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.

    With so many of us going through so many life changing events, it seemed like a good idea to talk about change, stress, and transitions.

    The choir will be singing. It is Jon Abrams last Sunday with us as he is graduating from Allegheny and moving on. He has agreed to sing one of his Billy Joel songs for this service.

_ _ _

    On this Mother’s Day we’ll take a look at the depth and meaning behind friendships and all the various forms, shapes and functions of friendship. Carlin Almes is the Pulpit Assistant. Lisbet Searle-White is helping with music.

    Here’s some hot off the press news. In fact it is not even confirmed yet. Meadville Lombard Theological School, now located in Chicago, but birthed here in Meadville, and Starr King School for the Ministry, located in Berkeley, are seriously considering merging.   

    The two seminaries began a process with a consultant last year to see what if any changes they could make in order to help them financially, ensuring their continued success as Unitarian Universalists seminaries. Both schools have struggled financially for years, neither has a sufficient endowment or funding source that will ensure its longevity. Thus, they have been competing for many of the same funds and students.

    While the two seminaries have different approaches to training students for the ministry, both seek the same outcome, successful graduates who go on to become outstanding Unitarian Universalist ministers in what ever ministry the candidate prefers (whether parish, community or religious education). Both schools have a few students who do not choose any form of ministry, but are content with their Masters in Divinity.

    Each school has their strengths and weaknesses. Each school has their unique history. Each school has a beautiful campus. But neither school is financially solvent enough to sustain for any serious length of time. Thus the study conducted by the consultant and various participants from each school recommended last month that the schools merge their resources.

    As I understand it each school will maintain their campus in Chicago and Berkeley, but beyond that, negotiations will determine all other resources: staff and faculty being the primary concern. Both schools have had to make cuts in their staff and faculty in the last two years due to their financial shortages, so this merge really is not a surprise.

    As a graduate of Starr King, and the minister of the mother church of Meadville Lombard, I have to say I’m in favor of their merger, as long as both schools maintain their different approaches to the making of ministers. I went to Starr King because of its particular style of academia. It was the only seminary I applied to because for me it was Starr King or not. Meadville Lombard is an excellent seminary, but I know myself well enough to be aware of what learning environment I learn best in. That’s the important difference to maintain because people do have different learning styles and different needs in their process of becoming a minister. I trust the representatives of both schools to ensure their longevity as well as their unique style.

    At this point only Starr King’s board has voted to make the merge.

    Meadville Lombard’s board has yet to meet. I will keep you posted.

    Our prayers are with Richard Steigerwald upon the recent death of his father after a long illness; Richard's mother continues her journey toward death.

    Our joy is with Richard and Mary Lou Brunner, and their son Ethan who all participated in a stunning production of Beauty and the Beast at Grove City high school. Despite the pain of death present in their personal lives, they all created a vibrant production, Mary Lou as director, Richard as Set Director, and Ethan as the Beast.

    Our prayers are with Nick Stupiansky upon the recent death of his mother in Cleveland after a long decline in health.

    Please continue to reach out to our friends, Bob and Vera Crispin, Marjorie Katope, Betty Baily, Jane Maloney, and Sandy Walker.

_ THANK YOU _

    Last Sunday we honored the work of our religious educators. Please say "thank you" to a teacher this month! Our teachers are Susan Hegel, Jill Hyatt, Jennifer Schneider, Hannah Cosdon, Kathy McQuiston, Tracy Smock, Carie Forden, Deb Lehman, David Perry, Laurie Parendes, Mark Wickenheiser, David Burkey, Sarah Sargent, Laura Parker, Bill Fuller, and Sue Fuller.

    Each Sunday in May our RE teachers will speak on behalf of our children’s program. Please listen with an open heart and, perhaps, make a decision to become an RE teacher next year!

    Our teacher appreciation brunch was a huge success! A special thank you goes out to all who contributed: Stephanie Gallogly, Carolyn Chase, Sue Mallick, Kim Lethco, Alice Deckert, Jane Anderson, Michelle Parcetic, David Burkey, Amy Miller, Kate Walker, Diana Brautigam, Melissa Groh, Venessa Summerlin, and thanks to all who attended.

