March Focus - Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County

Transcription

FOCUS
March 2016
Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County
Our Mission
Is to:
IGNITE
personal
growth;
ENGAGE in
loving
community;
SERVE with
integrity
From the Minister
Coldilocks Celebrates
Her 35th Birthday
Coldilocks celebrates her
thirty-fifth birthday
at the Philadelphia Zoo,
and we debate
the relative merits
of a long life in captivity or
a shorter one in the wild,
not that she ever had a choice.
(Continued on page 2)
March Services
At 9:15 and 11:15 a.m., except where noted.
This month’s spiritual theme is Liberation.
E-mail:
churchoffice@uucdc.org
Sunday Services,
Nursery Care
9:15 & 11:15 a.m.
Sept.-May
Church School
(Preschool-8th)
9:15 a.m. Sept.-June
145 W. Rose Tree Road
Media, PA 19063
(610) 566-4853
www.uucdc.org
March 6 — Rev. Alison Cornish
March 13 — Commitment Sunday, Rev. Peter (one service, at
10 a.m.). NOTE: Daylight Saving Time begins, set your clocks
one hour ahead before bedtime March 12.
March 20 — Cindy Terlazzo
March 27 — Rev. Peter
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County is a Welcoming
Congregation that seeks to celebrate and support the lives, relationships
and contributions of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
members and friends. We affirm and promote full participation of
everyone in the life of our congregation and community.
March 2016
Page 2
From the Minister (Continued from page 1)
They feed her pumpkins
filled with peanuts, and
an ice cake with granola
and peanut butter icing.
What could be better?
Except, when you
think about it,
for a polar bear,
some fresh-caught seal,
savored on an ice floe
during an endless arctic
summer day.
I wonder if her bear-self
longs for what she’s lost?
Vast expanses of tundra,
endless room to roam.
Months-long darkness and
bedding down in winter dens.
The smell of spring, and
friends, and mates.
Blessed solitude, away from
grandparents with wide-eyed
toddlers on their shoulders,
pointing. Always pointing.
Or is she content
in her hand-fed indolence?
Living like a lottery winner,
pampered, with a staff,
a private pool, and a
health plan that puts
a Senator’s to shame.
When did she turn the corner,
that she lost her bear-ness to
where it could not be regained?
When she had been held
so long that her release
would mean her certain death?
How easy it is to forget
how freedom feels, and
to lose the memory
of what it’s like to be
who we were born to be.
Peter
March 2016
Page 3
Piece by Piece
Board Perspectives ...................................................................................... 4
Coyote Joe Music Out LOUD Concert March 4........................................... 4
Board Notes ................................................................................................. 5
Songwriter Workshop .................................................................................. 5
Social Justice Summit Success .................................................................... 6
FOCUS INFO:
Editors:
Neil Goldstein &
Natalie Silver
Production:
Rina Jurceka
The deadline for the
April Focus is 5 p.m.
March. 21. Please send
your text via email to:
Focus@uucdc.org.
Going to General Assembly?........................................................................ 6
Congregational Meeting Highlights ............................................................ 7
Who’s Who
Sabbatical Update ........................................................................................ 7
Board of Trustees
Regional Reproductive Justice .................................................................. 10
Bill Clinton,
President
Beckham Bright,
Vice President
Marge Caton
Chris Hagendorf
Russ Lorraine
Tom Rendulich
Retreat for Diverse UU Professionals ........................................................ 10
Staff
Five to Thrive! Goes Live .............................................................................8
Communication Corps .................................................................................8
Chili, Chocolate, Home Brew Results ........................................................ 10
Help Improve Religious Education ............................................................ 11
Interim RE Director and Search for Future ............................................... 11
YUUCKI News ........................................................................................... 12
In the Interim, Session Highlights ............................................................ 12
Twisted Easter Egg Hunt ........................................................................... 12
Caring Corner ............................................................................................ 13
‘UU World’ Spotlight on UUCDC .............................................................. 13
7% Net Growth........................................................................................... 14
Meet New Members ................................................................................... 14
Dinosaurs Care for Children ...................................................................... 15
Buddy Coordinator Needed ....................................................................... 15
Adult Faith Library .................................................................................... 15
UUPLAN—Wages, Democracy Spring & Reproductive Justice ................ 16
Rev. Peter A. Friedrichs,
Minister
Bob Rowland,
Music Director
Erica Shadowsong,
Interim Director of
Lifespan Religious
Education
Rina Jurceka,
Administrator
Megan Grissom,
Administrative Assistant
Jack Schaffer, Sexton
Joy Thiessen, Accompanist
Katie Klem,
Jasmine Masters,
Sarah Rowland
Child Care
Denise Leo
Bookkeeper
Executive Team
Rebecca Cooke
Rev. Peter Friedrichs
Joan Karasick
Jody Malloy
Share the Plate ........................................................................................... 16
Prepare for Democracy Spring .................................................................. 16
Chester Eastside Afterschool ..................................................................... 17
March Calendar ......................................................................................... 19
March 2016
Page 4
Board Perspectives
Bill Clinton,
Board President
Visioning, Planning and Acting
The month of February was an exciting month for
our church. Things are moving. It started with our
vision of who we want to become. The board adopted a new vision for UUCDC:
We act boldly every day to nurture spirits,
enrich lives and strive for justice. To put our
new vision into practice, we are now developing end
statements that will give direction to the Executive
Team to fulfill our vision.
that we will go through next year to find a permanent Director of Religious Education. I am
reminded about how critical our RE program is
for our whole church community and how important it is for all members to teach it, not just
the parents of children in the program.

