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.

As those of us who live at 3 miles an hour know, walking can bring us wonders, mystery, pleasure, and above all a deep spiritual connection with our world. When we ride we get somewhere; when we walk, we are somewhere.

² ² ²

To be announced.

    For the last month our kids have been reading, reading, reading. After tallying up all of their reading time, they collected money from their sponsors, and all proceeds are being sent to the Heifer International: Read to Feed program. In June, the kids voted on the items they would like to purchase. Due to their huge success, they will be able to buy most of the items on their list: llamas, sheep, chickens, rabbits, bees, and trees!

    On Sunday, June 11, Kate and I held a meeting to talk about our youth program. We had approximately 30 people attend (10 of them were active youth in our program). The group discussed their youth group experiences, looked at characteristics of an ideal youth ministry, and then turned specifically to this congregation’s youth program. We identified our driving forces (forces that are driving our ministry with youth towards its ideal state) and restraining forces (forces that are restraining our ministry to and with youth away from its ideal state). Finally, we brainstormed strategies to help us overcome our restraining forces. The results from this conversation will go to the Task Force on Ministry To and With Youth at the UUA. The next step will be to gather results and begin a district conversation about our youth.

    However, we would like our congregation to continue this conversation about our youth program. This fall we hope to have a follow up meeting and dive deeper into these issues regarding our youth program. The success of our youth program depends upon the participation of the entire church community. Hope to see you at our next meeting!

    This year our children’s summer program is scheduled for July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. The program this year is entitled UU ART. Each Sunday children will participate in a mini children’s worship leading into an art project focusing on various aspects of Unitarian Universalism identity. We will create and paint murals on our empty RE walls upstairs. There will be a sign up sheet at the front desk of the parish house. Parents are asked to register their children and check off which Sundays their children will be able to attend. This will help me plan for materials and supplies. Thanks!

    You may have heard by now that our church RE program will be offering the junior high Our Whole Lives human sexuality curriculum starting this fall. Josh and I will team teach the junior high level with support from Bill and Sue Fuller, who will then teach the senior high curriculum in the future. I would like to share a bit about the curriculum, our teacher training, and why I feel so passionately that this is a really important, and really needed, venture for our church to undertake.

    In early May, Lee Ann Wester, Bill and Sue Fuller, and Josh and I traveled to Kent, OH to take part in an intensive, weekend training session for new teachers for the OWL curriculum. What we found there was a room full of remarkable people – a mixture of United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist members – who were ready to work together, to learn together – even through the ‘squirmy’ stuff – in order to be able to commit themselves to a frank and honest, thoughtful and faith-derived program on human sexuality for the young people in their congregations. This was an inspirational group of people. The training leaders modeled for us straightforwardness in talking about everything from condoms, to masturbation, to factual but accessible information on the prevention and spread of sexually transmitted diseases that was truly refreshing. But there’s more. Far more.

    The curriculum is very comprehensive. The junior high curriculum alone is comprised of 27 two-hour sessions. It provides a thoughtful forum for discussion on everything from anatomy, to healthy relationships and relationship skills (including practice at how to say, ‘no,’ and how to know someone’s trying to manipulate you into saying ‘yes’), to helping kids discern and give voice to their own values.

    OWL is based around program guidelines that teachers are encouraged to refer to again and again in the course. This is both to make sure the kids have the opportunity to internalize the values, and to guard against teachers inserting their own agendas. These values have to do with affirming self-worth; that having accurate information about sexuality is helpful, not harmful. They have to do with what constitutes a healthy sexual relationship and what doesn’t, including areas of responsibility to self and others. It is also an inclusive program that aims to educate people about the increasingly broader array of orientation and gender identity issues in our culture today. Finally, it is about a much broader understanding of what it means to be human, and that human sexuality is a part of our spirituality, part of our wholeness and our relationship to what is greater than us. Those of up who grew up in a seemingly simpler era may find some of the program topics challenging. But this is the world in which our young people are coming of age – the world and climate they will navigate, take part in, and become more fully sexual beings in. No amount of discomfort on grown-ups’ part will stop that process! I truly believe the best way we can serve our youth is by giving them lots of straightforward information, and being ‘askable’ and ‘unshockable’ grown-ups who truly care about their well-being. I encourage you to think back to your own teen years – to the education you may have received in this area. Did you get the information and mentoring you needed?