    This past Sunday our children listened to stories about Heifer International. They learned how a gift of an animal (for example, a heifer, goat, sheep, rabbits, pigs, chickens, and even bees) can help a family living in poverty and hunger. During the month of May our children will be raising money to purchase a "living" gift through Heifer International. Below is a timeline for our project.

    On Sunday, April 30, our children received their packets for our service project Read to Feed from Heifer International. (If your child did not receive a packet please see Lee Ann Wester.)

    They are now busy gathering sponsors and reading, reading, reading! Friends and members from our congregation are asked to help sponsor our children during coffee hour each Sunday until May 28.

    On Sunday, May 28, the children will tally their reading time and begin collecting money from their sponsors.

    On Sunday, June 4, the children will gather together in their RE classes and discuss what kinds of animals they would like to purchase.

    All money will need to be collected by Sunday, June 11, and turned into Lee Ann Wester.

    Our children’s program will purchase a living gift from the Heifer International catalog.

    Present: Present: Mike McGrath, president; Mike Thomson, Treasurer; Jerry Almes, Finance Chair; Cynthia Burton, Clerk. Committee Chairs: Rebecca Hecking, Worship; Jennifer Schneider and Carlin Almes. Fellowship; Michelle Parcetic, Religious Education; Bruce Thaeler, Membership; Kate Walker, Minister.

    Cynthia Burton offered opening words. The minutes of March 13 meeting were approved.

    The Treasurers Report was accepted. Quarterly Report Summary: The 1st quarter of the year ended with expenditures exceeding receipts by over $4,000. This figure rises to $7,000 if the transfer of $3,000 from the endowment is excluded. To some extent this reflects a seasonal imbalance: high utility costs, professional expenses for the minister and DRE, and new equipment costs. The major fund-raising event will occur in the second quarter of this year.

    The operating budget, overall, is in line with expectations except for the loss of the Weight Watchers rental payments. Since most of our costs (70%) are fixed (salaries, utilites, etc.), the shortfall would have to come from the other 35% of the budget.

    On the Balance Sheet side, total assets rose $40,000 to $457,000. Donations to the Capital Campaign are $34,000 of the above amount, and a $3,000 payment toward the living room furniture fund was made by the Women’s Alliance.

    The current Operating Fund Balance of $7,600 represents just 22 days of expenditures. This reflects the revenue deficit in the 1st quarter and is lower than desirable.

    Minister’s Report: Kate Walker. Conducted four services: Feb. 19, "Religious Journey," Feb. 26, "Religious Journey with Friends," March 2, "Restorative Justice," March 9, pulpit exchange with Steve Aschmann in Erie. Aprox. 28 pastoral visits/conversations; organized annual Seder dinner for April 14; conducted weekly staff meetings, looking for a new choir director since Jon Abrams will graduate from Allegheny College this spring. Conducted annual review of Venessa and Lee Ann.

    Board/Committee relations: worship committee April 3; meet monthly with board president, Mike McGrath; attended membership meeting March 14. Religious Education: Launched Small Group Ministry in March; three groups near full already. Meet with facilitators last Sunday of the month. Holding Are You A UU? Session April 23.

    Local Involvement: President of the Meadville Ministerium (MAMA), which meets monthly. Serves as President of Women’s Services Board; wrote op ed piece for Tribune. Kate will represent the Ministerium for the Avian Flu preparations of the Crawford County office of Emergency Services. Erie Times News asked Kate to be one the rotating columnists for "Reflections" beginning in July 2006. UUA/OMD: monthly phone or in person contact with advisee from Meadville/Lombard, who lives in Kent; participating in Cluster OMD meeting, April 13; attending OMD Annual Meeting in Columbus, April 21-22, where she will serve on panel discussing theology and what binds UUs. Serving on CONVO committee for UUMA, UUMA Professional Days and GA, June 19-25.

    Personal: Vacation July 1-Aug. 6, Forked Lake Aug. 6-12. Mark and I have applied to adopt a baby from China.

RE: Michelle.

    47 children are currently enrolled.

