Our mission is to offer a welcoming and safe community that reaches out to and receives spiritual seekers. We provide a voice for religious diversity and encourage personal transformation as we strive toward a better world.

    Our covenant is to be a loving, joyful community that nurtures spiritual growth and promotes com-passion, social responsibility, and service in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

    Every year Valentine’s Day rolls around and reminds us to tell our significant others that we love them. It is important to remember that love comes in many different forms and faces. It’s all in the story of love. Pulpit assistant is Alice Deckert.

    With new understandings from members of The Jesus Seminar, we’ll examine the teaching power of the parables and how Jesus was using them to try to transform his world. Renee Zimelis Ruchotzke is a second-year student in Meadville Lombard’s "Modified Residency Program", a candidate for the UU ministry and a member of the UU Church of Kent, OH. She lives in Kent with her husband Randy and their four children.

    The recent death of Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks, make it seem as if the end of an era is truly over. In many ways an era is over and has been for some time. Just this Saturday a program on WQLN with an interview of an Erie black community leader noted that the black community is never seen. In other words black people are invisible. Some folk may say isn’t that what we all wanted? To not "see" another race as different, instead treating them as equal? Don’t we want blacks to blend into the larger culture?

    Sorry to say, the answer is a mixed answer, yes and no. Just as Black History Month is seen by some as just another way for the white folks to ease their guilt over white privilege by giving a whole month to the study of African Americans, there are just as many who see this month as a wonderful opportunity to remember, remind and recognize.

    We do need to remember the atrocities our country inflicted upon an entire group of people simply because of their race. This can never be forgotten, lest it be repeated, and lest we forget slavery still occurs in other countries. We need to remind ourselves, white, black and all the "colors" represented on the race spectrum, that we are all the same as breathing, bleeding human beings, yet we all bear many significant differences that need to be honored and celebrated.

    And, we need to recognize the insidiousness of racism. Racism is not as overt as it was during the days of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Instead racism is subversive and therefore much harder to point a finger at. Racism now comes in thoughtless and ignorant statements about crime, culture and education. Racism now comes in the form of unchallenged assumptions about class, religion and family. Racism is now embedded in our media, entertainment, education and politics, in ways that are much harder to see and recognize.

    Yes, it’s true we want to treat others as equal, yet we also must "see" their differences as a gift. Most importantly, we (that is every-one), needs to "see" the pain of a race ... a pain that has not died just because the end of an era has died. Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks are dead, racism has not died. We’ve tried to bury it, but it is still with us, alive and present.

    It’s finally here. The best opportunity for intimacy and ultimacy in our religious community begins March 1. According to Unitarian Universalist churches all over the country this is the best opportunity for UUs to learn about each other, to learn about themselves, and to learn about their world. Through deepened connection more and more UUs are extending their community beyond Sunday morning and committee meetings.

    One participant in another church reports "Small Group Minis-try has finally given me a sense of belonging to a community." Another reports "This has meant fellowship and insight to me." If you’re feeling like you just can’t put something else in your schedule, consider one of the once a month groups ... only two hours a month, yet so much more in your life. Many participants in other churches report that after making the commitment to their group they came away feeling eager for the next meeting, and discovering their small group increasingly becoming a priority in their life.

    Small Group Ministry hand-books are available in the church office for more information, or call Kate Walker, 724-4023, or Lee Ann Wester, 724-932-5702. Small Group Ministry sign ups are February 12, 19 and 26, during coffee/tea hour in the Parish House. Not going to be here this month? Just call us, we’ll sign you up on the phone.

    Topics vary in each group, and may cover; Atheism, Approval, Wilderness and Wildness, the Road Not Taken, Pets, Racism, Bitterness, and many more not listed here. The groups are led by a facilitator and consist of a chalice lighting, opening words, check in, discussion and closing.

    "What did he look like?" asked my husband.

    My son had befriended a boy at the local fast food restaurant play-ground and was talking to his dad about him. Cullen looked toward the ceiling with a look of deep concentration and replied "Well, he was taller than me. He was wearing a Steeler’s shirt, and he liked cars just like me." What he didn’t include in his description was the fact that the boy was an African American. It seemed Cullen at the young age of 7 was color-blind. Skin color just wasn’t important in his mind.

    At first, I thought this must be a positive thing. Yet, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Cullen needs to understand diversity. He attends a public school where there are very few African Americans, Asian Americans, Latin Americans, Native Americans. His chances to experience diversity is very limited.