    I called home during the long-haul Saturday of the training and spoke with our 16-year-old daughter. I told her a bit about what we were learning, what the program was about, and how excited I was to be able to bring it to the young people in our church. She listened thoughtfully, then replied simply and straightforwardly: "We really need that. There’s nothing like that for us in school. That’s a really good idea."

Attending: Mike McGrath, Mike Thomson, Sarah Sargent, Bruce Thaeler, Jerry Almes, Carlin Almes, Amelia Carr, Kate Walker, Lisbet Searle-White, Rebecca Hecking, Dave Anderson.

After check-in , President Mike McGrath gave a reading and had the chalice lighting. Board welcomed visitors Amelia Carr and Lisbet Searle-White to the meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: indicated that for the month of May expenses exceeded revenues by $471, bringing the year-to-date deficit to $2,266. However, if the Endowment draw was up to the pro-rata budgeted amount, we would currently have an excess of revenues of $1,246. Six expense line items are on track to exceed their budget amounts by as much as $3,500. These items are: utilities, mailing, equipment, supplies, repairs & maintenance, and maintenance supplies. Since these six categories are running well above plan it is prudent to closely monitor and control the remaining expense areas to insure that they do not also exceed their budgets. At the moment pledge collections are running slightly ahead of plan, but the summer months are likely to see a slowing in collections. Furthermore, the loss of planned rental receipts and a historically weak auction means that total revenues may fall short of budget by the end of the year. Consequently, we need to be quite imaginative and develop some significant, new, fund-raisers. It was moved by Dave Anderson and seconded by Jerry Almes that we accept the Treasurer’s Report. Report was approved by Board.

May 9 - June 12, 2006

1. Worship: Conducted four worship services, May 14 Where Two or More Shall Gather,

May 28 Listening for Peace, June 4 Celebration of Art and Religion through Poetry, June 11 Our Whole Lives. May 21 was scheduled but Steve Ashmann covered for personal reasons.

2. Pastoral Care/Fellowship: In a reversed pastoral care relationship, I have received countless cards, hugs and calls from members of this church. 9 pastoral visits/conversations; helped organize and attended potluck/ concert with Jim Scott.

3. Administration/staff: Conduct weekly staff meetings with Venessa and Lee Ann. Beginning search for new choir director.

4. Board/Committee relations in addition to routine meetings: Phone conference call with Jeanne Crane, Co-District Coordinator and Mike McGrath on creating an in-house lay leadership training program, date set for Sept. 18, titled Developing Future Leaders.

5. Religious Education: Meet with Small Group facilitators last Sunday of the month. Will have a Bridging Ceremony on June 11 and Youth Conversation with Lee Ann on June 11.

6. UUA/OMD: UUMA Professional Days and General Assembly, June 19-25; invited to be on Board of UU Women’s Historical Society (only out of town meeting required is held during GA).

7. Weddings/Memorials: My mother’s memorial, May 22; memorial June 9 for Dr. Lucia Pagniello at the Meadville Public Library. I conducted two weddings.

9. Personal: I would like to thank the board for their support and encouragement during this difficult time of grief. Mike McGrath in particularly has encouraged me to take personal time off. This has allowed me to not only deal with my mother’s home and personal belongings, but more importantly has allowed me the emotional space for grieving. This congregation has truly shown a beautiful and loving spirit of care and compassion.

Kate also indicated that September 18 is the date set for a Development of Lay Leaders meeting; and she urged all to attend.

It was moved by Carlin Almes and seconded by Bruce Thaeler that the report be accepted. Report was approved by the Board.

