Easter can be theologically problematic for Unitarian Universalists, yet we choose to celebrate something on Easter Sunday. We’ll take a look at what the original Jewish authors of the Easter story may have been attempting to create, and see if there is something we UUs find worth celebrating. The choir is singing.

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    The quote at the top of our newsletter, "You need not think alike to love alike", has been on our masthead for a fair number of years, yet just who was Francis David anyway? Hint: He is connected to our Partner Church in Transylvania (yes, we still have a Partner Church).

    They come regularly urging me to continue their existence. Yet I easily resist. I hit the delete button with barely a second thought. I know each one will be replaced soon enough. Appeal after appeal comes across my email begging me, cajoling me, threatening me, bribing me, yet I dig in with stubborn defiance. I proclaim, the chain email shall NOT bring down my common sense to a babbling mindlessness.

    No, I will not send email on to ten or twenty of my friends, so that I can get good luck, avoid bad luck, spread warmth and friendship (no matter how much I actually approve of these feelings), or find dollar bills arriving in my mail for weeks on end. The U.S. post office made chain mail illegal when too many people lost their common sense, and let hope lose itself in dreams of unsolicited money arriving in their mail boxes. The internet has no such control mechanism, thus the chain continues unabated, free to land in anyone’s email box. All the little devil needs is someone to continue it on by sending it to their "best" friends.

    The requests arrive with stories of great success (vacations, job promotions, new husbands, new cars, new washing machines), or disaster avoided (car accidents, job almost lost, love barely lost, wives not quite lost, homes saved from meteorites). Each one is a test to see if the reader is sane enough to rip it up, or hit the delete button fast enough (as our technology now requires).

    But, before I hit the delete button I look again to see who sent it on. A "dear" friend, I wonder? I seriously question their ability to discern reality from fantasy. Or perhaps their twisted sense of humor has finally tipped over the edge, and they no longer know what is funny? I try not to remember who they are. I don’t want to treat them any differently.

    I don’t think there is any cultural phenomenon to chain mail, or any insights into the bizarre depths of human nature. I’m not even sure what kind of personality sends them out in the first place. It is perplexing to me, one of those mysteries in the world that I must be content to never know the answer.

    Perhaps, someday, a graduate student can do a study, a study that is passed on through the internet, for years and years, never to be returned to the original sender. Lost in cyberspace.

P.S. If you feel the same way, please pass this along to 10 of your best friends, and ask them to share this message with 10 of their friends and so on. Someday, maybe it will come back to you and bring supportive words of affinity.

    I was asked to speak on the religious imperative of giving and charity for tonight’s concert. The thousands of tsunami victims represent many faiths, among them Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. I look to their wisdom and begin with the words of the ancient book of Deuteronomy 6 which calls us to remember God and to listen:

    "Listen, Israel: the Eternal, the Eternal alone, is our God. And you must love the Eternal your God with all your mind, and all your soul, and all your strength. These words you must learn by heart, you must impress them on your children. You must talk about them when you are sitting at home, and when you are on the road, when you lie down and when you rise up."

    The religious imperative for all religions minds us to love our God, but there is more. We must also take care to love each other.

The book of Micah reminds us of the demands of Yahweh’s call. "You have already been told what is right, and what Yahweh wants of you. Only this, to do what is right, to love loyalty and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

    This powerful teaching held strong as Christianity emerged and when Jesus taught us, "Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and over flowing, will be poured into your lap; be-cause the standard you use will be the standard used for you." Luke 6: 36-38

    Judaism and Christianity are joined in story and therefore by the roots of history with Islam. The five pillars of Islam are grounded by the Prophet’s teaching that all acts are only made valid when accompanied by intent. The first pillar of Islam is faith, "There is no god except the God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God." The second pillar is to pray often, so one keeps their life in perspective. The third pillar, which is particularly important tonight is what’s called Zakat, or giving to charity. Giving to those in need, whether financial or with tools, is a religious obligation. And the right spirit must accompany the alms, it can not be reluctant, but with good, selfless intent.

