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From the Board of Trustees |
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Greetings to all...
April already? Time is moving far too fast. We have so much to do and so little time to accomplish it all.
The Pledge and Volunteer drive is ongoing. We need to select our Unsung Hero for the year. We are in the process of determining the best course of action for proceeding with the minister search process. All of these efforts depend on your participation to an extent.
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The need for your participation in the Pledge and Volunteer Drive is evident. The Unsung Hero depends on recommendations from members of the congregation. The search process will rely heavily on your support as well. Members of the search team will come from the congregation. You will have a chance to see the candidates provide services and interact with the community. The details of how and when this will occur are still being worked out by the board and later the search team. We will keep you informed as the plan develops. We want to make this a successful and inclusive search process.
We will have a town hall on the April 14th after the service. The main topics for the town hall are the minister search schedule and the results of the cottage meetings. We have concluded eleven cottage meetings with attendance by a significant number of UUCVers. We managed to hear the ideas, concerns and recommendations of a wide range of ages and experience. Some of the information obtained requires further clarification which will lead to a survey. The survey will be developed by the board and sent to you digitally as soon as it is ready.
As you can see, we have a lot to do as a community. We can make it happen, if we all step up.
Jim Burton
UUCV Board President
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Focus on Finances
This month we’ll focus on UUCV’s budgeting process and how it ties in with the Annual Budget Drive. First of all I’d like to acknowledge the Finance Committee and the efforts they put forward to manage UUCV’s finances responsibly and accountably. Michael Fratantuono is serving as chair of the committee this year with members Cindy Good, Matt Soper, Tom DeWall and, as President and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Jim Burton and I serve on the committee. Pam, our Office Administrator, while not a member of the Finance Committee, plays a vital role in UUCV’s finances as she is responsible for tabulating and making deposits into our various accounts, generating checks to pay bills, reconciling bank accounts, and generating finance reports along with the thousand other things she does so well.
The Finance Committee meets monthly to review financial reports, identify areas of concern, and make recommendations to the BOT about finances. The Treasurer, Office Administrator, and Finance Committee act as checks and balances on each other in the oversight of UUCV’s finances and budget.
What’s involved with creating UUCV’s budget? Our Fiscal Year runs from July 1 to June 30. The budgeting process begins in February when staff and committees are asked to submit their budget requests for the upcoming Fiscal Year by the beginning of March. The Finance Committee then places these requests for expenditures along with proposed changes in staff salary and benefits, projected increases in the cost of insurance, utilities, streaming licenses, office equipment contracts, HVAC maintenance contracts, general supplies…I could go on, but you get the idea…and creates an aspirational budget including all of these needs and wishes. And, then comes the need to balance these expenditures with income we can reasonably rely on.
Here’s where the Annual Budget Drive comes in because what we can budget for depends heavily on what members of the congregation pledge in support of the coming Fiscal Year. Our pledges of support make up the
largest percentage of our income. A pledge involves filling out a UUCV Financial Commitment Form and returning it to the church office during the pledge drive. It is very important for you to make your pledge in a timely manner because the Finance Committee is charged with creating a budget, submitting it to the BOT for their review, revision, and approval in time for the required advance notice for our Annual Congregational Meeting. This year’s meeting is scheduled for June 9th meaning, per our Bylaws, notification of the meeting needs to go out by May 19th. This creates a tight timeline for the Finance Committee and BOT to revise and approve a budget.
Once the Finance Committee has the pledge information from the Annual Budget Drive we add projected income into the budget spreadsheet and analyze how income and expenditures balance out. The aim is to have total projected expense and total projected income essentially the same yielding a balanced budget.
When projected income does not meet projected expenses, the Finance Committee takes the approach of creating 3 versions of the budget, a high-end, middle of the road, and austere version. For other than the high end version, this process involves the challenging task of trimming expenses until they reasonably match income. As we cannot take away fixed costs such as mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc, this means we are limited in what we can provide in staff salary and benefits, and that we need to trim expenses on programming, committee functions, and in some cases eliminate things that we want. These versions of the budget along with explanations of the revisions and cuts made are submitted to the BOT who have the responsibility to review, revise, and finally approve the budget that will be presented to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
The high end version the 2024/25 budget reflects the projected expense of a full time minister, all the requests of staff and committees, salary and benefit increases for our current staff, an increase in RE funding, and commitment of funds to Building and Grounds for the ongoing care of our church home. These are things that reflect our UU values and the Finance Committee believes are things UUCV wants. To be able to make them happen, we need your pledges of support. It can’t be emphasized enough the importance of making a pledge that reflects your commitment to UUCV in accordance with your personal financial ability. There’s really no such thing as an average pledge because all of our circumstances are unique. The BOT, Annual Budget drive team, and Finance Committee understand that and simply request that you give thoughtful consideration to what you can give and make a pledge ASAP during the Annual Budget Drive.
Thank you,
Wendy Gebb
UUCV Treasurer
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UUCV DELEGATES NEEDED
General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles.
This year GA is entirely online from Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23, 2024. UUCV is entitled to have 3 delegates represent our congregation at GA for voting on important UUA issues. Of particular interest this year is the final vote on the proposed amendments to the UUA Bylaws Article II which includes the new language for our UU Shared Values.
If you are interested in representing UUCV as a delegate to GA, or would like more details about what's involved, please contact our Board President Jim Burton at james.h.burton@startmail.com For more information about GA 2024, go to uua.org/ga |
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The Worship theme for
April is INTERDEPENDENCE |
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April 7 – "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Trauma is something that can happen to all of us -- add in systemic oppression, and it's a recipe for PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Join us as as "The Lisas", our resident therapists, explore the complicated rivers of mental health, and the bridges we can build over these troubled waters. Lisa Citarella leads the service with worship associate Lisa Balog.
April 14 – "What Journey are you on? Confronting The Fentanyl Crisis. " Beloved members of our Unitarian Universalist congregation. For this morning’s discussion, I want to address a pressing issue that has been affecting our communities and countless lives: the fentanyl crisis. The crisis demands our attention, compassion, and a call to action. Through our dialogue today, I hope this sermon will help us know and navigate the challenges of the Fentanyl Crisis and choose healthier paths. Together, let us explore the impact of the fentanyl crisis and how we can encourage one another to make healthier and smarter choices for our own lives. As we confront the Fentanyl crisis. Rev. Derail Holcolm preaches with worship associate Staci Kendall.
April 21- "Earth Day" Positive and Negative Externalities, Science and Feelings in the natural world. As time permits we will dig into who gets to formulate the hypothesis and how our feelings can mesh with science. Brent Dickerson and Ryanne Mack lead the service with worship associate Michele Burton.
April 28 "Article II: Our Shared Values" – Join us for a special all-ages worship service exploring the proposed changes to the UUA By-Laws Article II. We'll take a deep dive into the 6 new proposed Shared Values: Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence and Generosity. Many congregations are adopting the acronym JETPIG along with its adorable cartoon character. Let's meet JETPIG and discuss ways we can live out our shared values every day. Lynn Sodora leads the service with worship associate Wendy Gebb.
Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary every Sunday at 10:30 am or on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 550 751 6685
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Save these important dates for the upcoming General Primary on Tuesday, April 23!
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April 28 – "The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine - From Zionism to Intifadas and the Struggle for Peace" by Michael Scott-Baumann. (Keith Bittinger leads the discussion.
Summary: Part of the "Shortest History" book series, this is an accessible, balanced chronicle of how the Israel-Palestine conflict originated and developed over the past century.
Paperback: 288 pages, 10 chapters
Audio Book: 7 hrs 35 mins
If you have questions about the book, please contact Keith Bittinger
kbittinger@comcast.net
The UUCV Book Group meets at 6:30 pm on the 4th Sunday of each month for a lively, thoughtful discussion on our worship ZOOM channel https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa
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Volunteer Opportunities at UUCV |
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Now is a great time to sign up to volunteer some time to UUCV. Look for sign-up sheets in the Social Hall:
- Mowers
- Care for a flower bed
- Make Sunday Coffee
- Bring Flowers to Sunday service
- Help in the religious education classrooms
- Help in the religious education nursery
- Help out with hospitality needs
- Help with buildings & grounds needs
It takes many hands to keep UUCV up and running....any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.
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Mark your calendars:
- Adult Religious Education Sunday, April 7 at 9:00 am in the Board Room.
- Town Hall on Sunday, April 14 immediately following the service in the Sanctuary and ZOOM https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa
- Clothing Drive Swap on Sunday, April 14 before and after service in the Dining Room
- Worship Associates Meeting on Sunday, April 14 at 12:00 noon in the Dining Room
- Adult Religious Education Sunday, April 21 at 9:00 am in the Board Room
- Trauma in the Pews Sunday, April 21 at 7:00 in the Yuuth Room.
- UUCV Book Group Sunday, March 24 at 6:30pm on Zoom https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa
- UUCV Yard Sale Thursday, April 25 1pm - 6pm Friday, April 27, 8a - 3p Saturday April 28 8a - noon
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News from the Mozambique Bursary Committee
What do the Bursary girls do after graduating from the Molumbo and Nammaroi high schools? Last year as part of a pilot project, four attended a short-term sewing course in Quelimane, the capital city of Zambezia Province. On a recent monitoring trip Titos Macie, our Project Consultant, and Sonia Assane Saule, our Project Director, caught up with three of them.
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Estefania Carlitos Chadreque Maravi, Zainnora Hilario Franque, and Ilda Enoque Jossamo were enthusiastic about what they’d learned. (Below, you the PEDRA girls from the village of Mutulia, who visited with Ilda.). Estefania Zainnora, and Ilda are now proficient seamstresses. With the sewing machine and materials they received at graduation, they can set themselves up in business in a provincial village. Dianne Dusman and Susan Rimby saw many such sewing enterprises on their September 2023 trip to Mozambique.
Titos and Sonia tell the Bursary girls that they can accomplish great things, if they work hard. And with your Bursary donations, large and small, they do just that! Thank you for your contributions to this life-changing social justice program.
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Grocery cards are the easiest way for UUCV to earn a Profit Purchase Grocery Cards to buy what you need for home, your event, or donate to an organization in our area in need: Project Share, CARES, Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) and so many more. Pam pam@uucv.net can provide contact information for you to these organizations Let's take this opportunity to rededicate ourselves to shopping with grocery cards. Remember, 2 grocery cards each per month = $20,000+ for UUCV. |
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Cards can be purchased for Giant, Weis and Karns.and used for items such as food, gas and alcoholic beverages. Stop by the grocery card table for purchases before and after service on Sundays or contact Pam pam@uucv.net if you would like cards mailed to you.
Let's make this the year we reach our $20,000 goal! |
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April Social Justice Opportunities |
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Programs under the umbrella of the Social Justice Committee include the monthly CARES dinner, Change for the World (CFTW), the Mozambique Bursary project and the UUCV Antiracism Initiative. Another component this year has been assisting an Afghan family as they transition to America from war-torn Afghanistan. Other events we regularly participate in include Project Share’s Farm Stand, the annual Pride Festival in Harrisburg, National Public Lands Day, and United Way’s One Day of Caring. We anchor our efforts around UUCV’s mission to transform lives and care for the world. Thank you to all who serve on the committee and for outside support we receive from many others in the congregation.
The next Social Justice meeting is at 6:30 on Wednesday, April 17 on ZOOM
All are welcome to join our meetings. |
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Change for the World -
2nd Quarter - April thru June
Speranza Animal Rescue is a non-profit,100% volunteer-run rescue rehabilitation center and sanctuary committed to saving the most abused and neglected animals, and finding loving homes for them when possible.
Located on a 17.5 acre farm in Mechanicsburg, the Sanctuary is an all-breed rescue focusing on dogs (especially pit bulls) cats, farm animals destined for slaughter, or any animal in dire need.
Janine Guido and her sister, both animal lovers, started the non-profit in 2012. You can find more info and see pictures of the animals and stats of how many they have helped at: www.speranzarescue.org |
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Authors of "Cousins"
Coming to Carlisle
Moving Circles is bringing the authors of
COUSINS, a real life story of racial reconciliation to Carlisle –
Please try to attend and bring some friends! Support dismantling racism and educating ourselves and others. You can help! |
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Phoebe Kilby is White. Betty Kilby Baldwin is Black. Kilby’s family’s ancestors once enslaved the ancestors of Kilby Baldwin’s family. Together, they have committed to a path of reconciliation which includes a working reparations project they conceived together.
What happens when a White woman, Phoebe, contacts a Black woman, Betty, saying she suspects they are connected through slavery? A surprise. Betty responds, “Hello cousin.”
Open to exploring difficult truths and sharing an admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King, they embark on a path toward reconciliation. Each tells her dramatic story – from Betty’s experience desegregating a segregated high school, to Phoebe’s eventual question to Betty:
How do I begin to repair the harms?
Phoebe Kilby and Betty Kilby Baldwin will tell their story in Carlisle, at the Carlisle United Methodist Church on April 30 at 7:00 pm. The event will include a book signing by the authors afterwards.
All authors’ proceeds from sales of the book are donated to the Kilby Family Scholarship Fund, which offers college scholarships to descendants of the people Phoebe’s family enslaved, including Betty’s grandchildren.
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~ Unite with us again in Harrisburg ~
Tuesday, May 7th
Last year, 500 Pennsylvanians descended on Harrisburg, demanding an end to gun violence. Soon after, the first bipartisan policies in years passed the PA House. Let's do that again!
NOT ONE DAY MORE
Tell Judiciary Chair Lisa Baker and Majority Leader Joe Pittman:
Pennsylvanians Cannot Wait One Day More for action on gun safety.
10:00 - 11:45 AM: Advocacy Meetings & Drop-Bys with Legislative Offices
(meetings scheduled on your behalf)
12:00 - 1:00 PM: End Gun Violence Rally/Press Event - Front Steps of the Capitol
More Info & REGISTRATION
UUJusticePA
c/o Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
1280 Clover Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17113 1001
United States
UUJusticePA
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Be a Part of the Second Annual Hike to recognize Earth Day
Join Kim Stone on 4/27/2024, the Saturday after Earth Day, to hike a short portion of the Appalachian Trail (AT). While not taking up little more than two hours of your day, this walk is guaranteed to refresh your mind and spirit. Depending on how many of us there are, the plan is to meet at the church at 9:15 am and consolidate to a few cars, then drive to the parking area of the AT on York Road, where the parking is limited. The hike from there, with stops for reflection, to Boiling Springs Road (Rt.174) and back to the church will be about 2—2.5 hours. Appropriate for ages 9 and up.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Social Hall.
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UUJusticePA The Vote
Calling all those who can contribute some time to getting out the vote in the upcoming election! |
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Last year about a dozen of us wrote non-partisan letters to infrequent voters. It's time to again get involved and promote our democratic values. Opportunities, structure, and training are available through UU the Vote: letter and postcard writing, text-banking, phone-banking, registering voters, and becoming a poll-watcher.
If you can devote some time to any of the above, please see or email Cheryl Parsons cherylhparsons@comcast.net or sign up on the UU the Vote list on the Social Justice table near the name tag carousel in the Social Hall. We can make a difference; please consider being part of the team! |
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Learn how easy it is to use RaiseRight to build UUCV's Fund for a Commercial Dishwasher.
UUCV is partnering with RaiseRight for Gift card fundraising, the #1 fundraiser for nonprofit organizations across the U.S. for more than 25 years. Earn simply by buying gift cards to use for everyday purchases, instead of cash or credit cards.
With RaiseRight, nonprofits and other community-based organizations earn money simply by shopping for their favorite brands—turning daily or weekly purchases into the opportunities that matter for their favorite organizations.
How to Get Started:
Visit http://uucv.info/raiseright to Sign Up from your computer or access the QR Code Below.
Set up your banking or credit card preference.
You can then shop anytime by visiting https://www.raiseright.com/brands and see the daily bonuses and specials which will earn more money for UUCV. Check the % for each card to see what your donation will be to UUCV….with a very minimal fee to you.
How to Pay:
When you are done selecting your cards, check out at your shopping cart. You can pay by your own Credit Card (getting points on your card) or LINK to your bank account
How you Receive your Cards:
- You can choose ecards (which will show up in your wallet on your APP or in your wallet on the main website http://www.raiseright/shop
- You can print a copy of your purchase to act as a gift card when you shop
- DO NOT select your card to be sent to the Coordinator….any cards sent to the coordinator will be cancelled and your sale will be VOID
Contact Pam pam@uucv.net if you need help in getting set up or if you have questions about this program.
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Greetings all!
The Soul Matters theme for the month of April is Interdependence, one of our UU Shared Values which is part of the proposed changes to the UUA Bylaws "Article II." However, our belief in the interdependent web of all existence has been a part of our UU Principles since 1984, having been added as a new principle at that time to reflect our concern for the environment.
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So, you see, changes to the UUA By-laws Article II and its wording have occurred several times in our UU history. This reflects our dedication to always growing and changing for the better. "When we know better, we do better." I'll be doing a deep dive into the 6 proposed Shared Values in the All-Ages Worship service on April 28th. This will be a fun, interactive service and participation of the children and youth is encouraged. There will be no RE classes that day; however, nursery care will be available. To learn more about the proposed changes to Article II, you can click here: uua.org/article2
OWL GRADUATION! A huge congratulations to all of our OWL Students who completed a comprehensive, 10-week course in Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Grades 4-6. Graduates will be acknowledged during our Time for All Ages on Sunday, April 7th.
Below is our Faith Development schedule for our children and youth for April:
Sunday, April 7: Regular RE Classes
Sunday, April 14: Regular RE Classes
Sunday, April 21: Regular RE Classes
Sunday, April 28: Article II: Our UU Shared Values - Worship Service for All Ages: Join us for this family-focused service for all ages. There is NO RE today. Busy bags and activity pages are available on the racks in the Annex. Nursery care (for ages 0-4) will be available during the service.
NURSERY CARE is available every Sunday from 10:15 - 11:45 am for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Our Sunday Morning Worship Services being at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. On "Regular RE" days, the children and youth go downstairs to their RE classrooms after the Time for All Ages. Classes end at 11:45 am.
**Please sign out children in Grades 5 and under from their classrooms by 11:45.** This gives parents the opportunity to socialize before pickup, while respecting the Volunteer Teachers' time as well.
Thank you to all our March volunteers! Ryanne Mack, Julie Cullings, Susan Green, Susan Rimby, Rebecca Fratantuono, Kim Stone, Wendy Gebb, Primajoy Ramalingam, Gail Black, Laura Soper, John Simcoe, Dirk Wiley, Dianne Dusman, Rev. Chris Kapp and Melissa Mattson. Thank you so much for your time and energy! Members of the Congregation are encouraged to volunteer with the Children's RE Program! Please email Lynn Sodora DLFD at re@uucv.net to check in about submitting clearances.
May we continue to learn and grow together!
In faith and service,Lynn
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Adult RE Discussion Group - Winter/Spring 2024
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These classes will be held on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:00 am in the Board Room or join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/my/meetingsuucv (572 887 2212).
April 7: US History - Heather Cox Richardson (Video + Discussion)
We will watch segments from several interviews with Heather Cox Richardson, Professor of History at Boston College. She has written many award-winning books about American history, American politics, and the history of the Republican Party through the Trump administration. She says that she is fascinated by the contrast between image and reality in America and especially in politics. In her most recent book, Democracy Awakening, Cox Richardson offers an analysis of how America, historically seen as a “beacon of democracy” is now at a crossroads between preserving democracy and choosing autocracy. Cox Richardson writes a daily newsletter, Letters from an American, that provides a recap of important governmental and political events of the day with references to other historical events. Time will be allotted for discussion. Discussion leader: Cheryl Parsons
April 21: Understanding People Better
We will look at a number of different ways to open our minds, improve our listening skills, and increase our empathy. We will also discuss the importance of understanding others in an effort to bridge the divides in our society today. Discussion leader: Jill Hoffmann
May 5: Amend - US Constitution Video Series (Video + Discussion)
We will view then discuss another installment of this informative and highly engaging video series. Discussion leader: Melissa Mattson
May 19: Humanism
One of the six sources of our living tradition is Humanism. In this class we will explore and discuss the history and tenets of Humanism and also consider the historical relationship between Humanism and Unitarian Universalism. Discussion leader: Keith Bittinger.
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Welcome to our new
Music Director
Carole Knisely is looking forward to serving as your new Music Director for UUCV.
Carole is a seasoned pianist, accompanist, choral director for church, music theater and commercial music venues.
Professor Knisely founded and heads the Music Business Associate Degree Program for Harrisburg Area Community College and founded and taught for York College Music Business Degree program as an adjunct for 30 years.
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Carole has an extensive background in serving as accompanist and music director for various churches for 30 years. She recently served twenty years, as Music Director, for Christ Lutheran Church Fileys, Dillsburg PA. and prior to that served as a substitute for our UUCV congregation, served five years for a Methodist congregation, New Cumberland, and Baptist congregation, Camphill.
Carole thoroughly enjoys the UUCV worship and looks forward to encouraging musical talents in our UUCV congregation. You can learn more about Carole, on her website Caroleknisely.com.
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From the Music Committee
On April 7th we will see a new face and new fingers at the piano and keyboard: Welcome, Carole Knisely, our new Music Director!
During the coming year Carole and the Music Committee hope to take first steps towards reconstituting our choir program. To this end we have planned a
Getting to Know You Gathering for all those who enjoy singing (or playing an instrument) and would consider either singing/playing in a small ensemble or a future choir. Join with fellow music-lovers on May 5th for an hour-long post-service gathering to help us get to know Carole and help Carole get to know us. We can help Carole gain an idea about our favorite hymns, our availability, our possible need for childcare, our hopes, our level of comfort and confidence, and the amount of rehearsal time required to confidently prepare a music selection for a Sunday service. |
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Please contact Cheryl Parsons at cherylhparsons@comcast.net no later than April 28th if you would appreciate having childcare available on May 5th. You do not need to commit to any regular future participation at this time. Help us figure out what can work! There are many good voices in our congregation; please attend on May 5th to help us design a music program that provides the best outlet for our unique combination of talents. |
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Sign up for iGive and earn money for UUCV
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1900 Stores want to help:
On average 3% Stores pay for it all. Never pay more, and sometimes less with coupons and deals.
From pet rescues to 3rd grade classrooms, and on to fighting some of the most terrible diseases, iGive has been helping ordinary people make their shopping count for more.
Register now and list Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley as your charity https://www.igive.com/welcome/lp16/cr64a.cfm
iGive automatically helps your favorite cause, every time you shop.
They donate an extra $5 bonus to your cause when you make your first
purchase.
Choose or list your cause & they'll earn money for free!
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Donate for a Great Cause
Max Mitchell, our friend, wonderful musician, and pianist since May of 2023, will be leaving UUCV as our regular Sunday sub. We will see him back as often as possible to sub and provide his amazing music.
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Max is establishing a 501(c) non-profit organization to provide therapeutic dance classes for adults with Parkinson's. This program is based on a program established by the Mark Morris Dance Group in New York City called Dance for PD. Max has three credentialed dance teachers in training with Dance for PD. Max will be the pianist.
This type of program goes a long way towards maintaining the energy, balance and spirits of those afflicted with this difficult disease. In UUCV, we have experienced the wonderful musical touch and spirit of Max. We know he will bring his love and dedication to this worthy cause as well.
Please consider donating to Max's 501 (c) through the Tri County Community Network and mention the "Harrisburg City Performing Arts Group".
Tri County Community Network
724 N. Adams Street
Suite 203
Pottstown, PA 19464
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We are Looking for the Next UUCV Unsung Hero!
Is there someone you have noticed at UUCV who has made significant contributions to helping us transform lives and change the world?
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Typically, this person has not sought recognition or been given adequate appreciation for all that she/he/they have done.
We know this covers a lot of people, so nominees are restricted to people who are not currently serving on the Board, as a Committee Chair or have been honored previously. The list of past nominees can be viewed in the entryway (beside the bulletin board). If you have someone to add to the list as this year’s Unsung Hero, please send your nominee with a few sentences of explanation to Pam pam@uucv.net by April 15th.
The award will be presented at the May 26 service. |
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Town Hall
We will hold a Town Hall on Sunday, April 14 immediately following worship.
The Cottage Meeting results will be shared as well as our plan and timeline for searching for a settled minister.
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UUCV YARD SALE
Start your spring cleaning and save your throw away treasures for the yard sale which will be held on April 25, 26 and 27.
We will start collecting items April 15. Drop off during the week (call 717/249-8944 to make sure staff is available to let you in) or drop off on Sundays. NO Drop offs after Wednesday, April 24 at noon.
Please make sure your donations are clean and in working order. No shoes or clothes will be accepted. Unpack your items and place on the tables with corresponding signs on where to place your items.....
Thank You for helping to make this a successful fundraiser for UUCV!
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What Keeps You Coming through our Doors?
If you attended service on Sunday, February 25, you were asked to respond to this question.
Couldn't attend? We'd still like to hear from you. Send your responses to Pam pam@uucv.net |
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Or write them on a card any Sunday and drop in the offering basket or share on Sunday ZOOM in the chat....we want to hear from you!!! |
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Save the Date..Sunday, June 6
On June 9th, after the service, UUCV will conduct its Annual Meeting. This is the single most important meeting of the year. |
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During out time together, new board members will be presented and voted on. Proposed changes to by-laws will be explained and voted on as well. If the search process for our new minister has not been finalized with the congregation, it will be during the Annual Meeting. This event is critical to the life of our UUCV. As we get closer to the event, we will provide an agenda. Please plan on attending. |
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It Takes a Village...Will You Help? |
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It takes a village to keep our building and yard areas well maintained. There are chores, big and small, to be done year round. Since COVID there has been no fully functioning B&G committee. While spring and fall Work Day crews tackle some tasks, ongoing help is needed to prevent a maintenance back log. Can YOU lend a hand?
Winter’s “Big” B&G Projects
1. Dining Room Remake - This was a 4 month project, completed by four people. What we see is the fresh paint on the walls. Not visible is the walk-in closet, which had ceiling repairs and stone walls resealed. All closets, back hall (wraps the kitchen), baseboards, and door & window trim were painted. The final touches included regluing loose floor tiles and adding blue accent color. The room looks great!
2. Nursery Upgrades - Bright, new ceiling lights were installed. Wow, what an improvement! The nursery bathroom received major ceiling and wall repairs. Lastly, the walls were painted.
Spring’s Major B&G Happenings
Spring has sprung! The grass and weeds are growing rapidly! So much to do….
Sign-up Sheets are on the “Volunteer Table” for 3 Critical B&G Needs:
1. Adopt-a- Flower/Landscape Bed
2. Lawn Mowing
3. Join the B&G Work Group (to help with “as needed” tasks)
B&G Co-Chairs, Denny Stone & Paula Terry, will gladly answer questions about how you can become involved in B&G tasks. Thank you – to UUCV villagers already lending a hand!
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Sunday Coffee Makers Needed
We need volunteers to make coffee on Sundays. Please consider signing up…it’s an easy way to volunteer….just come in a little early on Sunday morning and if you are a first timer….Max Lara will show you the ropes.
The sign-up sheet is on the volunteer table in the Social Hall.
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Trauma in the Pews: Deconstructing Toxic Belief Systems and Religious Abuse
The rise of Evangelical Fundamentalism across America over the course of the last 50 years has really brought to light the toxic belief structures and abusive practices of many denominations and religions. |
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When religious zeal is taken to the extreme, trauma can and does occur, affecting us to the core of our being. Join Rev. Chris on the third Sunday of the month at 7 PM in the Youuth room for a support and study group as we begin to work through the damage done in the name of religion, find our own voices, and discover what we truly believe, along with what we don't -- and embrace the freedom that comes with deconstruction and healing. This course will run for the entirety of 2024. Please let Pam know if you're interested. THIS GROUP IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. If you know someone who could benefit from this type of group, please pass along the information and Rev. Chris's email -- revchriskapp@gmail.com |
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UUCV Book Group Selections for 2024
The UUCV Book Group meets at 6:30 pm on the 4th Sunday of each month for a lively, thoughtful discussion on our worship ZOOM channel https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa |
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UUCV Book Group 2024 Schedule (with Discussion Leaders)
April 7: US History - Heather Cox Richardson (Video + Discussion) We will watch segments from several interviews with Heather Cox Richardson, Professor of History at Boston College. She has written many award-winning books about American history, American politics, and the history of the Republican Party through the Trump administration. She says that she is fascinated by the contrast between image and reality in America and especially in politics. In her most recent book, Democracy Awakening, Cox Richardson offers an analysis of how America, historically seen as a “beacon of democracy” is now at a crossroads between preserving democracy and choosing autocracy. Cox Richardson writes a daily newsletter, Letters from an American, that provides a recap of important governmental and political events of the day with references to other historical events. Time will be allotted for discussion. Discussion leader: Cheryl Parsons
April 28 – The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine - From Zionism to Intifadas and the Struggle for Peace by Michael Scott-Baumann (Keith Bittinger)
Summary: Part of the "Shortest History" book series, this is an accessible, balanced chronicle of how the Israel-Palestine conflict originated and developed over the past century.
Paperback: 288 pages, 10 chapters
Audio Book: 7 hrs 35 mins
May 19 – Counting Lost Stars by Kim Van Alkemade (Bev Motich)
New York Times bestselling author of
Orphan #8, Kim van Alkemade returns with a gripping and poignant historical saga in which an unmarried college student who's given up her baby for adoption helps a Dutch Holocaust survivor search for his lost mother. The book alternates between the stories of characters living in two eras - 1960, New York City and 1941, The Hague.
June 23 – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Susan Rimby)
Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of a woman in a non-traditional profession, and all the discrimination she incurs during the late 1950s and early 1960s as she struggles to define her own life. At the end, there's hope and healing, and the women and their male supporters win the day. If you ever wondered why second-wave feminists were angry in the 1960s and '70s, reading this book will show you why.
July 28 – Oryx and Crate by Margaret Atwood (Bev Ayers-Nachamkin)
Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey
—with the help of the green-eyed Children of Crake
—through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. Margaret Atwood projects us into a near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.
August 25 – Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See (Susan Rimby)
Lady Tan's Circle of Women is based on a real historical character in the Ming dynasty, a woman who gains renown as a healer of women. Over her lifetime, she gains about as much power as a woman in that culture can have. Along the way, she solves a murder and develops a life-long friendship with a woman of a lower class.
September 22 – The Age of AI - And Our Human Future by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher (Keith Bittinger)
Summary: In
The Age of AI, three leading thinkers come together to explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the way it is transforming human society—and what this technology means for us all.
Paperback: 288 pages, 7 chapters
Audio Book: 7 hrs 13 mins
October 27 – Women Talking by Miriam Toews (John Katz)
In an isolated Mennonite colony, women, children, and even infants have endured rape, assault, and other brutalities with terrifying regularity. The book opens when the women of two families meet to discuss their options--which are rather limited, given how they have been kept illiterate and utterly ignorant of the outside world. This book is at once appalling, fascinating, and thrillingly suspenseful.
November 24 – 2025 reading selections
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UUCV Clothing Swap
Members and attendees are invited to participate in a free clothing swap on Sunday, April 14 in the Dining Hall.
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Drop-off your slightly used, clean clothing Sunday, April 7 during church, or the week of April 8 - 13 between 8:30a and 1:30p.
On Sunday, April 14, head to the dining room after the Town Hall and browse the available clothing. Bring your own bag to pack up your items.
All leftover clothes will be sold at the Weeusables Consignment Sale in Harrisburg to raise general funds for UUCV. Watch for more information in PrE-Views and Sunday announcements. |
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