Sunday Service, July 11, 2021

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Linda Pallay

The Diversity Which Unites Us.
Speaker: Rev Christine Robinson: Unitarian Universalist Minister.
Human Beings are hard wired to like people who are just like they are and think just like they do. We grow into appreciation of the spice of variety and the challenge of living comfortably and justly with differences. How does that work in a congregation that says it is open to spiritual diversity, that understands the need for a diversity of people, and yet… contains human beings who want to be comfortable?

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Sunday Service, July 18, 2021: held at UUFP

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Linda Pallay


Who’s Afraid of the Ten Commandments? Rev Dave Hunter.
What role do the Ten Commandments play in our lives? In the life of our nation generally? How many of us could recite them from memory? Is it time for some fresh commandments? Do we really need ten of them?

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Sunday Service, July 25, 2021

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Linda Pallay

Walking the Distance. Speaker: Emily Quarles-Mowrer.
One of my favorite posters from the late 1990’s features a lone penguin standing on an ice-flow with its adorable little wings spread wide. The caption on this poster reads, “Until you spread your wings, you will never know how far you can walk.” Some people pity the little penguin, but I see a message of acceptance. The penguin isn’t railing against nature for giving him wings better suited to water than air, but calmly moving forward, eyes toward a distant goal. Just like the penguin, all of us have limitations. Can we, like the penguin, accept the limitations of today and keep walking toward a better tomorrow?

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Previous Events at UUFP

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Linda Pallay

UUFP’s Fall Clean up Party — Saturday, September 11, 2021

Join us for a (much needed)  work party on Saturday, September 11th, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., and help us prepare for our Annual InGathering Water service the following day, Sunday, September 12th.

Some of the tasks we hope to accomplish:  Yard work– weed, weed whack, mow; Eliminate Tree of Heaven on grounds for Spotted Lanternfly control; Finish painting playground fence; Work on individual indoor projects; Help with end-of-season gardening tasks.

Please wear a mask, bring a drink & a bag lunch. Hope to see you there!

UUSC HAITI CRISIS RESPONSE — September 2021

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization advancing human rights together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates. At this time, they are raising money for their emergency fund which will support grassroots community groups in Haiti responding to the earthquake.

While most relief funds raised following a crisis go to large international NGOs, UUSC supports locally led, grassroots organizations who are best positioned to respond because they know the affected communities and their needs. Unlike large aid agencies, which roll out large-scale disaster programs in a one-size-fits-all approach, UUSC understands that when a disaster strikes, people’s situations vary greatly, depending on their race, class, and sexual orientation or gender identity. Their work begins with an understanding that how people are oppressed before a disaster will affect their access to relief after a disaster.

You can learn more about UUSC and/or make a donation at UUSC.org.

July 2021

July 17th Clean up Party and Cookout
As promised we are letting everyone have a second crack at cleaning up
the building and grounds at UUFP! We got a lot done on May 15th
but now’s our chance to bring it on home!
As always weeding is at the top of the list of jobs, as well as painting the playground
fence, mowing, etc. There are also jobs that need to be done indoors, so if you have a
project to work on and want to avoid the heat this might be for you!
At 12:00 noon we will end work and have a cookout with hot dogs along
with other picnic fare.
Kay will send out an email beforehand to get RSVP’s to plan for food.
All are welcome to help out.

June 2021

Odyssey of the Mind World
Competition Results


As previously reported, Rick & Erica’s daughter, Lorien, is a member of a local Odyssey of the Mind Team. Odyssey of the Mind is an annual, world-wide creative problem-solving competition for kids from kindergarten through college age. Her team met at UUFP during the spring to work on scenery, props, their script, and rehearsals, because the school district is closed on the weekends due to COVID
restrictions. Lorien’s team placed first in both the regional and state competition. The team then moved on to the world competition, which was also held virtually. We have just learned that they placed 8th out of 76 teams in her division and age group! They did fantastic in spite of all the challenges they faced this year. The team was very thankful for the use of our building, which allowed them to meet together as a team. Hooray for Lorien’s team!