    Judaism, Christianity and Islam are joined in calling us to love one another, as well as invoking our sense of compassion, by Buddhism. Buddhism is grounded by compassion. Buddha taught much of our suffering is caused by our false belief that we are all separate beings. Enlightenment comes through seeing through to the nature of all beings and the cosmos itself. The true nature of life is we are all interconnected. Thus compassion is essential to relieving us all from our suffering. Compassion leads us to action to helping one another and knowing that by relieving the suffering of others, we are helping the universe and all that is sacred.

    Hinduism’s teachings tell us we live in a moral universe and within this moral universe we cycle though many lifetimes. Guiding us is a serious commitment to duty and to do what is right.

    Through all these teachings from five of our world’s great religions, we can see what matters is not the religious label we wear, but how pure our heart is. Look at our intentions, the language of our feelings and our purpose. It is in our actions that we shall live our heart and thus walk with God.

    Everyone is invited to attend the Mission Statement Workshop, Saturday April 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the parish house.

    "To do good things in the world, first you must know who you are and what gives you meaning in your life." Paula P. Brownlee, past president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

    It has been argued by non-profit organization consultants that the single greatest problem facing organizations is that they do not have or follow their mission. As our church does not have an active Mission Statement, the Board during last January’s retreat made a commitment for the congregation to develop a Mission Statement. So on April 23 our District Consultant, Rod Thompson, will lead a Mission Statement workshop for anyone who is interested in the long-term health of our congregation.

    A Mission Statement helps a congregation do its most vital work, which is to transform people’s lives. By encouraging spiritual growth, responsible search for truth and meaning within communities of compassion, nurture, hope, and courage, the congregation can live its mission. But first the congregation must have a sense of mission.

    Feedback from members to the Committee on Congregational Ministry and the Board indicates that members are ready to develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose, both for the members and to support our relationship in the larger Meadville community.

    The process of writing the Mission Statement will continue through the rest of the year, with the goal of having it complete in time for the annual meeting in December when the congregation will vote on it.

    Please set aside Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for an important day of congregational reflection and envisioning. Please sign up in the Parish House

    The Salon is back! After a winter break we’re meeting again in the parish house to discuss topics of interest. We’ll begin meeting Tuesday, April 19, and meet for eight weeks through June 7, at 7 p.m. Because of so much public dialogue about science and religion, we’ll read together "Why Religion Matters", by Huston Smith, author of the classic bestseller "The World’s Religions". In this book he first critiques the fall out of science and its attitude toward religion, and then offers a different relationship between the two studies.

    From the back cover: "In this compelling critique Huston Smith presents his passionate, vital message about the suffocation of the human spirit in a world dominated by materialism, consumerism, educational elitism, and governmental and legal systems without morality. Tracing the three major historical periods that have brought us to our current spiritual crisis, Smith advances a hopeful alternative to our predicament. He champions a society in which the human spirit is honored and encouraged to experience its full potential, and religion is once again treasured and authentically practiced as the vital source of human wisdom and the moral compass by which we must steer our lives."

    Huston Smith is widely regarded as the most eloquent and accessible contemporary authority on the history of religions. A leading figure in the comparative philosophy of religion, he has taught at Washington University, MIT, and Syracuse University. He currently teaches at the University of California, Berkeley.

    Come join in a discussion of this important challenging but accessible book. We’ll cover two chapters per week (approx. 40 pages). Please sign up by Monday, April 4 so books (at discount) can be ordered.

    Thanks to our hardworking Properties Committee our RE classrooms are getting some well deserved attention. Our Coming of Age room just received a new layer of paint and volunteers have been painting the many, many pieces of trim which will be fitted around the doors, floor, and ceiling of all the classrooms. In order to finish our project the RE committee has set a date to do a final clean up of class-rooms, supply closet, and library. On Saturday, April 30, anyone interested in helping our RE program is invited to help with this project. We will start at 9 a.m. and a pizza luncheon will be provided. Please mark your calendar and join us to complete the finishing touch to our new look!!!

    I hope you have all marked your calendars for the day and time of my ordination! It will be Sunday evening, April 24, at 7 p.m. And just in case you were confused, this will in no way replace the regular Sunday morning service at 10:30 a.m. In fact, there may be more visitors than usual that morning as my family and friends and colleagues will have been arriving since Friday for the weekend.

