Following is a list of upcoming committee meetings. Meetings are held in the parish house unless noted otherwise. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend any or all meetings.

    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 compassion, social responsibility, and service in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

    Just as we find peace and community in recognizing the ways in which all people share a common humanity, we can also find richness and hope in the notion that we are all, in so many ways, different people. Difference need not imply conflict, nor should it be seen as incompatibility. In fact, as we grow to know the people in our own lives better, we can come to appreciate the difference they bring into our lives and the wealth of opportunities they offer us to grow, experience and celebrate a world that is wide and full of promise. Only then can we fully experience and celebrate the strangers in our lives and even the different people that live within each of us.

    Mark is an Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at Allegheny College. He moved from Tacoma, Washington to Meadville in August of 2003 and continues to settle into the home that he and his partner of 13 years, James LaRue, purchased in 2004. Mark’s passions include traveling around the country, working on social justice issues and celebrating difference – passions which enter into his teaching and research on a regular basis.

    Mark first discovered Unitarian Universalism as an 18-year-old lapsed Baptist seeking a place of worship with room for his inquisitive mind and his sexual orientation. He’s attended the Meadville UU church sporadically since his arrival in Pennsylvania, but looks forward to settling in and making a stronger commitment to the church in the coming year.

    All the world’s great religions have been directly responsible for great acts of violence and atrocities toward humanity and the earth. This has led many to ask is there something intrinsic to religious beliefs that lends itself to violence? The pulpit assistant is Dave Anderson.

    On January 14 I met with the church board in a half day retreat. Each committee chair person presented their goals for the year, and I presented mine as well. From tracking visitors better to an improved microphone, there are good things planned for 2006. I am excited about the depth and breadth of our mutual ministry.

    My goals work in concert with my ongoing responsibilities as minister, and they are as follows: Continue to create a more dynamic and deeper worship experience; establish the small group ministry program with the RE Committee (Adult); establish a lay leadership training program; and expand our Partner Church program.

    You’ll notice the last three goals are program oriented. As a small to medium sized church our biggest need is for increased programming. As a church grows it naturally loses some intimacy and sense of everyone knows everyone. In addition, the minister has increasing demands on him/her, and is therefore less available to individuals. Members can lose a sense of belonging, or never gain it in the first place.

    While committee work often helps create relationships, they are limited usually to the task at hand. Programming helps fill in these gaps by establishing ways for people to get to know each other. Our Mission Statement says we nurture spiritual growth, which means we need to offer ways to nurture our spirit.

    Small group ministry offers opportunities for people to gain a deeper relationship with themself as well as others in the congregation. Lay leadership training will help avoid the problem of a warm body in the empty committee chair position, by giving people the opportunity to learn new skills, increase their confidence and esteem, and feel they are truly needed. Our Partner Church program encourages us to reach beyond our own geographical boundaries, and reminds us of our Unitarian history.

    I have established these goals for 2006 by being in conversation with all of you. Please know the conversation continues. If you have ideas for goals or want to comment, please give me a call. If you have ideas for programming, also give me a call!

    I looked at the clock, and my eyes widened as I realized that it was late¼ very late. We were at my dad’s house in Hermitage, and it was Saturday night. I told my husband we needed to get the kids home and to bed so we could go to church in the morning. Immediately, Cullen began to whine. "I want to stay at Papa’s!" Our lives can be crazy, and our schedules unpredictable especially on a weekend. And then Sunday morning approaches, and we need to make a decision. Do we go to church?

    Recently, I have been reading a book entitled The Gift of Faith: Tending the Spiritual Lives of Children by Jeanne Nieuwejaar. She writes, "When I was a child there wasn’t much on Sunday mornings to keep us from going to church. There were no soccer games, no malls, no television programming¼ Entertainment and recreation were largely home-grown affairs, so there was no external pull away from family and community. It was easy to go to church." She talks about our culture now: our patterns of work and "structured" leisure time, children’s social lives, travel time to visit relatives. Sunday mornings are not easy anymore. So what do we do?

