Service Topics Archive for 2006-2007
June 2007
Sunday, June 3,
10:30am-
“Crossing
the Threshold”- It’s that time again—the time when we honor our
terrific group of youth who are “coming of age” and crossing the threshold
into young adulthood. This service
will highlight the 2-year long journey that our COA youth have taken with
teachers, mentors and parents, culminating in statements of faith, tributes and
gifts. It’s such an important
milestone in the lives of these youth and their families.
Please join us for this special celebration. Dr. Waun and Kathy
Begg will facilitate.
Sunday, June 10,
10:30am-
“Flowers Fulfilled”- In the UU
child dedication ceremony we are told that whether a flower fulfills itself or
not; whether it comes into full bloom or not depends upon the care and nurture
it receives. On this annual Flower
Communion Sunday we will reflect again upon our own individuality and growth
with a time of interactive sharing from our sense of lifetime journey and
fulfillment. Dr. Waun will facilitate.
Please bring a stemmed flower as an offering.
Sunday, June 17, 10:30am- "The Changing Face
of Fatherhood"- Gone are the days when most dads were sole
breadwinners, most moms were homemakers, and most people assumed that
"Father Knows Best." How have fathers changed to meet the
demands of our contemporary world, and what does it mean to be a good dad today?
On Father's Day, Brenda Shiring looks at shifting roles and expectations
for dads, stepdads, foster dads, and granddads (and other father
figures) in the 21st century.
Sunday, June 24,
10:30am-
“The Macro and the Micro"-
The universe is a puzzle, where it's come from, where it's going and what's
happening in the meantime. String theory has possibly given us an answer,
but it’s unproveable. So where does that leave us? And can we do
anything about it? Join Dave
Schwartz for this interesting program.
May 2007
Sunday,
May 6,
10:30am
- Dr. Waun will speak on “Faith Without Certainty” –from
the book by the same name by UU professor Dr. Paul Rasor.
As UUs, we have different ways of speaking about “faith” and
“beliefs” because we have no set creed or required statement of faith to
belong to our churches. Dr. Rasor
will be coming to
Pittsburgh
in November as part of a cluster event, and this program will help to prepare
us for his visit.
Sunday, May 13,
10:30am
–“Materialism from an
Anthropological Perspective”
- join
Cathy Serventi
and
Jenifer Trout
Osborne
as they review Cultural Materialism, a theory articulated by Marvin
Harris. Cultural Materialism
predicts the structure of culture based on the method of extracting resources
from the environment. This theory
offers an alternative to Paternalism being the proverbial root of all evil.
Enjoy a different perspective on gender politics to contemplate on Mother's Day.
Sunday, May 20,
10:30 am
–“Leo Strauss and the Neoconservatives" -- Glenn
Klepac will speak about Leo Strauss (1899-1973), a professor of
political philosophy at the
University
of
Chicago
. Professor Strauss taught his students to revere the values of ancient
Greek philosophy. Modern neoconservatives including several members of the
Bush administration credit Professor Strauss for promoting devotion to country
and for his criticisms of liberalism.
Sunday,
May 27,
10:30am
– “Chanting” - Bill
Dunham offers a service of
chanting to remember the sacrifice of those who have gone before us.
This services promises to be very moving and meditative.
It will include drums played quietly and reverently.
Bill's energy and voice are sure to touch your heart and create a
wondrous synergy between us all.
April 2007
Sunday, April 1,
10:30am
-“Rising
to a New Level”- On this April Fool’s Day we will have some fun looking
at numbers and while we’re at it, we will play the ESUUC version of “Who
Wants to be a Millionaire?”—no fooling!
Dr. Waun will lead the service.
Sunday, April 8,
10:30am
- Easter Sunday-The season of Easter is an appropriate time to look
again at the stories and metaphors that give meaning to the life and death of
Jesus. What could this mean to UUs?
Dr. Waun’s presentation “Telling
the Story of Jesus for Today” draws ideas from Marcus Borg’s work on the
“earlier understandings” vs. the “emerging understandings” of Easter,
the early church and current religious struggles in the
U.S.
All
children will stay in the sanctuary with the adults today.
Sunday, April 15, 10:30am – “One form of Duality” - Pam Alexander, local artist, author,
speaker, dream interpretation instructor and Shake Your Soul leader, will speak
about how we have been taught to see life as though there were two sides to most
things... good vs bad, or good vs. evil, heaven and hell, positive and negative,
us vs them, win-lose, etc. The "higher truth" suggests that maybe this
isn't true. If we can approach life without the judgement that creates duality
then we can relax into the moment and experience it without so much fear and
resistance. Hopefully, this will lead us into a place of unity consciousness and
peace.