    Besides the fact that this religious community has been so supportive of me since I joined in 1993 and that I love you all, there are other reasons why it is very important that you are there on Sunday night for this ordination service. When I decided to attend theological school in 1999, this congregation voted to become my sponsoring congregation, which meant that you fully agreed with the merits of my decision and would do what you could to support and encourage me through the requirement of professional ministry in our association. I have reached that point, as of this past September, when the members of the Ministerial Fellow-ship Committee of the UUA granted me preliminary fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist minister. The next step in the process is yours, again, as actual ordination (or the moment when I will become The Reverend Alison Wohler) is the function in our tradition of the individual congregations. At the most recent annual meeting the congregation voted to perform this most important ritual in the career of my ministry and I am delighted that it will be YOU! Among the other parts of the ceremony, at some point Dave Anderson, as president of the Board of this congregation, will lead us in the words with which I will have chosen to become ordained. This has been the method by which Unitarian ministers have been ordained for over 350 years in this country and it will be my honor to carry on the tradition. (Often, but not always, during its own history, ordination of Universalist ministers was by some denominational body.)

    The service in its entirety will be longer than a Sunday morning service. The Reverend Richard Gilbert will be delivering the sermon. He served for many years as the minister of the Rochester, NY, congregation until his retirement to interim ministry a few years ago. Currently he is the interim minister at the Ithaca, NY church. Kate will be offering the Charge to the Minister, as is very appropriate since she has so supportively seen and talked me through this entire process. The Reverend Daniel Budd from Cleveland, the Reverend Patricia Sheldon from Olmstead, and the Reverend Mary Wellemeyer from Manchester, NH are just some of the other ministers participating in the service. There will be repre-sentatives attending from all the congregations of which I have been a part in recent years. We should have wonderful music, as well, with Beth Etter at the organ and piano and Jon Abrams leading the choir in a number of pieces.

    All of this celebration and the arrival of many out of town family members and friends will call for a significant volunteer effort on the part of everyone. Cindy Snyder is organizing the light supper prior to the service (for out of town guests and family) as well as the special reception to follow. If she hasn’t called on you already, you might give her a call to offer your time or cooking talents. Venessa Summerlin is gathering volunteers for the larger than usual coffee hour that Sunday and evening. And Cynthia Burton is taking on the task of finding home hospitality for some of our visitors. If you would be able to provide a room or two in your home for one or two nights that weekend, please let Cynthia know.

    Thank you all, in advance, for your help preparing for and participating in what should be a significant (and fun) event in the life of our church. With love,

    Kate has led nine services since November, plus Christmas Eve; approximately 70 pastoral visits; facilitated pastoral lay group training Dec. 4, conducts weekly staff meetings with Venessa and Lee Ann; met with various committees. Initiated three salon style meetings, held new member introduction class, helped coordinate Crawford County Historical Society’s weekend focus on our church and theological school. Participated in the Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Day service and will participate in the annual community Good Friday service, is president of the Meadville Ministerium and Women’s Services Board. Attended field advisor training and Winter Conference at Meadville/Lombard in Chicago Jan. 4-6, winter Ohio Mdvl District UU Professional Religious Leaders Retreat Jan. 24-26, and reestablished contact with our Partner Church in Romania. Officiated at two Memorial Services and participated in one; one wedding. Among other things.

    Mike Thomson went over the 2004 Income & Budget Report. He wants the new people on the Board to understand it. Next, he discussed the January Income & Budget Report, the Church Utility Bills sheet, and the quarterly Comparative Balance Sheet. Dave said that we as a board should be knowledgeable about the budget and pass on to the congregation the idea that it costs money to run the church.

    Dave asked that we think about a policy for completing projects under the Capital Campaign. He said that Properties needs to be able to spend money from the Capital Campaign funds. He suggested that perhaps the committee should be able to spend up to $10,000 on items that don’t affect the appearance of the church. If it’s something you can see, discussions should be held and perhaps the congregation should be involved. Would these expenditures need Board approval?