Five to Thrive – The preparation for our annual pledge drive that kicks off on March 13 has
been fun for me. I look forward to the single service on March 13 that will include the whole
community and serve as a celebration of who we
are and what we aspire to become as a religious
community that seeks to act boldly every day (see
page 8.

Democracy Spring – Plans for the April 2 to
16 action to demand that Congress take immediate action to end the corruption of big money in
politics are underway. We are securing places to
house marchers on the first night of their march
from Philly to Washington, DC. There will be
plenty of opportunities to participate in any part
of the two-week action as well as to help with
hosting at our church and other places of worship in the area. This is UUCDC reaching out to
provide leadership in getting money out of politics. Don’t hold back, become a part of this justice opportunity. See page 16.
I am excited about actions we are taking to
strengthen key areas of our community:


Social Justice Reorganization — On Feb. 20,
we hosted a social justice reorganization session
where more than 50 members gathered to learn
about all of our current justice activities and to
clarify the impact that we hope to have both
within our church community and in the greater
Delaware County area. We met that goal. The
group developed and proposed a new organizational structure that allows us to be more effective in our striving for justice. See more on page
6.
Lifespan Religious Education Program —
The very next day, 20 members met to learn
about the observations and experience of Erica
Shadowsong, our Interim Director of Lifespan
Religious Education. The discussion was candid
and insightful about where we are strong and
where we have the opportunity to develop further. We also learned about the search process
I am grateful to be part of this justice-seeking community.
Bill
Interweave LGBTQIA and Friends Music OUT Loud Concerts Presents
Coyote Joe Stevens on March 5
On Saturday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m., at UUCDC, come join Interweave LGBTQIA and Friends Music OUT Loud Concerts for Coyote Joe Stevens, a singer/songwriter and guitar, upright bass and banjo
player.
Joe is a third-generation professional musician in a long line of restless westward moving souls. Joe’s
career began in 2006 with the alt-Americana group Coyote Grace, continuing on to five albums and
tours with the Indigo Girls, Melissa Ferrick and Girlyman. He’s shared stages with Chris Pureka,
Greensky Bluegrass, Reverend Payton's Big Damn Band and legends such as Cris Williamson and Lowen and Navarro.
The Roadshow Relics will open the show.
Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance online: www.tinyurl.com/JS030516. Students are $10
and children are free.
March 2016
Page 5
Board Notes: February Meeting
Highlights of the February Board of Trustees
monthly meeting:
Bruce Zangwill and Jean Lenke made a short
presentation and request for the Board to support a
strong LBGTQ Welcoming Congregation continuation with an emphasis around gender fluidity and
nonbinary gender expression. There will be work on
this in the coming months, including a Sunday service. The Board supports the effort and awaits further action.
The Executive Team report indicated healthy financial conditions based on less spending than budgeted, though pledge payments are less than expected.
A Search Committee will be formed in the near future to begin the search process for a new Director
of Lifespan Religious Education. The Executive
Team will be taking applications soon for this important committee.
The Five to Thrive campaign will kick off March 13
with a Commitment Sunday single multigenerational service. (see p. 8-9).
Sabbatical planning, coordinated by Marylin Huff,
is well underway. Rev. Peter will be on sabbatical
from October to December 2016. Services are almost
completely covered, and ministerial coverage will be
primarily supplied by Rev. Libby Smith (see p. 7).
The Board discussed the proposed by-laws revisions that are continuing between Growth Through
Service (GTS) and the Nominating Committee. These
revisions will be presented at the May Congregational
Meeting.
Democracy Spring support, as approved by the congregation in January, is being coordinated by Bill
Clinton and others. The campaign starts April 2.
More information will be available soon (see p. 6).
The Joseph Priestley District Annual Assembly will
be held April 8 and 9 in York, PA. There will be a discussion and vote to move to a regional structure.
The Board began work on “Ends Statements” to provide guidance to the Executive Team based on our
Mission and Vision Statement approvals. Chris Hagendorf, Tom Rendulich and Marge Caton will continue to focus on this with a five-year outlook.
Finally, the Board is grateful to the following individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond
in recent weeks:

Donald Ashbrook and Skip Seelaus, for helping to
set up for the Congregational Meeting, and to
Bruce Wyman for serving as the Parliamentarian.

