This is the last in a series of sermons about Unitarian Universalist history, with this one in particular about Universalist history. John Murray tried to run from his call to spread the word of universal salvation, and he ended up stuck on a sand bar off New Jersey.

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The great debate on the origin of humanity continues through the ages of history. Darwin knew he had something controversial, which is why he sat on his findings for over 30 years. But what went on in his mind between his faith and his scientific findings?

    As our Meadville church celebrates 180 years of liberal religious existence, we can be proud of our enduring message. But it hasn’t happened without a whole lot of help from church members. Within the circle of a religious community there are layers of members, much like concentric circles. On the inner layer are those who attend worship regularly, serve on multiple committees, the governing board, attend every social event and pledge at a high level. Those on the next level attend worship regularly, serve on a committee, but not the governing board, attend most social events, and pledge at a comfortable level.

    The next circle has less of a time commitment and perhaps less of a financial commitment as well. The most outer layer are those who are rarely seen in worship, never on a committee and pledge accordingly. Unfortunately, these folks are also usually forgotten for pastoral calls from other members as well as the minister. They are only contacted once a year during the pledge drive. They have an enduring commitment to the existence of the church, in that they don’t want it to ever shut down, but they don’t have any commitment to its success other than writing a check.

    This is the standard structure of a church community according to the experts in church organization and management. Most churches follow this structure. There is some flow to the circles, members move in and out of the levels of commitment, perhaps they burn out or their personal lives demand their time in other areas. Or perhaps they don’t like a new minister, so they shift to the background until another minister comes along they like better. And, the pledge levels may not always follow the time commitment. Some folks give their time more because they can’t pledge high, and others pledge high but never show up (this is really rare).

    And of course, the church may experience a serious conflict which inevitably shakes everything up, with members often shifting radically in their relationship to the church.

    In a healthy church, there should be movement between the circles as some move outward, and others move inward to take their place. I have seen this happen in our church throughout the last seven plus years. The challenge is for those on the outer layers to move inward, deepening their commitment through an active relation-ship rather than a passive one. It is easy to ask what this community does for us, it is harder to ask what we can do for the community (sound familiar?).

    If you’re one of those people who have been hanging around on the outer layers of this community, take a moment to ask yourself why. And perhaps deepen the question in asking what is the importance of this church in the life of the larger Meadville community? If you recognize the pivotal role we’ve played over the past 180 years, then come and help us keep this church alive for another 180 years. We need your help more than you know.

    "What are you going to be for Halloween, Analee?" asked my niece.

    "A dragon!" my daughter exclaimed.

    "Oooo, you know that there are dragons in Hell," my niece informed us.

    My jaw dropped open, and I quickly changed the subject. However, I just couldn’t get my niece’s comment out of my mind. I find it so sad that many families instill fear in their children teaching them that if they do not obey then a wrathful God will send them to an everlasting Hell after they die. Many parents want their children to believe that there must be some kind of consequence for their actions and that Hell provides that ultimate consequence. This juvenile idea puts children in a type of prison of the mind. They are not free to truly search and question.

    We as Unitarian Universalists do not believe in this concept of Hell. Should we even teach our children about an idea of Hell? At first, I would have said no, but after hearing my niece’s comment I realized that my children need a definition for Hell. They will obviously hear about Hell from other children, and I certainly don’t want them to acquire their friend’s definition. So, how do we define Hell? (That's what I love about children...they really make you face the big questions!)

    For myself, I do believe in Hell, but it’s not the fundamentalist biblical Hell. Hell for me is a state of mind. It is the anguish we feel when we have hurt our self and others. It is not a place you go after you die, but a place within yourself right now where you feel pain when you have wronged yourself and others. We are not eternally damned, rather we must choose to get out of our Hell: to right the wrong.

    I will share this idea of Hell with my children, and then ask them right back, "So, what do you think Hell is?" I’m sure you will be amazed at their answers!