Sunday, April 22, 10:30am – "Earth Day" - Andrew Weber will
explore a religious meaning of Earth Day and how we can see the Divine in all
existence. Andrew is training to be
a UU Minister and is a member of
Allegheny
Church
. He was a very
important member of our group who traveled to
Romania
and
Hungary
last summer. He
spoke excellent Hungarian, because he had spent a lot of time there working with
Habitat for Humanity.
Sunday, April 29,
10:30am
– “Amarillis” - Wear your
dancing shoes as we learn how traditional music and dance build community in the
spirit of our 7th principle. Donna Isaac and Allison Thompson from
“Amarillis” will be here to entertain and teach a dance or two.
They play fiddle and concertina, respectively, in an authentic old time
Appalachian style.
March 2007
Sunday, March 4,
10:30am-“Eastern Energy”- It
seems that more and more people who are either considered “churched”,
“pre-churched” or “church free” are being attracted to the practices of
eastern religions. Dr. Waun will explore this attraction. What is it, and
how are its various facets manifested in western culture and religion?
Sunday, March 11,
10:30am-
“BIRTH ORDER: The Interdependent Web of Family and
Personal Relationships” – Our family position strongly influences our personality, who we
marry, how we work with others, and our choice of friends. The oldests
will feel bound to come, the youngests will dispute what is said, but this
program is for the middles and onlies also. Led by Michael Gruber
and Mary Phan-Gruber.
Sunday, March 18,
10:30am-
“Search
for the Goddess/sacred feminine” - Maureen McHugh will lead
this service that will affirm and celebrate the Feminine Divine and will include
personal and societal reasons for the need for the Goddess/Sacred Feminine.
Sunday, March 25,
10:30am-
"Leading to
Revelation" (note change in program) A
different kind of revelation than that of the last book in the Bible is
communication from Creator to created--us! What helps us to prepare for
that experience of peace and joy?
Nancy Fitzgerald, Commissioned Lay Leader, fills in as our
scheduled speaker.
February 2007
Sunday, February 4,
10:30am
- “Isms
and Schisms”- It is often said
today that the straight, white western male has the most unearned, inborn
privileges. Is this still true? What are some of the “isms” in our present
day culture that would lead someone to think this way? Dr. Waun will
elaborate on a topic that unpacks some of these disparities.
Sunday, February 11,
10:30am
- “Love
Makes a Family”- On this Sunday before Valentine’s Day we are delighted
to welcome a person who bubbles over with loving energy and has a unique story
to share. Mr. Don Hammonds will tell us some of the pathways and pitfalls he
has experienced with his partner Joey while raising three children in
Edgewood
. Don is the Auto Editor for the
Post Gazette and is attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Sunday, February 18,
10:30am
- “We
Are Part of OMD”- Gerard
Katilius, past
president of ESUUC, is the Small Congregation Resource Liaison for the
Ohio-Meadville District. He will share with us what he has learned about
the structure and future of our O-M District, and what it means for our Church.
Sunday, February 25,
10:30am- “Darwin
Remembers”- Charles
Darwin, as portrayed by Dr. David Campbell, looks back over his
life, thinking out loud as well as hearing voices from his past that were part
of his life and work, as he formulated the theory that changed the world
forever. This live performance, sponsored by
Carnegie
Science
Center
and The Center for Inquiry
Community of Pittsburgh, is very much in the tradition of one man/one woman
shows and provides an overall understanding of
Darwin
.
January 2007
Sunday,
January 7,
10:30 am
– “The Beat Goes On”- the beat of African drums is heard in
an outlying village where disadvantaged children make beautiful music in a
concert to
support
their school. This is one of the activities of the African Rural Schools
Foundation
support
ed by our congregation. Ken Noble and Dr. Waun will bring us up to date
on the ongoing vision there in
Uganda
, based on Ken’s recent volunteer trip to the ARSF. He will share from his
experience of the growing project and its people.
Sunday, January 14,
10:30 am
– “US Policy in
Iraq
” - What should
US
policy be in
Iraq
in light of the November Congressional
Elections and the "civil war" there?
How can you contact your member of Congress to register your views?
Rosa Thompson, Jerry Lilly and Tom Bailey will each give their
ideas on these topics. We will
welcome you to share your views also.
Sunday, January 21,
10:30 am
– “Understanding Fundamentalism" - During
the last decade of national elections, Christian fundamentalists have joined
with mainstream conservatives to elect Republican majorities in congress and the
White House. These fundamentalists may seem strange and unapproachable to
those on the other end of the social and religions spectrum, and the reverse is
true as well. UUs may say "I respect their beliefs, but they don't
respect mine", while fundamentalists may say "You don't understand me
at all. Your blithe presumption that 'all faiths are equal' is
profoundly disrespectful to my beliefs." Is there any way that UUs
can understand and truly respect fundamentalists? Brien Palmer's answer
may surprise and challenge you.