To Peter Bretz, for dropping everything to solve
our email server problem.
Marge Caton
For the Board
Join Coyote Joe Stevens
For a Songwriters’ Workshop
After the March 5 concert, come to our songwriters’ workshop here with Coyote Joe Stevens
on Sunday afternoon (March 6). Participants will write on-the-spot songs and leave with
a recording of their work, jarring loose the notions that songwriting is difficult or inaccessible.
Students can sing their songs or have someone else sing them or accompany them. This is a three-hour
course. No musical training is necessary, just humor and guts. More advanced students can have the opportunity to look deeper into the mechanisms of form, dynamics and other aspects of songwriting. Everyone is
welcome!
An Interweave Brunch is included with workshop, at 12:30 p.m. The workshop costs $50.
Jean Lenke
March 2016
Page 6
Social Justice Summit Works on a New Framework
On Saturday, Feb 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 50
church members filled Fellowship Hall, ready to
build the future of social justice work at our church.
The committee that planned and executed the summit included: Dan Alamia, Fran Battista, Beckham
Bright, Emily Cairncross, Bill Clinton, Laurie Cooke,
Erin Esposito, Rev. Peter Freidrichs, Emily
Glowacki, Marylin Huff, Cole Jurceka, Joan
Karasick, Summer Leary, Mardys Leeper, Melissa
Nedza and Bruce Zangwill.
The summit moved back and forth dynamically
from presentations by some members of the planning committee to small-group activities, rounded
out by discussions among the entire group. Attendees learned about Richard S. Gilbert’s framework for the five types of social action, and then in
small groups, they shared stories of meaningful experiences that brought them to justice work.
After hearing a presentation on the current picture
of social justice organization and activities here, participants returned to small group discussions to imagine the transformed social justice ministry that
they wished to see. Discussion questions included:
How can we have the greatest impact with our jus-
tice work? What needs to change to get us where we
want to be? What kind of social justice ministry
would we want to have that would be personally fulfilling?
After reporting their thoughts and discussing them
in a large group, attendees learned about organizational models of justice work successfully used by
Unitarian Universalist congregations that are similar to ours in size. The small groups then re-formed
to discuss and sketch out an effective organizational
model. After each small group presented its proposals, all those assembled moved toward a general
consensus on a new, preliminary model for the
church.
Six members in attendance — Julie Chuplis, Peter
Cooke, Emily Glowacki, Kate Gordon, Sue Redfern
and Bruce Zangwill — agreed to form a working
group to complete this framework in detail. More
information, including a survey, will be coming out
to all church members soon, and a full proposal will
be presented for approval at the May Congregational
Meeting.
Dan Alamia
Consider Attending June’s
General Assembly in Columbus, OH
There is a wealth of Unitarian Universalism outside the walls of 145 West Rose Tree Road. What we have
here is fabulous, and yet, there is more — lots more. Much of it happens at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s annual gathering: General Assembly.
General Assembly occurs every year in late June. This year it is within driving distance, in Columbus, OH,
from June 22 through 26. Attendees will worship, witness, learn, connect and make policy for the association through the democratic process.
While it is not inexpensive to attend, there are scholarships available, and volunteering can offset some of the
cost. If you are interested in attending, our church has veteran General Assembly participants who can help
first-timers manage the various deadlines and make this a wonderful experience.
If you are considering going (something this church’s leadership highly recommends, if possible), we’d like to
know that. There’s planning to be done! Please contact Rina Jurceka if you would like to go or if you have
questions.
Rina Jurceka
March 2016
Page 7
Election and ‘Democracy Spring’
Highlighted Jan. 31 Meeting
Church members elected Board of Trustees leaders
and endorsed the “Democracy Spring” campaign at
Congregational Meeting on Jan. 31.
· A National Conversation on Race
They also voted in favor of four nominees for the
single Congregational Study/Action Issue to be
adopted at the denomination’s General Assembly in
June (see p. 6).
· The Corruption of Our Democracy
Bill Clinton was re-elected Board President for a
second one-year term. Joe Miller was chosen as Vice
President. Their 2016-17 terms will begin after the
congregation’s May 22 meeting.
Jody Malloy reported that church finances are in
stable shape and that the Property Committee is
looking into air conditioning for the Sanctuary.
At the recommendation of the church’s Move to
Amend for Free and Fair Democracy Committee and
the Board, the congregation voted to endorse the
national Democracy Spring campaign (http://
www.democracyspring.org) and to participate as fully as possible (see p. 16). The two-week campaign in
early April will demand that Congress immediately
act to end the corruption of big money in politics
and ensure free and fair elections in which every
American has an equal voice.
As a result of the vote, the church will donate $250
to the campaign and offer $250 to help defray the
costs of up to two members who want to participate
in Washington, D.C., but cannot otherwise afford the
expenses.
· Climate Change and Environmental Justice
· Ending Gun Violence in America
In other meeting highlights:
Marge Caton read out the church’s new Vision
Statement, recently adopted by the Board: We act
boldly every day to nurture spirits, enrich lives and
strive for justice.
Cole Jurceka talked about the development of the
church’s new Black Lives Matter group (http://
blacklivesmatter.uucdc.org/).
Last, but of course not least, the members cheered
our Bill Clinton in recognition of his 70th birthday.
Neil Goldstein
Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) are
topics selected by Unitarian Universalist member
congregations for four years of study, reflection and
action. Issues that have been selected in the past include Escalating Inequality and Reproductive Justice. The members voted in favor of these issue options for 2016--2020 cycle:
Fall Sabbatical Updates
Rev. Peter will be taking a three-month sabbatical this fall from Oct. 1, through the end of the calendar year.
A team is being formed to make sure everything runs smoothly in his absence. So far, the team includes Mark
Bernstein, Bill Clinton, Janice Pessagno and Marylin Huff.
