Service Topics Archive for 2003-2004
August 2004
Sunday, August 8,
10:30AM Read-In
Dan Begg
Please join us for an ESUUC summer tradition: A Read-In, facilitated
by Dan Begg. Bring along a favorite
poem or passage from a book to read. It
is a great opportunity to share something that has influenced your life and to
learn the same about others
Sunday, August 15,
10:30AM “Religious
Community” Andy
Manhardt
We will have a discussion of what each of us sees as the requirements of
and the functions of a religious community as it relates to our needs and
desires. The format will be based on
that used for the Evensong series that we had in the spring.
This format provides a contemplative, peaceful environment to encourage
each person to state their ideas without fear of criticism as well as some
relevant readings to provoke your thoughts.
Sunday, August 22,
10:30AM
Scavenger Hunt Maureen McHugh
This Sunday we will have a scavenger hunt, set up by the ever devious
Maureen McHugh. This is a program
that people of all ages can will enjoy
Sunday, August 29,
10:30AM
The
Politics of Health Kate Codd-Palmer
This service will be a panel facilitated by Kate Codd-Palmer.
The perspective of health care providers and consumers will be presented.
It is sure to be a lively discussion.
July 2004
Sunday,
July 4,
10:30AM
“Dreaming
of Freedom and
Peace”
Rev. Dr.
Renee Waun
For the program on this Independence Day, Dr. Waun will lead us and Brian
Ogle will provide esoteric music for a time of relaxed, guided, Buddhist
style meditation which will help us to visualize peace and freedom throughout
the world. Dress will be casual.
Sunday, July 11,
10:30 AM
"Paper Bag Skits" Marylyn
Devlin
Come for the fun of it and bring your creativity. We'll divide
into small groups which will be given a bag of "stuff" to use (or not
use) as they come up with a plot and characters. Then they'll improvise
their way through a skit for the audience. This is an intergenerational
service and a good way to get to know other members. I am always amazed at
the hidden talents of our group!
Sunday, July 18,
10:30 AM
“Bullies
and indifference: Lessons from the Holocaust” Debbie Maier Orefice
This service will use music, videos, computers, and straight talk to
create a powerful and thought provoking lesson on what happens when bullies rule
and the indifferent look away. How
can we make a difference?
Sunday, July 25,
10:30 AM
Panel on Politics Tom Bailey
Sunday, August 1,
10:30AM
“Visiting the Twilight Zone!”
Rev. Dr.
Renee Waun
Have you ever had a paranormal experience-- in other words,
something like seeing spirits, or knowing what someone else is thinking, or
having an out-of-body or near death experience?
On this Sunday, Dr. Waun will share something from her personal life, and
then invite others to tell about a particular time or ability.
This is not something we usually discuss in church, so it is an
opportunity to talk about it, if you are comfortable.
June 2004
Sunday, June 6,
10:30AM-
“Stepping Stones”
Kathy Begg and Rev. Dr.
Renee Waun
. The Coming of Age Youth will star in this Sunday’s service as they
have completed their year-long program of preparation.
We will have a wonderful time of sharing as we welcome the youth into
this new phase of their lives. Kathy
Begg and Dr. Waun will facilitate this momentous occasion, which will be
followed by a special reception in the Community Room.
Sunday, June 13, 10:30AM- “In Every Bud There is a Flower”
Rev. Dr.
Renee Waun
. This will be Pride Sunday for
East Suburban Church (celebrating the worth and dignity of every gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender person) as well as our annual Flower Communion ritual
where each person is asked to bring a stemmed flower to place in a common vase for this
poignant tradition begun during WWII. Come
and hear the story of how all this fits together as we bring our regular Program
Year to a close before beginning summer activities.
Dr. Waun will officiate.
Sunday June 20,
10:30AM
- “RE Program
Grand Finale” - Father's Day Intergenerational Service
Our final event of this RE year will be the Father's Day
Intergenerational Service. The kids
have put the whole service together right down to choosing the readings, the
music, and the program. They will
also conduct the service. They have
put a lot of time and effort intothis program, which promises to be
extraordinary! - Please come and join us for this grand event!
Sunday, June 27,
10:30 AM
- “Poetry – The
First Language” Dr. M.P. Khan.
This program will be a presentation of poems and the emotions they
evoke, connected to the body chakras.
There will be an open mike following the presentation.
Bring your poetry to share.
May 2004
Sunday, May 2,
10:30AM-
“Would You Believe!”
-
Renee Waun
Not referring here to the big beliefs, such as whether there is a God
or a Hereafter, but the more personal, everyday ones that directly affect our
physical choices, like “I believe that this food will make me healthier”.
