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My dear friends,
Rumi said, “Don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are
down there riotous.”
I think the same can be said for many of us. Winter is a time of bundling up against the
cold as well as a time of rest. All things in their yearly cycle rest in winter, but the
resting is not a death but rather a regeneration, as we prepare to burst forth like Gaia herself when the time comes. |
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Things may feel quiet at UUCV, but we are truly riotous! Come visit on a Sunday
morning and you will find bustling and fun, as our Religious Education program bursts
with activity, including Our Whole Lives, Spirit Play, and activities for all ages. Our
Outreach Committee continues to focus on branding, while the Music Director, the
Choir, and the Worship Associates provide a beautiful worshipful atmosphere.
You are more welcome than ever to come and enjoy the fun. We are proudly seeking
truth together.
Rumi was on to something: the garden that is our gorgeous, passionate community may
appear quiet during this restful time of year, but our roots continue to be riotous!
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 February is Tending Toward Growth
February 5 – “A Multicultural Celebration” On the first Sunday of Black History Month, we welcome all to join us for a multicultural celebration! Diversity is an important part of our faith as Unitarian Universalists, and we joyfully invite you to be a part of it! Rev. Meg Mathieson leads the service with worship associate Cheryl Parsons.
February 12 – “Meditations on Music and Silence” This Sunday we gather in a spirit of awe as we spend time together ruminating on the power of sacred music and sacred silence. Relax and let the music heal your soul. Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associate Michele Burton
February 19 - Rev. Pat Haresch from Lancaster UU preaches with worship associate Riley Johnson.
February 26 – “What the ACTUAL @&%$ ?!?!?!?!” Anger. We all feel it. It's a normal, valid emotion. So why are we so afraid of it? Rev. Chris Kapp leads the service with worship associate Primajoy Ramalingam
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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February 26 – John Katz – And There Came Forth a Great Fish by Tom Weller
The UUCV Book Group meets at 6:30 pm on the 4th Sunday of each month for a lively, thoughtful discussion.
The selection for February 26th is
And There Came Forth a Great Fish by Tom Weller, "A collection of short stories, many previously published in literary magazines. The book weaves literal and figurative together in a series of slice of life tales, many of which were inspired by Guinness Book of World Records entries." (Goodreads.com)
If you've ever wanted to get involved, we'd love to have you join us! Please email Book Group Coordinator Riley Johnson to learn more:
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Wild Women
Project
February - HEAL |
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February 18th - Heal
Healing is a messy process, but our scars tell our story. Come explore the medicine in our wounds, and consider what it means to offer our wisdom as a balm for the world.
Join Riley Johnson on Saturday, February 18 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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Mark your calendars:
- Holy Grounds - February 4 at Cafe 101 from 12 noon - 2:00. Rev. Meg will have a table reserved...come and talk with her!
- Wild Women Project - Saturday, February 18th at 3:00 PM in the Social Hall
- SoUUper Bowl Orders DUE on Sunday, February 19
- Pick up your soup orders for the SoUUper Bowl Fundraiser on Sunday, February 26
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February 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, February 15 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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In Recognition of
Black History Month
Do you know the words to the 14th Amendment and what it gave us?
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Join host Melissa Mattson and the Social Justice Committee on Sunday, February 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the boardroom as we watch the first episode of Netflix's "Amend: The Fight for America" hosted by Will Smith and learn how the 14th Amendment is the first step to equal rights in America.
“Will Smith hosts this look at the evolving, often lethal, fight for equal rights in America through the lens of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment. Episode 1 is entitled 'Citizen.' After escaping slavery, Fredrick Douglass becomes a pivotal voice calling for citizenship for Black Americans, a dream realized in the 14th Amendment."
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UUJusticePA early February Postcarding or calling
Our State Legislature is in a holding pattern until after special elections are held in Allegheny County on February 7th and its results are final.
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As a result, the House has been unable to come to agreement and pass rules for standard operating procedure, which is normally done in the first week of January. No other business can be transacted until rules are agreed upon. Please pick up a postcard from the Social Justice Table in the Social Hall on February 5th or 12th, check the list on the table to find your representative, and contact her or him with the postcard or a phone call to their local office, and advocate for the passage of rules that will allow our state government to function and to truly be bipartisan. Current rules let one person, elected by a few thousand voters in one district, block priorities supported by millions of voters across the state. They give all the power to majority party committee chairs, block bipartisan solutions, and make the PA General Assembly one of the most inefficient in the country. This crucial vote is expected on February 21st when the House reconvenes, and the new rules will control the operating procedure for our state's entire upcoming two-year legislative session. Here are some suggestions:
As a constituent, I request that you vote NO to current legislative rules or reform the rules before approving them when the House reconvenes.
We need rules that encourage bipartisan interaction, discussion, and legislation. The most recent rules are not working and are resulting in animosity, frustration, and dysfunction.
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
Check out UUJusticePA.org for additional information or to "Find My Legislator" using their Resources tab at the top of the Home Page. https://uujusticepa.org/website
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CARES MEAL
On Sunday February 19 we will deliver an Italian Dinner to Community CARES.