With the March pledge drive upon us, one reasonable question is: What is the budget impact of his absence?
Our main expenses will result from adding staff time (if we don’t find enough volunteers to help out), paying
honoraria and travel expenses for ministers to fill the pulpit, and meeting pastoral care needs. The anticipated
budgetary impact is less than $3,000.
Marylin Huff
March 2016
Page 8
Five to Thrive! Goes Live
March 13 marks the return of Five to Thrive!, our successful annual
pledge drive alternative.
Five to Thrive! asks each household in the church to commit 5 percent of its income to the church. We are also asking YOU to take ownership of your financial commitment so that volunteers and the Executive Team don’t have to take time away from furthering our mission
to “chase pledges” as we’ve done in the past.
Each household has been asked to commit 5 percent of its gross income next church year. Last year, this successful approach let us accomplish three goals:
It funded our operating costs;
It let us give away more of our Sunday plate cash; and
It allowed us to start a “seed capital” fund for outreach projects.
Because we as a congregation committed to Five to Thrive! last year, we were able to direct funds to
the Young Families program for child care. With over 30 adults in their Soul Matters groups, they
were able to handle child care for 20 plus children. The runaway success of the Young Families Soul
Matters program is amazing and worth supporting, just like other new and successful programs developed over the last year.
That’s why we need every member to commit to Five to Thrive! — to ensure that we keep our financial house in order and can support the needs of our dynamic congregation. We also will be able to
make significant contributions to the well-being of others in our community.
We ask that you make your commitment to the campaign between Sunday, March 13, and Sunday, March 20. You can deliver your Commitment Card at one of the worship services, you can
make your commitment via the church website at http://www.uucdc.org/commitment or you
can use the form on p. 9.
Thank you for contributing to the success of Five to Thrive! this year.
Maggie Juliano
Communications Corps to Seek Your Opinions
At the Jan. 19 quarterly meeting of the Communications Corps, Mark Bernstein and his team agreed to convene focus groups in the spring to take the pulse of the congregation around communication in general and
the vehicles we are using to get the word out.
Mark is drafting four questions for the focus groups. The corps, which wants as many congregation members
as possible to participate, will decide on an implementation plan at its April 24 meeting.
March 2016
Page 9
Name(s): ____________________________________
YES! I/we are joyfully committing to 5% to see our congregation
THRIVE!
 SOON! I/we are joyfully committing to 5% in the next three years
to see our congregation THRIVE!
My/our total annual commitment for the July 2016-June 2017 year is:
$_____________.
Signature(s):
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Bring this form, Sunday March 13, for FIVE TO THRIVE! or on Sunday, March 20, or drop it in the mail.
You can pledge online at http://www.uucdc.org/commitment
Please commit promptly. It takes a lot of effort and volunteer hours to
call and chase people for their commitment. Let’s use that time instead
to further our congregation’s mission and programming.
(Remember: One service only March 13—10 a.m.
and Daylight Saving Time!)
March 2016
Page 10
Chili, Chocolate and Home Brew
Challenge Raises $2,500
evaluate the various entries and several Media businesses donated wonderful door prizes. YUUCKI and
OWL youth provided support during the evening.
Before doors opened on Jan. 30, people were in line
buying tickets for this year’s Chili, Chocolate and
Home Brew Challenge. People chose from 18 kinds
of chilies, 10 chocolate desserts, and 7 home brews,
and by the end of the evening, most entrants’ contributions were finished. Thanks to your support, we
raised $2,500!
The Chili, Chocolate, and Home Brew Committee
wants to thank all those people who pitched in and
generously donated their time and skills. Thanks also
to the cornbread bakers and salad makers and all
those grand contestants who make the evening possible. A special thanks to Craig Bartlett, Rev. Peter,
and Derrick and Owen Schweitzer, who so lovingly
did what they were asked to do! Put next year’s date
on your calendar: Jan. 21, 2017.
Our winners were: Craig Harris for chocolate with
his scrumptious “God, That’s Good,” Mark Yerger
with his “Goonesville Campin’ Chili” and Kyle
Yerger for his home brew, “Espresso Oat Style.” In
the junior chocolate category, congrats go to Isabel
Nagle, who won for her delicious “Incredible Chocolate Cake.”
Penny Bartlett, Kelli Schweitzer,
Irene Friedrichs, Janet Boosz
and Jane Seelaus
Judges came from a variety of backgrounds to help
UU Cluster Meeting and Reproductive Justice
Session on March 19 in Phila.
The Greater Philly Unitarian Universalist Cluster (http://www.greaterphillyuu.org/), which represents 14
congregations, will have its next meeting followed by a Reproductive Justice workshop on March 19 at the
Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia. All are welcome to either or both.
The day starts at 9 with a Meet and Greet. The meeting begins at 9:30, followed by a light lunch at noon. At 1,
the workshop introduces the principles of Reproductive Justice as endorsed by UUPLAN (the Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania Legislative Advocacy Network) and shows participants simple and effective ways to
communicate with elected officials on a variety of issues, not solely reproductive justice.
Check out the Cluster website for more details and get connected with your fellow UUs.
A Retreat for Diverse
UU Professionals
The denomination’s Diversity of Ministry Team will hold its annual retreat at the Hilton Penn’s Landing in
Philadelphia from March 30 to April 2.
“Finding Our Way Home 2016” is for ministers, ministerial candidates, directors of religious education, directors of music and administrators who identify as being “of African Descent, Caribbean, Native/American
Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander, Latina/o and Hispanic, Middle Eastern/Arab, Multiracial and Multiethnic
Unitarian Universalists.”
The team says, “We gather to give each other the gifts of interconnectedness, community building, spiritual
sustenance, and mutual support. We also give each other gifts of personal and professional development.”
March 2016
Page 11
Lifespan Religious Education
You Can Help Improve This Program
Happy Spring!
We are slightly more than halfway through my first
church year with you as Interim Director of Lifespan
Religious Education, and from here on, we’ll have