Sunday, January 28,
10:30am-
“Pancake Breakfast” - Come eat
pancakes cooked by the menfolk and enjoy a Healthy Food Potluck Buffet at the
same time. Everybody please bring an item of healthy food, vaguely breakfast
oriented, to share.
December 2006
Sunday,
December 3,
10:30 am
– “Branching Out”-on this, the
culmination of ESUUC’s 40th
anniversary year observance, we wrap up the celebration by honoring those former
members who have returned for the weekend of festivities and reflecting on our
history once again. As part of the
program, Dr. Waun will offer the
sermon she preached in Kopec,
Transylvania
last summer, and Commissioned Lay Leader
Nancy Fitzgerald
will bring final “Fabulous Forty” thoughts.
Sunday,
December 10,
10:30 am
– “Strong Hands”- Judith
Avers http://www.judithavers.com will be making the drive all the
way from the farthest reaches of
West Virginia
to grace us with another musical program of her songs accompanied by guitar.
Always reinventing herself, Judith keeps finding new ways to express her
inner self with her music and lyrics, and she loves being around UUs because she
finds us to be kindred spirits. Visit
her website for a complete biography, photos, news and popular albums for sale.
You won’t want to miss this program!
Sunday,
December 17,
10:30 am
– “One Earth, One Home” - Sharon
Pillar, a fellow Unitarian Universalist, is the Global Warming Outreach
Coordinator for
Western Pennsylvania
for PennFuture (www.pennfuture.org).
After the viewing of "An Inconvenient Truth", many of us in our
congregation spoke with
Sharon
and were moved to act. We are all entrusted with the well-being of the earth,
and ensuring that the web of all existence is balanced.
Sharon
will be able to shed light on what is happening locally and globally, what
needs to happen, and what we can do to affect change for our earth, our lives
and the future generations that are to come.
Sunday,
December 24,
10:30 am
– “World
Premiere: ” - On December 24 (Christmas Eve) during service,
members of the congregation will be performing an original play by Dave Schwartz
entitled Bethlehem Beat. It is set in December of the year Jesus is
born and tells the story of a reporter who is in investigating rumors about the
birth of the Christ child. Hope you
can come.
Sunday,
December 24,
7:30 pm
– “Christmas
Eve” - This will be an informal service of readings, Christmas
carols and a story entitled The Year of
the Perfect Christmas Tree. As part of this annual observance, we ask you to
bring an angel ornament or decoration that holds some sentimental significance
for you, that we might share stories of our own perfect Christmases of the past.
The singing of Silent Night with handheld candles is part of this
endearing service.
Sunday,
December 31,
10:30 am
– “The
Yin Yang in Traditional Chinese Culture” - The Taoist symbol
of the balance between the Yin and Yang forms the backbone of much of
Eastern spiritual thought. Dr. Jun Deng will discuss how it is
used to create a sense of balance in the individual and in the culture at large. Start
off 2007 in balance and help to keep your world and our world that way!
November 2006
Sunday, November 5,
10:30 am
– “
Transylvania
Memories”-
There are five people from our congregation who made the Heritage
Pilgrimage to
Transylvania
,
Romania
and
Hungary
in August to meet our partner congregation in Kopec, and to visit historic
Unitarian sites. Did you know that
there is a Unitarian Bishop? That
there is a Unitarian catechism? Dr.
Waun will be joined by
Nancy Fitzgerald
, Marylyn Devlin, Jean and Bob Robl
to present their impressions. This
is also the first Sunday after All Souls
Day, where we remember all those friends and family members who have died
since this time last year, so please be prepared to offer their names during a
special time of tribute.
Sunday, November 12,
10:30 am
– “Three Expressions of Spiritual Perspectives"
- A panel will share a glimpse of what is sometimes called "spiritual
formation"--formative events and the religious or spiritual meaning we
took from them. Hear from Frank Nemeth, Bill Culp and
Nancy Fitzgerald
.
Sunday, November 19,
10:30 am
– “Stone Soup Sunday”- This is
the Sunday when we traditionally have a “stone soup” lunch after worship to
focus on hunger awareness in our world. Please
bring a soup ingredient ALREADY PREPARED and ready to go into the soup!
This year our observance is going to be even more special than ever, as
our morning program will be a mini-musical called (of course) “Stone Soup”,
directed by Dr. Waun. It is the story of a sleepy, grumpy village that
learned all about becoming cheerful in their sharing and caring from three
travelers with magic stones in a sack.
Sunday, November 26,
10:30 am
– “Reset Before the December
Holidays” - Before you plunge
headlong into the holiday rush, take time out and drum for thanks. Bill
Dunham and
Jenifer Trout Osborne
will host this drumming circle to help
us "push the reset button" after Thanksgiving and prepare to face the
December holidays with hearts full of love, peace, joy and thankfulness.
