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“Becoming is a funny word, because it means beautiful as well as the process of arriving at a state of being.” ~Imani Perry
Dear beloveds,
Every year the UUA selects a common read. This is one book that the denomination invites Unitarian Universalists across the country to read together. The idea is that it helps us to be part of one larger conversation. The 2021 common read is
Breathe: A Letter to My Sons by Imani Perry.
I came across the quotation above when I read
Breathe, and it has stayed with me since. Perhaps it is the confluence of this time of change in our country and in my own life that made it stand out as particularly relevant. I think we often think that things need to be finished to be beautiful.
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I believe that we are all always in the process of becoming, that we never stop. So we are complete and whole and beautiful even while we are in process, not someday (never) when we are “done”. This act, of being and becoming at the same time, will be the topic of my sermon on February 7th and, I imagine, the topic of a great deal of conversation at UUCV in the coming weeks and months.
Who we have become together in my time with you and who you are getting ready to be once I step down will be big questions. Asking them may be hard but I believe that they will be beautiful as well. We have become, we are becoming, we will continue to be.
In faith,
Rev Aija
PS - If you would like to pick up a copy of
Breathe, Whistlestop books will offer a discount to any member of UUCV. We also have a few copies available for loan. Contact me if you would like to borrow a copy.
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Special Announcement
From the Minister... |
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Dear beloveds,
After much discernment I have decided that I will leave my position at UUCV at the end of this church year. This is not a decision I have taken lightly; I have spent the year in conversation with my family, colleagues and mentors. After a year of pandemic life with a young child at home, I’ve come to the realization that, in the long term, I can either be the parent I want to be or the minister I want to be. Trying to be both has had moments of beauty, a great deal of meaning, and a growing realization that this was not sustainable. For the last 8 years I have given this ministry my whole heart. I’ve decided to leave while this is still true.
I am confident that UUCV has the leadership and gifts it needs to not just survive but thrive in a new ministry. We have done amazing things together. Our covenant of right relations has helped us to be the warm welcoming congregation we knew we could be. Our capital campaign not only allowed us to protect our beloved church home but to invest in our future with the welcome of a full time director of lifespan faith development. We have created excellent worship, celebrated together and worked to find our unique place in the work of creating the beloved community. We have not always been perfect but we have come together, time and again, to do the hard, essential work of building community. It is this work that I believe allowed us to stay cohesive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though we have been worshipping on zoom since March we remain a strong body. While we have not been able to be together in person, we have remained together in all of the ways that matter. You are ready to carry this forward. I can’t wait to hear about what you do in the coming years.
Going forward, our Board will be taking steps to plan for a transitional ministry. I will continue as your minister through the end of June. In the coming months there will be many opportunities for us to say goodbye and celebrate our time together. If you would like to come and speak to me, I will be holding open hours on zoom https://uuma.zoom.us/j/9428106896 from 2 - 5 pm today. This will include our traditional Friday afternoon meditation from 3 - 3:30. You are also welcome to contact me or Pam to make a separate appointment in the coming weeks.
I will miss this place and all of you very much. It has been my great honor to be a part of such a loving, engaged, fun community. Whoever follows me will be lucky to serve. While our time together is ending I will carry each one of you with me wherever I go.
In faith and gratitude,
Rev. Aija
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February Worship
February 7 - "What Beautiful Thing are We Becoming?" 'Becoming' is a funny word, because it means beautiful as well as the process of arriving at a state of being. Rev. Aija Simpson preaches with worship associate Gisela Roethke.
February 14 - "We Need Not be Perfect to Witness Justice" "Judge not lest ye be judged is a reminder that this silk-slippered socialist nudges herself while laughing. Rev. Aija Simpson preaches with worship associate Bev Motich.
February 21 - " Honoring the Stories of Black Voices in Poetry, Prose, & Song" Join us to honor the stories of Black voices as expressed in poetry, prose, and song, presented by worship leader Cheryl Parsons, worship associate Riley Johnson and assisted by members of the UUCV Antiracism Initiative.
February 28 - "How do we live with our competing instincts to protect and to cultivate?" I want to hold you safe. I also want you to fly. Rev. Aija Simpson preaches with worship associate Bev Motich.
Join us for worship on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 942 810 6896
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Please join us for a lively discussion, newcomers are always welcome!
The selection for February 28th is "As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock" by Dina Gilio-Whitaker. This book examines the history of Native resistance to the harm done against the land, and provides insight for further activism..
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UUCV Grocery Cards for Sale
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We are still available for you to purchase grocery card sales for Weis, Karns and Giant...and remember you can use your Giant card for gas also.
Send an email to Pam with your order and the cards will be mailed to your home. You can pay by sending a check to UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007 or you can pay by credit card directly to Pam...indicate in your email if you want to pay by credit card and Pam will arrange the payment with you.
Thanks for continuing to support UUCV.
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soUUper Bowl Soup Pick-Up
Your Soup will be ready for pick-up on Sunday, February 7.
We will be providing curbside pick-up so please enter the parking lot from High Street and drive to the lower door (office entrance) of the parking lot.
As much as possible, please follow the pick-up schedule:
Last name A-H 2 - 3 PM
Last name I-Q 3 - 4 PM
Last name R-Z 4 - 5 PM
Payment is required at time of pick-up by cash or Checks made out to UUCV with "Soup" in the memo line.
Quarts $10.00
Pints, $5.00
Contact Lynn Michels if you are unable to pick-up your soup at your designated time
lynnisue57@gmail.com or 717/580-6615
Thank you for your support of this UUCV fundraiser.
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UUCV’s 2018-2021 Capital Campaign
C
reating our Future Together
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UUCV Capital Campaign – 2021. Time Marches On…
As UUCV begins 2021, let’s collectively pause to reflect on our Capital Campaign. Do we realize 2021 is already the 3rd and final year for fulfilling our pledges?
Do we recall what we have accomplished and what work still lies ahead?
Flashback:
2017-18 – Laying the groundwork: visioning, education, and feasibility study
June 2018 – Congregational Vote to launch a Capital Campaign Pledge Drive
August 2018 – Pledge Drive Kick-off and celebration
Accomplishments:
December 2018 – Expanded the DLFD position to full-time
October 2019 – New roof installed over the social hall and porches
February 2020 – New replacement windows throughout most of the church
March 2020 –
The impact of COVID-19 paused project work for months
October 2020 – Masonry work: repoints brick, rebuilds exterior wall & stairs
Goals Still To Be Completed:
2021 – The next task is the most complicated, requiring architectural planning and coordination by a general contractor. Projects in this bundle will include:
- Replacement doors and upgraded, secured entrances
- New and remodeled accessible bathrooms on both levels
- Exterior painting and replacement soffits and gutters
- Upgraded kitchen electrical systems and appliances
After this, the parking lot will be repaved and an outdoor activity area developed.
So much already accomplished! Yes, still so much to get done. But, we are well on our way! One step at a time… We will reach the finish line!
We will celebrate what we have accomplished TOGETHER!
Submitted by Paula Terry & Deb Stille
for the CapCam Steering Committee
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February 1 is the beginning of Black History Month! We affirm and celebrate Black lives every day of the year, but I invite you to spend some extra time this month talking with children about anti-racism and lifting up the voices, images, and achievements of Black children and adults. I wanted to share this wonderful list developed by George Mason University: https://cdmid.gmu.edu/picks
This contains many engaging resources:
Videos for discussion anti-racism with children including Kevin & Jamal, an animated video explaining systemic racism
Software suggestions such as The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture mobile app
Clothing stores such as Blended Designs which feature empowering messages for children of color
Books and video resources like Lee & Low Multicultural Books, one of the few BIPOC-owned publishing companies in the US
Extra fun stuff such as Puzzle Huddle, a shop with puzzles featuring characters of color
I hope you find something in this resource to inspire learning and exploration this month. I also wanted to invite you to our next Storytime with Emily on Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00pm. We will be learning about our new Vice President Kamala Harris by reading the book
Kamala and Maya's Big Idea by Meena Harris. Join Emily's Zoom channel, here: https://zoom.us/my/emilyuucv All are welcome!
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New UUCV Feature Coming your Way...February 7 |
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Announcements to Return...just in a different format
Do you have an important announcement you want to share with UUCV members and attendees?
Are you missing activities, events and important news that's happening...even ZOOM events?
Beginning Sunday, February 7, we will begin including written announcements on our worship ZOOM channel beginning each Sunday at 10:15. This will resemble the paper announcements you received each Sunday along with your Order of Service when we were able to meet together in person.
You will be able to read the announcements as they appear on your ZOOM channel or check out the website link we will include on Sundays for you to read them at your leisure. We are hoping this will help keep everyone more informed of important UUCV happenings.
If you have something you would like to submit for inclusion in the announcements, send an email to Pam pam@uucv.net before the end of day on the Thursday prior to the Sunday you want the announcement included. You must write the announcement as you would like it to be viewed with no more than 1 photo and 50 - 100 words.
And, as always, you can always view our website uucv.org or visit us on Facebook to keep up with current events and news. |
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February Social Justice Opportunities
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Change For The World—February
YWCA Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Services of Cumberland County
This program offers a 24-hour Hotline for victims of rape and sexual assault, accompaniment to legal and medical proceedings, individual counseling for victims and their significant others, support groups, advocacy, and prevention/education programs to civic groups and students in Cumberland County schools. Specifically, services provided include: 24-hour toll-free Hotline, Counseling, Medical and Legal Advocacy, Protection from Abuse Orders, Preventative Education Programs, Girlz Camp (week long camp for teens who have been victims of sexual abuse) and the Hero Project (a community based child sexual abuse prevention program to motivate adults to report child sexual abuse.) All Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Services are free and confidential. ywcacarlisle.org
The Social Justice Committee has decided that our CFTW will be changed each quarter instead of each month allowing offerings to accumulate for three months in order to give recipients larger sums.
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Social Justice Committee Invites You...
We are going to watch another TED Talk at the next meeting, This one is about the Suffragettes. It is about five minutes long, but very informative.
We want to invite the larger congregation to join us starting at 6:45 pm February 17. We will have the business portion of our meeting done by then. From 6:45 pm to 7:30pm, we will discuss the film and the suffragettes. We will have some links to additional resources that I will place in the chat, if people would like to learn more on their own. That's just a bonus, though.
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CARES dinner for 40 - 50
We will deliver a winter warming dinner to CARES on Sunday, February 21, 2021.
CARES is serving a larger number of folks since the weather turned cold.
Contact Pam to sign up for an item.
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For this meal we still need the following items.
SIDES - 3 needed Macaroni & Cheese, Rice Casserole, Potato Casseroles
VEGETABLES - 3 needed - Mixed Vegetables, Green Beans, Corn
ROLLS - 5 or 6 dozen needed & 1 lb of butter
DESSERTS - 5 or 6 dozen needed - Chocolate cupcakes or bar cookies
DRINKS - 4 gallons needed - Milk, Chocolate milk
Please plan to drop off your items between 3:00 and 3:30 on Sunday,
February 21 at the UUCV Parking Lot. If you need someone to pick up your item, or if you have any questions, please email Carol Riesmeyer or call 724/822-6423. Thank you for your continued contributions and support.
A huge thank you to all who make the effort to contribute food!
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A Win-Win Reminder
In the words of Sonia Pitzi, the Region 3 coordinator for Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH), “I can’t express my gratitude enough! These gift cards have been such a huge blessing this year!”
In August UUCV started a program where those us that are able make donations toward purchasing Giant grocery cards from UUCV that are then given to ECYEH. The win-win is that Giant donates a portion of the value of each card to UUCV and ECYEH gets much needed support to distribute to their clients. Our contributions so far have combined to provide 15 $100 cards to ECYEH!
The need for our support of ECYEH continues, so here’s how the plan works if you are able to make a donation:
• Donations need to be mailed to Pam Martin at UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007.
• Donations need to be checks made out to UUCV, and only in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100.
• Checks should have ECYEH marked in the memo line.
• Donations will be combined toward the purchase of $100 Giant cards as these offer the best return to UUCV.
• The grocery cards will then be given to ECYEH.
• Your donation will be recorded on your annual tax statement from UUCV
If you are someone who would like to support needs in our local region but are not able at this time to contribute in the specified amounts, contributions in any amount to Change for the World (CFTW) are always gratefully received and distributed to the current CFTW recipient.
THANK YOU!
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There will be a town hall meeting by ZOOM following worship on Sunday, February 7.
We will have a report from our treasurer on the current status of our finances, an update on the Capital Campaign, and the Annual Budget Drive Co-Chairs will be announced. |
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We'll also hear from the Safe Congregation Response Team on beginning the conversation about how we will decide when we can safely reopen the church.
Join us on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 942 810 6896
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Phishing Email Alert
We've been alerted that some of our members/attendees are receiving emails that appear as if they have come from Rev. Aija asking for money or gift card donations. DO NOT respond to any emails of this type. Rev. Aija will never ask for money or any gift contributions over an email.
Please be careful of this scam and any others you may suspect. If you aren't sure if it's legitimate...it probably isn't.
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UUCV Building Open
The SCRT and UUCV Board of Trustees has approved opening the building for maintenance, garden/yard workers and staff who need to enter the building for routine tasks with the following guidelines:
"Nobody goes to the church after dark. Masks must be worn, unless people are in two separate offices behind closed doors. This policy will be revised as needed as circumstances change over the coming months."
Your staff will still be working remotely, so please continue to contact them by email or by calling 717/249-8944 and leaving a message for the staff member you need to reach by following the prompts.
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"Rhythm for Choir” workshop series in February!
What does it mean to sing in a choir? How do all those people do the same thing at the same time? Why does your heart beat differently when a group is singing together? If these are questions that have entered your mind, take note!
Matt Meyer, a wonderful percussionist and teacher from the AUUMM, is offering a three-part workshop series on “Rhythm for Choir” that you won’t want to miss! Dates are (Mondays all) February 1, 8, and 15, at 8:00 PM, and sessions are priced on a sliding scale from $10-$45 each. Each session will last about an hour, and will be followed by a Q&A period with Matt:
1. Rhythm in the Body—Feb 1
We’ll offer frameworks, lessons, and exercises to better understand rhythm, feel it more comfortably, and sing it with more confidence. Using body percussion and song, we’ll try out different meters, rhythms, and grooves.
2. Rhythm around the World—Feb 8
Cultures around the world use rhythm differently. We’ll explore the theories and practices of West African, South Indian and European perspectives on rhythm. We’ll dive into odd time signatures, syncopation, and polyrhythms through the lens of what different world traditions have to teach us about the role of rhythm.
3. Rhythm for Hymns—Feb 15
Drumming 101 for adding percussion to congregational music. We’ll learn specific examples for adding percussion to our favorite Sunday morning music. Even if you’re not a drummer, this is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of rhythm and build musical confidence.
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"Do you know what I just heard? Cathy and her committee are planning another auction."
"No way!"
"Yes, way. I don't know when and remember, this is just hearsay, but what I am hoping is that there are lots goodies!"
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News from the Mozambique Bursary
In August and October of 2020 Sonia Assane Sauale, our field agent in Mozambique, distributed 24 mosquito nets and hygiene supplies to students at the Molumbo and Namarroi Boarding Centers. When the Namarroi Center closed in September because of health protocols, Sonia housed the girls in a nearby guest house and provided them with kitchen utensils, cooking pots, and tableware. These much-needed supplies enabled the girls to keep safe during the Covid pandemic in their country.
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Your generous donations to the Mozambique Bursary Program provide these supplies and more to the students supported by UUCV members and friends. Thank you to all who made a donation for the 2021 school year.
Susan Rimby for the UUCV Mozambique Bursary Committee
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ZOOM Worship
Most of our activities will be held in our main Zoom channel, which is accessible in any of the following ways:
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- point your browser to uuma.zoom.us/j/9428106896 , OR
- “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 942 810 6896
If you don’t already have Zoom installed on your computer, clicking any Zoom link will prompt you to begin the installation. There is no charge to you for the software or its use.
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UUCV Fundraising Opportunities
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https://smile.amazon.com/
Do you shop on Amazon? Go instead to https://smile.amazon.com/
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support UUCV every time you shop, at no cost to you. Select Unitarian Universalist of Cumberland Valley as your charitable organization and everytime you make a purchase Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to UUCV. Same great producs, same prices as Amazon, but https://smile.amazon.com/ makes money for UUCV. |
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