Labyrinth Walk, April 28, 2019

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Linda Pallay

UUFP invites you to attend a Labyrinth Walk on Sunday, April 28th 2-5 PM.
Calm and rejuvenate your mind and body by enjoying this opportunity to
walk, journal and meditate while walking our Chartres-style Labyrinth.
All are welcome—Last walker at 4:40PM.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown
1565 S Keim St.
Pottstown, PA 19465
For information:
President@uupottstown.org or 610-327-2662

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Sunday Service, April 7, 2019

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Linda Pallay

The Next Step, or Rev. Dave’s Ten Suggestions:
Reflections on the Responsibilities of Membership by Rev Dave Hunter

When asked, “Why become an actual member of a church or other religious group”, we tend to either try to change the subject, describe all the ways you can participate without becoming a member, or explain that you are not eligible to serve on the board unless you are a member (but
who would want to do that anyway?). Can you give a better response? Can Rev. Dave?

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Sunday Service, April 14, 2019

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Linda Pallay

Truthiness or Consequences Speaker: Emily Quarles-Mowrer
I have a quote hanging by my computer that says, “It’s okay to believe what you believe. It’s not okay, however, for you to insist that everyone else believe the same as you.” In the context of religion, I am able to uphold that principle absolutely. My belief is that only your own conscience can tell you how to honor what is holy. When applied to more quotidian
concerns, I am less able to allow for differences. For example how can I refuse to insist that everyone believe in the inherent worth and
dignity of each person?

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SundayService, April 21, 2019

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Linda Pallay

Thunderous Wings, Wondrous Things: The Persistence of Hope
Rev Kerry Mueller
Easter and Passover are very different holidays, but sometimes they overlap. Unitarian Universalists often have difficulty with the
miraculous elements of each, yet both have much to teach us.
Come and consider what we may offer and receive. This will also be our annual flower ritual, so please bring a flower (or more if you have extras) from your garden or the supermarket to share in our service.
Please join us for light snacks after service.

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Friday Night Chew!

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Linda Pallay

Discussion Topic: TBA, stayed tuned for our next meeting date.

Bring your own dinner, beverage, and utensils! We provide the discussion topic!

Share an evening of food for body,
mind, & soul. Meetings start at 6:30pm, stay tuned for our next discussion.

All are welcome!
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown
1565 S. Keim Street ~ Pottstown~PA~19465

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Sunday Service, April 28, 2019

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Linda Pallay

History Mystery: A Trip Back in Time Speaker: Erica Duske
Lay Leader: Emily Quarles-Mowrer
Travel with Erica to Deerfield, Massachusetts, following clues from the past, to discover more about her roots, and perhaps some of your
own, too.

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Minister’s Column, March 2019

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Linda Pallay

The next presidential election is a year and a half away still and already more candidates than I can keep track of have entered the race. Does this make sense? As Unitarian Universalists, you’ll recall, we “covenant to affirm and promote . . . the use of the democratic process” (and that’s what my first career, as a lawyer, was all about). You’ll recall that the Constitution did not provide for the people to choose the president. Electors would do the job, electors who presumably would be men (women, too, today) of wisdom, good judgment, and commitment to the common good. 

That system, while its structure was maintained, was quickly abandoned. I’m not proposing to bring it back, but here’s an idea to think about: A screening committee to consider the qualifications of prospective presidential candidates and rate their fitness for holding the office of president. They would consider not only the minimum requirements set forth in the Constitution but also physical and mental health, leadership experience and ability, crisis management skill, political experience, military experience, moral values, acceptance of science (evolution, global warming), tax returns and other financial records, freedom from foreign or donor control. The committee would not have the authority to veto a candidacy, but voters, I hope, would pay attention to their seal of approval. 

While that proposal may be utopian (in the sense of unrealistic), we could switch to popular election, so that voters in Wyoming would not have many times the influence of voters in California, so that voters in swing states (like Pennsylvania) would not have greater influence than voters in states with an almost guaranteed outcome. We could adopt ranked voting, so that if there are three or more candidates, no candidate receives a majority, and your candidate finishes last, your vote is transferred to your second choice. And while we’re engaged in reform, let’s end voter suppression and end the disproportionate influence of those with lots of money. 

Rev. Dave 

Minister’s Column, March 2019


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Minister’s Column, March 2019

Posted on March 3, 2019 by Linda Pallay

The next presidential election is a year and a half away still and already more candidates than I can keep track of have entered the race. Does this make sense? As Unitarian Universalists, you’ll recall, we “covenant to affirm and promote . . . the use of the democratic process” (and that’s what my first career, as a lawyer, was all about). You’ll recall that the Constitution did not provide for the people to choose the president. Electors would do the job, electors who presumably would be men (women, too, today) of wisdom, good judgment, and commitment to the common good. 

That system, while its structure was maintained, was quickly abandoned. I’m not proposing to bring it back, but here’s an idea to think about: A screening committee to consider the qualifications of prospective presidential candidates and rate their fitness for holding the office of president. They would consider not only the minimum requirements set forth in the Constitution but also physical and mental health, leadership experience and ability, crisis management skill, political experience, military experience, moral values, acceptance of science (evolution, global warming), tax returns and other financial records, freedom from foreign or donor control. The committee would not have the authority to veto a candidacy, but voters, I hope, would pay attention to their seal of approval. 

While that proposal may be utopian (in the sense of unrealistic), we could switch to popular election, so that voters in Wyoming would not have many times the influence of voters in California, so that voters in swing states (like Pennsylvania) would not have greater influence than voters in states with an almost guaranteed outcome. We could adopt ranked voting, so that if there are three or more candidates, no candidate receives a majority, and your candidate finishes last, your vote is transferred to your second choice. And while we’re engaged in reform, let’s end voter suppression and end the disproportionate influence of those with lots of money. 

Rev. Dave 

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Presidents Message, March 2019

Posted on March 3, 2019 by Linda Pallay

March, “thou … wear’st the gentle name of Spring.” (Bryant) 

In March we’ll go from cold and snowy days, which threatened our Sunday Services and kept us preferring indoor activities, to days for finding catkins and the first slight changes of color in the male goldfinch from brown — to what will later be a brilliant summer yellow. Though March can proceed haltingly with days both wintry and spring-like, we — even the heartiest lovers of winter — welcome changes in the natural world in anticipation of Spring. 

Our resident “botanist”, Allan P. says we can look for the following early spring wild flowers in March at UUFP. See if you can find them somewhere on UUFP’s campus! 

Rue-anemone: (Thalictrum thalictroides), Round lobed hepatica: (Hepatica americana), Trout lily: (Erythronium americanum), Spring beauty: (Claytonia virginica). See the Sojourner for pictures of of variety. 

Thanks go to Linda P., who is our Treasurer for the really fun Pledge Drive Kick-off event on February 17. The chili and dessert contests were lots of fun and delicious. Thanks, also to participants and all who attended. 

This month our gardeners will hold a first planting on March 13th. Please join them if you’d like; there’s lots to learn about organic gardening!. Lastly, our Membership Committee has planned an evening of fun in March. Join us on Saturday, March 16th for the Annual Potluck, “Puttin’ on the Ritz!” 

We continue in joy! 

Miranda 

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Upcoming Dates & Events, April 2019

Posted on March 3, 2019 by Linda Pallay

April 10th Committee Council 7:30pm 

April 12th BYODD: Friday Night Chew 6:30 – 8:30pm 

April 14th Board Meeting 12 noon. 

April 21st Third Sunday Pot Luck after service 

April 28th Labyrinth Walk 2–5pm U

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