Hacking EMail

Rev. Kerry has brought to our attention that misguided souls are hacking UU church email systems to send out messages to members in the name of the minister asking for gift cards and money. Please do not fall for this scam if it happens here! Your ministers will never ask you for money of any kind for them. Please send your pledges and contributions through the church treasurer. Our technology committee has verified that currently our email has not been hacked – but that does not mean it might not be in the future. When in doubt, verify the validity of an email by contacting a board member directly. If you have any technology specific questions, you can email webmaster@uupottstown.org. 

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Minister’s Column, May 2019

I had never paid a whole of attention to the prophet Elijah of the Hebrew Bible, but that changed recently. With Kerry and some other UU ministers I participated in a discussion of the passage in Matthew 17 where Jesus and a few of his disciples are out on a hike (mountain climbing, apparently) and suddenly the disciples see that Moses and Elijah have joined Jesus. The disciples offer to construct huts for the three of them. 

Then the choir’s anthem on April 7, “Voice Still and Small” (SLT #391) refers, I’ve always assumed, to the passage in 1 Kings 19 where Elijah hears “a sound of sheer silence.” Was that God? Elijah had been instructed to “go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” That event, by the way, was preceded by Elijah’s slaying of 450 prophets of Baal, a rival to the God of Israel. 

On Saturday and Sunday evenings, April 6 and 7, I was among the Wayne Oratorio Society singers performing Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. At one point we in the chorus were the bystanders near the cross from which Jesus was hanging. We sang: “He calleth for Elijah” and then “Wait, wait, and see, if Elijah cometh to save Him.” He didn’t. (Matthew 27) But what’s Elijah doing in the New Testament? And why should anyone celebrate Elijah, anyway? 

At Passover, an empty seat is left in case Elijah shows up. Why would one expect Elijah? Elijah himself reportedly did not die but went – alive – to heaven: “As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2:11. 

On May 7 (my brother’s 80th birthday) the Oratorio Society will start rehearsing Mendelssohn’s Elijah. By the time of our performances (October 19 and 20 at the Wayne Presbyterian Church, October 26 at the Washington National Cathedral), I should know more about this prophet. Indeed, I may be tempted to share some of that knowledge with you. For now, you can learn more about Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19 and 2 Kings 1-2. 

Rev. Dave 

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President’s Message, May 2019

The May Board meeting is always a busy one and one that often stretches longer than usual into the afternoon. Our agenda will include putting together a budget proposal and a roster of officers for 2019-20 to submit for approval at the Annual Congregational meeting. (Scheduled for Sunday, June 16th) Each year we must put together a budget based on the total amount pledged by members and friends during the pledge drive. We are getting closer to our pledge goal. We would like to be able to cover the amounts that committee chairs have asked for in order to continue our general ministry and fellowship at UUFP. 

Whether we can fulfill our goals depends on a healthy drive. If you haven’t submitted your pledge form, please consider the objectives you’d like us to achieve this coming year, whether that’s a Summer RE program and enhanced RE offerings during the rest of the year, enhanced security technology, supporting Ministry and adult programs, or simply supporting the maintenance of the building and grounds, and make a pledge. Linda P., our Treasurer, has extra forms if you have misplaced yours. 

Besides making sure that Board positions are filled, the Board is tasked this year with finding a Membership Committee Chair since Kay P. is stepping down from that position after a number of years of able and excellent service in that capacity. This is an important job at UUFP and vital to our continued growth. But the job description of a new chair might not look exactly like the one that Kay has fulfilled these last few years; we at UUFP are known to tinker with job descriptions to fit them with the availabilities of the candidates. I look back fondly on my years as Membership Chair; I thoroughly enjoyed doing the things it took to make ours a welcoming community. If you think you might like to be Membership Chair and would like information about the position, please come to see me, call, or email me. 

Lastly, I want to be sure you’re aware that on May 11th from 9:30am to 1:30pm, the Building & Grounds Committee is calling for all who are willing and able to help at our annual Spring Clean- Up Day. We’ve got lots to do. We’re ready for cleaners and weeders, mowers and rakers. And a project that lots of people won’t be able to resist will be helping to spruce up the children’s outside play area. See UUFP Friend Sue Merkel‘s Playground Plan on page six of this Newsletter. 

Pledge, volunteer, and have fun! 

Miranda 

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Child Dedication, June 16, 2019 

How do we express the very important role our children have in this congregation? We do not ask them to become members because that is a level of commitment that must wait for adult responsibility. But we embody our dedication to them as family and congregation through the ceremony of dedication. We will be having a combined child dedication and adult membership ceremony on June 16. If you would like a child dedication ceremony for your baby or willing older child or if you would like to know more, please talk with our board president, Miranda Van Horn or Rev. Kerry Mueller. 

Child Dedication 

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Upcoming Dates, May and June 2019

May 4th Botany Walk at UUFP 2PM 

May 8th Committee Council 7:30pm 

May 10th BYODD: Friday Night Chew 6:30 – 8:30PM, postponed. Stay tuned for our next discussion on June 14th.

May 11th UUFP Clean-Up Day 9:30-1:30 

May 19th Board Meeting 12 noon 

May 19th Third Sunday Pot Luck after service 

June 14th BYODD: Friday Night Chew 6:30 – 8:30pm 

June 16th Annual Congregational Meeting after service 

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Botany Walk, May 4th, 2:00

Led by Allan Pallay 

Saturday, May 4th 2:00 at the Fellowship 

All are welcome to attend 

The warm days of spring are here, the trees are newly bright with green and wild flowers are blooming everywhere. It’s a good time to turn our attention to the beauty and wonder of nature. So, join me on a Botany walk where I will identify many of the lovely wild plants growing on our property and talk about their biology. We will explore a variety of areas, some of which may be wet and muddy. I suggest using insect repellent to lessen the chance of picking up a tick. Let me know if you plan to attend (agpallay@gmail.com or 610-458-7678). The time was changed from 10 am to 2 PM to avoid the rain.

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Sunday Service May 5, 2019 

The H*** Word Lay Speaker: Mary Ryan 

Rabbi Jeff Myers of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh believes that the word “hate” should be considered in the same vein as all the words spelled out with *** or bleeped on TV, yet it seems to be part of our daily life these days. This talk will cover how we deal with it as individuals and as Unitarian Universalists. There will be time for an exchange of ideas at the end. 

 L

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Sunday Service May 12, 2019 

Nevertheless, They Persisted  Speaker: Reverend Kerry Mueller 

Join us for a celebration of the many kinds of motherhood. This sermon will focus on four courageous women who exemplify mothering in the face of difficulties. 

 

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Sunday Service, May 19, 2019

Enough?  Guest Speaker: Jerry Lazzaro 

In seeking personal growth and fulfillment, we’re often pulled in opposite directions. American culture is riddled with narratives plugging individualism, unworthiness and scarcity, narratives that urge us to push ourselves to the limit, to “Look out for Numero Uno,” “Grab the golden ring,” “Be all that you can be!” On the other hand, for the sake of our sanity—and our souls—our faith tradition encourages to let go of self, walk humbly, and be grateful for and content with what we have and, most importantly, with who we are. How much is “enough,” not just in terms of material possessions but also in terms of who and what we are? When, if ever, can we comfortably assert that we are, that we have, that we have done “enough?” 

Please join us for our Third Sunday Potluck 

which will follow the service. 

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Sunday Service, May 26, 2019

Grandparents Respond to Impertinent Questions                  

Speaker: Reverend Dave Hunter 

Rev. Dave will share letters that his grandparents might have written to him (but did not), in response to questions that Dave might have asked them (but did not). 

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