Our walking group has stopped for now so that we can get back in to our regular outdoor activities. Thank you for joining us during the pandemic as our way to socialize outside!

Our last walk was at Pottstown’s Riverfront Park, 140 College Drive, Pottstown.

This local park is easily accessible, has a convenient parking lot, a cozy pavilion and a few benches along the path. The trail is easy to walk, relatively flat and meanders along the Schuylkill River.

Hope to see you there at 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 1st. Put on your walking shoes, wear a mask and be ready for some good conversation.

FYI: The walking club meets the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM at a location decided by the group.
As always, wear a mask, dress appropriately & be ready for some good conversation.
Hope to see you there!
-Events Committee
Questions? Call or text Kay Price at 610-659-4802

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From the Minister’s Desk — June 2021

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Linda Pallay

Emergence!

It looks like we are finally beginning to emerge from the depths of the pandemic. The White House announced that 50% of adults have been vaccinated. Case numbers  are down. What has your life been like these last fifteen months? Has it felt like 17 years buried in your cave, alone, dependent on others – family, friends, a huge infrastructure of helpers to keep you supplied with necessities? Have you felt isolated, disconnected, needing those same family and friends, a huge infrastructure of technology to keep you connected? And for entertainment, learning, information about the world around us? It’s been odd, disorienting, a struggle for some, and also something of a relief for those of us who are introverts.

What sort of changes are you experiencing now? Are you fully vaccinated and feeling somewhat safer? Are relaxed masking mandates changing your behavior? Here at White Horse Village, over 90% of the residents are vaccinated and we are allowed to gather in small to medium groups, unmasked. Meal delivery is ending as we return to the dining room. But in public situations – which for me means grocery stores and my pottery class – I am still masked, for the sake of the unvaccinated and unknown passers-by. I feel like I am finally emerging.

Meanwhile, another emergence is beginning. Brood X of the 17 year cicadas have spent most of a lifetime as underground  larvae and nymph forms, eating and growing and shedding old forms to begin coming out in their millions, ready to make a lot of noise so as to ensure the next generation the 17 year cycle. I learned recently that they are not only harmless (assuming you don’t panic when one gets into your car while you are driving) but actually beneficial. My old friend Carol Wagner (with whom I connected again via Facebook, after many years) posted these facts from the Love Our Land website:

  • • They prune mature trees.
  • • They aerate the soil.
  • • Bird populations will increase.
  • • They provide a food source to nearly everything with an insect diet.
  • • They leave plants healthier.
  • • They are an awesome natural fertilizer.
  • • They are a symbol of rebirth, spiritual realization and ecstasy, and immortality.

There’s a challenge! The UUFP board points out that we have never been “closed” but we have been connecting virtually all these months, shedding old forms and preparing to emerge again to in-person meeting for worship and celebration, learning and helping. (See our website for more details on the decision process on how and when we hope to meet.)

But, as we look forward to emergence, let’s think about more than “getting back to normal.” For the cicadas, “normal” is 17 years underground followed by a brief but glorious symphony of mating calls and commitment to the next generation. How do we want to celebrate our return to the above ground world? What have we learned from our time apart? What new energy can we bring? How shall we bless the world?

With love and hope, Kerry

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President’s Message — June 2021

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Linda Pallay

“The world is closed for renovations, Grand Reopening soon.” ~ Anonymous

A lot has changed over the past month as it relates to the pandemic. Case rates of COVID-19 are down, number of people immunized are up and the strict rules on how we can safely interact with each other are easing up. This is great news so I am sure that everyone is wondering  when UUFP will reopen. I will answer this honestly by stating that we never closed.

While the building was closed, we continued to offer Sunday Services and coffee hours via technology. So, the real question becomes when will we be able to conduct these activities in person? I am pleased to share that the current plan is to hold outdoor services (weather permitting) starting in late June and continuing throughout the summer months. And as long as all factors indicate that it is still safe to meet indoors, we will hold our first indoor Sunday Service on September 12, which is the Sunday after Labor Day weekend. It is also important to note that we will still continue  to offer Sunday Services via technology for those who choose not to attend in person. And, thanks to the Membership Committee, there will be numerous social events held at the fellowship throughout  the summer. So, there will be many upcoming opportunities to meet in-person.

