"Real Compassion"

    "Real compassion kicks butt and takes names", writes Ken Wilbur. What does it take for one human being to truly connect to another? Why does a more than 2000 year old, world wide religion promote compassion as its central tenet?

"Life According to Charlie Brown"

    Join Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus as we seek the elusive answers to our questions on the meaning of life, and when "Good Grief" is the best answer.

    The expert groundhog, Phil, has determined that we will have six more weeks of winter. I’m relatively new to this Pennsylvania tradition, so I have some questions which my beloved, PA native, husband Mark, claims he can’t answer. So I pass them along to you.

    Does that mean six more weeks from February 2? Or from March 20, the calendar date for the first day of spring? Exactly how did this ritual, which appears to me to be purely pagan in nature, originate? Why are there only white men in the "inner circle" of officials?

    What attracts 30,000 people to gather for hours in the cold, dark winter, for a ten second silent communication between a groundhog and a man? Why are there other competing groundhogs who claim they know better than Phil?

    There are more questions, but these will do for now. I’m wondering if the folks who are collecting ideas on promoting tourism for Meadville, might consider our own pagan ritual. It seems clear to me that Punxsutawney has something going for them. Maybe we could utilize our cat Zoe. Zoe is an expert on sunshine! And I can’t think of anything more important to people in the northern hemisphere than sunshine. After all, no matter what season it is, we are craving sunshine, even those who aren’t cursed with a heightened sensitivity to the dark of winter.

    So, Zoe, who is always seeking the sunniest spot in the house and yard, can be Meadville’s resident expert on sunshine. She’s even all white, which makes her a particularly attractive star for sun worshippers. Each season (after all, why limit this to just once a year), someone she trusts can ask her how many more days of sunshine are we going to have this season? If Punxsutawney can get 30,000 people to come in cold and dark February, surely we can bring swarms of people in to hear what she has to say spring, summer, fall and winter!

    Let’s keep good records on this so we know how this idea got started, and make sure there are plenty of women, children and men, in all shapes, sizes and colors on the organizing "inner circle". There can only be one Zoe, but when she is gone, her all white daughter (born last spring) can take over the sunshine forecasting duties.

    Just some thoughts as we enjoy several days of sunshine. Zoe told me we’re going to have more!

Friday, February 25

    Bring your favorite pizza toppings and crust, and we’ll bake up some gourmet pizzas right in our own

church kitchen. Non-alcoholic drinks provided. After dinner we’ll gather in the living room to watch "Calendar Girls", the British comedy based on the true story of a women’s garden club unusual fundraising idea. Hosts are Kate Walker and Mark Gorman. Call the church if you have questions, 724-4023.

Religious Education at Home

    The sunrises have been spectacular this past month, and I have had a perfect view! Each morning I pour my coffee and settle onto the couch overlooking the eastern horizon. I watch as the sun emerges and begins its dance upon the frozen landscape. It is breathtaking, awesome, astonishing. There are no words to describe what I have witnessed these past few weeks. I have been humbled by the beauty of the season. Occasionally, Analee wakes up and joins me on the couch. Together we watch the Divine from our large picture window. We identify the colors we see in the sky and point out the most dazzling frosted trees. We often talk about my mom in those early hours. We talk about how Meemee lives with God now, and I find myself wondering exactly what that means. I know my children are wrestling with the same thoughts.

    Cullen has asked me many times about what happens when you die. I have no answers for him, but I try my best. "Well, Cullen, no one knows for sure, but I believe you join God. It is very peaceful and beautiful." Cullen continues, "Can Meemee see us?" I swallow the lump in my throat and respond, "I think so." What do I know? Two days after her funeral I remember asking the same question. I was trudging up my driveway to mail some letters and mentally asking myself: Can she see me? Can she hear me? I shoved the mail into the box and turned around to return home. I looked up and gasped when I saw two perfect rainbows on each side of the sun. Deep down in my soul I knew that this was my mother’s way to let me know she was O.K., and I felt a profound sense of comfort in this.

