This is our opening Sunday for the church year as we ask ourselves what is our mission? We’ll be having our annual Gathering of the Waters ceremony, and the choir will sing. Dorothy Miller is the pulpit assistant.

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Do we like our anger sometimes? Can entitlement be a barrier to forgiveness? On October 3 Rosh Hashannah begins the Jewish High Holy Days, followed by Yom Kippur on October 12. These ten days of repentance mark a time of prayer and charity, as well as celebration, but can we really do what is necessary for redemption in order to find our way to joy? Michelle Parcetic is the pulpit assistant.

    The news over the past few days is daunting. My mind is reeling with the destruction but also with some of the needless deaths and loss of property from hurricane Katrina. The Rev. Bill Sinkford, our UUA President, noted in his pastoral letter on the UUA website that the poor and elderly suffered disproportionately from the ferocity of the storm. He is naming an important truth that must be said despite our pain and concern for all. But why did the poor and elderly suffer disproportionately?

    When the order for mandatory evacuation came, the media reported thousands were staying behind. The media didn’t go into any depth as to why or who. Perhaps we all assumed it is the     American way to be stubborn and independent. It is also the human way to deny the impending danger. But I have another explanation. The video pictures showed those lining up at the stadium in New Orleans were poor, elderly and African American.

    Then the aftermath showed thousands more had not even made it to the safety of shelters like the stadium. Thousands were either dead or frantically waving their arms on the roofs of their flooded homes. No money, no gas, no car meant no escape. They were poor and most were African American, many were elderly and ill.

    But why were they not rescued when the mandatory evacuation order was made? Why were school buses not used to get people out? One authority said they had underestimated the number of people who had stayed and needed help. Why? Because throughout history, the poor, elderly and chronically ill have been invisible. We have not seen them because we don’t want to. We don’t want to see their misery and their neediness. The authorities underestimated because they hadn’t looked for years at how many poor, elderly and chronically ill people lived in their cities.

    In addition, hundreds of people were looting, and a lawless and chaotic city was abandoned. The video coverage that first aired showed poor and mostly African Americans were looting. Why? Because these people had been abandoned for years, and it had cost more than their dignity this time. Fear and anger have erupted from long oppressed hearts and souls.

    Studies have shown that people will steal if given the opportunity, the need exists, and they can rationalize their act. Certainly there was opportunity and there was need. I’m not there, but I bet they can rationalize through thoughts of retribution, what was due them and taking back control over their lives. I can’t blame them. I can blame the complacency of a privileged middle and upper class system that refuses to face the reality of an under class.

    And what of the waste of property and decimation of one of America’s most beloved vacation cities? News reports say President Bush’s administration recently cut badly needed funds for New Orleans’ flood control by 44% to help shift funds for the Iraq war.

    Like I said, my mind is reeling with some of the needless death and loss of property.

    You are invited to a "Good Luck" party for Alison Wohler and Milt Harris as they complete their final packing to move to Amherst, Massachusetts. This is a casual dessert party, so stop by as you’re able. They really don’t need any more stuff to pack, so please just bring yourself and some good luck. Children are welcome.

    Do you have family members or friends who just don’t "get" your religion? Have you ever tried to explain your faith to a stranger? Are you ready to see this congregation grow in spiritual depth and in membership?

    Well, in addition to our Small Group Ministry program kicking off later this fall, I’m also offering a five week course exploring how to articulate our Unitarian Universalist faith. Even if you’ve been a UU for decades, this course would be helpful. The focus of this curriculum is on articulation – practicing how and what to say in various settings in which you might be called upon to declare yourself religiously. Or perhaps you can illuminate some angle on this liberal religious movement that has touched and changed so many lives for the better.

    Such moments are precious opportunities to deepen your own path and perhaps grow a happy awareness in someone else about this rich "living tradition." Yet many of us struggle to describe our religion adequately to others. This course provides hopeful inspiration and resources, plus the opportunity for meaningful connection to fellow UUs.

    Wednesdays, September 21, 28, October 5, 12 and 26 (note: skip October 19), in the Parish House, 7 p.m. Child care available with one week’s notice. Please sign up with Venessa or call the church, 724-4023.

    I need help from long time members! We have a collection of photographs that need organizing and more importantly identifying! Please join me for an hour or so of reminiscing on Saturday, October 1 at 10 a.m. in the Parish House. I’ll supply the tea and cookies!