many more conversations about what I’ve learned
and observed. And you’ll hear from Religious
Education
leadership
on
opportunities
to
participate.
In February, the minister, RE leadership, a few
other church leaders and I, joined Pat Infante of the
denomination’s Central East Regional Group staff in
an in-depth conversation. We talked about where we
were in the interim process and what would happen
from there (see p. 12). We also discussed the searchcommittee process for the permanent Director of
Lifespan Religious Education, what the timeline
might look like, and what work we might do in the
rest of my time here.
The truth is, we can accomplish only a few things in
this interim period. We will have an opportunity to
focus on aspects of the RE program at all stages of
life in specific areas where we think there is the most
need and the strongest chance of improving health.
Erica Shadowsong, Interim Director
of Lifespan Religious Education
things about the religious education experience and
program here, and that is by no means lip service.
But there are some areas of need.
Specifically in the children’s programs, there is a
need to breathe new life into our rich curriculum.
We can make it easier to volunteer with the children,
and more important, we can make it even more
enjoyable and memorable to the students. So one
thing you need to ask yourselves is: What do you
want children and youth to have learned or
experienced at each stage of growth? The same
question can be asked about adult education.
We have experienced growth particularly with
parents of young children — we will need to leverage
that growth by meeting the needs. This is the job of
the entire congregation.
Please keep your eyes open and ears to the ground
for the many opportunities to contribute to this
critical conversation. I look forward to more
visioning conversations with all of you, and I can’t
wait to see what you come up with!
Erica
I say “improving.” There are a lot of wonderful
Religious Education Interim Director
And Search Committee Update
I am delighted to report that Erica Shadowsong,
our Interim Director of Religious Education
(DRE), has accepted my offer to continue her
work with us through June 2017! Erica was hired
with a one-year contract with an option for a second year, and I'm thrilled to have her continue
her interim work with us.
I am also delighted to report that Kelli Schweitzer has accepted my invitation to serve as the
Chair of the soon-to-be-formed DRE Search Committee. For those who are wondering about the
process for hiring a long-term DRE to follow this
interim period, here's a rough outline of the process:
Spring 2016 — Applications for Search Committee
membership will be solicited and reviewed by
Rev. Peter and Kelli. The goal is to have the
Search Committee assembled by May. Please
keep your eye out for invitations to apply to
serve on the Committee.
August 2016 — Search Committee holds a retreat.
Fall 2016 — Search Committee creates job description
for DRE, with input from the congregation, and creates recruitment strategy and materials.
Winter 2017 — Search Committee recruits and reviews
applications for DRE.
Spring 2017 — Search Committee makes recommendation to Rev. Peter for hiring the DRE.
August 2017 — New DRE begins work.
Please drop me a note if you have any questions about
the timeline. Details will emerge as we move forward in
the process, and the Search Committee will keep the
congregation informed of its progress.
Rev. Peter
March 2016
Page 12
What’s Up With
The YUUCKIs
convene in the near future to continue this important
work.
On April 15-17 the YUUCKIs will host MagiCON,
this year’s version of the annual LepreCON youth
conference. MagiCon will be magic-themed, including mythological elements.
In other news of the 10th-through-12th-grade
Young
Unitarian
Universalists
Combining
Knowledge and Interest, the group had a successful
soup lunch on Feb. 21. They thank the congregation
for taking part.
The group had a Valentine’s Day potluck and game
night that really brought the members together.
They will probably travel to the denomination’s General Assembly as a group in June, but logistics are
undecided.
Chloe Cairncross
First ‘In the Interim’ Session
Held to Discuss Religious Education
On Sunday, Feb. 21, Pat Infante, a representative of
the denomination’s Central East Regional Group, led
the first of many planned visioning sessions on the
future of Religious Education. In attendance were
Rev. Peter; Erica Shadowsong, Interim Director of
Lifespan Religious Education (DRE); and 11 lay leaders.
Volunteer members from many groups were represented at the visioning session, including members
from the Executive Team, the Board of Trustees, the
RE Council, RE educators, Growth Through Service,
Justice and Community Outreach, Young Families,
Dinosaurs Alive, Spiritual Growth and Enrichment
and the Quilting group.
Clearly, many of our lay leaders wear many hats, as
does our Interim DRE. Erica is not here to “just run
the RE program.” She has joined us to build upon
the strong foundation that has been laid by our past
leaders and to help us realize our vision for a better
program.
Conversations at the session focused on such topics
as articulating a vision for Religious Education ministry, discussing the strengths and challenges our
congregation faces, evaluating where our programs
are now, setting priorities for the Interim DRE to
focus on and beginning the search for a settled DRE.
Once the discussion neared the three-and-a-halfhour mark, the group realized there was much more
to talk about and planned for a smaller group to re-
The group consensus was that we would like to
share more information about what is happening
“behind the scenes” with the congregation at large, as
Lifespan Religious Education is not solely reserved
for the children, but for all attendees of our church. It
occurs in one form or another throughout the week,
not just on Sunday mornings.
Education is for everyone and it doesn’t happen by
chance. There are a lot of people — paid staff and volunteers — committing their time and energy to improving programming and creating an inviting and
spiritually nurturing environment. Improved programming benefits not only new and existing members but provides the congregation a means to recruit
and hire a new DRE.
Please stay tuned for more information on this process and how you can help.
Sue Beadle
On behalf of the RE Council
Join Our Easter Egg
Hunt With a Twist!
It's time to plan our annual Easter Egg Hunt, and
the Religious Education Council needs your help! Instead of hunting for eggs, each year the children/
youth hunt for canned goods. We need volunteers to
monitor donations, set up Easter morning, count
cans, make treat bags, collect found cans and distribute treat bags and aid the regular volunteers who