    Last night Cullen climbed in bed with me to read books. Nighttime is his time, and I have learned that this is when he shares most of his personal thoughts. Suddenly he blurted out, "You know, Mom, after you die you are born again." I looked into his confident eyes and said, "Really, Cullen? "Yeah. Meemee is a baby again right now." He smiled and continued reading. I was stunned. I know for a fact that no one in our family has ever mentioned reincarnation to him, but somehow this was his answer to the question...what happens after you die? And he has found comfort in his answer.

    I continue to watch each sunrise, to sit quietly, and feel my mom’s presence. I love when Analee joins me with sleepy eyes and wild hair. I look at her and realize that somehow my mom lives in us.

Religious Education at Church

Regular RE classes resumed on Sunday, February 6. Also, the RE schedule has changed. Please mark your calendars for the inter-generational service (no RE classes) on Sunday, February 20, and regular RE classes on Sunday, February 27.

    We have a great RE Committee right now, however, most of the members are current RE teachers. These teachers are already giving a lot of their time and energy in preparing for classes, so I am actively seeking new members to our committee. We only meet once a month on the second Sunday following the service. The RE Committee plans for only a few events during the year...the spring RE teacher appreciation brunch, the late summer teacher training day, and the fall Guest At Your Table soup and salad. The RE Committee also helps plan holiday activities for children. There will be an RE Committee sign up sheet at the RE display during coffee hour, or feel free to contact me. Thank you so much for your support.

    On Friday night, Kate prepared a delicious dinner in the parish house as a thank you to the Board volunteers. Next day, the Board met at Golf View Manor community building, arranged by Emmy Boughton. Present were Dave Anderson, Board president; Emily Boughton, RE Chair; Carolyn Chase, Membership Chair; Rebecca Hocking, Worship Chair; Wynette Kommer, Secretary; Mike McGrath, Vice President; Lenny Nichols, Properties; Mark Salerno, Finance Committee; Sarah Sargent, PR Chair; Tracy Smock, Social Concerns Chair; Nick Stupiansky, Properties; Mike Thomson, Treasurer; Kate Walker, Minister; and Mark Wickenheiser, Properties. The purpose of the meeting was to explain procedural matters to the new members, then look at the big pictures of how the church operates.

    Housekeeping procedures were reviewed – for example, at any event in the parish house, any Board member present is responsible for seeing that the building is properly locked up at the end. Porch lights can be left on for safety and security. The need for a motion sensor for those lights was discussed and tabled for now.

    Board meetings will be held the second Monday of each month, at 6:45 p.m., in the Arthur Room. The first Board meeting will be February 10. There is no Board meeting in July, but consideration of the 2006 budget, the pledge drive, and other matters has to start in August. Board meetings are open to all.

    Dave next described the Board structure. Although he went over the positions and committees briefly, the Secretary will draw up an organizational chart that will list all committees and members.

    Kate explained our relationship with the UUA. We pay membership fees to the local association (the Ohio-Meadville District) and to the national body. The latter advocates for UU churches on the international level, lobbies on social justice issues, trains people, and provides curricular services and processes, such as the Welcoming Congregation guidelines that we followed while we became one a year ago.

    Mark Salerno, sitting in for Jerry Almes, Finance Chair, read an email from Jerry, who described some good ideas from a General Assembly meeting last summer. In fundraising, people want to know that the money they donate is not just to pay bills but is making a difference in the community and the world. He said we must encourage the committees to expand beyond themselves to place our UU influence and ministry where we make a difference. To support these efforts, the Finance Committee needs to

• Coordinate and encourage immediate and long-range fundraising efforts;

• Keep our people informed and up-to-date on the status of our annual pledge, budget, and capital campaign;

• Encourage and initiate a three-year budget planning process, in which we listen to and promote our committees’ efforts for growth and action;

• Instill a sense of stewardship and fiscal responsibility among our people to sustain "what we are about";

• Encourage our committees to use the expense disbursement forms available for the treasurer to release necessary funds to meet our obligations (there is a form for this and it needs to be used);

• Be leaders in assisting our board and committees to create a mission, goals, and "this is who we are" and "this is what we are about".