    It was another laundry day in the Wester household. (I haven’t decided yet if we are just really clean or really dirty.) Anyway, I leaned over and began pulling and dropping the freshly laundered clothes into the basket. Suddenly, a few stray acorns flew out and rolled across the floor. I chuckled, gathered them up and set them on top of the dryer. I then reached into the dirty clothes bin and began loading the washer. This time I checked the pockets of my daughter’s jeans and discovered several colorful stones and a feather. I pulled them out and gently placed them next to the acorns.

    Later that day I showed Analee what I had found in the laundry. She laughed and told me a story about each item. Last weekend she had spent the day with her Papa, and they had gathered the acorns from his backyard. The sparkling stones were picked up in our driveway on our walk last night, and the feather had been found in our backyard bluebird box when Daddy held her up to look inside. After our conversation I realized I couldn’t just throw away these treasures.

    "Hey, Analee, let’s make an altar in your room with these," I exclaimed.

    "What’s an altar?" she asked.

    So I explained to her how an altar is a special place where you can go when you feel sad, lonely, worried, or if you just want to be by yourself and be quiet. It is a place to remember the important things in life like family, friends, nature, God. She enthusiastically ran to her room and carefully made a space on her night stand for her precious objects. Since then her little altar has grown and now holds a picture of an eagle and a little aquarium of toy fish.

    I also revisted my own altar. I rearranged my objects (my childhood rosary, a Native American necklace, pictures of loved ones, seashells, shark teeth, a petrified sand dollar, carousel rings, candles, a fresh flower, and lots of books). As I touched each object I reflected on its significance. I opened up a book and read several passages. I leaned back in my corner, closed my eyes, and settled into this peaceful place. Ah, yes, we all need altars in our life even if they are only in our hearts.

    Our religious education rooms are getting ready to go! In preparation for the new year, I will be highlighting curriculum for the 2005-2006 year in the next few upcoming Oracles.

Travelers (grades 4-5) curriculum 2005-2006:

    In the fall the Travelers group will be using the curriculum Holidays and Holy Days. This curriculum celebrates holidays from around the world. Children in this group will learn about the following celebrations:

• Rosh Hashana and Hannukkah from the Jewish faith

• St. Francis Day from the Catholic faith

• Maulid al Nabi and Ramadan from the Muslim faith

• Dussehra from Hinduism

• Wampanoag Thanksgiving from the Native American culture

• John Murray Day and UU pilgrimage from our UU traditions

• St. Lucia’s Day from Sweden

• Posadas from Mexico

    In the spring the Travelers group will begin a peace and social justice program entitled In Our Hands. The children will explore their own knowing, feeling, and imagining about the issues of peace and justice. They will learn various concepts of peace and justice and explore how to promote peace and justice within themselves. They will also explore the nature of conflict and practice creative conflict resolution. The year culminates with a social action project.

    Present were Carlin Almes, Jerry Almes, Dave Anderson, Emily Boughton, Rebecca Hecking, Wynette Kommer, Mike McGrath, Kathy McQuiston, Len Nichols, Sarah Sargent, Tracy Smock, Mike Thomson, and Kate Walker. Dave opened with a chalice lighting and gave a reading about being gentle with ourselves.

    Check-in. It was mentioned that Beth Etter is in the hospital.

    From June 13 to August 22 (including one week at GA and 5 weeks’ vacation): Conducted one service, had approximately 38 pastoral visits (several during vacation), replaced the custodian with Nathan Temple, and attended three different commit-tee meetings. The water company is replacing the water meter as they’ve decided our current one doesn’t work. Scheduled a 5-week course beginning Sept. 21 on articulating UU faith and is working with others on Small Group Ministry. Continuing as president of the Meadville Ministerium and Women’s Services Board. Preached at Chautauqua July 3l; in Pittsburgh at First Unitarian church, Aug. 7, and North Hills, Aug 14. Attending OMDU/UPRL retreat Sept. 26-28 in Akron. Held weddings Aug. 13 and 20. From Oct. 15-22, scheduled days off plus four comp days off, to take stepson Michael to Orlando to start college.

    Dave said there was no official report yet from the Ministerial Evaluation Committee, composed of him, John Brautigam, Ginny Crowe, Cindy Snyder, and Margaret Stewart. He said this committee was one of the best things he has done since he was on the church Board. In depth discussions were honest and straight-forward. Since there is no job description for Kate’s position, they didn’t know how to evaluate; they defaulted to a job description Kate wrote a year ago.