    Mike T. Thought that Dave’s proposal is good. He said that Lenny could let the congregation know as the projects get started. We also need to be aware of grant status. We cannot spend grant dollars before February 1, 2006. Dave, Jim, and Len will draft a policy for the March Board meeting. Sarah liked the idea of Lenny letting the congregation know when and what is going to happen, costs, and start and finish dates. "It shows fiscal responsibility," she said.

    Kate and Dave brought us up to date on our church organ. The organ was in bad shape this Christmas, making strange, inappropriate sounds. Our tuner died a few years ago. Fisher Organ Service from Erie tuned it after Christmas. They re-commend a full restoration of the organ. Mr. Fisher said that basically the organ is in very good shape and is quite valuable. It is worth $250,000 and should be insured for $300,000. Some plastic pieces need to be replaced. We might be able to get money from an organ society. We will get a quote on the cost of restoration. The question of water for the organ and piano was raised. We have no water source in the building. It was decided to get a letter from the insurance company concerning the value of the organ and the piano, what each is insured for, and the cost of the insurance. We would like this information in time for the March Board meeting.

    Kate is planning a Former Board Presidents Meeting to discuss church polity. Fifteen or six-teen past presidents have been invited. Marsha Metcalfe will facilitate the meeting.

    With Rod Thompson, OMD Coordinator, Kate is planning a workshop for April 23 to develop a mission statement. She would like all of us to attend and to invite any-one who complains about the plan to be on the Goals Committee for next year.

    Dave said that the by-laws are scheduled for a review. He will ask Bruce Thaeler to look at them.

    Kate is in touch with the daughter of the minister of our Partner Church in Romania, who is coming to the US this summer on a work program. We need to get someone to take charge of this committee or do something else with the money that we had raised for the failed visit of our Partner Church’s minister and family. Kate has some ideas on uses for the money.

    Mike Thomson spoke with Scott Doyle from the Historical Society, who wants to see plans of our projected renovations. The Society is concerned about changes that might be seen from the street. Dave said that we need to know what the fire department expects and what the Historical Society expects. He thinks the architect will coordinate the plans to satisfy both organizations.

    Input is sought re speakers, pulpit assistants, ushers, and location of service on "picnic Sunday", June 19.

    Plans are in place for photography for the Directory project. Carolyn will schedule the solicitors while Bruce will handle the layout. He may be requesting church-related photos for use in the Directory. The membership number remains at 153.

    Rebecca said that one of her children had been very disappointed to have been denied the privilege of signing the membership book when his parents signed and joined our church. Kate reminded us that a person must be of age to join our church. A suggestion was made to have available a special book that children could sign if they wish. It could be called the "Future Member Book".

    Completed programs: RE program on Global Climate Change, with many thanks to all who participated. Recruiting brought us two new members and gave us an opportunity to network with the youth group. Global climate change brunch. Instead of an honorarium for this, Terrance Bensel asked that we donate the proceeds for tsunami relief. We will donate $200 to this fund and thanks to everyone.

    Ongoing Projects: The Activism Center will be updated soon. $20 worth of pre-stamped postcards will be purchased and labels made for the different legislators. The Asbergers/Autism Religious Education Program seems to be approved by the congregation. An Event Calendar is being designed. The Food Pantry is growing thanks to generous donations from the congregation. Upcoming: Mock Rape Trial April 8; Creek Fest Reception April 30.

    Committee Wish List: Volunteers are sought for the Partner Church Program, the Social Action Email List, and Jailed African Tribe Members in Cambridge Springs.

    We would like as many of our members and friends as possible to be in our new photo directory. If you haven’t made an appointment, you can still do so by calling Carolyn Chase. You will receive one free 8 x 10 and a photo dir-ectory just for signing up for a sitting. If you want to order more pictures, you can do it at your sitting.

    Five of our members (and one little girl) came to help at Soup Kitchen on March 11. We served 57 lunches consisting of soup and sandwiches and dessert to an appreciative group. Our volunteers were:

    Next date to serve is Friday, April 14. We’re in need of some new volunteers, so please consider joining us if you are free at that time (approximately 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Call 425-3397 (Stewarts) for information.