Dr. Waun will explore the way our beliefs impact our decisions and
choices. Can we merely look at
someone and know something of what they believe?
Are our beliefs perfectly evident even to ourselves?
Sunday May 9, 109
:30AM -
“If God Were Our Mother”
- Maureen C. McHugh In tribute to Mothers on Mother's Day, we
will explore the Feminine Face of God and celebrate a Mother Deity.
What does it mean to have a God Who Looks Like Her (a Mother Goddess)?
What images and issues does God as Mother provoke for you.
Sunday, May 16,
10:30 AM
- "Fast
Food Nation" - Andy
Manhardt - Facilitator “Fast Food Nation” by
Eric Schlosser charts the growth
of the fast food industry since World War Two and the industry’s impact on our
health, landscape, economy, politics and culture.
Four panelists will discuss their views on the book to stimulate a
discussion about the subject. The
panelists will be Dan Begg, Andy Manhardt, Lew Ruffing and
Mark Zingarelli
.
Sunday May 23,
10:30 AM
- “ The
Bible as a Tool in Supporting Discrimination”
Michael Mazza My talk looks at the parallels between the
uses of the Judeo-Christian Bible in the debates over the abolition of slavery
in the 19th century and gay rights today. My essential thesis is this: in
their rhetoric against gay rights, contemporary anti-gay Christian Right
activists are employing hermeneutical strategies that are virtually identical to
those employed by the pro-slavery, anti-abolitionist Christians of the 19th
century. Similarly, contemporary pro-gay Christians have a way of
approaching the Bible which mirrors the interpretive strategies of the Christian
abolitionists.
Sunday May 30,
10:30 AM
–
“The Science of Drumming”
organized by Maureen McHugh In this program we will explore
the evidence for drumming as an empirically validated intervention for medical
and mental health problems. In
addition we will practice what we preach. Hopefully
both experts and expertise will be presented.
April 2004
Sunday April 4,
10:30AM
- Canvas Kick-off Sunday- “Why
Should I Care?”
Dr. Waun will help us to think about things that evoke our sense of
responsibility—toward the church, as we begin our annual canvas drive, and
toward our government as we consider the importance of our “Get Out The
Vote” campaign. The Funshine Folk will be with us to help embellish the theme. Remember
to set your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to bed Saturday night for the
beginning of Daylight Savings Time on this day, or you will miss it all!
Sunday April 11,
Easter Day - Rev. Renee Waun
9:15AM- Come for a children’s Easter Egg Hunt in the
church yard (weather permitting, otherwise inside).
9:30AM
Join us for a Pot Luck Easter Breakfast.
You are invited to bring your favorite rolls, coffee cake or other treat,
or fresh fruit of some kind or combination.
Beverages will be provided.
10:30AM- Easter theme worship- Dr. Waun will speak on “Someone
Died, Someone Rose Again”. We
are all aware that for Christians, the meaning of Easter is in the idea that
Jesus rose from the dead and still lives. Are
there other ways of thinking about people for whom “death” of any part of
themselves triggered the creation of something new and alive?
Does this not happen to some degree in every life?
YOU ARE INVITED to
lend us a potted flowering plant to help decorate the worship
area for that morning. Think how
beautiful it would be if we had lots of colorful flowers to look at on Easter
day! Bring them with you to worship.
Sunday, April 18,
10:30 AM
- "Yard
Sale Lessons" Rev. Joan M. Sabatino
As we move into warmer weather and
begin to plan clean up projects around the house and yard, I offer lessons on
friendship, letting go, and economics learned in my front yard last summer.
Joan Sabatino is
the Minister at the Indiana, PA UU Church
Sunday April 25,
10:30 AM
- “Trying To Help
Create Peace” Janet Jai
In my life, I try to create peace
through my professional writing, my poetry and art, and my meditative life.
I will talk about how I feel called to all this, the difficulties, ways
that are open to people to create peace, and how important it is to work for
peace at this time in the world.
Particular highlights will be an
Everyday Art project to create peace that anyone can get involved in right now,
attending the Nobel Peace Laureates Centennial in
Oslo
in 2001, and a current issue I'm writing about - the Help
America Vote Act and Voter-Verified Paper Trails.
I will share information about the new voting technology and the
importance of making sure our votes count, which is really a non-partisan issue.
janet j. jai is a poet-artist who
has developed original forms of poemART and sound poetry.
March 2004
Sunday, March 7,
10:30 AM
-
March 7, 2004
,
10:30AM-
“I, The Crone”
In recognition of "Women's History Month", Dr.
