Chalice Newsletter JulyAug 2018 - Connect + Inspire · THE NEWSLETTER OF FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF PITTSBURGH July/August 2018 3 A M ONTH OF SUNDAYS: Worship Services in July and

THE NEWSLETTER OF FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF PITTSBURGH July/August 2018

Volume 19, No. 7 Inside this issue:

Worship 3

Connect

5

Inspire 9

Serve

10

Learn 14

Governance 15

Hi, I’m Brian Junker, chair of the Music and Arts Team and co-chair of the Inspire Council here at First Unitarian.

You might be expecting a farewell speech, but that is not what I have prepared. This is, indeed, our time as a church to say farewell and thank you, and nothing would be better, I think, than to wear Emily Pinkerton completely out with our thanks and good wishes.

But instead I want to talk about something else.

Poet Maya Angelou said, “We are all teachers, whether we know it or not.” Personal coach Trisha Huffman elaborated, “We are all teachers at all times – with everything we do, with everything we don’t do, with everything we say, with everything we don’t say and with our beliefs, with our attitudes – all of, all of us.”

I don’t know how much Emily has thought about this idea herself. I do know that in the 12 years I’ve known her, she has always embodied it. She teaches love by loving, she teaches compassion and inclusion by being compassionate and inclusive, she teaches joy in the joy of her calling, she teaches that we can achieve more than we know, by opening doors and stepping through them with us.

She teaches the first principle – to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person – by living it.

This is a time of great transition for our church, with deep uncertainty and strong emotions, that will last more than two years. We will see at least two more senior ministers before it is over, and we are on the verge of a significant change in music staff as Emily departs. I am hopeful about the Board’s plan to ask Ellen Gozion and Kris Rust to nurture and grow the seeds that Emily has planted here as Director of Music.

But, inevitably, the music program will change – from what it was before Emily came, and from what Emily has created with us.

I think we can best help grow what Emily has planted, not only for ourselves but also for the children of this church, by being constantly mindful, that we are all teachers at all times, whether we know it or not.

THE CHALICE CCC O N N E C TO N N E C TO N N E C T + I+ I+ I N S P I R EN S P I R EN S P I R E + S+ S+ S E R V EE R V EE R V E

W W W . F I R S T - U N I T A R I A N - P G H . O R G

F R O M O U R C H A I R O F T H E M U S I C A N D A R T S T E A M

~ Brian Junker

Rev. Dr. David Herndon

Senior Minister Contact at:

412-621-8008 x102 dherndon@first-

unitarian-pgh.org


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We can teach each other, and our children, the joy and community in music by playing, singing, or moving with the music, in joyful participation, as we have been doing this morning!

We can teach each other, and our children, to value all kinds of musical experience, by finding the inherent worth and dignity in every musical style, practice and culture that Ellen and Kris bring us, even those that we do not prefer or find comfortable.

We can teach each other, and our children, to value those in our lives who take creative risks, by supporting Ellen and Kris unfailingly, even when we may not have made the same choices.

And we can teach each other, and our children, to grow the music program positively, by supporting it often and loudly – to each other, to board members, to staff, and to our children – by being vocal when we found we liked a musical experience, and by being patient when a musical experience appeals to someone else instead.

Music is central to the identity of this church. Although we will miss her with all of our hearts, Emily has left with us the seeds of a great revitalization of our music program, seeds of love and joy and community and inclusion. Let us teach each other, our children, and ourselves, to share in nurturing and growing those seeds, with Ellen and Kris.

This message from Brian Junker was delivered at our “Farewell to Emily Pinkerton”

worship celebration on Sunday, June 10. Rev. David Herndon is on sabbatical from June 15 to August 15.

See you in church – until June 15 and after August 15!

F R O M O U R C H A I R O F T H E M U S I C A N D A R T S T E A M : ( c o n t i n u e d )

Music is central

to the identity of

this church.

Although we will

miss her with all

of our hearts,

Emily has left

with us the seeds

of a great

revitalization of

our music

program, seeds

of love and joy

and community

and inclusion.


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A M O N T H O F S U N D A Y S : Wo r s h i p S e r v i c e s i n J u l y a n d A u g u s t

SUNDAY, JULY 1. Alice Carnes. “Mindfully Present.”

We welcome to our pulpit this morning Alice Carnes, a participant in the Shared Pulpit class and a recent new member of First Unitarian Church.