    The saga of the sound system: we entered 2006 believing that the microphone was the source of the problems related to sound quality/volume in the sanctuary. We discovered that the microphone was not the problem, but rather the speaker system was the issue. To make a long story short, Rob Sharp is donating his speakers to us at no cost. The temporary speakers near the columns in the rear of the sanctuary will be removed and placed on the balcony shelf, and will eventually be angled downward toward the congregation. Hopefully, this will result in a satisfactory sound experience for all worshippers: the Goldilocks golden mean....not too loud, not too soft.... but just right!!!

    The money originally intended for a new microphone and larger guest speaker budget is still with us. We decided that we should instead use this money to purchase the new hymnals, Singing the Journey, for use in services.

    We have held our regular monthly meetings and have scheduled guests, music and Pulpit Assistants for Kate’s summer vacation (June 25-August 20). All summer services are covered through August 27.

    We also held a potluck dinner meeting at Kate’s house last Monday as a brainstorming session for new service ideas.

    Other projects have included working with Mary Larson on the extra flower fund collection on Flower Communion Sunday. Mary netted over $200 for flowers, and 11 people signed up to reserve Sundays. Finally, we are working on finding a new candle supplier.

Properties Committee:

    Dave Anderson asked Jerry Almes to summarize the meeting which the Properties Committee and Finance Committee had on June 4. During that meeting the committees went over in detail all the Capital Campaign projects and looked at when the actual work would take place and how the money would be available to cover the projects. They also looked at how much has been pledged and when the monies would be required for payment on project items. All projects at this time are a "go" with cash and endowment funds avail-able as needed.

    Dave Anderson stated that Len Nichols has done an excellent job in coordinating work to be done. He has scheduled the work he individually will do at the same time that other contractors will be working here so that Len will be available to address questions and concerns that may come up.

    Mike McGrath suggested that an article be prepared for the Oracle stating what is being done as to the Capital Campaign projects. It is also important that the congregation be aware that we did not receive the grant that was applied for. Any Capital Campaign pledges that could be paid in advance would be very helpful to keep the cash flow positive.

    April events: Seder on Friday, April 14, organized by Kate Walker; Concert by Jon Abrams featuring the music of Billy Joel, followed by a dessert reception held in the Parish House; and the Goods and Services Auction during which the Fellowship Committee helped with the preparation and serving of refreshments.

    A Circle Supper took place Friday, June 9, at the home of Ed Nelson in Franklin with the help of Lois Pritchard.

    Future Events: July 9 will be the Annual Church Picnic to be held at Roche Park. The picnic will follow the regular worship service which will take place in the church sanctuary at the normal time of 10:30 a.m. All those wishing to participate in the picnic will come to Roche Park immediately following the service. All attendees are asked to bring their own table service and a dish to share. Fried chicken, coffee and lemonade will be provided by the committee. If you prefer to have another drink, please plan to bring it with you.

    Also in July, during the Rum-mage Sale on July 22, the Fellowship Committee will have a booth at which they will be selling muffins and coffee for breakfast time. They will also be selling hot dogs and lemonade for lunch. We encourage all who will be at the Rummage Sale to support this fundraising effort.

    In August we are hoping to help coordinate a day trip to Presque Isle that is being planned by the UU churches in the district. September 30 we are planning a late-month chili cook-off gathering. October 14 will be the Annual Gathering. We have tentatively set an international theme. In November plan to get your thinking caps on as we proceed with ideas for a "Quiz Night at the Pub" event. December will include three planned functions. The Fellowship Committee will host the Coffee Hour following the Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 3. We will also plan the reception following the Christmas Eve Service. Another consideration for December is for a possible cookie exchange.

    We are still seeking new members to our committee anyone who is interested is encouraged to contact either Jennifer Schneider or Carlin Almes.

    The new member picnic was held on Saturday, June 17, at Kate’s home. She encouraged all to respond to the invitation that went out some time ago.

    Dave Anderson and Amelia Carr stated that two committees – The Ministerial Evaluation Committee and the Committee on Congregational Ministry – are working on getting together to assess how the two committees should function. They realize that it is very important that this be deter-mined so that this year’s Ministerial Evaluation can be finished.

