Members of Inner Voices writing group will share some of their writings with us.

² ² ²

    Highways take us to our destinations. Dirt roads take us to surprises, inner discoveries and spiritual awakenings.

    Service will be interpreted for the deaf.

    The sky transformed to a slate gray, and the boom of thunder echoed through our house. Another thunder storm approached, and I awaited it with excitement, wonder, and a feeling of wildness.

    However, I didn’t always feel like this before a storm. In 1985, my childhood home had just missed annihilation from the infamous May 31 tornadoes. I was 13 years old, and I had watched the twisted carnage from our driveway. For many years I was haunted by recurring nightmares of tornadoes. Usually in my dreams I was searching for some kind of shelter but unable to get there in time. I would awake shaking and scared. And whenever a storm approached, I would immediately seek shelter regardless of its intensity. Then I met my husband, and we moved into a trailer with no basement. You can guess what happened next. At the onset of a storm I would become hysterical and beg him to accompany me to the neighbor’s cellar. He found my fear to be illogical, absurd even laughable at times.

    Looking back, I’m not exactly sure what changed my attitude. Perhaps, it was the experience of living in the trailer. At some point I had to finally let go of my fear since there was no place to go for safety. I had to give myself up to the storm’s destiny. Ever so slowly, my mindset of storms changed, and eventually I began to see the beauty of them: the giant dark clouds, the stillness before, the wind during, and the peace following. I especially love to take a walk following a storm and view the changes.

    Now I see the fear in my children’s eyes, and I strive to show them the wonder, the excitement, the wildness. Yes, I even show them the unpredictability and the need to go to the basement sometimes to huddle together for safety. Yet I also stress the importance of returning upstairs and venturing back out into the world. These storms have become powerful teachers. On a certain level they have taught me a lot about myself, and how I approach life.

    How about you? The thunder rolls, the lightening flashes, what will you do?

 « Summer Program Continues«

    Children in grades K-5 continue to learn about UU Super Heroes. They meet each Sunday until August 7 at 10:30 in the Arthur room. A culminating worship service will be held August 14.

    I want to thank the RE Committee, our Church Board, and Rev. Kate Walker for providing financial support and encouragement to attend General Assembly last month in Ft. Worth, Texas. It was an awesome experience! I attended several conferences focusing on different aspects of Religious Education (including a story telling workshop led by our own Josh Searle-White). I also had an opportunity to talk with other DREs from around the country. The worship services fed my spirit, and I have returned reenergized to continue my ministry in this church. Thank you all for your support!

« Small Group Ministry Continued «

    So, what is Small Group Ministry (SMG) all about?

• SMG offers participants an opportunity for worship, community, learning, and service.

• During a small group meeting people gather, light a chalice, and listen to a reflective reading. Members check-in and share news about what is happening in their lives. A topic and questions are presented, and the group takes time for thoughtful discussion. The session finishes with closing words.

• Groups usually meet in a member’s home or at the church, and sessions are designed to last 2 hours.

• Participants need to bring positive attitudes, a willingness to share and learn, and a commitment to attend regularly.

    Above information taken from the Small Group Ministry Resource Book prepared by Rev. Calvin O. Dame.

Are you interested yet?!?!

« STAY TUNED!!!«

    Beginning this Sunday you may pick up your envelope with chances for the quilt to be awarded in connection with the Unitarian Bazaar – November 11 and 12. We hope that everyone will buy the 2 books of tickets (6 for $5 - or 1$ each) and sell as many as you can to family and friends. This is an important way to promote the Bazaar as well. They are available in the Parish House office and stubs and money may also be turned in at that site. It is all explained in the letter – with a picture of the quilt enclosed. Save us postage – pick up your envelope! Thanks....

    The Divine visits us through our children, our parents, our homes, our poems, and, well, there is nothing you couldn’t add to this list. This month’s moon group celebrates divinity in its myriad manifestations. Come hold hands with god, Saturday, August 20, 7 p.m. People of all faith journeys welcome. RSVP by Wednesday, August 17: Call Francesca De Grandis at 814-337-2490.

    The Membership Committee is in need of Greeters for the months of August, September, October, November and December. If you haven’t been a Greeter this year and can help out, please see Carolyn Chase.

    The Membership Committee is seeking new members. If you would like to join us, we can use your assistance. Please see Carolyn Chase.

1. 1. Have we met before?

2. 2. What are your interests?

3. 3. What brought you here today?

    Let’s make our visitors feel welcome.

Thank you,

Fellowship

    We are planning Circle Suppers for the two dates of November 5 and January 14. There are several people who have expressed an interest in participating in these gatherings, but have not had an opportunity. There will be sign-up sheets in the Parish House. Please sign up if you would like to attend either or both Circle suppers. Please also indicate your phone number and if you are willing to be a Host or Co-Host for either of these dates.

    The date is December 4, and the time will be following the church service and coffee hour. We would like to have two (2) volunteers to host these Open House events for the Christmas Season. Each host will have at least 3 helpers to assist with preparation. Please contact Carlin Almes or any other Fellowship Committee member if you are willing to volunteer to host an Open House.

    Imagine riding comfortably in a golf cart down a gravel path, with trees holding hands overhead and beds of bright flowers on either side. Walkers stroll behind you and bikers – dozens of them, from old folks to wee ones on training wheels. You are on your way to morning service or to vespers. A choir and small orchestra will provide music in the morning and a folk choir and orchestra in the evening. Members of these groups range from experienced professionals to people who have never done this before but would like to try. The results are awesome! Spiritual messages often with stories or bit of humor are wound around the music. These two services are the bookends of the day at Summer Institute.