    Next the committee did a short survey of the congregation, first by talking to small groups already in operation, such as the Oracle stuffers, and then by questionnaires. They received a 20% response. Only signed responses were accepted, and verbatim, anonymous responses will be available to any who want to see them. Dave said that in general, people are happy; they like the things going on at the church. There were few negative comments. The committee is still seeking a job description.

    All members of the committee want to be on board next year. Dave feels this needs to be a permanent committee, and bylaws may need to be amended. He feels each outgoing Board president should be on this committee for an ongoing, automatic progression. This would give past presidents a role and is a way to foster congregational leadership. Jerry asked the name of the committee. Dave said the Board is to decide. It is important, he feels, that this committee or a similarly charged committee be established with permanent responsibilities. The future of the committee should be worked out before the Annual Meeting so it can be presented to the congregation. Anyone wishing more information is invited to call Dave.

    Jerry Almes had divided the budget discussion into three parts: (l) Treasurer’s Report; (2) the budget with a 3-year projection drawn up by Jerry Almes from committee reports; and (3) committee input.

    Mike Thomson distributed an Income Statement and Budget Report for July 2005. According to this report, church finances appear to be in good shape.

    Jerry then distributed a Budget Worksheet for Proposed Years 2006-2008.

    Discussion. The RE Committee thinks the budget item of $1,800 for childcare for 2005 should not be their concern; it might possibly be charged to the Personnel Committee. This committee is made up of Kate, Treasurer Mike Thomson, Joyce Milberg, and Fran Smith. Kate said Fran had just resigned, so her spot was open. (An email next day from Kate reported that Kathy Rothman had agreed to be the new member.)

    Lots of time was spent on the third item. Jerry proposed that the Board/Personnel Committee handle budgeting for salaries and wages of the staff.

    Dave wanted to set aside some money to send delegates to OMD/UUA meetings as he feels they are valuable. The Fellowship Committee had a long wish list: small refrigerator, card tables, banquet tables. Kathy McQuiston suggested asking in the Oracle whether any in the congregation had these items to donate. Dave suggested that wish lists should go into the fund for capital improvements. The committee chairs present filled in missing entries in their bud-gets for 2007-2008.

    Kathy McQuiston presented the Social Action Committee’s desire to have a Social Justice Consultant from OMD or UUA come to our church to give a program, like a workshop, for the whole congregation. Individuals already have commitments to Social

    Justice, but there is no way to indicate what our church stands for. A consultant would suggest how to grow the church and build relationships with other churches and community organ-izations for a long-term commitment involving all. Kathy will email us information on what OMD/UUA offers. Their committee expects to do fund-raising and possibly apply for grants in the future for these kinds of services. Dave and Mike thought the committee might need more money for a consultant and raised the budget item from $600 to $750.

    Properties was not represented in this Budget; Properties has the Capital Campaign. Jerry will carry over their present numbers, increasing 5%/year.

Pledge Drive.

    Vice-president Mike McGrath is heading this campaign. He reported that Sunday, Oct. 2, will be "Celebration of Commitment Sunday." He would like the whole congregation to be there, with music, to talk about what we do. He would like any Board members who want additional money for their committee work to talk about it. The next three Oracles will contain preparatory discussions about the range of commitment in dollars.

    My name is Wynette Kommer. I am the clerk, or secretary, of the Board. I take the minutes of Board meetings and the Annual church Meeting, prepare the Board highlights for the Oracle, and write an occasional letter in the name of the Board. I am here because, during a Board discussion about finances, someone suggested that the Board members take turns each Sunday, before the Offertory, to tell the congregation where their money goes and why we need so much of it.

    We need so much of it because the church does so much through the individuals who work on the committees, who see to the maintenance of the church buildings and grounds, who pay the heat and the water and the other utility bills, who nurture the religious education of our youngsters and young adults, and on and on. We pay for stewardship from Kate, for community, for spiritual enrichment, for solace in time of need. So often we say, this or that service or thing is priceless. We could say, what this church provides is priceless, but it costs us to keep the foundation shored up.

    Please, remember, there's nobody but us to do it.