    The temperature has dropped from the spring of yesterday to the midwinter of today. The warm sun-light has been replaced by more cold, wet snow. The light coming in the window has a gray, depressing cast. The furbabies have made themselves nests in the comforter on the couch and are sound asleep. Gumball has only a bit of dry black nose sticking out of her cave. Callie the African gray parrot is calling the dogs and reminding us that she loves us. On TV dogs are strutting, each sure he or she will win the Westminster Dog Show. I saw it yesterday, so I know that the German short-haired pointer will beat all the others.

    In the middle of this domestic scene, I sit at the table with a pencil, a pad of paper and a blank brain. At 1 p.m. I have not eaten because I can’t decide what to eat and I am still in my nightclothes because I can’t decide what to wear. I have no idea what my plans are for the day! Ideas flash through my mind and out again just as quickly – Bridghid’s sore paw, the weather, Callie’s vocabulary, something political, a complaint about censorship, for a few.

    Francesca has given me a couple of spells to remove blocks. She has a good one in her soon-to-be-out book for teens (more about that next month). She explains that every spell must be accompanied by an action to complete it. (Gee, and I thought all I had to do was a spell for a new car, and one would just drive itself into the yard in about an hour and hand me its keys.) Every-thing she says makes sense – the spell becomes the motivator for the action. So why am I sitting here watching the furbabies sleep and listening to Callie tell me she loves me. (I love you, too, Callie.)

    I just have to decide what spell to use.

    April is Sexual Assault Aware-ness Month. To increase the awareness of sexual assault, several events will be presented throughout the month.

    Women’s Services, in conjunction with Meadville Community Theatre, will host A Mock Rape Trial, "I Think Something Happened Last Night", April 8, at 8 p.m., in Courtroom 1 at the Crawford County Courthouse.

    April 9, 7-11 p.m., Allegheny College Campus Center presents Rock Against Sexual Violence, featuring bands as well as survivor art and poetry.

    Men Against Sexual Violence will have a Pledge Signing asking men to make a commitment against sexual assault – April 19 at 12:15 at Diamond Park in Meadville.

    Community Good Friday Services will be held at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 1070 Park Avenue in Meadville, on March 25. Noon to 1 p.m. features a Tenebrae Service in the Sanctuary. A Labyrinth Moving Meditation in the Fellowship Hall will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Rev. Joanna McDermott and Rev. Steve Aschmann will share a Service of Healing in Henderson Lounge from 2 to 3 p.m.

    The sanctuary will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. for personal meditation. The Labyrinth will be open after the formal activity until 6 p.m. These worship experiences are meant to accommodate a variety of spiritual disciplines for Good Friday.

    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:

Available for $1. See Venessa in the office.

Peace to you ... I am very ex-cited to announce that the Tibetan Monks will be visiting Unity in Edinboro (130 Meadville Street) from March 23-26. The events include a lecture, an empowerment on the Buddha of Compassion, a Tra-ditional Performance, and daily individual healing sessions.

• March 23, 7 p.m.: Lecture – World peace and the unity of all religions
• March 25, 7 p.m.: Empowerment – The Buddha of Compassion
• March 26, 7 p.m.: Performance

Call Joanne @814-450-6090 for more information.

    Brochures are now available describing 2005 AMUUSE Vacation Camps for a somewhat overlooked segment of society – Single Adults. (AMUUSE = Adult Midwest Unitarian Universalist Singles Enrichment) Three camps are sponsored by AMUUSE on the following dates:

• June 19-25 at Saugatuck, Michigan
• July 17-23 at Williams Bay, Wisconsin
• Aug. 7-12: Saugatuck, Michigan

    For more information inquire at the church office or write AMUUSE, PO Box 865, Noblesville, IN 46061; or email <AMUUSE@compuserve.com>.

    Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, April 1, 2005, at 4:30 p.m. You may email your articles to: <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.

    Believe not because some old manuscripts are produced, believe not because it is your national belief, believe not because you have been made to believe from your childhood, but reason truth out, and after you have analyzed it, then if you find it will do good to one and all, believe it, live up to it and help others live up to it.

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    Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.

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    If men were ever to lose the appetite for meaning we call thinking, they would lose the capacity for asking all the unanswerable questions upon which every civilization is founded.