_ _ _ FUUN _ _ _

    This is a new buzz word in Unitarian Universalist congregations. FUUN stands for Family UU Night where families in our congregation plan a night out to get to know each other plus have some fun in the process. The RE Committee has just begun a discussion about possible events. The first FUUN night will be scheduled sometime late November to early December. We welcome any ideas from families in the congregation. You can contact me or attend an RE Committee meeting scheduled on the second Sunday of each month following the service in the Parish House.

_ Guest At Your Table scheduled for Sunday, November 20 _

    Mark your calendar for our annual Guest At Your Table celebration. Again, our RE program will be providing a delicious soup, corn cake, and salad for the entire congregation following the service on Sunday, November 20. Donations will be collected for the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee). More information will follow from the Social Action Committee.

    Rev. Todd Strickland’s sermon of October 9, Battle of the Bible, is now on our Website: <www.uumeadville.org>. The Bible verses he gave us on a handout at the sermon are included. His sermon excited me, as I am completely ignorant of the Bible and was always a little prejudiced against it. Hearing a person with Rev. Strickland’s expertise gave me a whole new perspective. Now those who missed the sermon can read it.

    Len Nichols says he will be able to provide for our Website the frame-work for his ad lib sermon of October 16, as well as the words to the songs the musicians and we sang. Give him a reminder when you see him.

    Meeting came to order at 7:00. Present were Jerry and Carlin Almes, Carolyn Chase, Wynette Kommer, Mike McGrath, Sarah Sargent, Mike Thomson, and Kate Walker. Vice-president McGrath presided in Dave Anderson’s absence. Check in and chalice lighting. Mike read a humorous poem by Billy Collins. The minutes of September’s meeting were approved.

    Mike M. reported on the Pledge Drive. 67 % of our pledging units have responded, with a total pledge of $60,475. The good news is the fact that almost half of the units increased their pledges. The bad news is the fact that the few decreased pledges almost cancelled out the increases. He feels we may have to scale down our "dream" budget to coincide with realistic funding. New members are needed to improve the final tally.

    Kate again brought up the question of raising the rent paid by Weight Watchers. They are currently paying $7500/year and their rent has not increased in at least four years. The Properties Committee is in charge of rentals, and they must take up this problem. The Finance Committee in the person of Jerry will contact Nick Stupiansky.

    Finance Committee Chair Jerry Almes distributed a comparison sheet of the 2005 budget with the proposed 2006 budget for committees to use to begin prioritizing for next month’s final budget to be presented to the congregation.

    Sarah Sargent reported on the PR Committee’s work in replacing our copy machine, the 5-year lease of which is up in January 2006. Present costs are approximately $3500 per year. We have a service lease from Hagen and a lease for the machine itself. The lease is $123 per month, toner is $240 a quarter, and the maintenance agreement is $900 per year. Hagen has a nicer machine for a 5-year lease at $2630 per year or $3767 for purchase. Digital duplicators are cheapest and well received by all users. They are good for multiple copies such as our Oracle and Order of Service. This can be combined with a regular inexpensive copying machine for making smaller quantities, at a cost of $500 with a 3-year warranty. With this arrangement, our annual photocopy costs would be $1453, instead of $3500. The Committee is heading in this direction. The Board commended the Committee on the great job they are doing.

    Mike Thomson presented the Treasurer’s Report. Through September, actual income and expenditures remain in line with the original budgeted amounts. In order to bolster the operating cash position for the com-ing fall months, we drew another $2,800 from the Endowment. The Third Quarter end balance sheet shows total assets of $402,776, up $14,356 from the beginning of the year. The Capital campaign has contributed $19,401 of this amount. The value of the Endowment Fund assets has risen about $4,000, while $9,150 in prepaid pledges has been taken into income.