    Do I mean something like an eerie, creepy, ghostly, weird or un-natural feeling? Yes, just knowing that today is Thursday, September 1, 2005 begins to give me those unusual feelings. Why? Because it’s only 10 weeks before we come face-to-face with our Bazaar.

    Questions like: What am I going to make, Do I have the materials, Where can I find a good idea, I wonder what people will want to buy, Wow...can I get it done by then, What if someone doesn't like it, Will it be too pricy, What if someone else comes up with the same idea, and on, and on, and on.

    Now you see why I’m getting those unusual feelings. Our past Bazaars have been well attended, nicely stocked and just enjoyable to browse and shop. We’re not including the yard sale, garage sale type items this year and trying to keep our Bazaar a notch-or-two above the 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢ or a bag for $1.00 bargains. Which means that I can’t wait until the last minute (like Wednesday, November 9) and dig into the attic, garage, basement and closet to see what I have to donate to our main fundraiser this year – The UU 2005 Bazaar.

    Yep, we’re counting on all our members and friends to donate those very special items you do to provide us with enough goodies, special arts, crafts, jewelry, clothes with distinction, etc. to make this a very successful Bazaar experience for all who drop in.

    Oh, and I only have ten weeks to make this happen? That’s right, and now you see why I’m just a little concerned. If you haven't already decided an answer to all those questions above, then pour yourself a good, hot cup of your favorite tea, sweeten it just a little, sit in your favorite chair and just ponder – ‘cause you better take the time to let the magic happen – the day of reckoning is only ten weeks away.

    Just a Bazaar reminder from your Bazaar Committee.

    The Fellowship Committee has arranged for a wonderful musical group called Pieces of East to be a part of our Annual Gathering on October 22. They will also be a part of our Sunday morning worship service on October 23. As part of that arrangement, we need volunteers to provide home hospitality (accommodations and meals) for 4 people (3 male, 1 female, of which 1 male and 1 female are a couple). Please contact Carlin Almes at 814-676-2902 or e-mail carlin@jalmes.com if you are willing to provide either the overnight accommodations or help with the meals for the two days of October 22 and 23.

    Thanks from the Fellowship Committee.

    The 6:59er (Pot Luck Supper) scheduled for September 16 in the Parish House will feature the film What The Bleep Do We Know. This film is not intended for viewing by children. We will also provide a film suitable for the children who are planning to attend. In order to choose that children’s film, we are asking anyone who will have children with them that evening to give us the names and ages of those children. A sign-up sheet will be placed in the Parish House for those sign ups. As usual, coffee and tea will be provided for the evening. Bring any other beverage you may prefer and a dish to share. The following will give you a bit of a preview of the film:

    What the Bleep Do We Know was the unlikeliest cult hit of 2004, earning almost 11 million dollars while playing at only a small fraction of the theaters in the United States. In Australia and New Zealand it had the highest per screen average of any film shown there for several months. It has also elicited enthusiastic support from a variety of groups interested in various aspects of New Age thought and explorers of "conscious-ness" while receiving rather strong disclaimers from most main stream scientists. Love it or hate it, the film has aroused a lot of passion on both sides as it tries to examine some rather fundamental questions. Many members of this Church who have heard of this film in one way or another are quite curious as to what the controversy is about, and so we are presenting it for all to see and discuss. While we don’t guarantee that all of us will agree with the conclusions that it reaches, it does ask some very thought provoking questions.

    A the next moon circle we’ll make masks as a way of looking at the "masks" we already wear. We’ll also examine who we want to become, not only generally speaking but also in the fall and winter ahead, as our lives shift with the seasons. And we’ll honor our beloved dead by drawing on ancestral traits to help us develop into the "new" persons embodied by the masks we’ll be making. This is all Wren’s idea. You go, Wren!

    The circle will meet on Saturday, September 17, 7 p.m. People of all fith journeys welcome. RSVP by September 9: call 337-2490. This RSVP is further in advance than usual because of the craft project involved.

    What do a wild skunk, lots of dogs, a sail on the lake, my nephew, 7^th century Irish nuns, delicious chocolate ice cream, bats, friends from Syracuse, perfect weather, a log cabin, a new set of drawing pencils and an LP recording of Alice’s Restaurant have to do with each other? A day at Chautauqua Institution. And that doesn’t begin to touch the music, lectures, inspirational services, and the beauty of the campus.

