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Service Topics Archive for 2002-2003August 2003 Sunday, August 3, 10:30 AM - "Reflections on Africa's Transition to Democracy" by Dr. Ahmed Esa. Ahmed (the Robl's son-in-law) works in his homeland Somaliland, a small country on the horn of Africa between Djibouti and Somalia. He is Founder and Director of the Institute for Practical Research there. ESUUC donated money to the IPR in 1998 to buy tables and bookcases for its Library. Somaliland recently held its first-ever election for President. Robl 50th Anniversary Reception After the service, members and friends are invited by Bob and Jean to a buffet lunch to celebrate their Golden Anniversary. (Catered by new church member Michael Safran) Sunday, Aug. 10th 10:30 AM - "Emerson, The Person and His Calling" Sunday, Aug. 17th 10:30 AM - "Self-reliance" and "Nature" Emerson's most famous essays Sunday, Aug. 24th 10:30 AM - Emerson, poet laureate of the Interdependent Web, as revealed in the essays "History" and "Plato" Sunday, August 31, 10:30 AM - "The Enneagram of Spiritual Essence" The core of your being, just like the core of the Enneagram, is spiritual essence. As you mature, you form your self-concept by balancing three dualities: spirit-body, inner-outer experiences, and self-others as a source of personal validation. The Enneagram provides a model for understanding this process and redefining your spiritual identity to include your essence. Dr. William Culp is a Licensed Psychologist and a Certified Transpersonal Psychologist. He has been studying the Enneagram for fifteen years. July 2003 Sunday, July 6, 10:30 AM- "Matters of Choice", Part I: "Food and Diet Choices". Panelists on this first Sunday will be Kathy Begg, Keith Born, Mark Zingarelli and Renee Waun. Sunday, July 13, 10:30 AM- "Matters of Choice", Part II: "Spiritual Practice Choices" We will have a panel discussion of spiritual practices. A few people in the congregation will share their spiritual practices and then the topic will be opened up to anyone in the congregation who wants to share their own spiritual practices, ask questions, or discuss the topic. Facititated by Karen Katilius. Sunday, July 20, 10:30 AM- "Matters of Choice", Part III: "Reproductive Choices" What is your opinion? Do you support the legalization of abortion? Do you agree with the current egg and sperm donation policy? Do you support mandated limits on reproduction in order to decrease population growth? Come join in a difficult but worthy discussion with our panelists. Facilitated by Gerard Katilius Sunday, July 27, 10:30 AM- "Matters of Choice", Part IV: "Green Choices" What kind of decisions if any do you make in your everyday life because of the environment? Do you believe the decisions really make a difference and why? Kate Codd-Palmer to lead the service; George Ratliff to lead the panel. June 2003 Sunday, June 1st, 10:30 AM - Radical Honesty - How different would life be if we were absolutely, positively honest every time we interacted or spoke? Would our self-perception change? How would people respond to us? Would we have any friends left-- or would we find out who our true friends are? And, are there compelling reasons to do this, or not? Dr. Waun will use material from Brad Blanton's book by the same name. Please note: Sunday, June 1st is also Flower Communion Sunday - so please bring a stemmed flower for this annual UU tradition as part of the service. Sunday, June 8th, 10:30 AM - Introduction to the Enneagram - Presented by Lois Campbell from Campbell Associates. Lois is a training specialist and group processor who has taught and used the enneagram for many years as a diagnostic tool. What is it? It comes from a centuries old spiritual tradition that categorizes people into one of 9 "types", similar to the Myers-Briggs, except that this is not personality based, it is "spirituality" based. Lois will give us an introduction and explain why it is helpful to know about our enneagram and how to grow spiritually using it as a tool. Sunday, June 15th, 10:30 AM - Loose the Cords of Mistakes Binding Us - Nancy Fitzgerald presents a consideration of forgiveness and it's effect on our souls and our community and our world with the opportunity to intentionally release from "accidental offenses" or "frustrated hopes". Resources include Prayers of the Cosmos by Neil Douglas-Klotz. Sunday, June 22nd, 10:30 AM - From Boys to Men - Thinking well about the male journey and the changes in men's lives - What do we know about where boys and men struggle, about what boys need as they grow up and what men need as we live our lives in relationship to others? How can we, as men and women, as mothers and fathers, friends and lovers, make a difference? What can men themselves do to create the life of passion and connection with others? Our guest speaker will be Robert Heasley, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Indiana University of PA. Sunday, June 29th, 10:30 AM - Intergenerational Summer Service - This Intergenerational program put on by the children's RE group will be exploring patriotism, using paper bag skits. Dan Begg will facilitate the program. May 2003 Sunday, May 4th 10:30 AM - "The Agony and The Ecstasy of Pastoral Ministry" - Dr. Waun observes the 25th anniversary of her call to ministry this spring, and reflects upon the many adventures she has had in pastoral ministry since her ordination. Sometimes there are unavoidable ethical dilemmas that come with the job. She will share several stories, including "Renee Agrees to Disguise Herself as a Man", "Hiring a Call Girl for Uncle Ray", and why a funeral director once said, "Renee, I'm gonna kill you". You will have an opportunity to respond as to what you might have done in these situations and others. Sunday, May 11th 10:30 AM - RE-Sponsored Intergenerational Mother's Day Service Sunday, May 18th 10:30 AM - "The Transcendent Experience" - Presented by Andy Manhardt. Although the transcendent experience is the goal of the religious mystic, it is a phenomenon that unexpectedly visits many more rationally oriented people. This program will look at the nature of the experience, the ways in which mystics attempt to trigger it, instances where the experience has occurred unexpectedly for others, how it's been described, and how the experience has affected those who've had it. Sunday, May 25th 10:30 AM - "Making Things Happen: Community Involvement at the Local Level" Ruth Fowler, former Mayor of Murrysville and longtime friend of ESUUC will share how the seed of political activism sprouted in her life. She will describe her experiences in politics and give suggestions on how others might become involved. April 2003 Sunday, April 6th 10:30 AM - "If You Build It, They Will Come" - Our 2003-2004 Canvass Campaign kicks off on this day, and Dr. Waun and others will help us to think about the excitement of the future we are building at ESUUC and in the community. Stewardship is an essential awareness in the life of our church, and this is an opportunity to bring it into clearer focus. We will also recognize new members on this day. Sunday, April 13th 10:30 AM - "Reflections on Faith" - Presented by David Parke, Interim Minister of South Hills Unitarian Church. President Bush has absolute faith that the course he is pursuing is just. Some of us have faith that diplomacy offers greater promise than war. What does faith mean to you at this moment in history? Sunday, April 20th 10:30 AM - "Eostre" - In the ancient traditions, Spring officially begins on Eostre. Eostre is the Goddess of dawn and of new beginnings. We will celebrate Spring as a time of renewal and rebirth. Join us for an intergenerational celebration followed by an Eostre potluck brunch. We will begin with an Easter egg hunt at 10 AM, weather permitting. Sunday, April 27th 10:30 AM - "Where Do You Stand?" It is an opportunity for those present to declare their position on a variety of questions by literally standing, in an open space exercise. This type of activity not only shows where people stand, but it promotes an interesting dialogue among participants as well. Rev. Waun will facilitate. March 2003 Sunday, March 2nd 10:30 AM - "Welcoming Congregation Basics" - This is a continuation of preparations to become a Welcoming Congregation; one that welcomes all persons, regardless of sexual orientation/identity. The day will begin with a Sunday Forum at 9:00 AM, where our guest will be Chuck Christen, a colleague and friend from the staff of the Persad Center in Pittsburgh (a mental health service organization which serves the sexual minority community). Chuck will present material on sexual diversity issues for the Sunday Forum, then offer a program on "Sexuality 101" during our 10:30 AM service, which Dr. Waun will facilitate. Following the service Chuck will stay for about an hour to facilitate an open discussion over a light lunch. Sunday, March 9th 10:30 AM - "Longevity Medicine" - Understand the aging process, scientific research and applications. Learn practical ways to increase your life span, thus living longer and stronger. Our speaker is Dr. Mehernosh Khan, a practicing physician in the Monroeville area for 20 years. It is the unique vision of his practice to combine western allopathic medicine with complimentary medicine practices such as herbal medicine and acupressure. Dr. Khan is President of the Pittsburgh Holistic Network East, which has an integrated approach to patient care using modalities such as massage therapy acupuncture, herbal-naturopathic and spiritual approaches to health care. Dr. Khan is board certified in family medicine and geriatrics and holds a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. He was recently selected by the Consumers' Research Council of America in the Guide to America's Top Family Doctors 2002-2003. Sunday, March 16th 10:30 AM - Intergenerational Service Sponsored by the R.E. Class" Sunday, March 23rd 10:30 AM - "The Principles of Cooperative, Organic Farming" - A panel will discuss the environmental, health, political, and personal reasons for belonging to a cooperative organic farm. The panel will include Liz McClunin, the farmer, and Cooperative members from the congregation. Sunday, March 23rd 11:30 AM - Immediately following the service - Come and learn how you too can become a part of an organic farm in the surrounding Pittsburgh area. Many families at ESUUC are already members. Liz McClunin from Full Circle Farm and Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) will talk about her farm and invite interested persons to join a share in the farm for the 2003 growing season. You won't want to miss out. Sunday, March 30th 10:30 AM - "The Most Dangerous Woman in America" - Come and listen to a dramatic portrayal of Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, the legendary union organizer and agitator, by historical presenter Jeanne Schramm of West Liberty State College, West Liberty, West Virginia. Mary Harris Jones was one of the most controversial women in American history. She was loved, she was hated, she was shot at, and, well into her eighties, was confined to a rat-infested jail. As the indefatigable champion of the working class, Jones organized and agitated throughout the United States. Despite the ever-present threats and attempts on her life, she fearlessly expressed her contempt for those who she felt did not have the interests of working men and women at heart. February 2003 Sunday,
February 2nd Sunday, February 9th 10:30 AM - "Love Stories" - Facilitated by Maureen McHugh. A panel of individuals will talk briefly about their own love stories. Collectively their stories represent very diverse experiences and yet all are a testimony to the impact of love on our lives. Sunday, February 16th 10:30 AM - "Our Ongoing Faith Journey" - Presented by Rev. Art McDonald, pastor of Allegheny UU Church. He will give us a personal reflection on his own journey from Catholic Christian roots through the priesthood and into the Unitarian Universalist ministry. He will offer some thoughts on what we do with our religious roots when we enter a new religious world. Sunday, February 23rd January 2003 Sunday, January 5th 10:30 AM – "Beyond Emotional Intelligence" – A few weeks ago Dr. Renee Waun spent a weekend with Gary Zukav and Linda Francis in an "Emotional Awareness" workshop using concepts from their latest book Heart of the Soul. In this program we will explore some of Zukav’s teachings and look at how the body guides and informs us as to how we are processing energy: in doubt and fear, or love and trust. We will also compare this material to Goreman’s Emotional Intelligence. This is a timely topic as we think about fresh approaches to living in the New Year. Sunday, January 12th 10:30 AM – ESUUC’s Annual Pancake Breakfast. Sunday, January 19th 10:30 AM – "Dr. Martin Luther King and Nonviolence" – Andy Manhardt. This year as we remember Dr. King, we will look at his core commitment - the commitment to nonviolence as an agent of social change. We will examine his views on nonviolence, the influence he has had in the world and the particular challenges the use of nonviolence faces in today’s world. Sunday, January 26th 10:30 AM – "Building New Hope" – Building New Hope is a Pittsburgh-based non-profit volunteer group which supports grassroots development projects in Central America. Founded in 1992, BNH has helped develop a community of repatriated Salvadorans who fled the country as refugees during the civil war in the 1980s, they have raised relief aid for the victims of Hurricane Mitch and victims of the earthquakes in 2001, and also supported a school for Nicaraguan street children, reading centers in rural villages in El Salvador and various income generating projects. BNH is currently supporting a coffee cooperative in Nicaragua by selling their coffee and ensuring that they receive the fair trade price for their coffee. Barb Wein and her husband Jorge Portillo will share more about their organization and details about their various projects. December 2002 Sunday, December 1st 10:30 AM – "It’s About AIDS" is the topic for this World AIDS Day program. It has been about 20 years since AIDS became a household word and the grim statistics began to appear. Now the tidal wave has hit Second and Third World countries, which have little hope of easing the problem. Rev. Dr. Renee Waun was an early responder from the church community in Pittsburgh where she developed regional education, advocacy and service projects to address the AIDS pandemic in the 80's and 90's. Kate Codd-Palmer is a nurse at an AIDS Clinic in Pittsburgh, which she and the Director founded 14 years ago. Since that time she has taught and lectured widely in the area. The program will feature a panel including Waun, Codd-Palmer and an AIDS patient. Sunday, December 8th 10:30 AM – "Hope for the Holidays" – the month of December can be overwhelming. It leaves most of us with moments of confusion, frustration, sadness, and a complex of other emotions. Where do we find hope and serenity in this season? Reflections on the journey from the Rev. Priscilla Richter, minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, PA. Sunday, December 15th 10:30 AM – Join us for an intergenerational play with the children’s Religious Education classes. Sunday, December 22nd 10:30 AM – "On Yule, Candles and Dreaming the Dark" – presented by Maureen McHugh & Gerard Katilius. The winter solstice marks the longest nights and shortest days of the yearly cycle. It is no accident that indigenous people around the globe lit candles in the dark. The dark represents all that we are afraid of, what we don’t want to see. We will dream the dark as change, we will create the dark in a new image. We will, like the ancients, light candles to banish the dark. We will celebrate the Solstice and Yuletide. Tuesday, December 24th 7:00 PM – "Christmas Eve Candlelight Family Service" – Celebrate our first Christmas Eve at our new church home. Bring a framed baby picture for the worship table display. It could be one of yourself, a parent or child, or other loved one. We will also name any new babies known by the congregation to have been born since last Christmas. The one-hour intergenerational service will include readings, carol singing, stories and candle lighting with "Silent Night". This is a favorite church tradition that you won’t want to miss. Childcare will be provided for nursery age children. Sunday, December 29th 10:30 AM – "Sewing Service Project" – This intergenerational service is a tradition at East Suburban as we come together to share our gifts and gratitude. This year we will make lap quilts for veterans at the VA hospital in Pittsburgh. No sewing skills required. All ages welcome. We are equal opportunity sewers. Do you have a sewing machine you could bring? Do you have unused cotton fabric left over from a project (or from a project you will never get around to)? Do you have a small unfinished quilt top that you would be willing to donate? If you do, please call Linda Fleming at (724) 325-3492 as soon as possible so we know how to plan our morning. November 2002 Sunday, November 3rd 10:30 AM – "Music, Music, Music" – Presented by Dr. Waun, Mr. David Goldstein and Mr. Jeffry Johnson. Goldstein is an executive with PPG in Pittsburgh whose heart is filled with music. He says that music is the language of the heart, because that is where it lives. For Goldstein, music is a sacred, spiritual phenomenon. He has a long list of piano and choral pieces that he has composed, including several commissioned works. Johnson is an ordained shaman who shares the same perspective on music. He has been a choral director, keyboardist, voice teacher and soloist, who has also written a variety of pieces. As part of the program, David will extemporize. That is, he will allow music to flow freely through him and the keyboard, without any printed music or outline. He and Jeffry will share their vocal talents as well. Sunday, November 10th 10:30 AM – "The Wisdom of Lao Tzu" – Presented by Andy Manhardt: The Tao Te Ching attributed to Lao Tzu was written down perhaps 2500 years ago. I have found that the work contains much wisdom that is applicable to the modern world. This program will explore current English interpretations of this book and the wisdom that it has to offer us today. Sunday, November 17th 10:30 AM – "Energy and the Environment" – A panel will touch on three aspects of the current U.S. Energy picture as it relates to the environment and climate change. George Ratliff will discuss personal energy choices available and what impact they may have. The content of the energy bill, currently in House/Senate conference, and how certain interest groups view it, will be presented by Jerry Lilly. Tom Bailey will present how the bill could be expected to proceed through Congress and how we might influence the content. Sunday, November 24th 10:30 AM – "We Are All Pilgrims" – A presentation by Merritt Bailey who is a member of the Mayflower Society. She will discuss the experience of the Plymouth Rock Pilgrims and how their experience relates to our Unitarian Universalist principles. This is an intergenerational service, which should prove informative and enjoyable for all members of the congregation. Sunday, November 24th after the Service – "Stone Soup Sunday" Please join us after church for a soup lunch fundraiser. We would like to make a donation of food and money to our local food bank so we are asking anyone who wishes to attend this event to bring a non-perishable item of food as well as an ingredient that would be appropriate for a vegetable soup (i.e., vegetable, noodles, rice, etc.) It will be very interesting to see what kind of soup results from our efforts! Bread, crackers, beverages and dessert will be provided. We will be asking for a $5.00 donation for adults. All items of food should be dropped off in the kitchen before the service. Please call with any questions. Maria Luczkow (724) 327-3352 October 2002 Sunday, October 6th 10:30 AM – Life in Balance – "Life in Balance" is the name that Ami and Steve Sciulli use for the fabulous music they produce with several quartz and brass singing bowls along with a collection of wooden Japanese Shitaki flutes. They have been to ESUUC before, but never to our new location. They are excited about bringing their special energy into our sanctuary for healing and relaxation. It happens that the following week in October specifies a day called "Love Your Body" Day. This theme is captured by Life in Balance as each of the quartz bowls is tuned to one of the seven energy chakras of the body. October 6th also has some astrological significance, which seems attuned to the energy of Life in Balance. Sunday, October 13th 10:30 AM – Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network – For the past year and more, our congregation has been a member of the "Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network". What is it? How can it help to build community in our congregation? What sort of impact are we able to make through this organization? Mr. Evans Moore, Lead Organizer for PIIN will be here with Rev. Waun to present the nuts and bolts of PIIN’s community organizing and why it is relevant to us. PIIN is poised to make some bold steps into the political arena. Learn why some of our members are so convinced that PIIN is a good thing. Sunday, October 20th 10:30 AM – Native American Intergenerational Service – Fred and Norma Deer, two Native Americans from the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, will share a little bit of the Creator’s time with you. Sunday, October 27th 10:30 AM – A Unitarian View of Funerals – The leaves are dropping the days growing shorter it must be Fall, a time to reflect on the cycle of life and death. Come, hear Dorothy King, a member of First Unitarian Church, speak about the history of funerals, the appearance of memorial societies in this country, and the Pittsburgh Memorial Society, which has a long association with First Church. Because the death of an individual has profound impact on those remaining, the customs and practices surrounding it are of great significance. The Pittsburgh Memorial Society, founded in 1958, is a nonprofit, nonsectarian association of more than 4,000 members that helps people plan appropriately for death. It also assists in planning for whole body and organ donation and provides information about other end-of-life matters such as living wills and health care powers of attorney. Special music by flutist Charlie Miller. September 2002 Sunday, September 1st 10:30 AM – Annual Church Picnic – Bring a potluck dish to share; enjoy your friends! Sunday, September 8th 10:30 AM – Water Communion – Presented by Rev. Dr. Renee Waun; On this first Sunday of the 2002-2003 program year, we continue a deeply meaningful tradition among Unitarian Universalists, where we bring small containers of water from our summer experiences. Everyone will be invited to bring the water forward during worship to pour into a large container and explain the significance of the water. This year Rev. Waun will be using a quartz singing bowl to receive the waters. Each time water is added, the level will rise, causing the tone of the bowl to be a higher pitch. Come, let us make beautiful music together as we share from our summer memories. This will also be a Sunday when we honor those who will be working with our children in the religious education program, as the children will begin their fall program on this day. Sunday, September 15th 10:30 AM – "Day of Atonement" – Yom Kippur, September 16th, is the Jewish Day of Atonement, the highest holy day of the Jewish calendar. Dr. Linda Day, Professor of Hebrew Bible from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will be here to reflect on "atonement" as mandated in Leviticus chapter 16. The passage speaks of rules about a "scape goat"- a real live goat that was driven into the desert as part of the ritual of repentence. Perhaps in our time, the concept of scapegoating and atonement or making amends is timely as we think about our lives, our alliances in the Middle East and our world. Sunday, September 22nd 10:30 AM – "The Puzzles of Palestine" – The Rev. Phil Wilson, retired pastor and peace activist from Pittsburgh will present his impressions of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict from first-hand experience in the month of July, when he went with a dozen other Americans to this troubled area to observe and take notes. Rev. Wilson's group met with UN officials, and representatives from the Palestinian and Israeli governments. They lived with Palestinian settlers and went into the fields with them. They talked with Jews in the peace movement and had Shabat with them, and dialogued with area Christians. Rev. Wilson brings back eyewitness accounts of what life is like on both sides, and is eager to share his experiences with us. Sunday, September 29th 10:30 AM – "Turning your Passion into a Vocation" – Mike Schiller, Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute shares his thoughts. The Western PA Field Institute is a one-year-old non-profit organization whose mission is to promote outdoor recreation in Western Pennsylvania. Mike Schiller will discuss how and why he transitioned from the software industry to the outdoor recreation world and what is has meant to his overall peace of mind.
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