    We must make a decision. Belonging to the larger, loving church community takes commitment and intention. We battle against the prevailing culture. It is a lot of work, and, for some of us, a lot of travel time. Hopefully, we see the rewards.

    Jeanne Nieuwejaar concludes her book with these words. "Those families who are cultivating the habit of church-going are giving their children a precious gift – a gift that enlivens their childhood and provides deep and sustaining roots for the future. The simple habit of churchgoing acknowledges that the spiritual life is of value and weaves connections to a web of faithful folks, connections to a religious community that can be life sustaining and life transforming."

    I hope to see you in church this Sunday.

    There are wonderful RE resources online at The Church of the Larger Fellowship at <uua.org/clf/>. This online site offers a church for those people who do not live in an area with a Unitarian Universalist community. The RE resources are for parents who provide at home RE instruction, although these resources are available to anyone wishing to enrich their child’s RE experience outside the regular Sunday class.

**REGULAR RE CLASSES RESUME 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 throughout 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.

    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.

    The RE Committee recently received a thank you from Women’s Services for the vegetable soup and maple syrup. Following the Guest at Your Table soup luncheon, the remaining soup was donated to Women’s Services. Thanks to Laurie Parendes and Mark Wickenhiser for their efforts in getting the soup to its destination.

    The Reverend Kate Walker hosted a delicious dinner at her home as a gift from her to the board for their work and their spirit. The evening was an opportunity for new members to meet seasoned members without a list of tasks. It was a dark and stormy night with good food, warm hearts, and good food.

    A joyous start is the best of guides. (Matteo Maria Boiardo (1441-1494), Orlando Innamorato)

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    The Board came together the following day at the home of Mike McGrath, President. The meeting began at 9 a.m. Present were Kate Walker, Minister; Lee Ann Wester, RE Director; Mike McGrath, President; Mike Thomson, Treasurer; Mark Salerno, for Jerry Almes, Finance; Cynthia Burton, Secretary. The position of Vice President is still unfilled. Also present were Rebecca Hecking, Worship Chair; and Dave Anderson and Mark Wickenheiser for Properties; Bruce Thaeler for Membership; Sarah Sargent, Publicity; Jennifer Snyder, Fellowship; Michelle Parcetic, Religious Education. Tracy Smock, Social Action Committee, was absent.

    President Mike McGrath reviewed the committee descriptions, the board procedures, and set our regular meeting time for 6:30-8 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. We hope to keep the meeting time to 1.5 hours a month. Committee Chairs will report every other month, in advance and in writing, unless they have a need to report more often. Committee Chairs should submit their reports by the Thursday preceding the Monday meeting. Chairs may send their reports directly to board members (including Kate and Vanessa) using email, or submit their report to Vanessa by Thursday and she will forward the reports to members. Mike Thomson reviewed payment/disbursement procedures.

    Kate talked in general about our governance, our relationship with the national Unitarian Universalist Association, and with the Ohio-Meadville District. The General Assembly of the UUA is in St. Louis, MO in June. We have 3 votes now and she hopes that several of our members will attend this event. The Ohio-Meadville district sponsors many workshops during the year throughout the region. On February 2, the district RE committee will hold a meeting in Meadville at our church. David Anderson (Properties) would like to have our church host the district annual meeting either in 2006 or 2007.

² ² ²

    Rebecca Hecking reports that the worship committee is in the process of replacing the microphone in the sanctuary. The audiotapes suffer from the directional microphone and several people have trouble hearing the speakers. The committee also needs some additional members. Josh Searle-White and Jane Anderson have left the committee to try new things.

    Sarah Sargent would like to upgrade our website (we are getting over 100 hits a day), integrate the information we have on a software package called Church Windows, improve and enhance internal communications: bulletin boards, Oracle, Parish House Times, etc. The committee is also working on a new brochure to give to visitors.

    Mark Salerno reported for Jerry Almes. Goals: Continue to work on the Capital Campaign; Review Grant request (we were turned down); Work on a long term, rolling 3-year budget; 2006 Pledge Drive. Fund Raising – evaluate current methods, look for new methods. Look into paying pledges electronically.