With your donations of Food Items or Monetary Donations, we will meet the needs of these individuals with a warm and nutritious meal.
Email Pam pam@uucv.net to donate or send checks to UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007 marked CARES in the memo line:
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This sign up list of items needed for the meal includes the following:
Italian Casseroles ( Lasagna, Stuffed Shells, Baked Ziti, Manicotti, etc)
6 casseroles are needed
Sliced Loaves of Italian Bread & 2 lbs of butter
5 loaves needed
Green Salads of any type with dressing
4 Large salads needed
Fresh Fruit such as Apples, Grapes, Oranges, Bananas
1 Large Bag of each needed
Dessert – Chocolate cookies, brownies, or cupcakes
6 or 7 Dozen needed
Drinks needed : coffee, creamer, Tea Bags
Thanks for your help in providing a nice warm dinner in February to folks
served by Community CARES Carlisle. This is one important way to show our care and concern for those in need in our community
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News from the UUCV Mozambique Bursary Committee
We did it! Thanks to your generosity, UUCV will 110 girls at the Molumbo and Namarroi boarding centers during the 2023 school year, which will begin next month. Your gifts enable girls, who cannot afford secondary school, to receive an education. Your gifts pay for the girls’ room and board, school uniforms and supplies, and hygiene materials.
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During 2022, your donations supplied seeds and tools, so Molumbo girls could plant a garden and paint and tools to spruce up the dormitory. Below, the Molumbo house mother, Mae Sonia, is hard at work painting a wall. We’re eager to see what the 2023 school year will bring to our boarding centers, and we’ll inform you via the church newsletter, the Order of Service, and Pre-Views.
The Mozambique Bursary Committee is always looking for volunteers. Please contact Martha Bergsten, Dianne Dusman, Deb Genet, Candace Holsinger, Brian McPherson, or Susan Rimby. If you are interested.
Susan Rimby for the UUCV Mozambique Bursary Committee
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Welcome to our new Director of Lifespan Faith Development
UUCV has a new Director of Lifespan Faith Development! We are excited to welcome Ms. Lynn Sodora.
Lynn Sodora joins our staff as our new Director of Lifespan Faith Development. She brings with her 18 years of experience as a professional religious educator having served two prior congregations in New Jersey. She is an avid reader and student of world religions and loves to travel. One of the highlights of her career so far was taking a youth group to Prague in 2019 to connect with their UU Community and study the historical influence of religion in the Czech Republic.
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Lynn has recently moved to Carlisle PA and has an adult daughter Samantha and son-in-law Jonathan living nearby in Shippensburg.
Please join us at Sunday Service at 10:30 on January 15th as we celebrate her arrival with a Ritual of Welcome. (Children will be going down to their classrooms after Moment for all Ages.)
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Greetings all!
I’m so happy to join UUCV as your new Director of Lifespan Faith Development! I spent most of January meeting so many of you and learning all the ins and outs of your lovely congregation. You have all been so warm, friendly, helpful, and welcoming. I’m looking forward to learning and growing together! In faith and service,
Lynn Sodora
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Below is our Faith Development schedule for our children and youth for February:
February 5 - Multigenerational Service: 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, and coloring/activity packets which relate to the Service.
OUR WHOLE LIVES SESSION 1 (2/5, 2/12): Youth participating in Session 1 of OWL will go directly to the Yuuth Room at 10:30 am. Pickup is at 3:00 pm.
February 12 & 19: Children will be going downstairs to their classrooms after Moment for All Ages for their regular RE classes:
Children (ages 5-8) will be in the Spirit Play room to work with the Spirit Play curriculum.
Children (ages 9-12) considered Middles and will be working with the Tapestry of Faith curriculum in the Boardroom with PrimaJoy Ramalingam.
February 19: The OWL graduates will be recognized during the Moment for All Ages. There will be a Youth Group meeting in the Yuuth Room following the MFAA.
February 26: After the MFAA, children will head downstairs to the Dining Hall for an All-Ages Activity focused on the upcoming Women’s History Month. There will be fun arts and crafts and sweet treats.
Nursery Care (ages 0-4) every Sunday: Parents can sign in their babies and toddlers before Service and retrieve them by 11:45 am.
**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 January volunteers! PrimaJoy Ramaligam, Max Donnelly, Melissa Mattson, Ryanne Mack, Mrs. Candice Holsinger, Courtney Wiley, Dirk Wiley, Jen Hricak, Rebecca Fratantuono, Kim Stone, and Lynn Michels. 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.
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Adult RE Discussion Group – Class Schedule – Spring 2023
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
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February 5: Mozambique – “Our Gorongosa” YouTube Video & Discussion
In Portuguese with closed caption English. Bringing back a National Park with elephants and other wildlife means also investing in nearby villagers’ lives – in young women in particular. “Go to school.” “Don’t get married and have children too young." Sound familiar? Preview if you wish at Our Gorongosa - YouTube. Discussion leader: Martha Bergsten.