    Turning now to the specific activities of the committees, Dave read the descriptions from the Bylaws and mentioned the members of each committee. Nick, one of three Properties leaders, "the triumvirate", told us how the work will be divided. Len will work with contractors regarding the new construction financed by the capital campaign; Mark Wickenheiser will oversee the grounds; and Nick will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and problems of the two buildings. Properties will apply for grants to be matched by the capital campaign donations.

    Tracy Smock, Social Concerns chair, said her committee will focus on global warming, the Activism Center for Legislation, and environmental concerns. The committee has asked to be known as the Social Action Committee, which requires a change in the Bylaws, discussed later.

    All committee chairs gave brief descriptions of their plans for the coming year.

    After a potluck lunch, Kate explained congregational polity (the form of government of a nation, state, or church). Congregation members call the minister and are her boss. Only the congregation can dismiss her. The Board and the minister support each other for the overall health of the congregation. Her job is to keep an eye on the mission/vision. She hopes we are about ready to identify a mission statement. A vision statement is abstract and inclusive and consists of one or two sentences concerning our identity. A mission statement is more concrete and includes what we want for us and for our community. Kate thinks we also ought to have 3- to 5- year goals on paper. Goals follow the mission statement. Nick noted that mission/vision statements are valuable tools for grant applications.

    Bylaws Revision: The Bylaws state they are to be reviewed and changed if needed every five years. We are at that point now. Dave wants to hold off looking at the Bylaws until the mission/vision statements are settled; but it is hoped this can be approached next summer.

    Capital Campaign: Jim Snyder is spearheading this. The Board will have comment on the capital improvements contemplated and when the work is started. We need to communicate with the congregation what we are going to do and what it will cost.

    Partner Church: The Budget is holding $1900 that was contributed several years ago when we anticipated financing a visit from congregants from our partner church in Romania. To bring this to the congregation’s attention, Kate said she will fashion a sermon on the topic, including the strength of UUism in Romania.

    Ohio-Meadville District: Dave noted we are not active on the district level at all. He will bring to the February meeting information about what they offer. He feels closer contact would be valuable to both sides. OMD has a web-site; check it out.

    Committee on Congregational Ministry: This committee was discussed briefly and its history given. It was an outgrowth of the Search Committee that found Kate. It oversees the health and well-being of the whole ministry. The position of chair for this committee is vacant.

Everyone agreed that we had had a very full and productive time and appreciated the fellowship engendered by talking freely.

Please mark your calendars. Olin Mills will be photographing our members and friends for a new church directory on these two dates:

• Thursday, March 17, 3-9 p.m.

• Tuesday, April 12, 3-9 p.m.

If you cannot make either of the dates, you may submit your own photo. More information to follow.

    "When Irish eyes are smiling, it’s like a morn in spring." "When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles at you." "Let a smile be your umbrella." "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile."

    So many songs about smiling, yet how few people seem to smile! I grew up riding the subways in Boston. No one smiled in the subway, or later on the buses in Syracuse. If you smiled directly at a person, they looked at you as though you had attacked them. The one exception that was not only allowed, but expected, was smiling at a baby. People on Meadville buses are a bit more friendly, and will even ask how you are, and carry on a friendly conversation. Perhaps that’s because the same people ride the same buses, and eventually we get to know each other.

    When people meet, the first impression we make may be based on appearance, dress, manerisms or conversation. As for me, I see a smile that lights up the room, and I’m that person’s slave for life. Well, not quite literally. I remember going to a Chris Williamson concert. She had a bass player who had a smile that could have replaced all the spotlights on the stage. On the basis of conversation after the concert, I don’t think there was s single person in the room that even noticed Chris.