    Upcoming events: Goods and Services Auction this spring. This is the major fund raising event this year for the church. Some of the discussion points follow. Nothing has been decided for sure.

    When? Some people favor a Sunday after-church auction; this is good for people who live out of town and don’t want to make multiple trips to Meadville during the week.

    Who? Cynthia Burton felt that an adult only evening is the optimum vehicle for fund raising. It is fun to have the children part of activities, but they distract their parents during the bidding and sometimes cut the evening short. Older children who can help with the auction or who can participate for 2-3 hours are fine. We tossed around a parallel auction for the children that could happen on Sunday after church. Things for kids and by kids could be auctioned. We thought that a collaboration of RE and Finance could tie this in with church stewardship and with the concept of responsibility and ownership of the church.

    How? Jerry Almes (not present) has investigated the use of a professional auctioneer. Many churches have done so and say it is well worth it.

    Action for now: Cynthia will contact Jerry Almes about setting a date and contacting an auctioneer before the next board meeting so that we can put it on the church calendar and start the advance work.

R.E.

    Goal (Michelle Parcetic): Improve relationship with Youth Group. This is the last year for Laura Parker McGlynn. Bill and Sue Fuller will be assuming the full leadership next year. Michelle would like to bring Bill and Sue onto the RE committee and also include the adult RE people in the larger committee.

Properties

    Dave Anderson (interiors), Mark Wickenheiser (exteriors), and Len Nichols (special projects and contracts advisor).

    "The challenge for next year is next year."

    Have to do: Rehang main door so that they swing out; work on the entrance to the church.

    Should do: New furnace in Parish House – this is #1 because of on-going fuel costs; new roof on Parish House; handicapped access in Parish House.

    Challenges: Funding, funding, funding.

    Plans: Properties will again have 2 workdays. Participation (# of people who come) is discouragingly low. How to increase?

    Chairs: Jennifer Snyder and Carlin Almes.

    Coffee hour schedule is done! Have Circle Suppers and some 6:59ers planned. They will try for one fellowship event a month.

    Challenges: the committee needs new members.

Membership

    Bruce Thaeler

    Goal: Do a better job at integrating the first-second-third time visitor to the church.

    Will look at pew cards from the last 2 years and see how many come back that requested information or a visit.

    Continue to make the worship service more dynamic. More music, lay participation; Kate no longer reading from a text.

    Work on Small Group Ministry.

    Strengthen Lay Leadership Training.

    Partner church.

    Now that we have a 3-year budget, have a 3-5 year vision for the church as a whole in addition to the goals of each committee. Create a more integrated vision.

    1. The board voted to allow Beth Etter to use the church sanctuary at no charge for The Allegheny College Music Festival and for her student piano recitals.

    2. By Laws Review

    Motion by Michelle: That Bruce and Dave serve on an ad hoc committee to review the current by-laws. They will recruit a third person for the board’s approval by the next board meeting (February 13). They will hold several open meetings to allow discussion with the congregation. Kate will be consulted, but is not a member of this committee. Motion seconded by Mike.

The Board decided to call a special congregational meeting in February to remedy an oversight of the nominating committee (no fault intended!). The bylaws state that the Finance Committee should include: "The Treasurer and at least three other members elected by the Congregation who are knowledgeable of finance and investments."

    We have the three other members of the Finance Committee (besides the Chair and the Vice President. The people serving on the committee are: Gus Rylander, Mark Salerno, and Debbie Salerno. They have never been brought before the congregation for approval as required by the by-laws.

    The special congregational meeting will be announced in the Oracle (deadline Jan. 20) and from the pulpit (in the Parish House Times). The meeting will be called for February 26. Mike McGrath will send Cynthia (Secretary) the text. Cynthia will see that it is published in Oracle and in the Parish House Times. Just as an aside, Bruce reminded the group that only the item(s) published for the special meeting agenda can be considered, unlike the annual meeting where motions can be accepted from the floor.