On a different note, I want to remind everyone that we will be holding our Annual Congregational Meeting on June 13 after Sunday Services, starting at approximately 11:45 AM. We will conduct  this meeting via Zoom. While everyone is welcome, only members  will be able to vote on the motions set forth. For those without internet capability, you may participate live via teleconference.  If you are unable to participate in this meeting, you may still vote on the motions via written proxy. Please submit your written proxy either directly to a board member or send it in to the fellowship prior to the meeting. Every voting member should have received a copy of the Notice of Meeting which outlined the motions to be voted on as well as a copy of the proposed budget. If you have not received this, please let a Board member know. I would like to encourage everyone to participate in this important meeting.

Lastly, I want to put in a plug for purchasing Giant Grocery Cards through the fellowship. The fellowship gets 5% back on the amount that is purchased (if you purchase a $100 grocery card, the fellowship receives $5). Now while 5% may not sound like a lot, I will let you know that through-out the course of the past year, only three individuals have routinely purchased cards. However, since they primarily shop at Giant, the fellowship has earned on average $80/month from their purchases which means the fellowship earned $960 for the entire year from just those three individuals. There have been others who have also purchased cards sporadically though out the year, so the Fellowship earned over $1,000 simply through members shopping at Giant. If you do any shopping at Giant, I would like to encourage you to purchase Grocery Cards through the fellowship. If you would like to purchase cards, you may reach out directly to me through the contact information in the UUFP directory.

I look forward to seeing everyone very soon! ~ Linda K.

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Sunday Service, June 6, 2021

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Linda Pallay

‘Til Death Do Us Part: Taking Marriage Seriously, Speaker: Rev. Dave Hunter.
Having officiated for 19 weddings, in 4 different states, in the last 20 years, having been a principal in two weddings myself, and having considered weddings both as a lawyer and as a pastor, I’ll reflect on the institution of marriage, a very human institution, but more than a human institution – a sacred, holy, mystical, spiritual institution.

Everyone is welcome at this Virtual Service using Zoom software, or to view a recording of the
service afterwards on our YouTube channel.

Strawberry Coffee Hour at the Fellowship at 12:30pm

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Sunday Service, June 13, 2021

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Linda Pallay

Finding Your True North, Guest Speaker: Amanda Aikman, UU Minister.
How well does your inner GPS guide you to make decisions, large and small? Do you believe in a divinely ordained path for your life, or do you believe we each figure it all out on our own? Let’s look at discernment, and how we come to figure out what our true path is — and not just personally, but as a people, a community, a nation.

Everyone is welcome at this Virtual Service using Zoom software, or to view a recording of the
service afterwards on our YouTube channel.

Annual Congregational Meeting follows at 11:45am

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Sunday Service June 20, 2021

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Linda Pallay

Proverb of Ashes: Part 2, Speaker: Rev. Kerry Mueller.

In May we considered Job, the good man to whom bad things happen. He was suffering greatly from a crisis of meaning, and needing someone to listen to his story. Now we visit Job again and learn (spoiler alert!) how he summons a Listener and finds a way to make meaning in his life again.

Everyone is welcome at this Virtual Service using Zoom software, or to view a recording of the service afterwards on our YouTube channel. Coffee Hour follows the service on Zoom at about 11:15.

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Sunday Service, June 27, 2021

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Linda Pallay

Please meet us for our 1st in-person service lot under the canopies in our back parking lot!
Leaders of Conservation Efforts and Awareness, in Chronological Order
Lay Speaker: Lisa Jokiel.
For thousands of years, Indigenous Native Americans have always practiced Conservationism. They will be the first and last folks discussed in my Hit Parade of well known Conservationists. In between, I will share vignettes of well known individuals, whose work and influence span the past 200 years, including those who are currently active. I have twelve individuals on my list. Come see whether your list matches mine!

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