date – with the current date - the outer envelope.

If you have an absentee ballot and would prefer to void it and vote in person with a regular ballot, you can do that on November 3 at your polling place. Be sure to take your absentee ballot with you – all three parts of it, the ballot, the inner privacy envelope, and the outer mail-in envelope. It will be voided at your polling place. Then you can simply cast your vote.

In Pennsylvania, opening and counting of absentee ballots will begin on November 3 at 8 am.

If you are going to vote in person on November 3, your regular polling place is (except in rare instances) open. You can determine that for sure by going to this web site: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/pollingplaceinfo.aspx

At our polling places on November 3 we will be putting paper ballots in ballot boxes – new in Pennsylvania. Some polling places will have machines that will print your paper ballot after you complete it online and others will give you a paper ballot to complete. In both instances, we now have a system that can be audited.

First-time voters need ID.

Good information about voting this year is available at votespa.co, www.Vote411.org, www.alleghenyvotes.com, and Iwillvote.com/pa (compiled FYI by Annie Stunden )

We promised to report back on our UU the VOTE Door Hanger project as well as other GOTV efforts of which we are aware. We had 28 individuals involved in developing and distributing the 2000 Door Knob Hangers to low voter turnout neighborhoods. In addition, we have had 4 other individuals involved in postcard and letter writing and 5 phone and text banks organized by PA United/UUJustice and PIIN, for a total of 32 volunteers. 

Don't forget to sign up for the PIIN phone banks by emailing Robert King, rking52717@aol.com by Monday noon before the Tuesday evenings you plan to participate. Sign up at https://secure.everyaction.com/CYcs6ISeVEmkG6hD4L6DLg2Watch for our W PA phone bank with PA United on Thurs. Oct. 8, 6:30-9 pm. Please help us track our efforts by reporting to rkstuder@gmail.com. THANKS to ALL for everything you are doing to UU the VOTE 2020!

Learning and Action Opportunity:

Taking a Collective Breath: Deepening our alignment with the Movement for Black Lives

You are invited to participate in this five-session series built around the elements of the BREATHE Act. The webinars will explore the components of the BREATHE Act and utilize its structure as a way to focus our energies to effectively support ongoing racial justice work.

In collaboration with UUA's Side With Love, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is offering this new webinar series to assist in deepening our collective activism and participation in the Movement for Black Lives. 

The BREATHE Act seeks to reform federal laws and eliminate funding for federal programs that criminalize Black, Muslim, and immigrant communities, reinvesting our resources in community solutions for education, health, and the environment.

Upcoming Sessions

Webinar 5: Holding Officials Accountable & Enhancing Self-Determination of Black Communities
October 13, 7 pm ET

Register now for these inspiring sessions 


 

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 send your nomination to Tony Rutigliano (arutigl@comcast.net) on behalf of the Serve Council. Please include the following information:

Name of organization

Website address or other source 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!

Upcoming  Worship Services 

October 18, 2020

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YXX7XLDrd8

“Stories from 200 years”
Founded in 1820, the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh has had a fascinating history as it has responded to changing times. We’ll explore some of these stories in several ways, from Crankie to slideshow to a historian’s perspective on a formative figure. Homily by Rev. Connie Grant; Reflection by Kathy Parker; Music by Ellen Gozion, Director of Instrumental Music.

Guest speaker Kathy Parker is a former member of the church, and is the author of “Here We Have Gathered: The Story of Unitarian Universalism in Western Pennsylvania, 1808-2008.”

October 25, 2020

Livestreamed at 10:30 am (prelude begins at 10:25) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf-CJlVXsWY
“What Pittsburgh, a T-Rex named Penny, and Violence Can teach us about The Future of Religion and Unitarian Universalism”

Religion, including Unitarian Universalism, is at a moment in time. Can it survive? And what must it do in order to survive? What must we do? We’ll explore our place in today’s world, and why it’s metaphorical meteorites and not a comet that could wipe us out. Homily by Rev. Keith Kron; music by Kazumi Petineaux; Stephanie Pawlowski, Commissioned Lay Minister, liturgist.

Guest speaker Rev. Keith Kron is the Director of the Transitions Office for the UUA, helping congregations and ministers as they navigate the ministerial search process. He is the former Director of the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns for the Unitarian Universalist Association. He held that position for over 14 years from 1996-2010. He has visited over 450 UU congregations across the continent (including 3 times to 1st Pittsburgh), helping them in Welcoming Congregation work, Beyond Categorical Thinking workshops, and public witness. A former elementary school teacher, Keith also has taught an online class for Starr King School for the Ministry, our UU seminary in Berkeley, on children’s literature. He also leads workshops on the enneagram, plays and teaches tennis, and collects children’s books in his spare time (and has over 8,500 of them). He is 59 and currently lives in Providence, RI.