    A proposal from Ray and Margaret Stewart was read. This proposal was to have a plaque made to be placed on the access ramp in memory of Sandy Walker. It was moved by Jerry Almes and seconded by Rebecca Hecking that we purchase this plaque. Board approval was unanimous, and it was indicated that the properties committee would see that this was done.

    Mike McGrath provided an explanation of the Executive Board’s decision to help support the Music Festival put on by Beth Etter. A separate account will be set up so that no church funds will be involved in the Festival income or expenditures. This has been researched by attorneys and accountants and it was found that there is no reason for concern about the handling of this matter. It will not influence our church budget in any way.

    Mike McGrath stated that he plans to handle the Pledge Drive much like it was done last year. He will head up this effort and will try to contact most people by handing out pledge cards at the Sunday Morning church services.

    There will be no Board Meeting in July.

    Mike McGrath will not be available at the time of the August Board meeting, so there was discussion on how many Executive Board members would be available at that time. This is important since 3 Executive Board members must be present in order to have a quorum. Mike will contact Cynthia Burton to be sure she is available so that there will be a quorum.

    Bruce Thaeler made a motion to adjourn the meeting, so we did!

Watch for episode 3 in the next Oracle.

    And while we’re on the topic of crossing the road, at Common Ground someone passed out a sheet of answers to why the chicken crossed the road, as it might be answered by any of 28 pagan "denominations". Here is the answer they gave for the Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS):

    "The chicken went to cross the road. Upon arriving at the crossing she met some fellow members. All felt she should send the idea out to committee first and debate the idea of crossing. After rigorous theological debate on every aspect of crossing the road, the committee set up a three year plan for fulfilling the promise of crossing the road. The plan was then presented to chapters continentally and debated. Representatives brought reports back to the committee, who took their recommendations to the board of trustees who brought the whole thing to the annual meeting for discussion and a vote if a quorum was present. Debate continued. Given the structure of the regulations it was determined a mail ballot was in order. A committee to create the ballot was created. The ballot was sent to all members. Votes were tallied. Twenty percent sent in their ballots deeming it okay to create a structure on crossing. Another committee was formed to implement the voters’ requests. They all adjourned for coffee."

    Comment: I do not know the original source of this, but I do know that it’s how we got our seven principles and action on many other issues. I’m sure that by the time it reached continental level, the chicken had already quietly crossed the road on her own and reached her awaited destination.

    To make purchases from this list, send a list of items desired, price each, how many, and total due with a check made out the the Unitarian Universalist Church for the amount due to Cynthia Burton.

    As much as many of us love the sciences, protect and adore growing things and recognize the interdependent web of existence, I am confident these feelings check themselves at the refrigerator door.

    That said, please be sensitive to the foods/drinks you leave behind in our UU refrigerator. It is becoming a storage for monstrous delights. Unclaimed items will be disposed of weekly unless marked otherwise. Thanks for all considerations!

    Thank you very much to the Social Action Committee for again sponsoring the Sundaes for Scholarships Benefit for the Creating Landscapes Scholarship Fund. Thank you also to the many church members who attended the event. We really appreciate your financial support as well as your fellowship. It was a wonderful evening of ice cream, music, dance, and community. We raised over $650 for the scholarship fund and are now able to fulfill all of our current scholarship requests.

    Saturday, July 15^th at Cross Creek Resort, Rt 8 South of Titusville. Tee times begin at 1:00 P.M., foursome scramble format, so you don’t have to be a ‘pro’ to have fun. You can sign up as a single, a couple or a foursome. The cost will be $31 each player, this includes green fees and cart. Then we’ll have dinner in the dining room after playing 18 holes. The cost of dinner is up to you, depends on your appetite. There will be a sign-up sheet in the church office, or contact Gus Rylander (814) 333-4567 or Jerry Almes (814)676-2902. Come and enjoy an afternoon of fun – nothing serious!!!