Waun will offer a program on the "crone". Is this third face
of the “mother” archetype to be celebrated or eschewed? Waun will
reflect on the meaning and role of the crone today and in times past.
Sunday, March 14,
10:30 AM
- "Our
Unitarian Universalist Forbearers that we DON'T talk about"
We readily identify many of our country's founding fathers and mothers
and other famous persons as Unitarians and/or Universalists. We are proud of
people like Thomas Jefferson, John and John Quincy Adams, Susan B. Anthony,
Clara Barton, Joseph Priestley, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.
But there are many equally famous persons that we don't talk about. Why? Do we
have something to hide? Join us on the 14th and find out. Rev. Rod Thompson,
District consultant of the Ohio-Meadville District of the UUA
Sunday, March 21,
10:30 AM
-
"Will the Real Mary
Magdalene Please Stand Up"
Mary Magdalene has long been one of the most misrepresented
women of Christian history and
teaching. New scholarship, including
a gospel attributed to her, bring new insights to light.
Presented by Sue Lau. Sue
Lao received her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the
University
of
Pittsburgh
.
Her areas of specialization are biblical studies and historical studies
in the world's religions, especially as the latter relate to women.
Sunday March 28,
10:30 AM
- “Inside The Bush White
House”
Join us for a conversation about this recent book by Ron Susskind,
subtitled "George W. Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul
O’Neill." George Ratliff,
Brien Palmer
and Jerry Lilly will each give a short perspective on the book. They will
the ask for the perspectives of the congregation.
February 2004
Sunday, February 1, 10:30 AM “The
African American Soul”
February is African American History Month.
In observance of that, Dr. Waun
will present another musical program using spirituals to reflect on African
American spirituality.
Sunday, February 8,
10:30 AM “The
Gender Knot”
This service will be led by member Maureen McHugh, a social
psychologist and gender specialist, and is based on the book, The Gender
Knot by Allan Johnson, a sociologist at
Hartford
College
. His book is acclaimed because he describes patriarchy in terms we can
understand, and shows both men and women how to participate in changing gender
inequalities. Like a knitter,
Johnson works to untangle the knot of patriarchy by gently shaking the entire
skein until all the threads are loosened, and each of the threads is
analytically clear. In advance of
Valentine’s Day, McHugh will follow the thread of adult (heterosexual)
romantic relationships, and examine how our relationships are impacted by our
cultural legacy of male domination.
Sunday, February 15,
10:30 AM "Haunted
by the little boxes" The President of the Pittsburgh
Transsexual Support Group (a UU!) has graciously agreed to share her family
experience, good and bad. With this she will provide personal insight into the
importance of family, friends and congregation accepting and welcoming
transgender as well as its gay and lesbian members. Please join us for this
special Valentine's Day program to help us expand our definition of love
Sunday February 22,
10:30 AM “Henry David
Thoreau”
UU history often traces one of its roots to the Transcendentalists of
New England, and particularly to Ralph Waldo Emerson. This service, led by
Brien Palmer
, will focus on another--and
perhaps even more influential--member of this group: Henry David Thoreau.
Thoreau was brilliant, independent, original, difficult, poetic, nature-loving,
outspokenly political, stubborn, and insightful--clearly a UU. Come hear
how this person influenced literature, social justice, philosophy, Mahatmas
Gandhi, environmentalism, nonviolence, Martin Luther King, and some of the core
UU principles.
Sunday February 29,
10:30 AM
"Contemporary Philosophy and the Meaning of Life: Existentialist
Spirituality"
Contemporary philosophers
question the ability of human beings to grasp absolute truths regarding values
and meaning. The existentialists, in particular, move the emphasis for
finding meaning away from absolutes to the choices and perspectives of the
individual. This talk will investigate the ways in which existentialists
make sense of meaning and spirituality in an ambiguous world.
Presented by Dr. Bill
Pamerleau, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the
University
of
Pittsburgh
at
Greensburg.
January 2004
Sunday, January 4,
10:30 AM-
“Go
Ahead--Make My Day” Dr. Waun
will muse on how difficult people and situations that push our “hot”
buttons are really the very things that push us to grow.
As we begin another New Year, let’s start by exploring this intriguing
topic.
Sunday, January 11,
10:30 AM- Intergenerational Play - ”Jacob’s Ladder and
Sarah’s Circle” We’ll explore different approaches to spirit, God and
each other based on gender as prompted by some reporting in A Woman’s
Journey to God by Joan Borysenko. There’s
biological evidence of difference, and religious and cultural value in honoring
both ways. Nancy Fitzgerald, CLL
Sunday, January 18,
10:30 AM-
“How
might Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King deal with Terrorism?”