    After morning service, children and youth go off to their very full and well-planned programs while the adults listen to the theme speaker. This year’s theme, "What’s in Your Spiritual Tool-box?" was presented by Rabbi Horowitz, described as a combination of very wise man and stand-up comedian

    Morning and afternoon work-shops are so varied that choice became difficult. A few of the options this year – crafts, music, dance, body art, massage, yoga and meditation, theme discussions, Biblical interpretation, local geology, Hog-warts University, hiking, and kayaking – and those just the beginning. Some are intergenerational in the afternoon.

    Evening programs include an ice cream social and theme dance (this year: Wizard’s Ball) with live music, Peek (a unique card game with strange prizes), concert of small groups, a solo concert, talent night.

    There is always time to sit on the lawn, read in the library, watch a game of Quidditch, or ride bicycles alone or in family groups. Evenings, Nightlighters tend the children while parents visit each other at the Pub or join a séance in the cemetery or a drum circle inside.

    Special occasions include singing happy birthday to those observing one that week, and announcing the names of children who have shed the training wheels on their bikes. Much loud cheering and applause accompanies this latter event and the child is called to the stage.

    The call is so strong people come back year after year, one family this year coming all the way from Hawaii. We had 500 people this year and are aiming for 600 next year. You could be among them. Join us for our district-wide mini-Chautauqua. Relax, learn, make friends, be inspired.

    The Social Action Committee, in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), is presenting a series of community events. Celebrated in over 120 countries, World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an effort to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding. WBW was proclaimed by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and marks the signing of the Declaration of the Protection, Promotion, and Support of Breastfeeding at the WHO/UNICEF meeting in 1990.

    On Saturday, July 30th, breastfeeding families and their supporters are invited to kick-off World Breastfeeding Week at the Diamond, from 1 pm to 3 pm for a "Nurse Out". Nurse Outs are held throughout the US during World Breastfeeding Week to raise public awareness of breastfeeding and to celebrate local nursing mothers. The purpose of a Nurse Out is to increase visibility of nursing in public, while a "nurse in" is geared to protest or change policy. Members of local breastfeeding support organizations will be on hand to answer questions and to distribute information. Everyone is invited to attend; bring a sack lunch and we’ll enjoy a picnic on the lawn.

    On Sunday, August 7th, following Coffee Hour, a panel discussion, "Breastfeeding and Community Health" will be offered in the Parish House living room beginning at noon. Panel speakers include members of the Crawford County Breastfeeding Coalition and La Leche League. Topics will include the benefits of breastfeeding, the risks of formula- feeding, barriers to breastfeeding and community resources available to nursing mothers. Refreshments, displays, and time for interaction with attendees will be offered. The public is encouraged to attend.

    On Friday, July 29th, "Medicine in Meadville", a weekly radio program on local station WMGW AM 1490, broadcast Friday mornings from 9-10 a.m., will feature La Leche League Leader and church member Kathy McQuiston along with Lorie Darcangelo, RD, MS, LDN, Director of the WIC program in Crawford County, speaking on the importance of breastfeeding to our community. This program is also televised and shown on local cable CTV-13 each Monday at 2 PM and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

    Tattered Corners Bookstore on Chestnut Street is providing a window display of breastfeeding and related pregnancy and childcare books during World Breastfeeding Week.

    The Social Action Committee is putting together an informative display exploring current issues related to breastfeeding which will be available for you to peruse during Coffee Hour throughout the month of August.

    The so-called "nuclear option" is an end-run around the Senate’s approval process for judicial nominees, denying the longstanding right of Senators to block unacceptable nominees with a filibuster. Currently, several nominees for lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary are being filibustered because they have a clear record of extreme views, including hostility toward civil rights, legal precedents, reproductive freedom, and worker’s rights.

    Conservative fundamentalists claim that these judges are being opposed because of their religious beliefs, and have labeled supporters of the filibuster "enemies of faith". The Unitarian Universalist Association is part of a coalition of more than 200 civil rights, economic justice, and religious groups opposing the nuclear option (see www.saveourcourts.org). In particular, the Association has opposed evaluating religious faith based on political positions.

    ACTION: Tell your Senators that You Oppose the "Nuclear Option" and Extremist Judges

    Concerned Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to call or write your senators and let them know that you oppose using the "nuclear option" to change Senate rules and confirm extremist judges. Simply call the Capitol Switch-board at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senators by name. Or utilize our Postcards for Politicians in the Parish House Library to write to Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum.

For more information on judges or the nuclear option, including UUA letters of opposition, see www.uua.org, or contact Megan Joiner, Legislative Assistant for Civil Rights and Religious Liberty, at mjoiner@uua.org or202-296-4672 x12.

    PFLAG-Erie presents their fundraiser Variety Show at Trance Dance Club, 1607 Raspberry Street, Erie on August 6, 7-10 p.m. See the best of Erie’s gay community, meet friends and support PFLAG.

    You may pre-order tickets by sending a $10 contribution for each ticket. They will be held at the door for you. Send orders to PFLAG-Erie, PO Box 133, Harborcreek, Pa. 16421.

    Do you realize that many of the children in our community attend school without the use of rudimentary supplies, i.e. pencils, pens, paper. Really basic! The public school system does not supply these essentials to any student. Students are given a list of supplies to bring to school, but many families cannot afford even these basic items.

    Last year Kim Rascman, Forest Green Service Coordinator, started a program called CACTUS – Community and Children Teaming Up for Success. She and her volunteers try to make sure all students grades K-12 will have what they need to start school on the right foot. Generous contributions have been received, yet not enough to assist all the students who have signed up for help. Adequate school supplies are a necessity to help our young people take advantage of their education and reach their full potential.

    Please consider donating money and/or supplies. You may call Kim at 333-1388; or make donations to CACTUS in care of the Center for Family Services; or drop off supplies at 213 Center Street.

    Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, August 5, 2005, at 4:30 p.m. Thank you