    Back when I belonged to the Society for Creative Anachronism, a Medieval reenactment gathering, one of our major occupations was singing, especially made up parodies called filk songs. One of the favorites that went on forever, was a series of additional verses to "Give Me That Old Time Religion". There were verses for Buddha, Aphrodite, Isis, and on and on for hours. At the Common Ground gathering at the Maggie Fry-Manross farm, I was reminded of one particular verse "Let us worship with the Druids, running naked through the woods, drinking sweet fermented fluids. It’s good enough for me."

    Well, we worshiped with the Druids, the Wiccans, the Radical Fairies, the Reclaimers and who know how many other "denominations" of Pagans. We drank sweet fermented fluids, for the most part in moderation, and I never saw anyone run naked through the woods. We did all have a glorious time – 30 or more adults, a passel of kids and 7 dogs, two of whom (mine, of course) slept through all the fun.

    We played Cattle Raid, each team having a collection of inflated rubber glove "cows" to protect or steal. We ate the fabulous soup that resulted from a ritual prepared by the children. We walked in the woods or the field by the light of the full moon or on a path outlined by candles. We froze at night in our tents and greeted the rising sun with relief. We had a ritual planned and executed by the Druids and Brighid’s Haven. Though of differing approaches to Paganism, the two groups worked together seamlessly. And that was the message of the whole weekend.

    Differences didn’t matter. We weren’t an amalgamation of diversities, we were a community of individuals being ourselves, celebrating who we were and being fully accepted for it. It didn’t matter what our beliefs were, or our genders, ages, love orientation, our skills, our method of camping. We not only accepted one another, but we played together, we joked and shared experiences openly. We laughed a lot, talked a lot, ate a lot, and made some new friends. In the evening, we gathered around mini-bonfires to talk, drum and tell stories until, one by one we drifted off to our tents, hammocks or campers and settled down with our dogs for the night.

    I had been disappointed because I was not able to go to the Fairie Festival in Slippery Rock with Francesca and Deb Lehman. Now, however, I know I was where I was supposed to be, doing what I was supposed to do, and meeting who I was supposed to meet. Besides, I earned a couple of Amazon Girl merit badges for it.

Dear UU Colleagues in the Great Work,

    In response to requests from many of the 200+ UU churches and fellowships we’ve presented in over the last 50 months, as well as the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from the Spring 2006 UU World cover article & NPR interview, we just created an easy and effective way to share "The Great Story" (the science-based epic of evolution understood in a sacred, meaningful way) with your congregants, family, friends, neighbors, and/or coworkers, FOR FREE!

    ANNOUNCING a brand new 4-hour DVD set for UU and General Audiences entitled: "The Great Story: The Marriage of Science & Religion for Personal and Planetary Wellbeing." This 2 DVD set includes my most popular programs: Evolution’s Arrow; Worldviews in Transition; Beyond Sustainability: An Inspiring Vision of the Next 250 Years; and 4 Gifts of The Great Story. Filmed in 2005 before live audiences, all programs are digitally enhanced with supplemental charts, photographs, and many other illustrations.

    Purchase one of these professionally produced DVD sets for $30 and then make as many copies as you’d like for others, at no cost (other than the price of blank DVDs, which is minimal). If you do not have a DVD burner, just ask a teenager. They practically all have one. :-) We encourage you to make copies of our other DVDs too, if you are so led.

    If any of our DVDs do not exceed your expectation, we will gladly refund your money and you will get to keep them and make copies for others! See here: <http://www.thegreatstory.org/dvd.html>;

And here: http://www.thegreatstory.org/great-story-dvd.html>.

http://www.TheGreatStory.org/UU.html - UU ADULT & KID’S PROGRAMS

http://www.TheGreatStory.org/UU-practices.html - UU BEST PRACTICES

http://www.TheGreatStory.org/new.html - new material on website

http://www.TheGreatStory.org/sitemap.html - site map

Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, July 7, 2006, at 4:30 p.m.