    RE Committee meetings were held the second Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Average attendance was 3-4 people. Curriculum changes for grades 4-5 were discussed. Changing to In Our Hands which requires less prep work, but may require some supplementation.

    DRE (Lee Ann) met with Youth Group, and established email list for easier communication of District youth events. Youth Group is planning Boston trip this year. The Committee members approved assisting with fundraising as possible.

    Small Group Ministry was reported as on target for meetings to begin in March 2006.

    Donation of $5 per packet was approved for Bridge Connections, the packet of information provided to seniors graduating from high school in efforts to assist in transition to congregations. Youth Group contains 3 seniors.

    Our Whole Lives (OWL) program was discussed at length. Letter to parents was sent to gauge interest. Responses to be discussed at April RE Committee meeting. Bill & Sue Fuller have agreed to attend training for senior high age group. Josh & Lisbet Searle-White have agreed to attend training for junior high age group. LeeAnn Wester will also attend training. Training scheduled for early May 2006.

    Coming of Age class went on two visits to other worship centers: Zen Center of Pittsburgh, and a Greek Orthodox church in Erie.

    Children completed "passports" containing drawn pictures of home, family, pets, etc. and photo of children to introduce themselves to children at our partner church.

Fellowship: Jennifer and Carlin.

    The Fellowship Committee hosted a St. Patrick’s Day event on Friday, March 17. This was a snacks, drinks, and limericks event attended by about 18 persons.

    Events for April include a Seder, which took place Friday, April 14; concert by Jon Abrams featuring the music of Billy Joel took place on April 22. A dessert reception followed in the Parish House. The piano was especially happy to have such an expressive workout that evening. Goods and Services Auction for which the Fellowship Committee and Vanessa Summerlin (Chair of refreshments for the event) and others provided the refreshments and help with set up and clean up for the Goods and Services Auction April 29.

    In June we are planning Circle Suppers for Friday, June 9. One host has already volunteered. We have a sign-up sheet in the Parish House for those wishing to attend a Circle Supper and for those willing to be hosts.

    The church picnic is scheduled for Sunday, July 9; at Roche Park in Shelter Number 2. It is close to the playground and holds 60 people. The picnic will follow the regular church service in the sanctuary. Another possible event for July is the 2nd Annual Golf Outing for those UUs who are interested. More specifics will be available soon.

    We would like to plan a trail walking, hiking, picnic day trip to Presque Isle in August. More details need to be checked out before a date can be set for this event.

    In September the Fellowship Committee would like to feature a Chili/Soup cook-off of some sort. We are not sure whether we want to offer this as just a social event or whether we may use it as a possible fundraiser. More details to follow.

    October 14th is the Annual Gathering. We will be planning the social part of this important event.

    No specific ideas have been raised yet for November; but another Circle Supper date is possible.

    In December the Fellowship Committee will host a special Coffee Hour on the first Sunday of the month.

    We are still looking for new members for our committee since for various reasons not all current members are available during the entire year. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Worship Committee: Rebecca.

    The worship committee is planning for summer. We are scheduling guests for Kate’s vacation, along with pulpit assistants. At present, we are in the process of contacting the following outside speakers: Jim Drane, Robert Rhodes, and the new Allegheny chaplain. (Jane Ellen Nickell/cb) Upcoming "in house" guest speakers include Jim Snyder, Mary-Lib, and Christian Maher.

    We will be working with Mary Larson to coordinate flower communion Sunday, and will repeat the successful "pass the flower pot" second offering on that date. We are considering placing a flower "date request" form in the bulletin that day to encourage people to sign up for flowers to commemorate special occasions.

    Sound system: Rob Sharp is investigating the possibilities of a multi-speaker system to improve both volume and sound quality.

    We are working on a packet of helpful information for guest speakers. (Please share any ideas or thoughts regarding your experiences as a guest speaker which might be helpful for this endeavor.

New Business

    Wayne Rhodehouse has made a generous gift to the Capital Campaign. When he heard about the shortfall in our operating budget caused by the departure of Weight Watchers from our renters, he increased his gift from $25,000 to $30,000 to cover the shortfall for this year. The board, after catching their breath, expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Wayne for his support and asked the clerk to send a letter acknowledging the gift and expressing the thanks of the board and of the congregation.