    3. Evaluation of the Minister

    The Committee on Congregational Ministry has requested that they carry out Kate’s evaluation.

    Discussion: All agree that Kate should be evaluated. Kate wants to be evaluated. There is confusion about how and who should do this. [N.B. There appear to be no models at UUA or at OMD for ministerial evaluation.] After much discussion, the board decided to start by calling a joint meeting of the Committee on Congregational Ministry and the Ministerial Review Committee. They will review, clarify, and define their functions and report back to the board. Because some of the members are out of town, this may not be completed by the February 13 board meeting.

Motion to adjourn made by Bruce Thaeler. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 2:00 p.m.

Note: We are still in need of a vice president.

    After much agonizing, hand-wringing, headache-inducing consideration, the Worship Committee (inspired by the Fellowship Committee – thanks!) has decided to institute scheduling of ushers beginning in February. We will no longer beg, plead, cajole, threaten, blackmail or bribe you. We will draft you instead! Since it is not our desire to be constantly haranguing people to volunteer, or to make ourselves social pariahs at coffee hour, we’re giving this option a try.

    We will be creating a schedule based on the usher schedule from 2005. If you ushered in 2005, you will be placed on the schedule for 2006. We will try our best to not overburden anyone. We will leave a few dates open in order to allow new people to participate. If you find you can’t make your scheduled date, it will be your responsibility to switch dates or arrange a substitute. Yes, Venessa will remind you as she does for coffee hour. And another yes, we will publish next week’s ushers in the order of service.

    Finally, we wish to offer a HUGE THANK YOU!!! to all who don’t resist this particular draft. We really and truly do appreciate everyone’s participation and hard work. You are the church. We can’t do it without you.

    Ducking and running now,

(See – and save – usher schedule printed separately in this Oracle.)

    The Bylaws state that the Finance Committee should include:

    "The Treasurer and at least three other members elected by the Congregation who are knowledgeable of finance and investments."

We have three members who serve on this committee, but they have not been elected by the congregation. In order to remedy this oversight and comply with the provisions of the Bylaws, we will have a short Congregational Meeting immediately after the service on Sunday, February 26, to properly elect the three members of the Finance Committee. The nominees are Gus Rylander, Mark Salerno, and Debbie Salerno.

    [Point of information: only this item can be considered at the meeting (a special congregational meeting), unlike the annual meeting where the chair can consider additional motions.]

    Volunteers Needed! During the Church Board Retreat on January 14, it was decided that we would begin the long overdue process of revising the Church Bylaws. Several members of the Board volunteered to undertake this important task. However, the Board felt that it was essential that at least two other members of the congregation should participate as well.

    Consequently we would like to ask anyone interested in participating in this review of the Bylaws to get in touch with the Board Chairperson, Mike McGrath, so that the Board might appoint two more members to this ad hoc committee.

    I had an experience of such wonder and magic the other night that I wanted to share it with you. Unfortunately, words don’t do it justice, and even if I had had a video camera, it would hardly have shown the true magnificence of the event. Suffice it to say that for the 10-15 minutes I stood in the lane, transfixed, I was aware of neither the 19 degree cold nor the weight of the tote full of books on my shoulder.

    I first noticed it about halfway up the lane, just below my house. The sky was solid black except for directly above me where the clouds had been torn apart to display an arch of stars. The wind was blowing hard and the smoke from chimneys at the top of the hill was moving low and fast. Backlit by two security lights, the smoke glowed till it looked as though some invisible giant was trailing a gathering of diaphanous veils across the lane. This effect was visible for about 30 seconds to a minute at a time, and then the sky would return to the heavy black wall for several minutes. At about the fourth appearance of the smoke, it occurred to me that, while the security lights gave off a pale green glow, the smoke, which I now realized was really low clouds was a soft, luminescent yellowish white. Again the black returned and I stood there waiting for the show to repeat. The clouds suddenly parted again, but without the smoke. There, balanced on the top of the lane was a full moon so big it filled the space between the two sides of the lane. It was perfect, not marred by shadows of trees or other objects on the ground. It was the color of white gold. It sat there as if to say, "Look at me. This show’s for you." This time the clouds held back for several minutes and I just stared in amazement.