In this program we will explore some of Dr. King’s views on the use of
non-violence in promoting peace and harmony in the world.
We will then have a discussion of how Dr. King might have adapted his
philosophy to deal with our current problems with the terrorism we face from
people who base their actions fanatical religious views.
Sunday, January 25,
10:30 AM-
“Annual Pancake Breakfast”
One of this congregations longest traditions is our annual
pancake breakfast, held during January of each year.
Join us for pancakes, sausage, juice and other breakfast goodies prepared
by the males of the congregation. We
will take voluntary donations to defray the cost of the breakfast.
December 2003
Christmas
Eve Service
Wednesday, December 24,
7:30PM-
A Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
with carols, stories and hand held candles during the singing of "Silent
Night". Dr. Waun will present
"Angels We Have Heard". Please
BRING AN ANGEL OF SOME KIND for the worship table.
It could be a figurine, a photo, an ornament ...whatever.
And think of someone in your life who has been an "angel" to
you and others.
Sunday, December 7,
10:30 AM-
“Biblical
Heritage: Ally or Enemy?"
Is the Bible important to UUs? Could
it be? Should it be? Dr. Waun will
review Rev. John A. Buehrens' new book Understanding the Bible: An Introduction
for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals as the basis for her reflection on
this topic. (She is not recommending that you purchase the book at this time.)
Buehrens was President of the UUA from 1993 to 2001, is coauthor of Our
Chosen Faith, and now serves a church in MA.
He said to Dr. Waun when signing her book at the General Assembly in
Boston
, "I wrote this book especially for UUs."
Sunday, December 14,
10:30 AM-
Intergenerational Play - "As The Candle Burns" A
wonderful dramatic production by the ESUUC Players under the able
direction of Michael Safran. This original holiday play features a large
cast and tells the story of one man's journey toward understanding the
commonality of humankind as experienced through its holiday traditions. Don't
miss it!
Sunday, December 21,
10:30 AM-
“Intergenerational
Musical Celebration “
This is your opportunity to celebrate all of the holidays which occur
near the winter solstice with music and song.
You will be entertained by our members playing a variety of instruments
and singing by our choir. There will
also be opportunities for everyone in the congregation to join together in song.
Sunday, December 28,
10:30 AM-
“Stitching: A Community Project”
In our holiday tradition we will build community and serve the community by
sewing together. Members of any age and sewing ability (non-ability) are invited
to work collaboratively on the production of strip quilt squares. The squares
are the foundation for the project, making lap quilts for people in wheelchairs,
in collaboration with more experienced quilters in the community who construct
the quilts. This is an opportunity to mentor or be mentored in sewing. there are
also roles for adult non sewers, male and female. (To experienced seamstresses:
Please bring your sewing machine and "extra" fabrics.)
Led by: Linda Fleming.
November 2003
Sunday, November 2,
10:30 AM-
"Bring
a Friend Sunday Please think of a friend who may be interested in
knowing more about Unitarian Universalism. Mention
to that friend that your church is having a special program for newcomers, then
bring them along on Sunday, November 2. We
are making careful plans to welcome folks who may not know about this
“uncommon denomination”. We will
have several greeters on hand that day. We
will have a visitor friendly program. We
will recognize our newest members. We
will have displays and photos showing who we are and what we do.
We will have special refreshments. It
will be a great time to bring in folks you think would love to know more about
us. This is the Sunday set aside
especially for them. Ask early so
they will set the date aside. And....thanks.
Personal invitation is proven to be the most effective way for a church
to grow. Your part in this is
critical.
Sunday, November 9,
10:30 AM-
"Acceptance of One Another: A Journey Into Fear"
Rev. David Lutz, Interim Minister of Allegheny UU Church. Our
third Unitarian Universalist Principle begins, "we covenant to affirm and
promote acceptance of one another." But if we value acceptance we find we
have to then come to terms with fear, whether our own or that of others.
Fear shows up in many guises, and we ignore it at our peril.
Sunday, November 16,
10:30 AM-
“Corporate Personhood??!!” Since
a legal mistake in the late 1800's corporations have enjoyed the rights of a
person, even though they do not die and there is no individual to take
responsibility. We'll explore the possibility that corporate personhood is
a distortion and violation of the democracy, and thus a fundamental UU
principle. For background information, see the UU World magazine issue
from May/June 2003 or uua.org. Presented by
Nancy Fitzgerald
, CLL.