    Finance Committee has uncovered an inconsistency (politely described) in the by-law description of the committee members. In one place, they are to serve as investment managers and in another place the committee is to oversee but not necessarily all serve as investment managers. Bruce Thaeler has taken note of this and will attend to clarifying the description in the upcoming bylaws review. One member has indicated that they wish to serve, but not as an investment advisor. Another member has resigned. The board will appoint new member(s) to fill any vacancies in the meantime.

    The Finance Committee oversees fundraising in general, and as such, is looking for people interested in organizing a summer "yard sale." Please consider volunteering for this. If a small group of people share the work, we can recycle our worldly goods and help the bottom line as well. Talk to any board member is you would be able to help.

    Still no Vice-President; Mike McGrath is willing to shoulder the pledge drive (with all of our help) this year. This is usually attended to by the vice president, with the Finance Committee and legions of volunteers. Mike feels that the existence of a 3 year strategic plan (thanks to the Finance Committee) and a more cohesive shared vision of what we want to do as a church will help the annual pledge drive succeed. Canvass Kick Off September 17. Annual Pledge Dinner is October 14.

    Meeting Adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

    The Next Board Meeting will by Monday May 8, 2006 at 6:30 in the Arthur Room. All are welcome to attend!

    The Membership Committee is seeking volunteers to be Sunday Greeters. This involves one-half hour during a month of Sundays. We like greeters to commit to a month be-cause it gives some continuity, especially if there are returning visitors. It is important that we all are welcomed, and in the doing, you will become acquainted with newcomers, and shake the hands of friends! If you sign on, you will get a volunteer description so that you know what is expected of you.

    There is a sign-up sheet on the Parish House desk, or you can call Carolyn Chase.

    The Fellowship Committee is sponsoring Circle Suppers again in June. The date is Friday, June 9, 2006. There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish House for those who wish to participate as well as for those who would like to host. This is a great way to get to know your UU members and friends in a more social and relaxed setting. We encourage you to sign up as soon as possible and enjoy a very special evening.

    We pick beautiful camping sites within feet of the Lake with its ducks on the morning, and mists at sunrise, and loons singing. We share camp-fires at night with singing (not required), laughing, drink and food. And we play during the day...fishing, biking, boating, hiking (or just rest, if your heart desires). Even if you don’t have camping stuff, there are people known as "cooler campers" who have literally tons of such stuff they could loan you for the week. The more frugal and some would say wise "backpackers" have much, much less stuff but what they have, rest assured, they’d be willing to loan out, as well.

    Interested? For more details see Bruce or Marty Thaeler (representing the cooler campers) or Mark Gorman (representing the back-packers) or our minister Kate (in a very Unitarian way, in the middle group to which most belong: the cooler packers). You can see where the campground is (and see a map of the lake and camping sites) by going to http://www.reserveamerica.com/ and searching for "Forked Lake" under New York state.

    Our next date to serve at the Soup Kitchen will be on Friday, May 12 (second Friday of the month). Please come at 10 a.m. to Stone UM Church (across the street). We are usually finished by 1 p.m. but any block of time will be appreciated. Call Stewarts at 425-3397 for information. Volunteers are always welcome and needed!

    Beltaine, aka May Day, is my favorite of the Pagan festivals. It’s all about fertility, spring flowers, apple blossoms, May poles and baskets of flowers left anonymously on door-steps – in short, high spring!

    Beltaine is on the horizon and here I am in Las Vegas, where spring is a non-issue. I needed to invoke the elements, earth, air, fire and water. Earth and air are plentiful here, but water and fire are lacking. My major problem with Vegas is this imbalance and I ache for flowing streams and blossoming trees.

    In a fit of whimsy, I decided to try the Strip. It was only two miles long and I could use the walk, anyway. I started out at the Venetian, with high hopes and a pedometer reading zero. I did not get lost in the Venetian, and when I had done my shopping, I stood by a fountain next to the Grand Canal and watched the gondolas. A sudden gust of wind dampened my face with spray that was refreshing in the 80+ degree heat.