    When the clouds closed in again, the weight of the books and the temperature of the air became very evident, and I knew the magical event was over. I went inside and rushed upstairs to my bedroom to look for the moon again, but it was gone. I had seen what was meant for me to see. There would be no more. The next night I took the same bus home, hoping to see at least the moon, but, though the sky was clear, there was no moon evident. Later that night, I saw it, high in the sky, with no sign that it had ever been that miraculous. When I looked up the hill in the morning, in the place where the moon had stood, was the wall of tree that marked the eastern edge of the woods at the top of the hill. Magic? Miracle? One of those numinous moments not to be explained, but held in the heart and savored.

    Three local entrepreneurs are planning the creation of a food market in the Meadville area. The store inventory will emphasize organic, locally-produced and whole foods, as well as international and specialty foods that are difficult to locate in the area. The goal is to offer customers delicious, nutritious products and service from a knowledgeable staff.

    Please share your opinions so the business plan may be tailored to community desires by taking the time to complete a short market survey at <surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=246281374030>. The survey is intended to gather details about local preferences and needs; all collected information is anonymous.

    If you have any questions or concerns please contact <rainbliss@hotmail.com>.

    For those of you who missed his first art opening in January, Michael Cain presents new art and affordable fine art valentine gifts and cards. The January opening was a great success, due in part by the support of church members. The Heeshen Gallery on the second floor of the Market House was filled the entire night. The music of John Hyatt added to the mood. Michael’s paintings brought a smile to the faces of all that came. His art is uplifting, joyful and touches an inner chord in all of us.

    Come to his new show this February. He has created new paintings and is releasing some of his hidden treasures. Michael has also created a variety of one of a kind art works all under $20. He believes art is for everyone and anyone who wants a piece of his art will find something affordable. He even has a free original coloring page for kids of all ages. Once again Michael’s long time friend, John Hyatt will join him and provide the musical entertainment.

    The show opens Friday, February 3 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and is located on the second floor of Market House. Please come and enjoy his art.

    The 250^th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, on January 27, 1755, will be celebrated by the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall the last weekend in January. Friday, January 27 will be the only evening performance; matinees will be Thursday, January 26 and Sunday, January 29. Pinchas Zukerman will conduct Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate, K.165; his Piano Concerto #33, K482; and his Symphoony #41, Jupiter.

    For those 50 and older: One-day Elderhostel programs at the Heinz are open for each of these days and include a lecture, meal, and tour. Information: on the web, <elderhostel.org>, or call toll-free 877-426-8056 and ask about program 14073RJ. Or talk to Betty or Fran Richmond.

    We’re not talking bending spoons here – the kitchen will be pleased to know. We’re talking the ways in which the body responds to the conscious and unconscious workings of the human mind. There is broad interest in exploring and better understanding the connection between mind and body. Alternative therapies used in healing include visualization, touch, massage, "karma management", meditation, and prayer. This will be an opportunity to experiment, learn, and share our experiences of how the mind affects the body, and vice versa. Bring your mind. Your body will follow.

    This is the 16^th Annual Men’s Retreat presented by the UU-O-M District, and will be held March 10-12 at the Sandscrest Retreat Center near Wheeling, WV.

    If interested, please inquire at the church office about additional information and how to register.

    The Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in North Virginia is seeking a full-time Director of Religious Education to lead RE programs for church members of all ages. Competitive salary and benefits offered. Bachelor’s degree, solid organizational skills, and strong public speaking abilities required. Advanced education, credentialing, and prior experience are advantages. Position becomes available July 1, 2006. A full job description can be found at <mvuc.org>.

    Send letter and resume by March 1, 2006 to: <dre-search@mvuc.org> or: CRE Search Committee, ATTN: Lisa Napier, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandra, VA 22307

Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, February 3, 2006, at 4:30 p.m.