    I used to spend hours in front of a mirror practicing a smile – what did my face feel like when I had a full smile? How far did I have to stretch my lips before it was even noticeable that I was smiling? What did it feel like when the smile was fake, or real? I did this because, as a teenager and young adult I was always asked how come I never smiled? To me, it felt like I was smiling.

    I think I’ve got it under control now. I smile at the bus driver when I get on and thank her when I get off. I smile at clerks and waitresses and say thank you when I leave. The surprise I see in their faces sug-gests to me that this is not something they’re used to. Just look at the kids in church. They haven’t learned not to smile yet.

    So keep on smiling, and the sun will break through.

    David is a professor of Chemistry at Allegheny College. He has a daughter Elaine Burkey who is 9 years old. He and his family live in Meadville. He enjoys reading, playing cards and board games, and watching college sports. He and his family would like to see us teach the relationship and/or interaction between science and religion in our religious education programs.

    David can be reached at home or at work. His home phone number is 336-4665 and his work number is 332-6206. His email address is dburkey@allegheny.edu.

    An author, teacher, and pastoral counselor, Francesca is well known in Wiccan circles on a worldwide basis and has written a number of books on this and related subjects; with another, this one aimed at teens, due out this April. She has done countless interviews on NPR and has written articles for various national publications. For those interested in finding out more about her professional life, a Google search of her name will generate a plethora of information.

    An accomplished musician, Francesca has an award winning album out, Pick an Apple from the Tree, which is available both on tape and CD. You might even scarf up a free copy of it if you stop by to visit; particularly if you can do tape, as her CD supply is very low at the moment.

    Her hobbies include paper cuttings, gardening, medicinal herbs, and cooking for friends; the last of which seems of particular interest to this humble scribe. She enjoys walking, being outdoors, and learning new things. When her health improves to a point that might permit camping, may I be the first to claim her as a CoolerCamper, an honor we do not bestow lightly, as I have found her a truly delightful person and one in the ideals of that coalition.

    On a more serious note, as mentioned in the last Oracle, although she welcomes visitors, Francesca’s health is a bit tenuous at present, which includes a lowered immunity to sickness. So wait until that flu bug or cold is gone before dropping by. But you can still call her anytime at 814.337.2490.

    And so it is that we welcome another computer guru to our church, Tracy L. Smock, who joined our church in 2004. She lives at PO Box 21, Cranberry, PA 16319, and can be reached at tsmock@usachoice.net, or by phone at work at 814.432.9427.

    Tracy has two kids, Zavier King (age 5) and Alexandria King (age 9), with whom she enjoys playing games and watching films. An avid reader and environmentalist, she spends much time researching matters related to the care of our earth and ways of helping its refugees.

    In her "spare" time she likes to do photography, cook, and garden. Besides those, she enjoys Karaoke, dancing, jogging, hiking, cycling, camping, baseball and volleyball. She is concerned about education and conservation. Sounds like she fits right in. Welcome, Venessa.

    Amy Miller joined our church recently, and has already signed up for committee work. She is a preschool teacher, working with ages 3-5, and enjoys her work. She also loves gardening, swimming and reading.

    Amy has four children, Marlo, Nathan, Kate, Cassie and Dylan. The youngest, Dylan, is 12, and the oldest, Marlo, is 25.

    On Committee Sunday, she volunteered to work with the Social Concerns Committee and will be a most welcome member. Glad to have you aboard our community, Amy.

    During the Christmas holidays, when the table in the sanctuary that holds the flowers and candles was placed elsewhere, I noticed a metal plate attached to the front of the pulpit. It read, "In loving memory of Frances Shippen Huidekoper, 1818-1897, the gift of her son Edgar Huidekoper". I was impressed that this memorial had been there over a hundred years!