Sunday, November 23,
10:30 AM- “Teachings From the
Medicine Wheel"
For many plains, Native Americans, the medicine wheel is the fundamental
teaching. Its beauty lies in the
paradox of its simplicity, as well as its unfolding complexities.
It encompasses teaching us about ourselves and how to become a whole and
complete human being (AKA, a wise elder), the complexities of different
perspectives and the interdependent web (environmental issues).
This service encompasses chants, a smudging ceremony, readings,
symbolism, and stories to reveal it's basic teachings. Led by Denise DeArment
from Urban Hope UU Congregation in
Cleveland
,
Ohio
.
Sunday, November 30,
10:30 AM “A Drumming Experience”
As We Drum, We Are One: Join us as we celebrate life through the spirit of
rhythm, and drumming. Drumming is a form of meditation which synchronizes the
left and the right brain hemispheres. The beating of the drum symbolizes the
beating of the heart, and when we drum in a circle, we are not only connected to
each other in the immediate circle or group, but we are connected through the
web of life to all humanity in what the Native Americans call the Circle of
Life. Being in a drumming circle helps us to realize that we are all One in
Spirit, no matter where we are from physically, or where we are now.
Please bring any extra drums and / or shakers you may like to share with
others. You do not have to have any experience in order to participate. It's
easy and fun!
October 2003
Sunday, October 5,
10:30 AM “Saying ‘I Do’- Gay or Straight”
For the past year our Welcoming Congregation Committee has been
studying issues of inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons
in the church, with the goal of creating a fully welcoming environment here at
ESUUC. Dr. Waun was asked to present
this program exploring the idea of “gay marriage” in our culture.
It happens to coincide with local International Gandhi Day events.
Sunday School teachers will also be dedicated on this Sunday.
Sunday, October 12,
10:30 AM-
“Coming Out”
Join us for a fascinating program, where Dr. Rita Drapkin,
a Professor in the Center for Counseling & Psychology at IUP discusses
secrets, and a panel shares their personal coming out experiences.
Take this opportunity to learn more about National Coming Out Day, Oct.
11th!
Sunday, October 19,
10:30 AM-
“ Five Faces of Fear”
Fear activates our body, mind, and emotions to solve problems
either constructively or destructively. Learn how to recognize and respond
to fear with a life enhancing reaction that increases interpersonal harmony and
expands spiritual awareness. Dr. William Culp is a Licensed Psychologist
and Certified Transpersonal Psychologist..
Sunday, October 26,
10:30 AM
Too often differences of opinion cause unhappy situations, such as
personal attacks, entrenchment, or one party simply "giving in" and
then resenting the outcome. This discussion will focus on ways to assert
differing opinions forcefully, while maintaining the dignity and goodwill of all
involved. This results in the full expression of ideas, decision-making based on
merit, and maintenance of healthy relationships.
September 2003
Sunday, September 7,
10:30 AM-
“ Ingathering and Water Communion
Sunday" This is the first Sunday of the 2003-2004 Program
Year....where we all return from our various summer experiences to share who we
have become through our travels and reflections.
This is also the service where we have our annual water communion ritual.
You are invited to bring with you a small vial of water that represents a
meaningful part of your summer. It
could from a trip you took near or far, or a local event that meant something to
you, or even from your own home where something special occurred.
We will all be eager to hear about your summer.
There will be special music featuring our choir.
Please join the ingathering of old and new friends here at ESUUC as we
kick off a new year of activities.
Sunday, September 14,
10:30 AM-
“The
Powers That Be; Theology for a New Millenium “
Some exerpts from the book by Walter Wink which consider some
wonderfully challenging and optimistic ways of "not only to become free from
the Powers, but to free the Powers." Includes new ways of
interpreting several of Jesus' parables about behavior in connection with the
authorities. Presented by Nancy Fitzgerald, Commissioned
Lay Leader
Sunday, September 21,
10:30 AM-
"Matters
of Choice - Mental Health Practices”
Continuing on the series from this summer, come join a panel discussion
on mental health. How do you work on
staying mentally healthy? Do you go
for counseling? What type? Do you
take medication? Do you read books?
Do you meditate? Come listen
to others share the road they have travelled to develop a healthy mind.
Sunday, September 28,
10:30 AM
- “Finding Hope in
Uganda
” Dr. Waun traveled for three weeks to
Uganda
to work with AIDS orphans. This
congregation helped to support her trip and many of us are wanting to hear about
how things went. She will present
some of her reflections and conclusions in this service.