    Across the street, great fountains poured from the top of a volcano that erupted periodically, covering the water with a layer of flaming "lava". – here was my fire and water in one spot, and the suggestion of a bonfire, too, although not one I’d care to leap over for luck.

    By now I was getting the message – Beltaine, this year, was to be a water festival. After being doused by the gyrating streams of water, I headed across the street to visit the fountain in Paris then on to the Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin to enjoy the indoor thunder and rain storm. I only got a little lost here, which is hard to do in a mall that makes a circle. As I headed on south to the MGM Grand to visit the lions, I began to realize that my feet did not feel as blessed as the rest of me, and I had to be content with the waterfalls outside. Everything seemed to be conspiring to keep me on track with the water theme.

    I barely made it across the bridge to Excaliber, my final destination. As the entry ramp crossed the "river" where I was to watch Merlin vanquish the dragon, I stopped to admire the little cottage snuggled against the castle with its feet in the water, and its sides washed by two fountains. This must be where Merlin lived. I found out the show had been permanently canceled, so I went inside and shopped for things to bring home to friends, and got lost again. (This is not a senior thing. The hotels do this deliberately to keep you crossing through the casinos – they hide the exit doors.) When I finally got out, I stopped again to admire the cottage and the lake and headed across another bridge to New York, where I was to meet David. A tugboat in the East River sprayed water from several hoses to welcome tourists. By now I could not manage another step – I think I left the soles of my feet in the Desert Passage, and my pedometer read over 8 miles. The only water I was now ready to encounter, was a basinful to soak my feet in.

    Water is the element of cleansing and spiritual healing, and all day I was being given a message that spiritually I was out of balance – too much searching for the dark shelter of the earth, or the burning passion of creativity. It was time to stop and let healing blessing flow over me restore my flagging soul. As I sit here with my feet up, anticipating a night of long deep sleep, I am grateful for the aspiring that leads me to the awareness of the need for balance and how easy it is to lose it.

    One million years of evolution: work, study, suffering, prayer, meditation.... Why is the End so elusive?

Harmony YOGI

    Child to Family Connections, a local social service agency is currently in the process of recruiting foster families to provide a loving home for area children. There is a need for many different types of families, particularly in the Penncrest and Crawford Central school districts, who would be willing to care for many different types of children. If you or someone who you know might be interested in sharing a home with these children, please contact Child to Family Connections at (814)336-3007 or at <child32@alltel.net>.

    Additionally, the agency can benefit from donations of furniture, baby supplies, child clothing, gift certificates, and a variety of other goods and services. We provide parenting education, homemaking, mentoring, and supervised visitation to many families in the area, and these donations will be used to provide further help to those families.

    At Meadville Lombard Theological School, we educate students in the Unitarian Universalist tradition to embody liberal religious ministry in UU congregations and wherever else they are called to serve.

    For those Unitarian Universalists who live in the greater Chicago area or are planning travel to the Windy City the first weekend in June, we extend an invitation to join us as we confer degrees upon the next generation of leaders in our faith movement. Come to our commencement ceremonies on June 4, 2006 at 3:00 at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.

    The Rev. Dr. Richard Gilbert, Minister Emeritus of First Unitarian Church of Rochester will be the commencement speaker and the Rev. David E. Bumbaugh, Professor of Ministry at Meadville Lombard, will lead the charge to the graduates. A reception will follow the ceremony.

    You are also welcome to join us for a dinner for the graduates on Saturday, June 3, at 6:00 p.m., also at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago. Tickets to the dinner are $38 per person and RSVPs are required no later than May 19.

    This is an exciting event for Unitarian Universalism and we welcome you to be a part of it.

    For more information or to order tickets for the dinner, please contact the Executive Assistant to the President at echavez@meadville.edu or 773-256-3000 x222.

    A catalog for UUs is available, in the Parish House, for you to browse through. You may also view their merchandise at <www.UniUniques.com.>

    Next deadline for submitting items for the newsletter is Friday, May 12, 2006, at 4:30 p.m.