    A few weeks later, I attended John Fox’s interesting talk about the early days of our church, sitting with Alison Wohler and Milt Harris in the middle left side of the church. When John described the sale of the pews after the church was built, he said that all pews had been numbered, and the buyers of each pew were known. He had placed descriptive notes in envelopes in the hymnal rack of each pew and now invited us to open our envelopes to see who originally owned our pew. And guess who? We were sitting in pew 48, which, along with another, had been purchased by Edgar Huidekoper!

Bumper stickers are now avail-able in the church office proclaiming our liberal UU faith! These attractive blue bumper stickers have the UUA’s website and our chalice symbol, along with snappy statements about our faith:

• The Uncommon Denomination.

• Different People. Different Beliefs. One Faith.

• Searching for a Liberal Religious Home?

• A Different Trinity: Respect. Freedom. Justice.

• Room for Different Beliefs. Yours.

Available for $1. See Venessa in the office.

    In response to local needs, Social Concerns has set up a box in the entryway of the Parish House for non-perishable food donations. Kate says that people stop by the church quite often in need of food. Please consider bringing a box or can when you come to church on Sundays or during the week. Thank you.

    Please do not leave recyclable materials in or around the parish house. We do not have pick up or a way to get these materials to the recycling station. Please, either discard the item or take it home for recycling. Thank you

Daffodil Days

    The American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days are coming. Place your pre-order in the parish house. You may purchase a bunch of ten flowers for $7, a bunch with a vase for $20, or a Boyd’s Bear and a bunch for $25. All orders and money must be in to Venessa by Sunday February 27. Flowers will be available for pick-up in the parish house on Sunday March 20.

February Dessert Concert

    Wesbury Retirement Community will sponsor a dessert concert on February 15 and 16, 6 p.m.. Cost is $6/person, proceeds to benefit Wesbury’s Benevolent Care Fund. Performances will be by MASHapella, MASH Jazz Band, and MASH String Ensemble. RSVP to 814-332-9294.

Youth Activity Fair

    You/we are invited to be a part of the 4^th annual Youth Activity Fair to be held Saturday March 19 at the Downtown Mall, Meadville. This is a chance to spotlight your organization’s goals and programs for 2005, at no cost. There is opportunity for both display space and stage demonstrations.

Complete the registration brochure, available in the parish house. Deadline for registration is Monday February 21.

Health Screens

    Life Line Screening will be at the First Church of God, 13226 Leslie Road, Meadville, on Thursday March 16. They will offer 4 tests: Carotid arteries in the neck for plaque buildup; Arteries in the legs for peripheral arterial disease; Aneurysm screening in the abdominal aortic vessel; Bone density screening. The vascular screens are $45 each; $109 for all 3; bone density is $35; or all 4 tests for $129 total. You must pre-register: call 800-324-1851 to do so.

Jazz at Chautauqua

    The Allegheny Jazz Society and the "Grande Dame" Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua together present a 3-day jazz festival, September 15-16-17. These festivals are popular so it behooves you to get your name in early. Contact Joe Boughton for more complete information and for music reservations: 814-724-2163; email alljz@alltel.net. You may also request a copy of the hotel reservation form at the church office .

Jazz in Meadville

    The beauty of the great American songbook continues on April 1-2-3 and April 22-23-24 when the Allegheny Jazz Society presents its Spring 2005 Performance Series. Dan Levinson’s Americondon Band is featured April 1-2-3, and Johnny Frigo, Larry Eanet and Nicki Parrott will be here on the latter date.

Cost is $25 per person per day, at the Meadville Council on the Arts Gardner Theatre in Meadville. Checks payable to Allegheny Jazz Society (Joe Boughton, President – see phone and email above).

<mthaeler@zoominternet.net>; or leave items in the folder on Venessa’s desk in the parish house. It would be helpful, when you email material, to write "oracle" in the subject line (helps me find it more easily). Thank you.

    "What if we choose the wrong religion? We're just making God madder and madder every Sunday."

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    "People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."

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    "Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be."

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    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everybody agrees that it is old enough to know better."

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    "A witty saying proves nothing."