    Membership Committee. Carolyn reported that our membership is currently 156. A welcoming and membership meaning page for the Parish House Times every week is being planned. Nine letters of intent were mailed to questionable members. Two replied that they wished to remain members. A third wanted to change to Friend status. The remaining six will receive one more letter before their names are stricken. A motion to remove these names by October 31 passed.

    Minister’s Report. Kate held a photo archive session with senior members Oct. l; worked with the Social Action Committee and Sue Fuller to host the visit from Melinda Orban, daughter of the minister at our Romanian Partner Church. Facilitating a 5-week course that began Sept. 21 on articulating our UU faith. She is working with Lee Ann, Emmy Boughton, Sandy Stupiansky, and Hannah Cosdon on UU groups (small group ministry). She confessed that she has more pastoral care in the congregation than she can handle (a church with 130-140 members is manageable). She is giving up her illusion that she can take care of all pastoral needs. Small group ministry fills the gap. At this point, she wants to reassure all members that all pastoral care will still be there.

    She has scheduled an Introduction to UU classes Dec. 11 and 18 at l:30 pm, called "RUAUU?" Preaching the sermon at the Annual Community Thanksgiving service Nov. 23 at Stone Methodist Church, sponsored by Meadville Area Ministerial Association. Also preaching the sermon at the Rev. Steve Aschmann’s Installation Service on Nov. 13 at the UU church in Erie. Attending minister’s study group meeting in Dayton Nov. 14-17.

    The Social Concerns Committee is asking everyone to bring food donations to the church from now through November 20. We are in need of dry goods, canned foods, and other nonperishable to restock the church’s food pantry.

    A shopping cart will be placed in the Sanctuary and a drop box is also located in the Parish House to collect the food donations. These donations will serve needy persons in the Meadville community throughout the year.

Thank you!

    From time to time, the Fellowship Committee will be putting out a basket for donations during coffee hour. Any donations received will be used by the Fellowship Committee to purchase supplies for the kitchen and for coffee hour use. Although most coffee hour hosts do not require help with the costs involved in the hosting duties, occasionally the Fellowship Committee will provide, upon request from the hosts, items such as coffee, tea, and other supplies. Please consider placing a dollar or two in our basket when you see it on the table. This will help the coffee hour tradition continue to run smoothly. Thank you for your understanding and help.

    Kite Expert who can figure out how to fly a Bali Dragon Kite. Please call 336-5014.

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    Thanks to the generosity of David Klein, a friend of our church, we have acquired two bags of quinces from his tree. We found instructions on the web for making jam & made 14 eight oz. jars to sell at the bazaar. It is really delicious!! David tells us it was very popular years ago & grandmas would remember it. Well this grandma didn’t but now thinks it’s wonderful! We have some quinces left with some jars & the instructions if anyone in the congregation would like to make some.

    Bazaar time is approaching & we’ll need cookies, fudge, pies, breads, jams & jellies. Please plan to help out – remember to put goodies on paper plates wrapped in plastic & "ready to go" if possible; pricing is optional.

    Your offerings will be gratefully received Thursday evening November 10 or Friday morning November 11 if possible.

    Many thanks to all who have spoken to us about what they are planning to donate for this Bazaar booth. It sounds as though our hangers will be loaded with topnotch items. Remember, no thrift shop clothing, and we will appreciate good handbags and shoes also.

    Garments on hangers may be left in the coat rack of the Parish House office. Boxes may be left in the Arthur Room, marked "Clothes, Bazaar."

    The service recently presented by Lenny Nichols, et al, began with the hymn This Train is Bound for Glory. It got me thinking about the fascination many of us have with trains. I had a friend who would drive for hours just to spend 10 minutes on a hillside to watch one particular train go by. When I lie in bed at night I can hear the whistle blowing from the tracks near Smock bridge. I don’t have a fascination with trains – I haven’t traveled on them much since I commuted by rail to Boston to go to college – and yet something about that call in the night pulls me.