    Later that night we talked about the little boy at the play-ground. He shared with me some of the things they both liked: match-box cars, computer games, and football. Then we talked about the differences: hair color, height, and, yes, skin color. We talked about how there are all kinds of people in the world, and there are many different ways to dress and act and speak and eat. Our conversation became a celebration of diversity.

    After this experience, I realized I must more actively educate my children on diversity. I logged onto the UUA website and found several Between Sundays lesson plans focusing on diversity and prejudice (which I hope to include in our RE curriculum this month). I also found a list of children’s books dealing with these issues. I became more aware of the multicultural stories in Cullen’s reading curriculum, and I intentionally started conversations about this diversity. As we celebrate Black History Month I challenge parents to acknowledge and celebrate diversity with their children. Let us teach them that "Each one of us is special and one-of-a-kind. No one is exactly like anyone else. Our differences make us interesting and unique. When we learn about our differences, and when we appreciate and value our differences, this helps us get along."

    [Why Do People Look So Different from Between Sundays on the UUA website]

***THANK YOU!!!***

    A huge thank you to all who helped with our January program: Mark Cosdon, Ron Mumme, Lenny Nichols, John Hyatt, Lisbet Searle-White, and Mary-Lib Whitney. I would like to send out a very special thank you to Lisbet for coordinating all the music and musicians plus spending Saturdays rehearsing. We have so many talented people in our congregation! The music gave all of us a dose of joy throughout the dark winter month of January. The musicians and children are hoping to share the music they learned during January in worship services in February.

***BUDDHISM TEMPLE PRESENTATION***

    During coffee hour on Sunday, February 12, Kate Walker, Alice Deckert, and Laurie Parendes will share their pictures of Buddhist Temples from their travels through-out China, Indonesia, and Nepal. This presentation is geared toward the Coming of Age class in preparation for their visit to the Zen Center in Pittsburgh. However, if other adults are interested, they are welcome to join the class. Pizza will be provided for the students. Adults are asked to bring a brown bag lunch.

***ALL WELCOME TO THE ZEN CENTER IN PITTSBURGH***

    There will be a sign up sheet at the front desk in the Parish House for anyone interested in accompanying the Coming of Age class to the Zen Center in Pittsburgh. We will leave the Parish House at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 18. The Zen Center will provide lunch. Please bring a $5 donation for the lunch.

***DRE RECEIVES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING***

    I traveled to Loyola of the Lakes Jesuit Retreat House in Akron, OH last weekend to attend my third Renaissance Module entitled Training Teachers. The goals of the module were as follows:

    Thanks to the support of this congregation I am able to attend these very important trainings. These trainings are a vital component of the Professional Standards for RE Leadership.

    I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank each of you for all your work helping the Social Action Committee with our Wal-Mart 6:59er. Special thanks goes out to Marty and Venessa for their help with publicity, to Mary-Lib for answering all of the last minute questions of the attendees, to Lisbet for her many trips home and the use of her DVD player, to the Fellowship Committee for logistical and domestic help, and to all those who brought something to share for the delicious dinner. But I wish to especially thank all the attendees for a spirited discussion for our intellectual nourishment in addition to our physical nourishment.

    There are two DVDs of the movie Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices in our church library for anyone who was unable to attend our potluck dinner to borrow and view at their leisure.

    Also, if anyone has an extra copy of the film Why Wal-Mart Works, and Why that Drives Some People Crazy that could be donated to our church library for our usage, please consider sharing it with our church. We would greatly appreciate the ability to view both sides of this controversial issue. Our committee was unable to acquire a copy in time for our dinner but we think it is important for every issue to be considered after both sides have a fair chance to be heard.

If you know of any Joys and Sorrows to share with our community, please call our office and let us know, 724-4023.

    The Social Action Committee had a turnout of over 30 folks for the pot luck supper and film about Wal-Mart. The discussion was lively and covered many issues raised by the film. When a company violates all seven of our principles, we must do what we can to bring it into line. But there is something else we must do, just as aggressively. In the work of fighting injustice, it is easy to overlook what we have that is good. We hear over and over that big business puts Mom and Pops out of business, and yet we are at fault also. Look around downtown. Do you see only empty storefronts and dying businesses, or do you see the treasures that are there? Are the small stores going out of business because it’s easier and cheaper to shop at Wal-Mart, or because we don’t patronize them? There is free parking behind the Downtown Mall and within 2 blocks of the Mall are wonders just waiting for you. Or take the bus, get off downtown and walk (that’s how I lost 35 pounds in 6 months!).

