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Dear friends,
May’s Worship theme is “How do we connect to the world as it could be?”
No big deal right? We can cover the answers to that question in five hour long services, yes? Easy peasy. Obviously I’m being a little flippant, but when you think about it, the questions we choose to engage on Sunday mornings are all huge and complicated and could attract the attention of a lifetime. It is hard to know what to lift up in our short time together, knowing that so much will be left out. There is so much to explore together.
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These choices have felt more and more significant as the number of times I will lead worship with you has entered the single digits. There is so much that I want to say to you and it can be overwhelming. How can I decide on one thing to say when I have so many! It can actually be kind of paralyzing. I have to keep reminding myself that the point is not what I say over the next two months, but what we have been talking about for the last eight years.
They say that every minister has one sermon that they preach over and over again. While I like to think I have slightly more to say than that, here is the heart of what I want you to know:
You are enough. Never stop trying.
In my over three hundred and fifty sermons I have preached to you, I think that is the thing I have said the most and felt more deeply. So instead of trying to pack every thought I’ve ever had into the coming days, I think I will just add one more thing:
I love you.
In faith,
Rev. Aija
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May Worship
May 2 – “The Frame is a Mirror” How do we move forward where there is no framework? Can we trust that we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, that we have what we need to affect change? Chris Kapp and Riley Johnson lead the service with worship associate Nikki Fry.
May 9 – “Again & Again & Again” It can seem like the work of transforming the world is never ending. How do we keep going? Rev. Aija Simpson preaches with worship associate Cathy Dewalt.
May 16 – “You Wouldn’t do that if I was a Dude” …. and other life lessons from a female minister. Rev. Aija Simpson preaches. Following worship, we will hold our Town Hall.
May 23 – “Building Beauty” We celebrate parents day with our annual Flower Communion. Join us at the Cumberland Drive-in for this service. Rev. Aija Simpson is preaching with worship associate Chris Bilger. Due to technical limitations, this service will not be on ZOOM.
May 30 – “Memorial Day for us All” How we remember our loved ones who passed away. Gisela Roethke leads the service with worship associate Julie Ham.
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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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Transitional Minister Search News |
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Transitional Minister Search Update
The position application was submitted in early April and our transitional minister position is posted on the UUA job board. Ministers have until May 1st to submit their interest in the position.
The interview process is organized into two rounds. If the task force does not select a minister in the first round, we will continue the search in round two.
In the first round of interviews, the candidate applications will be released to the task force in early May, and the team will review the candidate applications and conduct the necessary background checks. The most qualified candidates will be scheduled for interviews.
The final decision for each candidate is due to the UUA Transitions office by mid-May to complete the first round. If we find a match, an offer will be made by the task force. If no offer is made in the first round, the task force will continue to round two. The round two timeline extends into mid-June.
With any luck, the next update will include the introduction of our Transitional Minister to the congregation.
As a reminder, this position will be for a term of two years beginning in August. The members of the transitional search task force and are your best points of contact for questions about the search.
● Gail Black
● Amy Farrell
● Cindy Good
● Kristen Wycha
Updates will be provided as we progress through the search process. For questions about the transitional minister search, please email to Kristen Wycha at kwycha@gmail.com.
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Save the Date
Dust off your chairs and join us at the Cumberland Drive-In for Outdoor Worship and Flower Communion.
Save May 23 at 10:30 am for the service (rain date June 6) Worship leaders will be LIVE and in person at the drive-in.
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Gates will open at 10:00 am. Though the address is on Centerville Road, please enter through the main Drive-In entrance on Ritner Highway. (You may find it easiest to set your GPS to “Hair It Is” salon on Ritner Highway—that business shares an entrance with the Drive-In. After turning off of Ritner Hwy, just continue down the long driveway to the left of the salon.)
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Bring your own lawn chairs and masks to sit outside with your household, or participate from inside your car. We will have volunteers directing you to park with appropriate “vehicular social distancing” between vehicles.
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We will follow the CDC Guidelines that are in place for outdoor gatherings
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If possible, plan to use the bathroom at home before attending. Bathrooms will be open but limited to one household at a time, and will need to be cleaned in between each use.
Due to technical limitations, this service will NOT be available on ZOOM.
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"The UUCV Book Discussion group meets via Zoom on the 4th Sunday of each month at 6:30 pm. Dates and titles can be found on our website: https://uucv.org/fellowship/book-group/ Please join us for a lively discussion, newcomers are always welcome!
The selection for May 23rd is "No Friends But the Mountains: Dispatches from the World's Most Violent Highlands" by Judith Matloff. Mountainous regions of the world are home to a small percentage of the world's population, but they are the setting for a disproportionate amount of violent conflicts. Matloff travels to these regions to investigate the causes of these conflicts, and shares how they ultimately impact the world.
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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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Update from Emily Crutcher, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
As many of you know, my partner Brian graduated from Dickinson Law School in May 2020. He had secured a job with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, but when the pandemic hit that job offer was put on hold indefinitely, which was (needless to say) pretty stressful. Now that our part of the world is slowly recovering, that job offer came through and Brian was able to start working as a full-time attorney this Spring. Unfortunately, the AG's office does have a requirement that he live within New Jersey, necessitating our move to Burlington, NJ at the end of April (just across the Delaware River - I can see Pennsylvania from my office!) I want to be transparent about this life update, and reassure you that I have no immediate plans to leave my position as Director of Lifespan Faith Development. For now I am doing my job almost entirely remotely, and I have talked with the Board about returning for worship and RE on Sundays when we are back in person. I already miss some things about the community of Carlisle, but I am so proud of Brian and excited to see what this next chapter will bring for us. I look forward to seeing you all in person for our flower communion service at the drive-in on May 23!
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Navigating Uncharted Waters Aboard the Good Ship UUCV
Our annual Stewardship/ Budget Drive has come to an end and the Good Ship UUCV is now docked. Our beloved community pulled together during rough seas and difficult times, and although we fell a little short of our goal, we were able to raise pledges of $224,644 which is 97% of the $231,000 goal! We had 87 pledge units which included 5 new units. Each pledge was very gratefully accepted and deeply appreciated. The commitment of the congregation reflects that we do need each other more than we know, and that we will continue to work together to transform lives and care for the world.
Thank you to the Annual Budget Drive committee, stewards, artists, to those who shared their testimonials, and everyone behind the scenes who made this a successful journey. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Wishing you all fair winds and following seas in the days ahead,
Deb Genet and Joan Kraft (Co-Chairs)
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Capital Campaign -
Things Are About to Get Interesting...
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We have a general contractor in place to begin the largest, most costly portion of our Capital Campaign projects.
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This contract includes:
* Remodeling the lower-level bathrooms. One will be an accessible/family bathroom.
* Upgrading the electrical, lighting, and plumbing structures of the kitchen
in preparation for future new appliances.
* Constructing two accessible bathrooms on the main level.
* Replacing rotten or damaged fascia, soffits, and roof gutters.
* Replacing water-damaged ceiling tiles and lighting in the lobby area.
* Installing new exterior doors. This includes an electronic opener for the lobby.
Needless to say, our church home will be disrupted. Some parking may be blocked off and certain building areas will not be accessible. We have been assured that at least one bathroom will remain available at all times. We will share more information once construction begins.
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Looking Back/ Planning Forward
In January of 2017 (feels so long ago), UUCV began exploring how to pay for major repairs to the building. We devoted 2017 & 2018 to holding cottage meetings, creating our goals, holding a feasibility study, developing and voting on three financial options, and launching the pledge drive in September 2018.
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We can all take pride in knowing the care and thought given to each step along the way.
Shepherding this lengthy project, with hundreds of decisions and COVID delays, has been the task of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee. One of the key responsibilities is monitoring finances. Financial factors are ever-changing; pledge dollars and construction prices have changed significantly since 2018. The only constant has been that 21% ($120,000) of the initial CapCam budget helps support our full-time DLFD position. Our priority for the as-yet-unused funds remains the list of necessary repairs to our facility.
This campaign is still in progress… projects will continue to be completed as pledges are fulfilled.
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April Social Justice Opportunities
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Change For The World - April through June
Safe Harbour
Safe Harbour has been providing secure housing for homeless and nearly homeless children and adults for more than three decades, having served thousands of people since opening its doors in a historic former hotel in downtown Carlisle in 1986.
Their mission is to provide housing, support services and basic life skills for individuals and families, while helping them achieve independent living. Safe Harbour provides a home base for otherwise homeless families. The programs within are designed to increase "the inherent self-worth and dignity" of each individual entering their doors. For more specifics on the organization, please visit www.safeharbour.org
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CARES dinner for 30
The dinner for CARES Carlisle in May will be Sunday, May 23.
A huge "Thank You" to all who continue to contribute and allow us to provide these meals.
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Contact Pam if you want to contribute any of the following items:
Italian Sausage/ Hot Sausage - 4 dozen grilled sausages needed
Small hoagie rolls - 4 dozen needed
Grilled Onions & Peppers - 2 casseroles needed
Condiments - 2 Mustard, 1 Hot Sauce
Salads, 4 needed - Potato salad, Bean salad, Pasta Salad, Vegetable Salads
Fresh Fruit - Bananas, Apples, Grapes
Cookies - 6 Dozen needed
Drinks - 2 gal Milk, 2 gal. Iced Tea, 2 gal. Lemonade
Please plan to drop off your items between 3:00 and 3:30 on Sunday,
May 23 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.
If you mark your food containers with your name, Dee Lauderbaugh will pick up your containers and take them to her house for you to pick up at your convenience.
A huge thank you to all who make the effort to contribute food!
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Antiracism Initiative
Monthly Meeting
Come share in a presentation by Melissa Mattson and a discussion with the Antiracism Initiative group on Saturday May 15th from 10:00 - 11:30 am on the worship Zoom channel.
Topics will include:
- Affirmative Action: what are the specifics & is it still needed
- Critical Issues for the Latinex community & other People of Color
All are welcome!
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SAVE THE DATE for a Special Social Justice Event
UUJusticePA, formerly UUPLAN, will join the UUCV SJC UUJusticePA, formerly UUPLAN, will join the UUCV SJC Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Specifically, our guests will be Rev. Joan M. Sabatino, the Director, and Caron Carnahan, the Congregation Liaison Coordinator. They will discuss the work of UUJusticePA and be available to answer some questions. The larger UUCV congregation is more than welcome to attend. Please join us in learning more about the important work that they do: https://uujusticepa.org/ via Zoom. |
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2021 UUjustice PA annual meeting
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Congregational Meeting
We will hold our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 13 following worship. 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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We'll be voting on the proposed budget for next year. There will be an update on the Transitional Minister search (if all goes well we will be sharing info about the person who will be our Transitional Minister!) and we'll have an update on the Capital Campaign and the building construction project.
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Farewell Picnic for Rev. Aija
Reserve June 20 on your calendar for an outdoor picnic at the South Middleton Park, pavillion #2 at 3:00 PM.
Details will follow, but reserve the date to come and say good-bye and visit with others in a safe, outdoor location.
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Town Hall
Save the date...May 16th following worship for our next UUCV Town Hall Meeting.
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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We will talk about the results of the SCRT Survey and how we will be using them to inform our policies on reopening the church. |
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UUCV Yard Sale
Fingers crossed we will be able to have our yard sale sometime this summer.
We will track and follow CDC guidelines and make a decision early summer if we can fill the yard with treasures...and maybe even grilled hot dogs and a bake sale!!
Start cleaning out and saving your items and stay tuned for more details.
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Thank you to the 71 folks who filled out our UUCV Safety Survey! This information will be extremely helpful for making decisions about in-person gathering. We have been able to hold two Listening Sessions, and we have two more available this week: Wednesday, April 28: 3:00PM - 3:45PM and Thursday, April 29: 6:00PM - 6:45PM. If you would like to join one of these 45-minute Zoom sessions and share your opinion on in-person meetings and worship, please sign up ASAP by clicking here.
Make sure your calendar is marked for our Town Hall on May 16th following the worship service (about noon). Board members will share what we have learned from the survey and listening sessions, give policy updates, and take your comments. You can stay on the worship Zoom channel after church, or click here to join on Zoom.
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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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