    Each Sunday for the last three weeks I have walked 3 miles, ridden 2 buses and the open sided tram, exploring the lakefront, the artist and performers studios, the north end with its homes reminiscent of New Eng-land seaside towns, the plaza with its fountains, shops, library and the Athenaeum, the woods and the ravine, and the tiny streets with cottages lined up along them. In this last area, every cottage has porches with rocking chairs, and small but beautiful gardens, making lawns unnecessary. The cottages range from ornate Victorian gingerbread-trimmed homes to the board and batten cottages that grew up at camp meeting grounds in New England and along the "Burnt Out District" of upstate New York. If you look carefully at the gardens, you will find surprises – a tiny rock grotto with a mirror pond on which rides a rowboat piloted by a mouse, an artistically arranged pile of rocks, a carved stone, a glass ball tucked under a bush, a bridge crossing a tiny stream, a miniature waterfall. If there be fairies, they surely live here.

    If I were to spend a week or more, I would fill every hour of the day with worship, lectures, theater, concerts and more. For just one day though, it is the peace, the beauty, the surprises (like finding out my nephew had been lecturer of the week a few weeks before), the atmosphere where both dogs and people treat you like a long lost friend, the gliding of the boat across the water, that nourish my spirit, focus my life and prepare me for the weekday work ahead.

    And the skunk? It seems he attacked the back of the bookstore during the night, and although they deodorized the place, a very faint odor of musk lingered in the air around the plaza. Every one is welcome here, even the skunks, and the bats (the butterflies of Chautauqua).

    Time to get out the ball caps and aprons folks – Soup Kitchen is on the calendar for September 9 at 10 a.m. at Stone UM Church. We meet the second Friday of every month until May when we get 3 months off. This effort is a real community outreach where you get a sense of helping your neighbor in a really tangible way (by cooking and serving lunch).

    If you are new to our church and wish to come and see for yourself please call Ray and Margaret Stewart at 425-3397 for details.

    On Sunday, August 28 I entertained questions from folks at my annual Question Box Sunday. For the first time I wasn’t able to get to all the questions, not because of my inability to manage time, but because there were so many people attending church that morning, many with great questions. So, as promised here are my answers to those I missed. This may take more than one issue of the Oracle. Recognizing that some questions could inspire a sermon, I will attempt to be as succinct as possible.

    To put it simply, I don’t believe there is "life" after death. At least not as we know life to be, that is a body with a heart pumping blood, encased in flesh, and a semi active brain. I recognize energy exists within our bodies, and when the body dies the energy is transformed to something else. I don’t know what that is, and quite honestly enjoying imagining what that might be, more than coming to a conclusive answer.

    Nope. But, I’m not sure we can nor want to. By "popular religions", I’m not sure which religions are meant. I’m going to assume that it’s not the mainline Protestants as they’re declining in membership, which means they’re not very popular. Popular may mean the Evangelicals and fundamentalists. I believe it’s the Evangelicals who are growing with their mega churches. But actually the fastest growing church world-wide are the Mormons, but they have a technique many of us find suspect.

    Evangelicals and fundamentalists share a vision of God which is a fairly concrete image. Most Unitarian Universalists share a vision of "God" which is abstract and vague. They’re specialists, we’re generalists. It is easier for us to "see" their image of God, and reject it, than it is for them to "see" our image of God, and even acknowledge it, never mind reject. It is hard to reject something you can’t even imagine. So, in their minds, we are Godless. That’s fine with me, if the only God available is a concrete image. As to the heathen part, I’m not wild about being called uncivilized, as the word implies, but I do reject the most common image of God from the bible, so that part is accurate.

    To take the question a little more seriously, UUs can be much better PR people in how we communicate our theology, values and desires for a better world. I suspect people are more inclined to listen to us if we say what we’re for, and not what we reject.

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    Tune in next time for the last question-and-answer – we’re running out of room! A few words related to that: There has been more discussion of late on the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter. To that end, I have decreased the size of regular type by a half a point (and likewise the size of the headings by even more). I don’t want to create difficulty in reading our news. Also you may have noticed there are fewer graphics etc. And I’ve hyphenated everything I could find to hyphenate! I welcome any suggestions for further economy (or any other suggestions); however, please do not interpret this to mean you should truncate your articles or stop sending them altogether. Communication is related to Community!

    Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, September 16, 2005, at 4:30 p.m.

    The deadline for applications to participate in volunteer training for Women’s Services is September 16. Please call 724-4637 for further information.