February 19: Buddhism – A Brief Introduction
Have you ever wondered what Buddhism is all about or maybe attempted Buddhist mindfulness mediation only to find yourself struggling to actually still your mind? Or maybe you’re a seasoned Buddhist practitioner. Whatever the case may be, join us for this brief introductory look at the origins, philosophy, and practice of Buddhism. Discussion leader: Keith Bittinger.
March 5: Environmental Justice - Common Read - Justice on Earth
Last session on UU 2018 Common Read: Justice on Earth - People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment. For anyone interested in the environment and in thinking about what we as UUCV’ers do about it. What marginal changes might we consider in our own lives and in our church’s actions? Everyone is invited, regardless of whether you’ve come before or read this session’s Chaps 11 – 13 (pgs. 119-56). Discussion leaders: Cheryl Parsons & Martha Bergsten.
March 19: Yoga Sutras
The Yoga Sutras are considered holy scripture by most Hindus. The earliest written version comes from Patanjali around the third century of the current era. They consist of four chapters of approximately 200 terse aphorisms. We will take a broad look at their content and then discuss how the kernels of wisdom embedded in the work can be relevant to a person’s spiritual journey in the modern age. Discussion leader: Brian McPherson.
April 2: Growing Up UU
Discussion leader: Jennifer Hricak.
April 16: Sufi Farm of Peace
The Farm of Peace, located approximately two hours from Boiling Springs in Fulton County, is a 250-acre Community Supported Agriculture farm run by a group of Sufis. In addition to subscriptions to food products, the farm offers numerous spiritually oriented programs throughout the year on its sprawling campus which consists of old farm buildings and newer modern construction. We will discuss the nature of the programs the Farm has to offer and what one may expect to find on a typical trip to the Farm. Discussion leader: Brian McPherson.
May 7: Yoga Nidra
Discussion leader: Courtney Wiley.
May 21: The Culture and Religion of Appalachia circa early 20th century
I will explain and discuss a culture that wasn’t that far away from us. When the Shenandoah and Smokey Mountain National Parks were established, the people of Appalachia were displaced and most of their culture went by the wayside. We will learn how they worshipped. How births and deaths were dealt with. Additionally, I will explain how one made a living in the mountains that stretched from Virginia to Georgia. Discussion leader: Cathy Dewalt
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Capital Campaign –
Building Our Future Together
As the calendar turns to 2023…
We anticipate the final wrap-up phase of UUCV’s long journey with our Capital Campaign.
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The campaign has progressed through: visioning and planning in 2017, a pledge drive in 2018, and years of completing the identified projects (delayed by COVID-19 and supply chain issues). We are nearing the finish line! We encourage long-time members and new attendees to remember or learn about our congregation’s commitment and the significant improvements accomplished by this Capital Campaign. Information is located on UUCV’s website by clicking on the CapCam button.
Let’s celebrate the Capital Campaign’s 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: repointed brick, rebuilt exterior wall & stairs
Summer 2021 – Replaced exterior doors and upgraded entrance security
- New and remodeled accessible bathrooms on both levels
- New hospitality and custodial rooms and an expanded main lobby
- New enhanced lighting in the lower level hall and main lobby
- Exterior painting and replacement soffits and gutters
February 2022 - Upgraded kitchen electrical systems and new appliances
August 2022 - Redesigned the main drive-up entrance for accessibility
- Repaved the parking lot
Final goals still to be accomplished:
*Repair and paint the steeple
*Paint the exterior arches over sanctuary windows and doors
*Create an activity/play area on the side yard
*New members and friends of UUCV we invite you to join in financially supporting the Capital Campaign. This can be done as a one-time donation or a few payments. Additional donations will help UUCV reach the finish line. Please write “Capital Campaign” on the memo line of your checks. For more information contact the church office (717-249-8944 or office@uucv.net
Submitted by: Deb Stille & Paula Terry (Capital Campaign Steering Committee)
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UUCV Fundraising Opportunities
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SOUUPER BOWL 2023
Order forms are ready for the SOUUPER BOWL on 2/26/23! Complete and place in offering basket. Payment due at time of pick-up.
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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! * 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).
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Fundraising at UUCV
Fundraising does make a difference....and at UUCV we try to be creative to find ways for you to donate and get something in return for your generosity.
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Here's how we've done from July 1, 2022 until December 30, 2022:
Auction = $60
Yard Sale (includes Facebook Marketplace) = $3376.40
Cookies = $570
Poinsettias = $325.40
Amazon SMILE = $109.35
RaiseRight = $376.26 (This is with only 16 UUCV folks signed into RaiseRight and only for November and December. For more information on this program or for assistance in signing up contact Pam in the office pam@uucv.net, Cindy Good cyagood4@gmail.com or Rebecca Fratantuono rebeccafratantuono@gmail.com
TOTAL = $12,845.42
A big thank you to all who contribute to our fundraisers!!!
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Did you know Groundhog Day is Tuesday, February 2?
Following service you are again invited to Gopher grocery cards. As in the movie "Groundhog Day" you may buy cards again and again and again and again and again....
So, Gopher it!
Happy Grand Hug Day!
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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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