SUNDAY, JULY 8. Hymn Sing. Stephanie Pawlowski

and Ellen Gozion

This morning, we will devote most of our worship celebration to singing many of our favorite hymns. Commissioned Lay Minister candidate Stephanie Pawlowski will present a series of inspirational readings that will accompany our singing.

SUNDAY, JULY 15. Michael Safran. “Happiness Is an

Inside Job.”

We welcome to our pulpit this morning Michael Safran, a participant in the Shared Pulpit class and a long-time member of First Unitarian Church.

You have a right to Happiness.Mindfulness meditation can provide a pathway toward living one's life more fully and to really know who we are. The sacred pause is just stopping our tumbling into the future. Just stopping, while we deepen our attention to what's right here, right now. Happiness is right here in the present.

SUNDAY, JULY 22. Jim Reitz. “Comfort Care with Gentle

Hands.”

We welcome to our pulpit this morning Jim Reitz, a participant in the Shared Pulpit class and a long-time member of First Unitarian Church.

Focusing on that last stage in life that is there for all of us.

SUNDAY, JULY 29. Nick Dobratz.

We welcome to our pulpit this morning Nick Dobratz, a participant in the Shared Pulpit class and a long-time member of First Unitarian Church.

W O R S H I P C E L E B R A T I O N S

SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS

COMMITTEE

Chrisie Ambrass Bryan Bandli

Louise Jencik (chair) Brian Junker Ward Kelsey

Stephanie Pawlowski Michael Safran

Scott Smith


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A M O N T H O F S U N D A Y S ( c o n t i n u e d ) : Wo r s h i p S e r v i c e s i n A u g u s t

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5. Kathy Fein.

We welcome to our pulpit this morning Kathy Fein, a participant in the Shared Pulpit class and a long-time member of First Unitarian Church.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12. Kate Angell. “Put the Oxygen Mask

on Yourself First: Activism in a Time of Trouble.”

We welcome to our pulpit this morning Kate Angell, a participant in the Shared Pulpit class and a long-time member of First Unitarian Church.

These days, it seems that bad news doesn’t take a break, and threats to the Beloved Community are at an all-time high. What can we do to stay engaged and hopeful, and continue to work for our Unitarian principles?

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19. Stephanie Pawlowski or Rev. David

Herndon, Senior Minister.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26. Rev. David Herndon, Senior Minister.

W O R S H I P C E L E B R A T I O N S ( c o n t i n u e d )

The serene

philosophy of

the pink rose is

steadying. Its

fragrant,

delicate petals

open fully and

are ready to fall,

without regret

or disillusion,

after only a day

in the sun. It is

so every

summer. One

can almost hear

their pink,

fragrant

murmur as they

settle down upon

the grass:

‘Summer,

summer, it will

always be

summer.’

~ Rachel Peden


5

Staff: Rev. David Herndon

C O N N E C T

Hospitality Ministry - Connections Team (Joan Harvey) - Community Table Team (Shelley Ross) - Sanctuary Preparation Team (Rev.

David Herndon) - Social Events Team (Raeann Olander-

Murray and Christy Decker) - Ushers and Greeters Team (Rev.

David Herndon)

Pastoral Care Ministry - Marion’s Purse (Rev. David Herndon) - Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program (Jim Reitz)

- Pastoral Care Team (Rev. David Herndon)

Small Group Ministry - Addictions Ministry Sharing Group

(Jim Pashek) - Covenant Group Team (Jim Reitz) - Gathering of Men (Jim Reitz) - Transitions Gather-In (MR Kelsey and

Bob Sullivan) - Unitarian Universalist Christian

Fellowship (Chris Beregi and Alice Lieb)

- WomanSpirit (Pat Schuetz) - Women’s Alliance (Annie Stunden) - Writing Salon (Melody Platz)

Connections Council - Lay Leader: Joan Harvey - Staff: Rev. David Herndon

SECOND TUESDAY CHALICE CIRCLE

The Second Tuesday Chalice Circle is open to anyone who would like to explore our monthly spiritual theme in a small group setting. This ongoing group is led by our minister, Rev. David Herndon. Our next gathering will take place from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14. If you have been waiting to join a covenant group; if you would like to explore how a covenant group works but you are not yet ready to join a covenant group; if you would like to get acquainted with some other people at First Unitarian Church; or if you would like to take another step forward on your personal spiritual journey – then the Second Tuesday Chalice Circle may be right for you! Please contact Rev. David Herndon at [email protected] if you have questions or if you are planning to attend.


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C O N N E C T (continued)

W O M E N ’ S A L L I A N C E

Womanspirit is the evening women’s group at First Unitarian Church. We meet on the second Wednesday of every month for a pot-luck dinner in a member’s home. Dinner is usually followed by a group discussion focused on what we value in our lives, or how we can improve our own lives or our communities. We welcome new

members and friends of First Unitarian. A Womanspirit dinner is an entertaining and low-impact way to meet other women of a broad range of ages and interests.

To receive regular notice of our monthly dinners, contact Pat Schuetz at [email protected] or 412-731-1429.

W O M A N S P I R I T ~ S e c o n d We d n e s d a y s

It is porch party time! Come and spend time and break bread with your friends. Bring a dish to share. More info coming via e-mail, or drop a note to

[email protected].

All are welcome.

Questions about Women’s Alliance? Contact Naomi Crain, co-chair, [email protected], 412-441-1926.

“Transitions Gather-In”, a group of folks talking about life transitions, the challenges we face as we get older, as we want to down-size, as we find living in our homes harder, as we just want to

T R A N S I T I O N S G A T H E R - I N S e c o n d M o n d a y s ~ 1 0 : 0 0 a . m .

make our lives simpler, meets once a month on the second Mondays of the month. Please come if you would like to talk about these life issues with us.

M01’3 G5678

Summer Notice

The Men's Group at First Unitarian will NOT meet on the second Wed of June, July or August. Monthly meetings WILL be resumed in September.

HOWEVER: We will have a number of activities over the summer, which “might” include: hikes; Bocce; Zoo visit; Museum visit; Saturday Excursions; etc. IF you are not on our Men's Group extensive Email list and would like to receive notices of these events, contact Jim at [email protected].


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P A T H T O C O N N E C T I O N A N D M E M B E R S H I P

PASTORAL CARE TEAM

Members of the Pastoral Care Team are:

Diana Ballard, Judy Beigi, Christine Beregi, Sue Bialostosky, Susan Cox, Jim Cunningham, Marvin Fields, Margaret Fuhrman [on leave], Kathy Miller

CONNECTIONS TEAM

Members of the Connections Team are:

Jennie Benford, Amy deChicchis, Joan Harvey, Eleanor Mayfield, Lauren McVay

COVENANT

GROUP TEAM

Members of the Covenant Group Team are:

Alice Bright MR Kelsey Jim Reitz Lynne Porterfield


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Please consider taking these three steps if you would like to explore what it would mean for you to become part of First Unitarian Church. You could take these steps in order – Step One first, Step Two next, and then Step Three – but you are welcome to skip around if that would work better for you.

STEP ONE: GETTING TO KNOW UU New to First Unitarian church? Come and get acquainted! The next “Getting to

Know UU” will take place on a Sunday in August or September (specific date to be announced later) from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. in the Schweitzer Room. Our minister, Rev. David Herndon, will make a brief presentation about First Unitarian Church and about Unitarian Universalism, and then there will be time for questions. There is no formal registration process for these forty-five minute sessions, but if you are planning to attend, it would be helpful to let Rev. Herndon know at [email protected].

STEP TWO: UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM AS A SPIRITUAL PATH “Unitarian Universalism as a Spiritual Path” will take place on a Saturday in

August or September (specific date to be announced later) from 10:00 AM to noon. This gathering will include: (1) opportunities for personal spiritual exploration; (2) an overview of the basic spiritual affirmations of Unitarian Universalism; (3) an introduction to our groups and activities; and (4) information about how to become an official member of First Unitarian Church.

STEP THREE: BECOMING A MEMBER: COVENANTING WITH FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH

Please attend this twenty-minute gathering if you are ready to take the step of becoming an official member of First Unitarian Church! “Becoming a Member: Covenanting with First Unitarian Church” will take place from noon to 12:30 PM on a Sunday in August or September (specific date to be announced later) in the Schweitzer Room. We will briefly review our mission statement, our behavioral covenant, and our hopes for your membership. We will also discuss stewardship and the new member welcoming ceremony. The membership book will be available to sign along with financial contribution forms. There is no formal registration process for this twenty minute session, but if you are planning to attend, it would be helpful to let Rev. Herndon know at [email protected].

PASTORAL CARE

DURING REV.

DAVID’S SUMMER

SABBATICAL

Members of the

Pastoral Care Team

are available

throughout the

summer. The

Pastoral Care Team

includes Diana

Ballard, Judy Beigi,

Christine Beregi,

Sue Bialostosky,

Jim Cunningham,

Marvin Fields,

Margaret Fuhrman

[on leave], and

Kathy Miller. In

addition to pastoral

care from the Pastoral

Care Team, local

Unitarian Universalist

ministers are also

available for

emergency pastoral

care, including Rev.

Stephanie Gannon as

well as our former

intern minister, John

Ballance. For access to

Rev. Stephanie or

John, please contact

any member of the

Pastoral Care Team,

any member of the

Board of Trustees, or

any of the following

church staff members:

Rita Gates, Cicely

Moultrie, or Erica

Shadowsong.

O U R P A T H T O C O N N E C T I O N , C O M M U N I T Y , A N D M E M B E R S H I P


9

I N S P I R E

Staff: Rev. David Herndon and Emily Pinkerton

- SongSpace Team (Brian Junker) - Tapestry Team (Madeline Izzo) - Unitarian Universalist Quilters (Annie Stunden)

Inspiration Council - Lay Leaders: Louise Jencik and Brian Junker

- Staff: Rev. David Herndon and Emily Pinkerton

Worship Celebrations Ministry - Sunday Celebrations Team (Louise Jencik)

Music and the Arts Ministry - Art Committee (Ali Masalehdan) - Dance Choir (Mary Pat Mengato) - Joyful Noise (Emily Pinkerton) - Music and the Arts Team (Gretchen Aiyangar )

- Music Endowment Committee (Jeri Spann)

- Recorder Ensemble (TBA)

I n t h e U n d e r c r o f t G a l l e r y

J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 1 8

S T U D E N T A R T E X H I B I T I O N :

M U R A L S F R O M T H E

R E L I G I O U S E D U C A T I O N 4 T H - 6 T H G R A D E C L A S S

This Spring, nine of our First Unitarian Church 4th-6th grade students

designed and painted three murals for the Undercroft Gallery. They based their thinking on the church's April

theme, Emergence, and on our seventh principle: "respect for the

interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." Their plants,

flowers, trees, and insects were drawn, enlarged, organized, and painted over

five weeks. Please come to celebrate this beautiful artwork of our talented

students at an Art Opening, Sunday, July 29, from 11:30-12:30 in the Undercroft

Gallery.

The linden, in the

fervors of July,

Hums with a

louder concert.

When the wind

Sweeps the broad

forest in its

summer prime,

As when some

master-hand

exulting sweeps

The keys of some

great organ, ye

give forth

The music of the

woodland depths,

a hymn

Of gladness and of

thanks.

~ William Cullen Bryant,

Among the Trees


10

That beautiful

season the

Summer!

Filled was the

air with a

dreamy and

magical light;

And the

landscape

Lay as if new

created in all

the freshness

of childhood.

- Henry

Wadsworth

Longfellow

S E R V E

Staff: Rev. David Herndon Social Justice Ministry

- Green Sanctuary Team (Barbara Litt and Peg Schmidt )

- Second Sunday Letter-Writing Group (Chuck Staresinic)

- Social Justice Endowment Committee (Melissa Bell)

- Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (Kathy Parker)

Social Service Ministry - Alternative Gift Market Team (Cindy Kirsch)

- East End Cooperative Ministry Homeless Shelter Meal Preparation Coordinating Team (Mary Denison)

- Habitat for Humanity Team (Marty Lieb)

- Khasi Hills Partnership Team (Karen Litzinger)

Service Council - Lay Leader: Barbara Litt - Staff: Rev. David Herndon

A Homewood Habitat/First Unitarian work party is scheduled for Saturday, August 25 from 9 AM to 3 PM at 6928 Bennett Street. Come join a great group of volunteers working to build four new homes in Homewood. A valuable experience you will remember and the new occupants will highly value. No skills necessary. Contact Marty Lieb at [email protected] to reserve a place.

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.”

H A B I TA T F O R H U M A N I T Y - H O M E W O O D H A B I T A T / F I R S T U N I T A R I A N B U I L D

S a t u r d a y , A u g u s t 2 5 9 : 0 0 a . m . - 3 : 0 0 p . m .


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O U R

M I S S I O N

The mission of the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh is to . . .

Connect deeply in

community Inspire reverence and

spiritual growth Serve each other and the

world We connect deeply in

community by . . . gathering together in fellowship in a safe space

listening with empathy and without judgment

warmly welcoming everyone who enters our doors

We inspire reverence and

spiritual growth by . . . celebrating and exploring the moments of awe we experience in life

encouraging each other along our journeys toward truth and meaning

fostering humility in the pursuit of wisdom and understanding

We serve each other and

the world by . . . providing support to those experiencing hardship or distress

working for social justice by standing on the side of Love

being active stewards of our environment

S E R V E (continued)

Khasi Hills Partnership Team Meeting We will be brainstorming and planning for 2018-2019 on Wednesday, July 18

at 7:00 p.m. in the Semple Room. Please consider joining this rewarding and exciting initiative!

From Lois Hurt, On Her Experience Visiting the Khasi Hills In February I went on an amazing tour to the Khasi Hills in North East India with

the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council. Our group of 16 American Unitarians was there to continue our friendship with the students and teachers at the Annie Margaret Barr Secondary School, which we at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh have helped to support since 2003.

I met the group at the airport in the city of Guwahati, which is about a two-hour drive from Shillong, the capital of the Indian state of Meghalaya (pronounced “Meg-ALL-ya”). Shillong was our base for several nights during the tour.

Our group traveled in a convoy of several Toyota “super vans” driven (on the left-hand side of the road!) by professional drivers – young Indian men who competently steered us along many narrow, tortuously winding roads and through tightly packed spaces in cities and towns. From the van we saw various small cows wandering the streets, small black goats being herded by young goatherds – one goat had just given birth on the sidewalk as we drove by! – as well as abundant red hens.

We saw young and small people carrying loads equal to their own size on their heads or in woven baskets on their backs. It was clear that life is not easy for many people in the Khasi Hills. I realized how hard the people there struggle for things we in the United States take for granted. We also saw numerous rice patties, banana trees, pineapples, and schefflera growing by the roadside. We saw women washing clothes in streams, which they would subsequently hang on rooftops to dry. Laundry hung up to dry was visible everywhere. We saw shiny new Toyota and Ford dealerships located next to shacks where people lived.

Unitarianism in the Khasi Hills emerged from indigenous Khasi tribal culture and religion in the late 19th century. Today the Khasi Hills Unitarians are the only group of Unitarians in the world whose numbers are growing. Their faith emphasizes duty to God, their fellow human beings, and parents. They accept truth from both religion and science and believe that “faith without action is dead.”

On our second day, which was Sunday, we attended the service (held at 2:00 p.m.) at the Unitarian Church Madan Laban, founded in 1893 and celebrating “125 years of blessings.” After the service, a church member, Khlur Step Pakma, a successful businessman, invited me and my travel mates, Karen from New York and Peggy from Tokyo, to visit his grand spacious house in the hills above Shillong, where we also met his three children. He told us of his interest in

K H A S I H I L L S P A R T N E R S H I P U P DA T E


12


traveling to other parts of the world and offered to visit our church in Pittsburgh.

That evening, when we returned to our hotel in Shillong, I met Barri Mukhim, whom I had previously met when she visited First Unitarian Church in Pittsburgh in 2016. To my great surprise, she invited me to participate in the opening ceremony of the Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of the Annie Margaret Barr School, on Wednesday. She promised welcome bouquets and a ribbon-cutting – and then just happened to mention that I would be the keynote speaker and she would like me to speak for 10 to 15 minutes about our church’s partnership with the school and to be inspirational for the students!

I had two days to work on my speech. My travel mates were excellent speech writers and helped me focus on what to say. Our party left Shillong on Tuesday, stayed overnight near the city of Jowai, and drove on the next day to Kharang, where the Annie Margaret Barr School is located.

The school was founded in 1968 by the Reverend Annie Margaret Barr, a British Unitarian minister, to enable the children of local farmers to obtain an education. First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh is currently supporting two teachers at the school, which is working to obtain its state accreditation. Once this is obtained, the state will cover the teachers’ salaries. The school is now soliciting funds to build a library, which it needs to achieve accreditation.

It was a sunny, hot day when I gave my speech and declared the school’s Golden Jubilee open! As part of the celebration, they gave me an attractive decorator gift basket of India tea. The students entertained us with several songs and a dance routine. Late in the afternoon we met with eight teachers from the school who spoke to us about their work at the school.

A short distance from the school is the Children’s Village, which was built in 2009 to provide housing for students at the school who have lost their mothers. A plaque on the wall acknowledges several Unitarian congregations and individuals who contributed generously toward the construction of the village. It was a pleasant surprise to see the names of two individuals who are well known to many members of First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh: Sue Bialostosky and Kim Scudera.

Over the remaining days of the tour we had an opportunity to relax at a mountain resort, observe the colorful celebrations of Holi in Shillong, stay overnight in the homes of members of the Jowai church, enjoy a wonderful lunch at the home of a church member, as well as attend Sunday service at the Jowai church in the afternoon. Another church member was excited to share with me a collection of photos of Sunday school students at First Unitarian in Pittsburgh that had been sent to Jowai by Jennifer Halperin, a former director of religious education at our church, who visited the Khasi Hills in 2005.

K H A S I H I L L S P A R T N E R S H I P U P DA T E ( c o n t i n u e d )

Social Justice

Calendar Homeless Shelter

Meal Preparation: First Sunday each month.

Green Sanctuary

meetings: Second Sunday each month.

PIIN/UUPLAN

Bridge team: Fourth Wednesdays.

Collection for

EECM Food Pantry: Any Sunday


13


All too soon our tour was over and we were driven back to the Guwahati airport to begin the long journey back to the United States.

In retrospect, my outstanding impression of this visit is of the wonderfully friendly people and the incredibly practical needs they have for things that we take for granted here in the United States, as well as how much help a relatively small amount of money in our terms can provide ($4,800 to fund the salary of a teacher for one year, for example). The sacred offering that we are giving them changes a culture and provides opportunities that would otherwise not exist.

Among the many items I brought back with me is an invitation for someone from our church to attend the school’s Golden Jubilee closing ceremony, which will take place on November 9, 2018. If you think you might be interested in going, please contact Karen Litzinger, chair of the Khasi Hills Partnership Committee ([email protected] or 412-242-7045).

In conclusion, this trip was a mind restructuring experience for me and an effort I am very glad that I made.

K H A S I H I L L S P A R T N E R S H I P U P DA T E ( c o n t i n u e d )

HOW TO SUBMIT

ARTICLES TO THE

CHALICE

The Chalice is published monthly (except August) by the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. Our editor for The Chalice is Jennifer Parsons.

Newsletter Deadline: Submissions to The Chalice are due by the 15th of the prior month. To submit your article, complete and submit the “Publicize Your Event” form located on the church website: www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/publicize-your-event-form by the deadline. Be sure to select “The Chalice” under the “Where to Publicize” section.

The very best way to contact our newsletter editor, Jennifer Parsons, is through email: [email protected]


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L E A R N

Staff: Erica Shadowsong Learning Ministry for Children and Youth

- Children’s Library Team (Mary Denison)

- Endowment for Ministry with Children and Youth Committee (Amy de Chicchis)

- Religious Education Team (Maria Lauro)

Learning Ministry for Young Adults - Campus Ministry Endowment Committee (Keith Bryner)

- Young Adult Steering Team (TBA)

Learning Ministry for Adults - Adult Faith Development Team (Erica Shadowsong)

- Adult Library Team (Mary Schinhofen)

- Bookstore Team (Mary Schinhofen) - Sunday Morning Forum Steering Team (Kim Francis)

Learning Council - Lay Leader: Cathy Rohrer - Staff: Erica Shadowsong

When you are considering gifts for those near and dear to you (for holidays, for birthdays, for anniversaries, and so on), please consider buying books from Beacon Press. Founded in 1854, Beacon Press is the publishing house owned by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Beacon Press publishes books that reflect our progressive, humanitarian values. You can visit the Beacon Press web site by visiting the Unitarian Universalist Association Bookstore at www.uuabookstore.org or by going directly to www.beacon.org/index.html. Our very own First Unitarian Church Bookstore stocks many books from Beacon Press. You can also order Beacon Press books by calling the Unitarian Universalist Association Bookstore at 800-215-9076.

B U Y B E A C O N B O O K S

August rushes by

like desert rainfall,

A flood of frenzied

upheaval,

Expected,

But still catching

me unprepared.

Like a matchflame

Bursting on the

scene,

Heat and haze of

crimson sunsets.

Like a dream

Of moon and dark

barely recalled,

A moment,

Shadows caught in

a blink.

Like a quick kiss;

One wishes for

more

But it suddenly

turns to leave,

Dragging summer

away.

~ Elizabeth Maua

Taylor


15

Board Members 2018/2019

Martin Schmidt,

President (2020)

Alison Schwartz,

Vice-President (2019)

Claus Makowka,

Treasurer (2020)

Eleanor Mayfield,

Secretary (2021)

Sarah Benson

(2020)

Audrey Masalehdan

(2019)

Lynne Porterfield

(2021)

Cathy Rohrer

(2019)

Scott Smith

(2021)

Board Contacts:

board@first-unitarian

-pgh.org

Martin Schmidt, President

mschmidt127@ gmail.com

412.613.4997

The 2018/2019 Board of Trustees held its first meeting on June 20, 2018. Board President Martin Schmidt introduced new Board members Eleanor Mayfield, Lynne Porterfield, and Scott Smith and welcomed visitors Ebe Emmons and Joe Jencik from the Healthy Congregations Collaborative. Martin expressed his appreciation to Audrey Masalehdan for her service the past two years as Board President.

New Church Building Security Policy Claus Makowka reported on a recent security incident that had caused some

concern among church staff. Since the Board’s decision to reduce security hours, the security person has been departing at 9:00 p.m. even if church-affiliated groups are still in the building. Recently, a covenant group continued its meeting after the security person’s departure. He had advised the group that he was leaving and that they would need to ensure that the building was locked and the lights turned off. The following morning, however, Business Manager Rita Gates arrived to find lights on and a door not properly locked and closed.

To ensure the safety of church staff and the church building and to develop a culture of self-sufficiency in regard to securing the building, the Board voted unanimously that, going forward, one of the following will be required when a church-related group is meeting in the church:

The group is meeting at a time when security is normally scheduled and attendees agree to leave when reminded of the time by the security person.

The Minister or the Lifespan Religious Education Director (LRED) has approved security outside normally scheduled hours for the group to meet.

A staff member is present and working with the group (e.g., Minister, LRED, music staff, etc.)

The group is meeting on a Sunday or a weekday when a staff member is present (sexton, Sunday Host/ess, Business Manager, Program Assistant).

The group includes a person who has accepted responsibility for securing the building, has been trained, and is approved by the minister, the LRED, or the Board.

Please contact Claus Makowka ([email protected]) if you have questions about this new building security policy.

Vision, Identity, Mission (VIM) Update Cathy Rohrer reported that, as part of its ongoing charge to engage the

congregation in envisioning our future as a church, the VIM team is developing a three-year strategic plan and has proposed two broad priorities for the 2018/2019 church year:

Create a strong sense of belonging for all who enter our doors. Explore paths to the formation of a long-lasting and meaningful First

Unitarian community partnership.

Board members will strategize further about how to achieve these goals when they meet for the annual Board retreat on July 11.

F R O M Y O U R B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S

G O V E R N A N C E


16

Please visit the Achieving Our Vision page on the church website to learn more about the VIM initiative and to sign up to participate in a future series of small-group conversations about the church’s vision, identity, and mission.

Music Program Leadership The departure of Director of Music Emily Pinkerton will bring changes to the

music program during the coming year. The Board approved a position description for a Director of Instrumental Music and unanimously voted to hire Ellen Gozion, effective July 1, to fill this position for one year with the possibility of renewal. Last year Ellen served as artist-in-residence and was a frequent accompanist at Sunday services. Board President Martin Schmidt is developing a position description for a Director of Vocal Music, with the goal of making an appointment to this position, also for one year with the possibility of renewal, in time for the start of the new church year in September.

Committee Reboots Sarah Benson reported that she is working on relaunching the Bridge Team and

reactivating First Church’s social action partnerships with the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) and the Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania Legislative Action Network (UUPLAN). If you would like to be part of this effort to reinvigorate the church’s involvement in social justice issues, please get in touch with Sarah ([email protected]).

Board President Martin Schmidt reported that several people had responded to a request he had sent out to reinvigorate the Garden Committee. Additional volunteers are welcome! If you are interested in volunteering to help to maintain the church garden and grounds, please contact Mary Kostalos ([email protected]).

Volunteer Opportunity The Board was informed that Assistant Comptroller Gordon Hargreaves intends

to retire from this position at the end of January 2019. As a result, the Board is now looking for a new volunteer to fill this important role. Experience in human resources and payroll management is helpful but not required. For additional information, please contact Board Treasurer Claus Makowka (([email protected]).

Safety Policy LRED Erica Shadowsong requested that the Board generate and publish an

overall safety policy. Currently, certain safety duties are assigned to certain staff members – e.g., the LRED has been responsible for fire drills, the Business Manager for filling first aid kits – but an overall institutional policy that assigns responsibility for all safety-related tasks is needed. The Board took this request under advisement.

F R O M Y O U R B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S ( c o n t i n u e d )

G O V E R N A N C E (continued)

Summertime

And the living is

easy

Fish are jumpin'

And the cotton is

high

Oh, your daddy's

rich

And your mama's

good lookin'

So hush little baby

now

don't you cry

One of these

mornin's

You're gonna rise

up singin'

Then you'll spread

your wings

And take to the sky

But til that mornin'

Ain't nothin' can

harm you

With your daddy

And your mammy

standin' by.

~ George Gershwin and

Dubose Heyward,

Porgy and Bess


17

Oakland-Shadyside Connector Update The Board noted an email from Pittsburgh City Council Member Erika

Strassburger announcing that the Oakland-Shadyside Connector project has been indefinitely postponed. One of the proposals under consideration as part of this project was the introduction of bike lanes on Ellsworth Avenue. Ms. Strassburger wrote that in response to concerns raised by community members, the city had decided to “step back, regroup, and begin the process again in the future.”

Day of Service The second annual Day of Service on Sunday, May 20 was a success. Board

member Sarah Benson reported that 58 church members and friends had signed up for 11 of 17 available activities. One group participated in animal care, three in environmental activities, three in community support, and four in church support. The event went off with only minor glitches. Stay tuned for an announcement about plans for the third annual Day of Service in 2019!

Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism The Board voted unanimously to support the UUA Black Lives of Unitarian

Universalism (BLUU) campaign, a commitment to fund black leaders in our denomination to support ministry to black-identified UUs. The Board pledged to make a financial contribution of approximately $3,000 ($10 per church member) and to schedule a BLUU-themed worship service later this year. The financial pledge will be supported through Share the Plate collections. The BLUU-themed worship service is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 30.

Interim Minister Search Board Vice-President Alison Schwartz reported that the Interim Minister Search

Committee had held its first meeting and that the position notification, with a January 2019 start date, has been posted on the UUA recruitment website.

Fall Stewardship Campaign Mark your calendars for the kickoff of the annual stewardship campaign/

pledge drive on Sunday, October 7. Watch this space for further details.

Approval of Minutes Minutes of the Board’s May 16 meeting were approved and minutes of the

Finance Committee meeting on June 6 were accepted.

Next Board Meeting The Board’s next regular meeting will be on July 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the

Schweitzer Room. All are welcome to attend.

Eleanor Mayfield, Board Secretary

F R O M Y O U R B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S ( c o n t i n u e d )

G O V E R N A N C E (continued)

Live in each

season as it

passes: breathe

the air, drink

the drink, taste

the fruit.

~ Henry David Thoreau

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh A Member of the Unitarian Universalist Association

605 Morewood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2999

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Paid

PAID

Permit No. 2259 Pittsburgh PA

The Chalice C o n n e c t + I n s p i r e + S e r v e Newsletter of the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Volume 19 Number 7 July/August 2018

Address Service Requested

Church Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Telephone: (412) 621-8008 FAX: (412) 621-9011

www.first-unitarian-pgh.org

The Reverend Dr. David Herndon Senior Minister

Rita Gates Business Manager

Martin Schmidt Board President

Documents

Chalice Newsletter JulyAug 2018 - Connect + Inspire · THE NEWSLETTER OF FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF PITTSBURGH July/August 2018 3 A M ONTH OF SUNDAYS: Worship Services in July and