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My dear friends,
It is always exciting to greet a new year, and 2023 promises to be a wonderful one at
UUCV.
As practitioners of a living tradition, we continue to grow and change through the new year. Our annual Fire Communion service will be held on the second Sunday of
January, the 8th, and all are welcome to enjoy the excitement of using flash paper to
send our hopes and dreams flying up into the ether. |
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After the service on the third Sunday in January, the 15th, we will be holding a
congregational vote on approving the 8th Principle. Please plan to be present to take
part in this historic use of the democratic process, where we hope to join the hundreds
of UU churches across the US in affirming our support of the 8th Principle.
Outside of our Sunday worship, we are also celebrating many exciting events, including
our monthly auction events, which are available for sign-up in our social hall. Have you
looked into “Raise Right” yet? There is always something fun to get involved with at
UUCV!
May you stay cozy and warm this season, and consider doing that with us! Keep an
eye on our calendar for opportunities to get together, do some good in the world, and
enjoy life!
And as always, I invite you to contact me at minister@uucv.net just to chat about
anything at all. I look forward to connecting with you in person, online, or via phone!
With so much love,
Rev. Meg
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The Worship theme for January is Tending Toward Growth
January 1 – “A Fireside Service” Join us for a live zoom-only service, as we celebrate the New Year from our cozy homes! Hygge, the Danish spirit of "comfortable conviviality" is the spirit of our intention-setting for the New Year. Snuggle under a blanket, bring your hot chocolate (with marshmallows!) and join our "Fireside Service" from the comfort of your couch. Rev. Meg Mathieson leads the service with worship associate Melissa Mattson.
January 8 – “The Fire of Commitment” Fire Communion is a sacred Unitarian Universalist ritual of intention-setting for the New Year. All are welcome to participate in this Multigen service where we will celebrate the fire of our commitment to one another. Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associate Dot Everhart.
January 15 - "Sunday of Changes" Our Outreach Sunday for the month of January is a day of changes! Join us for a lively message about identity, spirituality, and commitment. Stay afterward for a historic congregational meeting where we will exercise our democratic values and vote to endorse the 8th Principle!Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associate Joseph Osborne.
January 22 – “Chris Kapp” As Uu's, activism is in our souls. Protest is practically a sacrament. But there is a time and a place for everything, including our silence. So how do we know when to use our voice and when to keep quiet? Rev. Chris Kapp leads the service with worship associate Riley Johnson.
January 29 – "We're Halfway" Wheel of the Year members observe Imbolc during this service.
Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary 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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January 1, 2023 service will be on our worship ZOOM channel only at 10:30 am. Join Rev. Meg for a "Fireside Service". Join us for a live zoom-only service, as we celebrate the New Year from our cozy homes!
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Hygge, the Danish spirit of "comfortable conviviality" is the spirit of our intention-setting for the New Year. Snuggle under a blanket, bring your hot chocolate (with marshmallows!) and join our "Fireside Service" from the comfort of your couch.
Services will resume in our Sanctuary and ZOOM on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 am.
Have a glorious Holiday Season!
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The January Book Choice is "The Old Drift, by Namwali Serpeli.
Start reading!
Watch for upcoming announcements with more details.
Contact Riley Johnson riles1806@gmail.com with any immediate questions.
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Wild Women
Project
January - Sustain |
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Showing up for your life takes a lot of effort, but you can’t pour from an empty cup! Come reconnect with what it means to rest, and explore the ways we can use boundaries to protect our precious energy.
Join Riley Johnson on Saturday, January 21 at 3:00 in the Social Hall. For more details, read the December newsletter on our website www.uucv.org or contact Riley riles1806@gmail.com
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Church Closings for the Holiday
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UUCV will be closed for Christmas Holiday from Friday, December 23 and will re-open Tuesday, January 3.
With Christmas and New Year’s falling on a Sunday this year, there will be no church service on Sunday, December 25.
Church service on Sunday, January 1 will be by ZOOM only
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We will have our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 5:00PM on Saturday, December 24.
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I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.
Just think, the days are getting longer and it’s not too early to consider what your plans are for a vacation. You can go right now if you’re into winter activities.
Here’s a thought! Check out this month’s featured auction sign up! It’s a vacation rental at the shore! That’s right! Katie McFarland has graciously donated her vacation home near Lewes, Del for a week. This auction begins on Jan 1, 2023 and will run four weeks to Jan 31, 2023. This is an escalating bid sign up with bids starting at $600.
I can also accept sign-ups for the auction on April 29. Feel free to submit it to the auction email address: UUCVauction@outlook.com
Cathy Dewalt, Auction Chairperson
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January 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, January 18 in the board room. All are welcome to join our meetings. |
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Change for the World
1st Quarter January - March |
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The CFTW for January - March, 2023, will be the MOUNT TABOR PRESERVATION PROJECT. The little Mount Tabor AME Zion Church on Cedar St, Mount Holly, was built in 1870 by former slave and Baptist minister, Elias Parker. It is a piece of African American history, the spiritual hub of the Afro-American community, and the only place where people of color could worship and be buried in the 1800s. The property had been abandoned in the 1970s, almost lost. and had fallen into great disrepair.
Many people have provided funds and worked hard to repair and clean the structure. Following National Park standards, the rehabilitation will include repairing walls and roof, adding electricity, ADA accessibility, parking area, work on the cemetery, which includes scanning the graveyard to locate the bodies buried there. When this project is completed, it hopefully will function as a place for civic organizations and boro government, as well as an educational and tourist site. For more info and photos visit mttaborpreservation@gmail.com.
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The 8th Principle
“Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” www.8thprincipleuu.org
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IMPORTANT!!!
In just a few weeks, on Sunday, January 15, 2023 UUCV will have a special congregation meeting after the service to vote on adopting the 8th Principle. Please plan to attend either in person or on Zoom as we need a quorum to have an official vote, and everyone’s vote is important.
Over the past few months we have explored the 8th Principle with sermons, reflections, testimonials, discussions, newsletter articles, and a congregational survey. And, while there are some understandable objections to the wording, there is clear support for the content of the 8th Principle. We will be choosing as a congregation to side with love and commit to dismantling racism and all other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
ARTICLE II STUDY COMMISSION UPDATE
The Article II Study Commission of the UUA has released a draft of their proposed changes to Article II of the UUA bylaws. This is the section of the bylaws that contains the Principles and Sources that we are all familiar with. The proposed draft is a significant and comprehensive rewrite that changes the format of the Principles and Sources. To view the proposed draft go to www.uua.org and type “article ii” in the search bar and then scroll down to “article ii study commission”. On the opening page in the second section titled “Article II Outreach Team”, there is a link to the full draft of Article II and a link to an online Google Doc feedback form.
It is unclear if the Google Doc feedback form is still open for comment as the plan for creating a second draft and round of feedback seems to have changed. The Article II webpage now reads “After we let this new round of feedback simmer over the holidays, we will put together our proposal in early 2023 to send to the board. The proposal will be considered in mini-assemblies before the vote at General Assembly 2023.” The referenced feedback was given to the Study Commission in November.
Once a final draft is presented to the UUA Board it will need to be approved at General Assembly in 2023 and 2024 before it becomes official. As this revision of Article II is by no means a done deal, the grassroots effort to adopt the 8th Principle will continue and UUCV will proceed as planned with a vote to adopt the 8th Principle on January 15, 2023.
Please become familiar with this draft of proposed revisions of the 7 Principles and 6 Sources. It directly impacts our statement of faith as a UU community. If you have questions or concerns please contact Rev Meg at minister@uucv.net or Wendy Gebb at wendywinter@comcast.net
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ECYEH
Pennsylvania's Education for Children and
Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program
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!”
UUCV has an ongoing 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 support is particularly appreciated during the cold winter months.
Here’s how the plan works if you are able to make a donation:
• Donations need to be given to or 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
THANK YOU!
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JOIN UU Justice PA as WE MOVE JUSTICE FORWARD in PA
UUJusticePA is working for real change for real people.
Members help to sustain the fight for justice for all in Pennsylvania.
Please join and support us as we continue to influence legislators on crucial social justice issues.
If you value our UUJusticePA presence in Harrisburg, make a contribution of any amount and become a member today. Memberships are good for the calendar year, so current members are encouraged to renew their support now, and new members are needed. Donations of as little as $1 qualify you for membership. Visit UUJusticePA.org to support this important arm of our outreach and our Principle of making the democratic process work for everyone.
Suggested annual membership amount is $40, but any amount that fits your budget (more or less than $40) is accepted. Please consider joining today!
Important Action everyone can take now and on January 3rd
January 3rd, 2023, will be the first day of the 2023-2024 legislative session. Legislators and their guests will gather to swear in new legislators, vote on House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore, and vote on legislative rules. Current rules allow committee chairs to prevent proposed legislation from being considered or getting a vote, resulting in partisan stalemates and majority party passage of bills with last minute amendments with no discussion.
UU JUstice PA will partner with Fair Districts PA, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and other PA advocacy organizations to gather in Harrisburg to request better legislative rules so bipartisan solutions, many introduced session after session, sometimes decade after decade, can finally get a vote.
The rally will take place on the capitol steps from 11 am to noon on January 3rd.. Organizational leaders will be speaking about bipartisan solutions, public support and ways those solutions have been blocked. Bring signs, banners, whatever you can to help make the point that PA voters want a legislature ready to vote on bills with bipartisan support.
Can't make the rally or rallies aren't your thing??? Call your state representative and your state senator at their local offices by December 30th and advocate for the passage of rules that will allow our state government to truly be bipartisan. Here are some suggestions:
As a constituent, I request that you vote YES to sensible rules changes on January 3rd. At a minimum, I am asking for the following:
- Guarantee that all bipartisan bills get a vote in committee
- Once a bill passes out of committee, the bill gets a vote on the floor
- If the bill passes out of committee, it must get a vote in both chambers
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CARES MEAL
UUCV is signed up to provide a dinner to Community CARES Carlisle
on SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023. This nonprofit organization is now providing
dinners to between 45 - 50 people.
Email Pam if you are able to donate any of the items still needed, or you can mail a check in marked CARES and we will purchase what is still needed for the meal.
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With your donations of Food Items or Monetary Donations we will meet the needs of these individuals with a warm and nutritious Meal on this date. Please note that the Needs list for our dinner reflects the increased numbers of people to feed during these cold winter days.
MEAT & VEGETABLE STEW - 5 Large Containers ( enough to feed 8-10)
BISCUITS or ROLLS & Butter - 7 dozen Rolls & 2 pounds butter
FRUIT CUPS - 5 dozen individual cups needed
DESSERT - 5 Dozen CUPCAKES needed
DRINKS - 3 Packages Hot Cocoa Mix, 2 boxes of tea bags
Your donations of food and money are greatly appreciated in order to put together a warm, balanced meal to deliver to Community CARES Carlisle! Items can be dropped off in the UUCV parking lot on Sunday, January 22 between 3:00 and 3:30 or bring to the church kitchen the week of the dinner. THANKS
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News from the UUCV Mozambique Bursary Committee
Meet Telma Alfredo Mucaina, a resident of Namarroi who is 20 years old, and in grade 11. She lives with her aunt who is a peasant and has 3 brothers. Telma has epilepsy and needed to have her leg amputated after falling into a cooking fire during a seizure. Because of her disabilities, she was excluded from many activities while she attended primary school. In 2017, she enrolled to the bursary program. Telma dreams of becoming a teacher, so that she can help other girls. She’d also like to one day build an improved house for her aunt.
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Your donations help girls like Telma attend the bursary programs in Namarroi and Molumbo. $350 a year pays for one girl’s room and board, school uniforms and supplies, and sanitary and hygiene materials. Donations of all amounts are gratefully received by the UUCV Bursary Committee and the girls in Mozambique.
This year the Bursary Committee is dedicating its fund-raising efforts in honor of Priscilla Laws, the Project’s founder. (You still get the tax-deductible donation.) Feel free to write a note to Priscilla when you send in your gift. We will send these notes to Priscilla in January.
The Mozambique Bursary Committee is always looking for new members. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact one of the following: Martha Bergsten, Dianne Dusman, Deb Genet, Brian McPherson, or Susan Rimby.
Susan Rimby for the UUCV Mozambique Bursary Committee
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Reverend Meg, Gail, and Pam have arranged for a long table to be added to the kids’ corner in the social hall. Many Thanks for this gift! The children are invited to bring things to decorate, display, and share on the table. Does your child have a special interest they would like to share? Make a poster! Did your child draw something cool? Bring it over! Does your child have fun stickers they would love to share with their friends? This is a great place for them.
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The downstairs Nursery, Spirit Play, and Middles classrooms remain unavailable for use after Service and we hope that the kids enjoy their revitalized corner of the Social Hall. Teens are welcome to gather in the Youuth room.
On weeks when we have a Nursery volunteer, parents can sign their children younger than 5 in before Service and retrieve them by 11:45.
January 1 will be a Fireside Service on Zoom only. Please join us from the comfort of your home!
January 8 will be a Multigenerational Service and children are invited to participate with their parents in the Sanctuary. There are Busy Bags available in the Annex for wiggly kids who require more stimulation.
January 15th and 22nd, Children will be going downstairs to their classrooms after Moment for All Ages.
Children in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be in the Spirit Play room to work with the Spirit Play curriculum. They will light their own chalice, practice the Ghandi Greeting, listen to a story, and have free time for Works. Curious to know who will be in our classrooms each week? Interested in helping RE? Check our Sign Up Genius!
UUCV’s Our Whole Lives (OWL) program will be held during RE on January 1th and January 22nd. Kids in Owl Cohort One will be meeting in the Youuth Room. Teens not participating in Owl on these days will be meeting in the board room with the Middles Group and PrimaJoy Ramalingam. The OWL Program will extend into the afternoon and pizza will be provided for lunch.
Children in Grades 4 through 6 are considered Middles and will be working with the Tapestry of Faith curriculum in the Boardroom with PrimaJoy Ramalingam.
January 29 will be an All Ages Activity revolving around Black History Month in the Dining Hall. There will be fun arts and crafts and fellowship.
**Please sign your Nursery, Spirit Play, and Middles Children out of 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 December volunteers! PrimaJoy Ramaligam, Rev. Chris Kapp, Melissa Mattson, Jen Hricik, Ryanne Mack, Kim Stone, Courtney Wiley, Dirk Wiley, Steve Holsinger, and Mrs. Candice Holsinger; 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 Candice Holsinger at candice.holsinger@gmail.com to check in about submitting clearances.
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Adult RE Discussion Group
Spring 2023 Planning Session - Sunday January 8th:
Engaging. Informative. Insightful. Thought-provoking. Just a few words that describe the various topics that were covered this Fall during the bimonthly Adult RE Discussion Group classes.
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As our Fall series of classes wraps up (final class is scheduled for Sunday 12/18), it's time to plan for our 2023 Spring semester. For that, a one hour planning session will take place on Sunday January 8th at 9 AM in the board room (or attend via Zoom if you can't make the meeting in person). Anyone is welcome to attend this planning session—new comers as well as seasoned participants. The goal of the January 8th meeting will be to select the topics that will be discussed during the 2023 Spring semester which will run from February to May.
Wow, that sounds like something I'd be interested in, but I've never attended an Adult RE Discussion Group class before. What should I expect? Well, the Adult RE Discussion Group is an arena where we explore life's big questions. We typically hold classes two Sundays per month. Each class is usually an hour or so in length. During a class, a participant will share information on a topic they have volunteered to present and will allot time either during and/or at the end of their presentation for discussion. Examples of previous discussion topics include: Consciousness, Sounds and Emotions, Antiracism, Voting in PA, What Does Spirituality Look Like in Your Life, Mormonism, and the Pow-Wow Folk Magic and Healing of the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Keep the following in mind. First, you can participate in the Adult RE Discussion Group without ever having to host a class--feel free to attend and just listen and speak up as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Second, if you would be interested in leading a class discussion, but are maybe a bit hesitant, don’t feel as if you need to be an expert on a topic in order to host a class. The classes are quaint and informal and the preparation you do to host coupled with the discussion and feedback during a class can be a stepping stone on your journey to a deeper understanding of a topic that is of interest to you. Finally, can’t think of a topic you’d like to speak about? Then maybe consider presenting your story—share what has shaped and sustained you along life’s winding road--our life stories as sacred texts.
Questions? Contact Keith Bittinger at kbittinger@comcast.net.
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UUCV Holiday Decorations
A VERY SPECIAL Thank you to our UUCV yoUUth (and Gander) for all their hard work decorating our building and outdoor spaces.
YOU ROCK!!! |
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Holiday Cookie Sale!
THANK YOU!
Sending a Happy Holiday THANK YOU to all who helped make UUCV’s first Holiday Cookie sale a big success. The 40 orders sold netted $600. Of course, a special thanks goes out to our baking elves… Kim Stone, Margie Akin, Dot Everhart, Lynn Michels, Rebecca Fratantuono, Jil Kachmar, Dan Cozort, Candice Holsinger, Deb Genet, and Cindy Good.
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Phoebe Humpton Original
Another VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Phoebe Humpton in our YUUth group for desiging the UUCV Christmas Card this year.
Phoebe is 14 years old. She spends most of her time at the barn and recovering from the ailments she gets while she's there.
Phoebe likes art, and loves spoiling her cat Tippy.
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John Bloom’s Book Tour!
The Imperial Gridiron with John Bloom – Jan 29, 1:00 PM-2:00PM. UUCV member John Bloom visits the Dillsburg Area Public Library to discuss his new book,
The Imperial Gridiron: Manhood, Civilization, and Football at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. John Bloom is a professor of history at Shippensburg University. He has published several articles that explore the intersections between sports, race, and gender, including,
To Show What an Indian Can Do: Sports at Indian Boarding Schools and
There You have It: The Life, Legacy, and Legend of Howard Cosell.
All are welcome, no registration needed. Dillsburg Area Public Library is located at 204 Mumper Lane, Dillsburg PA 17019. 717-432-5613
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A BIG THANKS to UUCV and friends who who made OVER SIXTY blankets to donate to the National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day which is held every year on December 21, the longest night of the year, to remember those who have tragically died while experiencing homelessness, often decades before their time.
These blankets WILL make a difference...YOU make a difference!! |
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Coming Up in January....
Mark your calendars...for these special events. |
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- Healing Support Group - Wednesday nights at 7:00pm on January 4 in Rev. Meg's Office
- Holy Grounds - January 7 at Cafe 101 from 12 noon - 2:00. Rev. Meg will have a table reserved...come and talk with her!
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration - Sunday, January 15 at 4:00 at the Meeting House, 1155 Walnut Bottom Road in Carlisle.
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UUCV Fundraising Opportunities
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January Grocery Needs
Get ready for the New Year's Celebration by picking up grocery cards for Giant, Karns and Weis. You can email Pam pam@uucv.net and we will get them in the mail to you in time for New Year's! |
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And....starting January 8, buy cards on Sundays, before and after worship, stop in at the church office during the week Monday - Friday 8:30 - 1:30 and 3:00 on Wednesdays, or mail a check and we'll mail your cards back to you. UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. Mark the type of card you want in the memo line of your check.
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SOUUPER BOWL 2023
It's not too early to start thinking about this year's SOUUPER BOWL on 2/26/23! Please bring your clean glass or plastic containers w/ lids to the SOUUPER BOWL table in the social hall so that they can be filled with delicious soup! *
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Please note: containers must be exactly 1 pt. (16 Oz.) or 1 qt. (32 oz.) size. If you would be willing to help make soup or donate $ for ingredients, please contact Lynn Michels at lynnisue57@gmail.com or (717) 580-6615 (text ok).
Order forms will be available middle of January. |
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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
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 choose to receive the actual card be sent to your home address
- 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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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 The Unitarian Universalist of the 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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