    When my father was a chaplain in the CCCs and later in the infantry, many of the boys he worked with came from the hills of Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. I use the term boys because the majority of them were the minimal age for service of 18, and those who could convince the recruiters were as young as 16. They had never been away from their farms, let alone out in the broader world. They, too, felt the pull of the train whistle as an escape from the poverty of the depression. The train called to them with offers of a new life, and they eagerly boarded them. These trains were bound for glory!

    So strong was this connection with trains that my father collected 25-30 hymns that extolled the train as the way to heaven. You just had to be waiting at the station with a pure heart. He typed them up and had them bound into hymn books for use in his services. They sang them in their training camps, and in the troop trains that would take them to the ships bound for Europe. Unfortunately, the trains my father’s unit traveled on took them, not to glory, but to a desolate landscape of glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs and driving rain in the summer and perpetual darkness, snow and gale force winds in the winter. They had left behind the beauty of the hills and green farmlands for 2 ½ years. The landscape here was spectacular in its own way, but for these boys it must have been bitter. Added to this was the fact that Icelanders in whose country they were stationed were German sympathizers.

    Still, they would sing the hymns, gathered together in the heated chapel, and believe that the "Little black train a-comin’ ..." would take them to a better place – a place where there was no more war and killing, and the fields were as green as the farms they had left behind. "Get on board, little children, there’s room for many more."

    Inner Voices writers group has moved to the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The next meeting will be November 9 at 7 p.m. Because the fourth Wednesday is Thanksgiving, we will meet on the fifth Wednesday, November 30, instead.

    Bring a pen/pencil and a friend. Newcomers welcome. Old friends welcome back.

    Some of the places of the civil rights movement are readily accessible: the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, the church whose burning drew Chaney, Schwerner and Goodman to Philadelphia, Mississippi. But fewer and fewer of the people who gave such places their meaning survive to talk with us. Both places and people are included in a tour being offered in March of 2006 by Meadville Lombard Theological School.

    The March 18-26 tour has been planned and will be led by the Rev. Dr. Gordon Gibson, who was involved in the early stages of the 1965 Selma voting rights campaign and was the Unitarian Universalist minister in Mississippi 1969-84. He led similar tours in 2004 and 2005.

    The tour, by luxury motor coach, will include all admission charges, overnight accommodations, and most meals in the $1,000 cost. Visits with 1960s activists and videos on the bus will supplement the site visits. The tour will begin and end in Chicago, Illinois.

    For full details and registration information, you can visit the Meadville Lombard website (www.meadville.edu) or write to the Academic Office, Meadville Lombard Theological School, 5701 S. Wood-lawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637. Registration is on a first-come basis with some of the 30 seats re-served for theological students who will be taking this as a credit course.

    A participant in the 2004 Tour said, "the stories from the folks who were ‘in the trenches’ make the Movement come alive." Another participant described it as "seeing the Movement through the real experiences of real people."

    You are invited to attend the 2006 Interweave Convo for to be held in Clearwater, Florida, February 24 ? 26, 2006. The brochure and registration forms are available in the church office. Registration fee covers all workshops, the plenary speaker (Sabrina Sojourner) and all meals beginning Friday evening.

    There will be two hotels with special Convo rates and also folks from the UU Clearwater church who would be happy to house people in their homes. Once you are at your hotel or home, you will be able to have transportation to and from the church, so you don’t have to rent a car if you don’t care to. Once you register, hotel information will be available for you.

    Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, November 11, 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. When you email material, please write "oracle" in the subject line (helps distinguish from spam and non-Oracle items). Thank you.

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• We seem to have a little extra space here ... so – a couple of our church members sent the following bloopers along and we hope you will get a chuckle from them.
• The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
• The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
• Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
• Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
• The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn’t care much about you.
• Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
• Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
• The Rector will preach his fare-well message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy."
• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
• Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
• Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
• Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
• The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
• Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – prayer and medication to follow.
• The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
• Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
• Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
• Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
• And, specially for the pledge campaign: The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours."