November - Unitarian Church of Harrisburg

REPORTER: News and Views for all UUs
November 2014
The Unitarian Church of Harrisburg is an inclusive, gloriously diverse, deeply connected spiritual community dedicated to the practice of radical service.
Minister’s Message
As I write this column, a number of fairly big
things in our church are nearing their
conclusion, or about to move into the next
phase. The Close the Gap campaign is almost
complete - preliminary numbers look hopeful,
but it's too early to say anything conclusive.
Our Ministerial Search Committee is putting
the finishing touches on the search packet and
Congregational Record, from which prospective
ministers will gain their first impressions of UCH. And the auction
is coming Nov. 8 - I hope to see you there!
Also, a new Adult Religious Growth and Learning (RGL) opportunity
will be held in November, December, and January. Our American
Roots is a 10-session video series on UU history in America,
produced by All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK. Each 5- to 10minute video segment addresses a different topic in the history of
Unitarianism or Universalism in America.
We will gather at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays, downstairs at the Clover
Lane. All are invited to bring a dinner to begin eating together as
we gather. We will start the video promptly at 6:00 p.m., then
spend the rest of the hour in discussion of the themes it raises,
concluding at 7:00 p.m. The sessions are NOT cumulative. Come
join us!
Adult RGL - UU History in America: Our American Roots
Clover Lane Common Room, Tuesdays, 5:45-7:00 p.m.
Nov. 4, 11, 18 (off for Thanksgiving week)
Dec. 2, 9, 16 (off for Christmas and New Year's weeks)
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27
In Faith,
Eric
November 2014 At-a-Glance
DATE
TIME
Sun2
10:30
Mon 3
6:30
5:45
7:00
6:00
7:00
9:00
9:00
Tue 4
Wed 5
Thu 6
Sat 8
5:45
Sun 9
Mon 10
Tue 11
Thu 13
Fri 14
Sun 16
Mon 17
Assistant Minister’s Message
Promises kept and to be made!
This month our theme is covenant. We – all of
you and I - entered into a very special covenant
in my ordination Oct.5. I am still and will forever
be so very grateful to everyone who helped
make my ordination the amazing once-in-alifetime event I’d hoped for.
I do want to publicly thank so many of you.
First, Rev. Eric Posa for suggesting to me that
UCH could ordain me. The Board of Trustees for making the
congregational meeting happen, where you all could and did vote
to ordain me. Nan Cavenaugh, for getting so many willing
volunteers, and managing all the details, and Jim Cavenaugh for
assisting. Kel Kyle, Sparkie Radcliffe, Ann Hossler, Wendy Colby,
Jessica Chuckalovcak, and John Moon for all their collegial
Continued on page 8
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Tue 18
Wed 19
Thu 20
Fri 21
Sun 23
Mon 24
Tue 25
Sat 29
Sun 30
November 2014
10:30
11:00
2:00
7:00
6:30
5:45
6:30
7:00
7:00
7:30
10:30
11:00
12:15
6:30
10:00
5:45
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
10:30
11:00
12:15
6:30
7:00
9:00
SPEAKER
Celebration Sunday! (offsite)
Amrit Yoga
Adult RGL: Dinner/Video
Mindfulness Meditation Group
QueenSpirit
Choir Practice, both locations
Community Café
Adopt-a-Highway
2014
Auction
How We Are Together, Rev. Posa
Be Ours a Religion, Rev. Renfro
Race Relations, Paul Fritz
Philosophy and Literature
Amrit Yoga
Adult RGL: Dinner/Video
Women’s Night Out (offsite)
Mindfulness Meditation Group
Choir Practice, both locations
Coffee House
Be Ours a Religion, Rev. Renfro
How We Are Together, Rev. Posa
UU Christian Fellowship
Amrit Yoga
CroneSpirit
Adult RGL: Dinner/Video
Mindfulness Meditation Group
Clover Grove
Choir Practice, both locations
Friday Film Forum
Thanksgiving All-Ages Worship
Thanksgiving All-Ages Worship
UUCF Communion Service
Amrit Yoga
Mindfulness Meditation Group
Community Café
10:30
Advent Sunday, Lay-led
11:00
“This Season of Waiting”
Occurs at Market Street campus
Page 1
President’s Message
President’s Message
Many things have changed at UCH during
our interim period. There have been
changes to staff: rearrangement of duties,
new staff hired. The times and type of
worship have changed. RGL classes for
children and youth are now held at both
campuses. A budget providing for these
changes was overwhelmingly approved at
the Annual Meeting in May. You have participated in
congregational workshops and provided your opinions and
feelings about who we are and where we are going. The
Board has taken a course on governance, and used many
ideas from that course. Operations and governance are more
open and "transparent.” We are preparing for calling a
settled minister. A Ministerial Search Committee was
appointed and has been working on surveys, gathering
information about the history of the church, and preparing an
introduction packet that will tell ministers in search what we
are all about.
One of the responsibilities of the Board is to envision the
future of the church and set its goals. These goals come from
the congregation's core values. At the workshops earlier this
year groups of the members of this church met to define the
core values. From the core values comes the mission of the
church and the goals of the church (Ends). The Ends are the
direction to our Senior Minister, and he/she is charged with
achieving them. The Board sets limits on the Senior Minister
through formal Executive Limitations. As the church changes
those core values, mission, and ends should be regularly
reviewed and revised.
The Board held a retreat Oct 19 and used the material
gathered at the congregational workshop to identify those
UCH Core Values
Loving Kindness
Connection
Transformation
Joy
UCH Mission Statement
Build Bridges, Celebrate Community
UCH Ends Statements
WITHIN: Individuals associated with the Unitarian
Church of Harrisburg joyfully discover the power
within that connects us to the whole of life
AMONG: Individuals associated with the Unitarian
Church of Harrisburg connect to a safe, diverse,
respectful and loving community
BEYOND: The Unitarian Church of Harrisburg lives its
Unitarian Universalist values and transforms the
world outside its walls.
core values and create a mission statement from them. The
Ends were defined in July after the governance workshop.
They function as "nested bowls" with the core values being
the largest, supporting bowl. The core values support the
next smaller bowl, the mission. The mission, in turn, supports
the smallest bowl, the ends. An announcement went out the
week of Oct 20 that lists all three. I am pleased to repeat
them again, immediately above.
May we be well, happy, and peaceful!
NOVEMBER TRUSTEE ASSIGNMENTS
DATE
CLOVER LANE
MARKET ST
9
16
23
Judy Linder
Marilyn McHenry
Nan Cavenaugh
Laura Shemick
Chris Dutton
Laura Shemick
30
Dave Forster
Tom Conners
Celebration Sunday
Judy
The Board of Trustees
invites all members to a
“Brew with the Board”
forum, following services
on the Third Sunday at
each campus
10:30 a.m. Nov. 2
Spend the morning with other Central Pennsylvania Unitarian
Universalist churches as we celebrate our faith. CelebrationSunday,
formerly Association Sunday, hosts Peter Mayer in a live
concert. Peter's music has been featured on Garrison Keillor's Prairie
Home Companion, at General Assembly, and he's the author to the
lyrics of the UU hymn "Blue Boat Home."
Hadee Mosquee, 3rd and Division, Harrisburg
No services at Clover Lane or Market Street
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
Page 2
2014 UCH Auction
Show your support for UCH this year at our auction, EAT, PRAY, LUUV! In this
time of transition for our beloved church community, we need not only more
funds, but also more fun. David Spear and Susan Jones-Sink have graciously
agreed to provide a peek at their stand-up comedy routine. Enjoy great food
(including lasagna!), entertainment and activities for all ages.
Bid on any or all of the following:
175 seats at 19 different dinners or other hosted events
17 different services, ranging from catering to car wash
Ten live auction entries, including a vacation rental in Orlando or Williamsburg!
You can also access the auction book online for a complete list of items as of Oct. 31.
White Elephant (“Cash and Carry”)
Please bring a gently used item (white elephant) for the cash‐and-carry auction – and plan to take another elephant home
with you. You can drop off the pachyderm or other auction donations from 4;00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon-Friday, Nov. 3-7.
For a personal pick-up/drop-off, contact Patti Hazell at [email protected]
Basket Raffle
Something new this year is our basket raffle. We have more than 10 baskets filled with all kinds of goodies, gift
certificates, and more! Raffle tickets are $1 each or 15 tickets for $10, available now and during the evening of the
auction. The raffle basket drawings will take place during the live auction and you must be present to win.
PROXY BIDDING
For live OR silent auction items, please send an email by Friday, November 7, 2014, to [email protected] and
include the following information on your bid:
Name
Email
Phone
Item(s) that you wish to bid on
Maximum bid (whole dollars only) per item
Auction Tickets are on sale at the door, $10 per person or $20 per family (childcare provided).
Also bring your calendar so you can check your availability for events.
─ Submitted by Patti Hazell, chairperson
Pastoral Care Associates Adds Two Members
The UCH’s Pastoral Care Associates has grown to eight members with the addition of Nancy Hall and
Kathy Stewart. Nancy and Kathy join Jim Cavenaugh, Kathleen Daugherty, Marj Forster, Joyce
Hoskins, Paul Showalter and Karen Sykes to complete the Pastoral Care team. They were recruited
specifically to strengthen pastoral care coverage at the Market Street campus. They have completed
the orientation and already received assignments.
Any members needing the support of a listening ear to walk with them during any of life’s
challenges may contact a Minister or Pastoral Care Coordinator, Marj Forster, by dialing the church
at 564- 4761, ext. 8. The Pastoral Care e-mail address is [email protected] . Forms and
envelopes are also available at the greeter table s at each campus for use in referrals for members in
need. The referrals may be placed in the offering plate or in the Pastoral Care mailbox at the Clover
Lane campus.
The Pastoral Care coordinator may also link members to Information on community resources and
support such as transportation and meals through members signed up as Chalice Hands.
Information shared with Associates is held in confidence. As the saying goes, “A burden shared is a
burden halved.”
─Submitted by Marj Forster
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
Nancy Hall
Kathy Stewart
Page 3
Non-Profit Organization @ Market Street
Gather the Spirit for Justice – Supporting the Allison Hill Community
In 2010, a small committee from UCH created “Gather the Spirit for Justice” (GTS). The committee wrote a mission statement,
bylaws, completed the application and became a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation. Then things were put on hold until April
2014, when another group chose to dust off the paperwork and continue the efforts. The current GTS Board owes a huge debt of
gratitude to the 2010 committee for all of its hard work.
So what is GTS? Its mission - “Gather the Spirit for Justice exists to foster a sense of empowerment in the Allison Hill community
by being in service with and for the area's residents. We will do this by listening to the community's residents and then
implementing activities to address issues of social justice and economic equity.” GTS is a volunteer organization, with a nine
member board of directors. There are no paid staff.
How will GTS accomplish this mission? GTS will provide financial oversight and support to specific programs that meet its mission.
Currently GTS has two programs; both occur at the UCH Market Street campus.
Common Ground Café – Community Breakfasts twice a month
Community Hours – Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10 am to Noon.
Is GTS a part of UCH? No, GTS is a separate nonprofit corporation. Its relationship with UCH is that we use the Market Street
Church for our programs and the GTS Board meetings. UCH also has representation on the GTS Board. Per the bylaws, the nine
board members will consist of: two persons who are current members of the UCH and one non-voting ex officio member
representing the ownership of the 1508 Market St. building. The other seven board members will be people representing other
organizations involved in social justice and/or economic equity issues in the Allison Hill area, current residents of Allison Hill, and
persons selected as at-large members from the Harrisburg area. GTS has a written agreement with UCH.
Why isn’t GTS part of UCH? The outreach programs for Allison Hill, such as Common Ground Café and Community Hours, have
always been a collab orative effort between UCH and Shared Ministry as well as other congregations, organizations and
businesses. As a separate entity, GTS can continue to build these relationships to provide more community programs for Allison
Hill. Also as a separate entity, GTS can become a 501(c)3 organization expanding the funding sources available, including grants
and corporate donations. Purely religious organizations cannot become a 501(c)3.
Will GTS be running the programs? No, each program has its own committee that will be making decisions about the specific
program. GTS will have written agreements with the programs to clarify roles and responsibilities.
When will GTS be a 501(c)3? We are in the process of applying to the IRS. Our hope is to have the application submitted by the
end of 2014 and receive our tax-exempt status in 2015.
Can GTS receive donations? Yes, we can! Just like supporting a political campaign, you can make donations, but they are not taxdeductible. Of course, we think that giving a gift to GTS is much warmer and fuzzier than a gift to a political campaign
How can I support GTS? Send your contribution to Gather the Spirit for Justice, 1508 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103. Please
designate whether you would like your gift to support Common Ground Café, Community Hours or as a general gift to support
GTS and its programs. Thank you.
Questions? – Please Contact Frances Myers, GTS treasurer, [email protected].
LaGrone Scholarship News
Annual Art Exhibit Benefits LaGrone Scholarship Fund
Hard to believe, but Christmas and Chanukah are just a few weeks away. Get a head start on your shopping for gifts at the
November showings by the OLIVER COLLECTIVE. Unique and limited-edition art treasures will be available Nov. 2 at Celebration
Sunday; Nov. 14 at Clover Lane Coffee House; and Nov. 16 during following worship in the community rooms at each campus.
All art items are made by UCH members and friends. Available art includes textile wearables and accessories, knitted wearables,
wooden lamps and tables, pottery, note cards, photography, box-framed assemblages, crochet wearables, jewelry, needlework,
and outsider art. Each item is clearly marked with a donation amount; contribute that amount or more.
A LaGrone Scholar is selected annually. Applicants are graduates of Harrisburg High School. A member of UCH with related
interests serves as a mentor for the Scholar's post-secondary education. The 2015 Scholar will receive a total of $5500 from the
Fund.
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
Page 4
Inside UCH
Promoting UU Values in the Public Square
Inside UCH highlights church programs and services so UCH members and friends better understand all that is going on in the church and how
they can become more involved.
In 2007, several UCH members returned from a General
Assembly fired up by information they had heard about a UU
lobbying effort in California. They determined to create a
similar group in Pennsylvania. Pat DeBrady put Alanna Berger
in touch with Casey Aspin, and the three of them contacted
every UU church in the state. The first statewide meeting of
what became the Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania
Advocacy Network (UUPLAN) was held at UCH in September
of that year. Alanna and Dick Hoke became two of the
original board members,
Initially, the group picked three issues to focus on: LGBT
concerns, healthcare, and the environment. Most attention
was focused on LGBT issues since they were the ones most in
play in the General Assembly at the time.
Fast forward to 2014, and UUPLAN represents the 40 UU
congregations in the state and their 6,000 members. About
23 of the 40 churches are actually members of UUPLAN.
UUPLAN’s role is to inform congregations about legislative
social justice issues; participate in hearings, rallies, and town
hall meetings; visit legislators in their home district and
Capitol offices; sign petitions, write letters and e-mails, and
make phone calls. It operates with a five-member board
(including two UU ministers and a college student); a parttime executive director (Anita Mentzer from UCH); and an
administrative assistant.
The group’s mission statement says it consists of
“Pennsylvania UU congregations working together to
communicate our values to elected officials and to garner
support for legislation that promotes civil rights, human
welfare, environmental wellness, and fairness and
transparency in the democratic process.”
Mentzer says that the work is carried out through six issue
teams dealing with anti-mass incarceration, economic justice,
environmental justice, immigration justice, LGBT equality,
and reproductive justice. Member congregations are asked
to name members to lead teams on each of the six issue
areas in their church. Those team leaders from across the
state meet monthly by conference call to update their issue
area and develop strategies and action requests to be
communicated to their congregations.
Recognizing the fact that there is strength in numbers,
UUPLAN collaborates with other religious and secular
lobbying groups when there is a commonality of interest.
Mentzer sees UUPLAN as an umbrella group for social justice
work in a congregation that is working for systemic change.
She notes that in seeking to change economic,
environmental, and other systems, UUPLAN is in it for the
long-haul and is not looking for quick fixes. She quotes UU
minister James Reeb, who said, “We [must] take upon
ourselves a continuing and disciplined effort with no real
hope that in our lifetime we are going to be able to take a
vacation from the struggle for justice.”
UCH’s Rachel Mark, who leads
the environmental justice team at
our church and is the statewide
co-leader of the UUPLAN
environmental justice team, says
it is important that more people
Anita Mentzer Rachel Mark
from UCH know what UUPLAN is
doing and participate in the issue teams that interest them.
“Being in Harrisburg, we’re in a unique position among UU
churches to have significant influence,” she says. “The
legislature is here in our city and our members can and
should be very involved.”
Her interest in having many more people from UCH
participate is guided by this quote from Thomas Jefferson:
“We in America do not have government by the majority. We
have government by the majority who participate.”
Members and friends of UCH are encouraged to join one or
more of the six issue teams (see sidebar) and to become
active in ways that are comfortable for them. Team members
may be asked to sign petitions, write letters or make
telephone calls to lawmakers, visit legislators in their offices
in company with citizen lobbyists from other organizations,
attend town meetings or rallies, and staff the UUPLAN table
at coffee hour. UCH team members also are encouraged to
become members of UUPLAN. Dues are on a sliding scale so
that all can participate.
How You Can Participate
Members and friends are encouraged to use one of UCH’s
UUPLAN issue teams as an outlet for their social justice
work. To participate on a team, contact the UCH team
leader(s) (see sidebar). Also visit the UUPLAN table during
coffee hour each Sunday to learn more about current
issues, sign active petitions, and learn about other
advocacy and lobbying activities.
UUPLAN provides advocacy training to help people learn how
to be effective spokespersons for their cause.
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
Page 5
One good way to learn more about UUPLAN and its work is to
attend its Annual State Conference Nov. 15 from 9:00 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. at the UCH Market Street campus. The theme for
this year’s conference is “Fusion Coalitions: How to Organize
so Your Legislators Listen.”
Presenters include Tam St. Clair of the Bucks County
Women’s Advocacy Coalition on “The Power of Coalition” and
Sonya Browne of the Carlisle YWCA on “Racial Justice: A Call
to Action.” In the afternoon, participants will gather in the six
statewide issue teams to reconnect and plan for 2015.
The $25 registration fee includes lunch. Register at the door
or online at www.uuplan.org.
─Submitted by John Hope
Ministerial Search Committee
The UCH Ministerial Search Committee
continues to write furiously, creating the
Congregational Record. Much of the record is
gleaned from documents, congregational
meetings from last year, talking to people, and
the survey data. It was due at the end of
October to our Ministerial Search
Representative and then will be posted on the
Transitions website to await prospective
candidates’ perusal.
At the same time, we are gathering and
writing another document, the Congregational
Packet, due later in November. That one we
will be able to share with all of you online, and
it will show many of the great things we are
doing at UCH. If you are contacted for
information, please know we are on a
deadline, so try to be prompt.
Accompanying this article is an additional
graph from our survey data. The message is
loud and clear that we desire a minister who
can preach a good sermon and lead a
motivating and inspiring worship service. We
seem to value music in our worship and
multicultural sensitivity. We also really like our
coffee hour! A true UU value!
SAVE the DATE – Jan. 4 is our Beyond
Categorical Thinking Workshop. The entire
church is invited to join two UUA consultants
who will help us identify biases we might have
that relate to hiring a new minister. Please
put it on your calendar and return from your
holiday vacation in time to join us for our
Sunday Services and the afternoon workshop.
─Submitted by Linda Hope, Chair
Search Committee
Ministerial Search Committee
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
Member
Group Email
Linda Hope, Chair
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nick Wilson, Secretary
Peter Adams, Treasurer
[email protected]
[email protected]
Karan Mallah
David Spear
Karen Sykes
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Kendra Trufahnestock
[email protected]
Page 6
Membership News
Geist-Back
Cassel-Kuhns
UCH members Kevin Geist and
Andy Back were married at our
Clover Lane campus on
Saturday, Oct. 25, with the
Rev. Eric Posa officiating. As
part of the reception, they
held a “Dollar Dance,” with the
proceeds ($206) going to Alder
Health Services, a non-profit
that helps supply housing and
support services to homeless gay and lesbian youth and
young adults.
UCH members
Tammy Cassel and
Diana Kuhns were
married May 16 in
Maryland, four days
before same-sex
marriage became
legal in
Pennsylvania.
Unistriders March for Cancer
The Breast Cancer Awareness lay-led ministry participated in the annual
“Making Strides against Breast Cancer” walk Oct. 18 in Harrisburg.
Karen Senseman (1941-2014)
UCH member Karen Senseman, 72, died Oct. 8 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Services were held Oct. 13 at CobleReber Funeral Home, the Rev. Eric Posa officiating. She was retired from Dauphin County Housing Authority, a member of Seven
Mountains Bluegrass Association, and a lifetime member of Harleys Owners Group. She is survived by three children; seven
grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three brothers.
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
Page 7
Assistant Minister’s Message
(Continued from Page 1)
support and expertise. J.D Stillwater
drumming and music for dancing. Joe
Melillo for photography, Ann Sitrin for
arranging for home hospitality. Bart
Carpenter for fundraising for this nonbudgeted event. The choreographers and
dancers. All who brought food and
drinks. All of you who voted or said the
magic words so that I can officially be the
Reverend Donna Renfro! That was the
magic moment for me in my ordination – looking out at all of
you standing to say those words – I felt such a deep
connection to you!
Now it’s time for new promises to be made between you and
me. It’s time to really roll up our sleeves and get to work on
our shared ministry, because We Are the Ones. With Shared
Ministry closing this month, we will need more folks to carry
on the good work of this community gathering place at 1508
Market Street. Please talk to Brian Kahler about ways to help
for Community Hours (MWF) and Clay Lambert about
Common Ground Café Breakfast (second and last Saturdays).
With Wendy Colby and Jessica Chuckalovcak ending their
generous and productive time as paid RGL coordinators, we
need volunteers for a variety of jobs, and you don’t have to
have a child or youth in the program. We have an urgent
need for non-parents to serve as mentors at Clover Lane for
the Coming of Age youth. Please talk to me about what time
and talent you can bring. I bodaciously ask again: invite me
and those who live near your home for an informal gathering
to get to know each other better. Community is not just what
happens at the church building itself– it happens between all
UCH members and friends, all ages, when we find new and
old ways and make new promises to each other of how we
can be together, in fun and laughter, in spiritual depth and
meaning-making, in covenant. May it be so. Blessings on us
all! Donna
Lay-Led Ministries
UUCF at UCH
We have had an organized Christian presence at the Unitarian Church
of Harrisburg for about a year, until recently led by Linda and John
Hope, whose efforts kept us going all last spring. We affiliate with the
national UUCF (www.uuchristian.org ) and gather periodically during
the church year, most recently for a communion service in
September.
We will have two gatherings in November. First, at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Market Street, we will have a short worship
service and planning time to pick hymns and other parts of the upcoming Thanksgiving communion service. Then a week
later, we will have Thanksgiving communion service Sunday, Nov. 23, at the same time and place.
─Submitted by Jim Cavenaugh
Helping People in Prison and Their Families
The reentry breakfast September 20 was a success! Should we do it again next year? We hope to get your thoughts on this
question, since it only works with a lot of volunteers, and that’s how this breakfast succeeded.
We continue to support and work with Decarcerate PA (details at
http://decarceratepa.info) and especially their efforts (along with several other groups)
to “Ban the Box.” This is the box on an employment application that says “If you have
been convicted of a felony check here and explain.” Three cities in Pennsylvania have
Banned the Box, and across the US both cities and counties have taken this step. Both
Target and Wal-Mart have taken the box off their applications already.
HPPTF is considering reading Locked Down Locked Out: Why Prisons Don't Work and
How We Could Do Better, by Maya Schenwar, who will read from it at a Philadelphia
book store on Dec. 7.
─Submitted by Jim Cavenaugh
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
Page 8
Detail Calendar
November 2014
Please synchronize your calendar for these UCH-sponsored events.
Mon 3
6:30 Amrit Yoga (weekly)
Clover Lane
Amrit yoga is a form of hatha yoga developed by Yogi Amrit Desai. The entire process moves and stretches every part of your
body for an energetic workout and includes a calming, meditative relaxation at the end. Repeats every Monday.
Contact Ed Sykes. No experience necessary!
Tue 4
7:00 Mindfulness Meditation (weekly)
Clover Lane
Mindfulness is an acquired skill, practiced during meditation and vital in our everyday lives. It can be
useful in focusing attention, managing pain, reducing stress, and overcoming habitual negative
behavior. Mindfulness can also point the way to spiritual practice, calming the mind and allowing
for the development of awareness and insight. The ability to be mindful is strengthened through
practice.
The Mindfulness Meditation Group provides a space for us to practice together in support of one another.
Everyone is welcome. Affiliation with any organization or belief system is neither promoted nor discouraged.
Engaging in safe, respectful and welcoming conduct is the only expectation. Participation is entirely voluntary.
Two 25 minute periods of meditation with a short reading, discussion and rest between. Stay for one sitting or both.
Bring your own seating or use our cushions, benches, and chairs.
Contact Chuck Daley or George Hellmann Repeats every Tuesday. Third Tuesday is silent meditation
MMG
Wed 5
6:00 QueenSpirit
Clover Lane
Queen Spirit is a co‐created women’s spirituality circle that meets on the first Wednesday of the
month. This month, the Circle is led by Ann Van Dyke, a Shared Ministry member. Ann will share
QueenSpirit
her “Spiritual Pilgrimage to India.” In 2012, she was in India for 20 days with a group of 15 people
from the “Inner Source Healing Arts School” in Philadelphia. It was a very physically difficult trip
intended to get them out of their comfort zone. Ann sought this experience because she wanted to feel
connected to the Divine Spirit in new ways and places.
Bring a favorite dish, dessert or beverage to share; bring your place setting and serving spoons and plates. Potluck at 6:00;
discussion at 7:00. Contact Randa Todd, [email protected].
Sat 8
9:00 Adopt-A-Highway
Clover Lane
The Adopt-a-Highway cadre is responsible for two miles of Lindle Road near the Clover Lane campus. Policing
actions are held in the spring, summer and fall. THIS IS THE DAY. PennDOT provides orange safety vests and
highway warning signs that we use during litter pick-ups. It also provides trash bags and picks up the bagged
litter from the roadside.
Volunteers must be at least eight years old, and those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at
Clover Lane to start. Contact John Hargreaves.
Sat 8
9:00 Common Ground Café
In collaboration with the Shared Ministry, the UCH operates the Common Ground Café at our
Market Street campus on the second and last Saturday of the month. The café opens at 9:00
a.m., and you can be a part of the action! No experience necessary, and drop-ins are always
welcome.
Market Street
Common
Ground Café
Repeats November 29. To join the list of volunteers, please contact Clay Lambert.
Sun 9
2:00 Race Relations DIscussion
Clover Lane
The LaGrone Scholarship Committee is pleased to welcome former UCH member Paul Fritz for a facilitated discussion on race relations.
Admission is free of charge; all are welcome.
When Paul Fritz and his Chinese bride, Chang Fong-ying, aka Lydia, drove into Alabama in 1956, they were greeted by an oversize
billboard featuring a grinning politician with a big red nose and the caption "WELCOME TO ALABAMA—Y’ALL COME ─ Big Jim Folsom,
Governor."
Paul and Lydia had no idea what racial tensions they would face during his doctoral studies at Auburn University over the next five years.
Not only would they experience personal discrimination, but their tiny Unitarian fellowship would end up hosting UU ministers from
across the U.S. for the march for voting rights in nearby Selma, Alabama.
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
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Under the pseudonym Max Blue, Paul has written three novels about those tensions including his most recent,
COUNT, which features a protagonist modeled after former UCH member Oliver LaGrone. Paul will lead a
presentation on race relations followed by audience participation, in light of racial tensions heightened by
recent events in Ferguson, Mo. He will also provide insight based on his history in Alabama and elsewhere.
Fritz is skilled at dialogue, description, and interchange.
His novel COUNT will be available for a $20 contribution to the Oliver LaGrone Scholarship Fund. The LaGrone
Scholarship is available annually to a graduate of Harrisburg High School. A unique feature is the mentor
component, a support during undergraduate years for the $6000 scholarship winner.
Paul served in the U.S. Navy 1951-1956 and married his wife in Hong Kong, then a British Crown Colony. Before
retirement, he was a member of the faculty of the Department of Food Science at the Pennsylvania State
University. Contact [email protected].
Sun 9 7:00 Philosophy & Literature
The Philosophy & Literature Group usually meets on the second Sunday of each month,
usually at Clover Lane. This month, the group meets at the home of Judy/Larry Linder to
discuss The Gap: The science of What Separates Us from Other Animal, by Thomas
Suddendorf. From Publishers Weekly:
Clover Lane
To determine what distinguishes the mental capabilities of humans from those
Philosophy
of our closest living relatives (chimpanzees and great apes), Australian
& Literature
psychologist Suddendorf … explores six realms in which human thinking
appears to be qualitatively different from that of animals—“language, mental time
travel, mind reading, intelligence, culture, and morality”—and finally locates the gap in
the interaction between two key mental capacities: nested scenario building and the urge to connect.
All UCH members and friends are welcome. Please contact Don Brown or Judy Linder or directions.
Tue 11
6:30 Women’s Night Out
Women’s Night Out (formerly the Craft Group) is a lay-led ministry of the Unitarian
Church of Harrisburg that focuses on the friendship and support of its members and
giving back to our local community. We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at
a local restaurant chosen by our committee, alternating locations between the East and
West Shores each month.
Off-Site
Women's Night Out!
Tuesday, November 11 @ 6:30pm
Perkins/ Erford Road, Camp Hill
This month we will meet at Perkins on Erford Road in Camp Hill. Besides the very social aspect of our dinners, members
contribute, as they are able, to the support of a local charity, right now the Ecumenical Food Pantry. To join Women’s Night Out
and experience the fun and friendship of our group first-hand as well as providing support to the Ecumenical Food Pantry, please
contact Ann Sitrin (766-4767) by November 9.
Fri 14
7:30 Clover Lane Coffee House
Clover Lane Coffee House is pleased to welcome activist/musician Monica McIntyre as our
November artist. Admission is $10 at the door ($25 max per family); all are welcome.
Artist, Cellist, Singer, Lyricist, Community Activist and Healer: these are a few titles that
describe New Orleans-based Monica McIntyre. As a musician, Monica weaves a beautiful
tapestry of colors and sounds so vivid and unique that one genre simply cannot cover it all.
She seamlessly blends: Blues, Soul, Classical, Jazz, Reggae and Middle Eastern sounds with
the unique cello techniques of: slapping, plucking and strumming, into an unforgettable
musical landscape.
Please contact [email protected] for other information.
Clover Lane
Clover Lane
Coffee House
Tue 18
10:00 CroneSpirit
Clover Lane
Our topic this month is "Good Reads for Aging.” We are:
A discussion group for women over 65, both UCH members and non-members
CroneSpirit
Honoring a crone tradition of conscious female aging and self-power
For personal enrichment, such as through intellect, knowledge, comfort or companionship,
anticipating a maximum of 10 women
Sharing, listening and learning, without gossip or speaking disrespectfully to or about each other
Discussion topics planned quarterly by those present; group guidelines established and refined at least annually
We look forward to seeing you. For information please contact Joan Hellmann, [email protected]
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
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Sat 19
6:00 Clover Grove
Clover Grove is a group of earth-centered and pagan spiritualists. The group meets monthly at Clover
Lane. This month is reserved for planning the upcoming Winter Solstice and its annual celebration. This
year's theme is "Native American" and we are looking at several options. If you are interested in
participating in planning the Winter Solstice, whether you can participate in the actual Ritual, please join
us! Please contact Nikki Stone-Thonus if childcare is needed or requested. All are welcome.
Clover Lane
Clover Grove
Fri 21
7:00 Cinema 2 Make U Think
Clover Lane
Join us for the screening of Frontline’s The Last
Abortion Clinic. In the summer of 2005 -- more than
30 years after Roe v. Wade established that access
to abortion services is a fundamental right -- a
FRONTLINE documentary team spent two months
traveling across the South where states have been
particularly active in passing restrictions on abortion.
In interviews with abortion providers and their
patients, staff at a pro-life pregnancy counseling
center and key legal strategists on both sides of the
national debate, FRONTLINE producer Raney
Aronson (The Jesus Factor) documents the success of the pro-life movement and the growing number of states with regulations
limiting access to abortion.
Discussion will follow. Refreshments provided. Contact [email protected].
External Events/Save the Date
An Evening with
Bhante Sujatha,
A Christmas Story
2:00 p.m. Sunday Nov. 16th at
the Whitaker Center.
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Tickets $25, to benefit the
Ecumenical Food Pantry
Your favorite scenes come to
life with Ralphie, his Red Ryder BB gun, the frozen flagpole
and, of course, that famous leg lamp. It's a delightful gift for
family members of all ages.
So put on your bunny pajamas. We triple-dog dare you to join
us...just be careful not to shoot your eye out!
Get your tickets ($25) from Michael Mark,
[email protected], 717-566-6055.
Tibetan Monks,
Clover Lane,
Dec. 16-20
URL: Chanting, Sacred Art
The SOS Fair is Coming!
The Share Our Service (SOS) team was formed last year to facilitate and encourage spiritual growth through a commitment of
talent in various church groups and tasks. SOS developed the Discovery of Gifts form that many people completed in the spring.
Those responses have given us a database to use when matching potential volunteers with needs. The data were used while
planning for Rev. Donna Renfro’s ordination to secure leaders and volunteers for some of the tasks that needed to be done,
including grounds beautification and preparation and serving of food. Newcomers since last spring and others who have not yet
completed a Discovery of Gifts form are encouraged to do so online at the UCH Web site home page.
The team is now working on the SOS Fair, which will be held during coffee hour on Jan. 18, 2015, at Market Street and Jan. 25,
2015, at Clover Lane. Between 15 and 25 UCH organizations are expected to participate with a display, handout materials, and,
most importantly, a sign-up sheet. Members and friends will be able to learn about the many opportunities that are available in
the church and to sign up to join those of particular interest. Circle the dates on your calendar now and stay tuned for more
information.
─ Submitted by John Hope
The UCH Reporter, Vol. 50, No. 5
November 2014
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