take the food to the Media Food Bank each week. Also, we need your donations!
On Easter morning, March 27, the cans are hidden by older youth on the church property. The children turn in their found cans for a small treat bag. In
past years, the hunt has given about 400 food items
to the Media Food Bank. Remember to deposit donations in the bin marked for Easter, as not to confuse
them with the weekly offerings for the Media Food
Bank.
Please help make the Easter Canned Goods Hunt a
huge success again this year!
Kelli Schweitzer
March 2016
Page 13
Congregational Care Ministry Team
Caring Corner
We’re Featured in
Spring’s ‘UU World’
In fall 2015, Rev. Peter announced that our church had
received one of four “Breakthrough Congregation” awards
given by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Because of
this distinction, we are featured in the Spring 2016 issue of
“UU World,” our denomination’s quarterly magazine.
Check out page 8 of the new issue or use this link, http://
www.uuworld.org/articles/uua-breakthrough-congregation
-delaware, to read “An Upward Spiral” by Tina Porter, who
interviewed several church members and attended a worship service here this fall. You can also view photos of our
congregation. Porter highlights our Growth Through Service program, the Young Families group, our Five to
Thrive! campaign and the UU101 class as examples of why
we’re a Breakthrough Congregation.
March 2016
Page 14
Member Engagement Ministry
With 271 Members, We
Show 7% Net Growth
The church recently certified that we have 271
members, a 7% net growth from last year.
Graduates of Rev. Peter’s UU101 course scheduled
for April will be eligible to sign the membership
book after completion of the free, four-session
course. It’s not too early to sign up online or by calling the office at 610-566-4853.
Anyone who has taken the UU101 course may sign
the book at any time — just ask in the church office.
Meet More
New Members
Please check out the photos of the fall 2015 new
members on the wall outside the McClennen
Lounge and take the opportunity to offer a warm
welcome. Thanks to new members who are sharing
their stories in this third set of biographies.
Jeanmarie Fox and Steven Wilcox
Steve and Jeanmarie met about seven years
ago. At the time, Steve was living in West Chester
and was a Unitarian Universalist member
there. Jeanmarie attended a few services with him
and became interested in the religion. Over a year
ago, Steve moved in with her in Glenolden and they
decided to visit and ultimately join this church.
Jeanmarie has a 26-year-old son (Carl), a rabid
atheist, and a cat (Troy), who live with
them. Jeanmarie has always lived in the Philadelphia/Delaware County area and enjoys going to the
theater, not just Broadway or mainstream productions but also community theater or obscure
works. She loves animals, dogs especially, and enjoys crafts, knitting and baking. She is very concerned about our environment and what is happening with wildlife, overdevelopment, and lack of
green space, and is looking forward to working with
UUCDC’s Environmental Justice group. Since 1982
Jeanmarie has been employed by the University of
Pennsylvania in the medical school's financial aid
office, whose mission focuses on diversity and inclusion.
Louise Intindoli
I have considered myself a UU
since 1988 when I attended the
Staten Island Unitarian Church.
At the time my children were
young and I wanted them to belong to a faith community other
than the Catholic Church. UUism fit my belief system perfectly. When we moved to Long Island I became a member of the Huntington UU Fellowship.
After my kids went through Coming of Age, I became less involved and stopped attending in 2001.
Going to a Christmas service is a family tradition
in our home. We found UUCDC two Christmases
ago when we attended Christmas Eve services while
visiting my daughter in Media. We really had a positive experience. So when my husband and I moved
from NY to PA to be near our married daughters
and their children, we were happy to live close
enough to UUCDC to start attending services. I decided to re-establish my UU roots and became a
member of this most delightful, welcoming congregation.
Fritz and Roxanne Ward
We live in Rutledge with our daughter, Freya.
Writers by trade, Roxanne works for a medical publisher in the city and Fritz works at Swarthmore
College. Roxanne was attending the Unitarian Society of Germantown before we moved to this area,
and we found UUCDC when we were looking for a
minister for our wedding. Peter married us in June
2010. We love the RE program and are involved in
the Soul Matters small groups.
Patricia Beal
I have three wonderful children and have been
blessed with four beautiful grandchildren. My career was spent in medical office management. For
my “retirement career” I am happy to be part of the
great mission at Ten Thousand Villages as a parttime sales associate. I experienced a devastating life
change a couple of years ago after which I spent two
difficult years putting myself back together again. It
was through my therapist at that time that I found
UUCDC. It is with gratitude to her that I found a
spiritual home here, where I can continue to heal
and grow spiritually. I am happy to be part of
UUCDC.
March 2016
Page 15
[New Members, continued from p. 14)
Jack and Laura Foley
The Foleys moved with their daughter Emma from
New Jersey to Springfield in January 2015. While
they were both raised Catholic, they were interested
in seeking out a different kind of faith. Their belief in
the importance of universal acceptance and love led
them to feel that UUCDC was the right fit for them
and their growing family.
Help and a Helpful Item
From Dinosaurs Alive
New Members-Buddies Group
Can Use a Coordinator
We’ll soon bid farewell to New Members-Buddies
Group Coordinator Jayne Tamburello, wishing her
well as she moves to Delaware. So we are looking for
an organizer from the current crop of group members.
This service opportunity includes some communication and planning of social events. Please contact
Joan Karasick at membership@uucdc.org if you have
questions or would like to help.
The Dinosaurs Alive group (ages 65 and up) is offering both a service and a
dandy little item.
The Service
Explore the library!
The service is for parents of
well newborns and well children up to one year old. Two
Dinosaurs Alive volunteers
are willing to go to your
home, while you are there, to
be with your child. This
would allow you to tend to
other children or other needs
in your home. Volunteers
will stay up to two hours.
Rev. Peter’s theme for February was
Desire. For further reflection, the
library has a sampling of books you
may be interested in. The library is
available to all church members and
friends, and is located in the church’s
lower level.
The 5 Rules of Thought: How to Use
the Power of Your Mind To Get What
You Want by Mary T. Browne
Adult Faith
Development
Library Goes Online
Many of you are borrowing
books from the library opposite
the Chapel on the lower level
and we thank you! The shelves
are arranged in categories such
as Spirituality, Mind and Body,
World Religions, Science and
Religion, Theology, Bible and
UU History. It's easy to sign out
a book on the clipboard and we
follow an honor system.
The Dandy Little Item
Reaching For the Sun: Meditations by
We are pleased to announce our
On various Sundays during
Angela Herrera
entire book collection can now
coffee hours, Jean Taranta,
be previewed on our GoodNancy Gibbons and Phyllis
Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of
Reads webpage. There's also an
Trahey will be selling “One
Manifesting by Wayne W. Dyer
easy link on the uucdc.org LiLight, Many Windows” rebrary webpage, under the Learn
frigerator magnets to benefit
tab, anytime you'd like to see
the church. Price is $5. Look
what's available and new.
for their table in Fellowship Hall and take one home.
Dinosaurs Alive is part of the Membership Engagement Ministry Team.
Special thanks to the Library Committee for advancing this project. Volunteers and book donations are
welcome. Funds to underwrite a memorial book may
also be given. E-mail Joan Karasick at membership@uucdc.org for more information.
The Library Committee
March 2016
Page 16
Justice & Outreach Ministry Team
Three Initiatives Top UUPLAN
Spring Activities
The Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania Legislative Advocacy Network (UUPLAN) has a lot going
on!
The group has a full agenda for March and April,
and we look forward to our congregation’s participation where possible.
tain amount is designated for the clinics, but the rest
will be divided among other UUPLAN projects: Economic Justice, LGBTQ Justice, Reproductive Justice,
Immigration Justice and Environmental Justice. I
realize not everyone is able to donate, but if you are
looking for a place to contribute, look at Faithify.
Working together we can bring our values into the
greater world and increase the greater good.
Mardys Leeper
Raise the Wage is sponsoring or participating in
statewide actions in March to push the legislature
to move toward creating a living wage for all Pennsylvanians.
How We Share
Collection Plate
One activity will take place in Harrisburg on
March 15. On that day, the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association is having a lobby day
in Harrisburg. The Restaurant Opportunity Center
will be doing a news conference in the Rotunda to
counter the restaurant and lodging association, and
will be focusing on the One Fair Wage campaign
(elimination of the tipped minimum wage) as a
means of bringing about income equality. Since the
majority of tipped workers are female, we also feel
that this is also a women’s rights issue.
Area residents who experience food insecurity or
have mental-health issues benefited in February
from the congregation’s generosity via the Share the
Plate program.
In fact, the Reproductive Justice team of UUPLAN
considers the unequal pay of women a reproductive
justice issue. Many women are responsible for supporting their children, and on low wages, this is extremely difficult if not impossible. UUPLAN is asking people to support the 2016 Pennsylvania
Equal Pay Day Proclamation on April 12.
Also in April is Democracy Spring. As you know,
our church is supporting this important national
action to remove the corrupting influence of money
from American elections. Please see what you can
do to help (see accompanying article).
I will look for more ways that we can support these
three endeavors.
Finally, the Unitarian Universalist Association has
a crowd-sourcing website, Faithify. One current
project, Clean Slate Justice, is a UUPLAN activity
that is setting up expungement clinics to provide
citizens returning from incarceration a path to employment and productive lives. Our church has a
history, through Thresholds, of working to reduce
recidivism, and this is one additional opportunity.
Money raised by all of us throughout Pennsylvania
will be matched by the national association. A cer-
We contributed $903 to the Media Food Bank on
Feb. 14 and $583 to the Compeer Program of Suburban Philadelphia, a mental-health volunteer organization, on Feb. 28.
Part of the Justice and Outreach Ministry
Team, the program gives away 100% of the cash in
the offering plate to a worthy area nonprofit organization on the second and fourth Sundays of the
month.
In March, the recipients will be Family Promise (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network)
on March 13 and the Delaware County Literacy
Council on March 27.
How to Help Prepare
For ‘Democracy Spring,’
April 2-16 Here and in D.C.
Now that the congregation has endorsed the national Democracy Spring campaign to help get big
money out of politics and ensure free and fair elections (democracyspring.org), there are lots of ways
for you to get involved. And there’s lots to do.
The two-week, nonpartisan campaign will start
April 2 at the Liberty Bell, from which an estimated
300 marchers will head toward the nation’s Capitol,
stopping that night in Ridley Park on Chester Pike,
March 2016
Page 17
(Democracy Spring continued from page 16)
where they’ll start again the next day. The
church’s DS Working Group can use help coordinating housing and helping to feed them
in churches, union halls and the like. To volunteer,
contact the group at democracyspring@uucdc.org.
The marchers are scheduled to arrive April 11 in
Washington, D.C., where, if Congress has failed to
seriously deal with big money in politics, thousands
will conduct a peaceful sit-in at the Capitol. More
than 1,000 people have pledged to risk arrest between April 11 and 16 in nonviolent civil disobedience actions.
You can participate in many ways — and you don’t
have to march or risk arrest! If you’re interested in
participating in D.C., you can write to the email address above to inquire about carpooling or housing
choices. In addition, besides helping with the
marchers when they stop in our area, you can:
The dedication of the Judy Coslett Learning Center
was held on Feb. 7 at the Chester Eastside nonprofit
agency, which the church supports. It was gratifying
to see acknowledgement of the Chester High School
students who attended the after-school program
there. Several students sang songs and stole the audience’s hearts in the process.
The learning center, which has new computers and
a library, provides church members a wonderful opportunity to volunteer. The after-school program
helps 25 elementary-school children with tutoring,
homework help and enrichment programs four afternoons a week.

Sign up online to support Democracy Spring
(democracyspring.org)
In addition, two volunteers with special talents are
needed. If you have human-resources knowledge and
are familiar with salary and benefit policies, the
agency can use your help to review the current polices in one or two sessions. Also, a reading specialist
would be helpful in assessing the needs of the afterschool students, especially the children who are not
functioning at grade level.

Attend the Liberty Bell rally on April 2 (we’ll
help organize a church group to attend)
Your presence, talents and commitment will make
an impact on the lives of the children in Chester. .

Tell others about DS via your social media accounts

Write letters to the editor and to your elected
representatives in support of DS

March with DS folks for part (or all!) of the journey
Democracy Spring is not liberal or conservative,
Democratic or Republican — it’s about the future of
American representative government. The church’s
Move to Amend for Free and Fair Democracy Committee believes that curbing the overwhelming influence of big money in politics is not the most important problem on the domestic agenda — but it is
the problem that needs to be solved first before virtually all of the other problems can be properly addressed. The committee is part of the Justice and
Outreach Ministry Team.
Questions or comments?
cyspring@uucdc.org
Email
democra-
Neil Goldstein
How You Can Help
At Chester Eastside’s
After-School Program
March 2016
145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media, PA 19063
Focus
March 2016
Sunday, March 13
One Service
10 a.m.
AND Daylight Saving Time!
March 2016
Calendar
March 2016*
For the latest on the calendar and events go to
http://www.uucdc.org/news/upcoming-events
Date
3/1
Event
IHN Demo event
Yoga
Meditation Moments
Time
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
7:30 PM
3/2
Delco Dudes
Democracy Spring
Media Chamber Chorale
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:15 PM
Small Group Ministry
UU Weighty Matters
Integrated Kung Fu & Kickboxing
Chorus Rehearsal
1:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:45 PM
7:00 PM
3/3
3/4
Safe Harbor AA Meeting
3/5
Integrated Kung Fu & Kickboxing 9:00 AM
Dance To Explore Uncover
Release and Renew Workshop 10:30 AM
Concert Set-Up
5:00 PM
Music OUT Loud Concert!
7:30 PM
3/6
3/9
7:15 PM
3/10
Chorus Rehearsal
Thursday Soul Matters
Camera Club
6:45 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
3/11
3/12
Dance To Explore Uncover
Release and Renew Workshop
PBJ Making for Task Force on
Hunger
Servers Assemble for Task Force
on Hunger
Servers return Task Force on
Hunger
11:00 AM
Children's Religious Education
Worship Service
Worship Service
Interweave Brunch
Laughter Yoga Club
Songwriter's Workshop with
Joe Stevens!
Independent Catholics
Sunday Soul Matters
YUUCKIs
3/13
9:15 AM
9:15 AM
11:15 AM
12:30 PM
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
3/7
Music Ministry Meeting
7:00 PM
3/8
Yoga
PFLAG
Meditation Moments
5:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
Worship Service
Social Justice Summit
- Follow Up
Black Lives Matter
Laughter Yoga Club
Young Families Soul Matters
Executive Team Meeting
Young Families Potluck
YUUCKIs
11:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:30 AM
3:00 PM
5:00 PM
8:00 PM
10:00 AM
11:30 AM
11:30 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
3/14
7:15 PM
3/15
Yoga
Meditation Moments
5:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
3/16
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
Delco Dudes
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:15 PM
145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media, PA 19063
*Printed February 29, 2016
March 2016
March 2016
3/17
RTDS Director's Round Table
9:00 AM
Dinosaurs Alive
11:00 AM
UU Weighty Matters
5:30 PM
Integrated Kung Fu & Kickboxing 6:45 PM
Chorus Rehearsal
7:00 PM
GTS Team Meeting
7:00 PM
3/18
RTDS Directors Round Table
3/19
Integrated Kung Fu & Kickboxing 9:00 AM
Quilting
9:00 AM
Bickford Memorial Service
12:00 PM
3/20
Worship Service
OWL
Worship Service
COA - Family Interest Meeting
Interweave: LGBTQIA & Friends
Business Meeting
Laughter Yoga Club
YUUCKIs
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
9:15 AM
9:15 AM
10:00 AM
11:15 AM
12:30 PM
12:30 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
6:00 PM
3/21
Quilting
Focus Deadline
Rose Tree Day School Board
Board of Trustees
1:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:45 PM
7:15 PM
3/22
Yoga
Meditation Moments
5:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
3/23
7:15 PM
3/24
Chorus Rehearsal
Independent Catholics Maundy
Thursday
6:45 PM
7:00 PM
3/25
11:00 AM
Independent Catholics Good Friday7:00 PM
Book Club
7:30 PM
3/26
Independent Catholics Holy
Saturday
3/27
Worship Service
Worship Service
Interweave Rainbow Women's
Group
Laughter Yoga Club
9:00 AM
7:00 PM
9:15 AM
9:15 AM
11:15 AM
12:30 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
3/29
Yoga
Meditation Moments
5:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
3/30
7:15 PM
3/31
Chorus Rehearsal
6:45 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
March 2016

March Focus - Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County

Transcription

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