    On a typical day, I start at the Market House, with freshly made bread, cinnamon buns or scones, and a cup of tea. A piece of the shiitake and leek cheese from the organic foods section makes a great breakfast with a slice of still warm whole grain bread, or any of the other many varieties offered by Creative Crusts and a chance to sit and visit with friends. And don’t forget to stop at the cookie lady’s spot in the back. A variety of spices and herbs and organic pastas are available, too, along with home-made jams and relishes. In season, of course, fresh vegetables of all kinds can be found outside.

    My next stop is Tattered Corners to choose a used book. The bookstore has shelves and shelves of my favorite mysteries, as well as books in just about every category you can think of. There is also an adjunct section in the back with all the latest children’s books.

    Having selected my reading, I head to @ the bank on Park Street. This place is amazing. The bank has been converted into a coffee shop and assorted small shops. Eventually the third floor will be a park, with a play area, a café, performers and fountains. Ginny’s provides a large variety of bulk foods – herbs and spices, candy, nuts and fruits and baking mixes, deli meat and cheeses. It also has a section of crafted items. Lin’s has that dream dress for a very special occasion and jewelry to match. It also has gift items. But I head for the Tellers Row – the row of tellers windows where you can sit and drink. They have a wide range of coffees and flavorings of your choice, but I am working my way through the hot chocolate flavors. So far, my fave is blackberry hazelnut. I get my drink and settle down at the wrought iron table or in one of a grouping of sofas and stuffed chairs, pull out my book from Tattered Corners, and enjoy myself.

A relaxing hour here, and I’m ready to take on Family Video. Children’s films are free, most films are 2 for $1, and for a small fee each month, all films are half priced. One day I walked out with 6 films for a total of 53 cents! And lots of classics are available.

    But these businesses won’t thrive without patronage. It’s up to you. It’s all there if you just look for it. Of course, if @ the bank gets too crowded, it will lose some of its everybody-knows-your-name atmosphere, but I’d rather have that, than not have it there at all.

    We have a house-bound member who would enjoy watching some movies. The next time you rent one, consider loaning it or even renting a second one. If you’re watching a promising program on TV, consider taping it for our friend. Take the tape to Venessa at the desk. Someone will see that our friend gets the tape. If you want the tape back, be sure to label it with your name. Thank you!

    A Call has gone out to all Chalice Lighters for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, Ohio. Chalice Lighter brochures, which include a sign-up form, are available in the parish house.

    Come to beautiful Clearwater, Florida February 24-26, 2006, for Accepting Ourselves – Accepting Each Other, a series of programs and workshops focusing on building bridges of understanding across differences. Sabrina Sojourner will speak on "Diversity and Living by the Heart" on February 25. Register by February 10; inquire at church office for details.

    Look at that picture; you see a dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever lived, lived out their lives. The aggregate of all our joys and sufferings, thousands of confident religions, ideologies and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilizations, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every hopeful child, every mother and father, every inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of our species, lived there on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam.

    The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the end-less cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of the dot on scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner of the dot. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light.

    Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity – in all this vast-ness – there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. It is up to us. It’s been said that astronomy is a humbling, and I might add, a character-building experience. To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.

    [Except from a commencement address by Carl Sagan, May 11, 1996.]

UUs know that it is nothing short of idolatry to assume that human beings have all the answers.

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Religious rituals: The Christians cross themselves, the Jews put a yarmulke on their heads, and the UUs scratch their heads.

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During an interfaith service: "Let us pray. And for you Unitarians, do whatever it is you do."

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Universalists: "They believe in a God who leaves the latchstring out until the last child comes home." (Robert Ingersoll)

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Coffee hour at Gene McAfee’s UU church: "The Unitarian Church and Coffee Shop."

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A successful woman preacher (19^th century) was asked "What special obstacles have you met as a woman in the ministry?" "Not one," she answered, "except the lack of a minister’s wife."

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A young mother spent many Sun-days visiting different churches with her seven year old son. After visiting the First UU Church of Detroit, all the boy could say for a week afterward was, "Can we go back to the church where people laugh?"

Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, February 17, 2006, 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.