As with all ESUUC drumming events, no experience is needed and all ages are
welcome. We have plenty of drums to share. Vocal participation and creative
movement (dancing) are also loved and celebrated!
October 2006
Sunday, October 1,
10:30 am
– “Launching a Coming of Age Year”-Another
wonderful group of youth is entering the Coming of Age program on this Sunday.
Dr. Waun and Kathy Begg will facilitate this important
intergenerational kick-off service.
Sunday, October 8,
10:30am
-"Sharing Secrets of Healthy
Relationships." Linda Bazan, PhD
licensed psychologist and therapist from The Relationship Shop will be here to
present Imago relationship theory, which is a tried and true method of working
with couples and groups in a profoundly life changing way. For more information
about the speaker and the theory, visit www.therelationshipshop.com.
We will also have a brief time of commissioning for Ken Noble as he prepares to
do volunteer work in
Uganda
.
Sunday, October 15,
10:30 am
– “The End of Faith” –
In the midst of religious revival, three scholars have written
books arguing that atheism is smarter. George Ratliff will examine the
best known of these books, "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris. He
writes: "Our situation is this: most of the people in the world believe
that the Creator of the universe has written a book. We have the misfortune of
having many such books on hand, each making an exclusive claim as to its
infallibility. ....We have been slow to recognize the degree to which religious
faith perpetuates man's inhumanity to man. ...I hope to show that the very ideal
of religious tolerance--born of the notion that every human being should be free
to believe whatever he wants about God--is one of the principal forces driving
us toward the abyss."
Sunday, October 22,
10:30 am
– “Roasted Cow Corn
Kernels” - Is
there a purpose or mission for Unitarian Universalists? Are we more than
just a social club or ethical society? Are we meant to make this a better
world? If so, how? Join us as
we welcome back one of our favorite visiting ministers: the Rev. Kate Walker
from the UU Church in
Meadville
,
PA.
Sunday, October 29,
10:30 am
– “What to Do About Death?” -
Is there a good time to talk about "End of Life Issues?"
Or to think about them? Are you good on the subject in the abstract, but
not so good when it's your "end of life" that is up for discussion?
How did you feel when Terri Schiavo's name was dominating the news?
Are you old enough to remember Karen Quinlin? Does this have anything at
all to do with being a Unitarian Universalist? Sibyl McNulty,
a lawyer and a person who sometimes thinks about stuff like this, will attempt
to answer some of these questions and raise others, and will also provide some
very practical advice for those of you who swore, a year and a half ago, that
you would finally write that living will.
September 2006
Sunday, September 3,
10:30 am
– “ESUUC Picnic in the Park” -
Please join us for the annual
Potluck Picnic at
Bear
Hollow
Park
(in
Heather
Highlands
)! Come at the usual time for a short
service from Rev. Waun, then stay and picnic to your heart's content.
. We will begin with a
chalice lighting, sharing our joys and concerns and a “Common
Bowl Discussion” on the theme of Work (a Labor Day theme) led by Dr.
Waun in the pavilion.
Sunday, September
10,
10:30 am
– “Fabulous Forty Kickoff”-
this is our annual Water Communion service but it will also be the kickoff
Sunday for the fortieth anniversary celebration of East Suburban UUC, which was
chartered in October 1966. Dr.
Waun and Commissioned Lay Leader
Nancy Fitzgerald
(Anniversary Chair) will co-officiate. Remember
to bring a small vessel of water from your summer adventures for the ritual.
Sunday, September
17,
10:30 am
– “East
Suburban UU Church's History-Gram!” - Come add your (his/her)story in East Suburban, whether it's brand new or
well seasoned. This history-gram program, led by Brien Palmer and
Nancy Fitzgerald
, solicits stories and your place
in the line of friends and members. What about our church is part of you?
Sunday, September
24,
10:30 am
– “The
Gospel of Thomas”- In 1945, the complete
Gospel of Thomas was found in
Egypt
. It has been described as “arguably the
single most important Christian archaeological discovery of the twentieth
century.” We’ll look at the circumstances of its finding, along with
its implications for the understanding of early Christianity.
August 2006
Sunday, August 6,
10:30 am
– “Drumming for Everyone” - Come
for an all-drumming service that is family friendly! Bring your own drum or percussion
instrument. It's sure to be fun and exhilarating. No prior training
necessary. Facilitated by Jen
Trout-Osborne.
Rev. Waun will be giving a sermon at the Kopec church worship service on
Sunday, August 6. The sermon text can be read here.
Sunday, August 13,
10:30 am
– "The Seven Principles
in Kids' Songs" - Join us in song! Rev. Renee Waun will share
kids' songs that illustrate the Seven Principles.
Sunday, August 20,
10:30 am
– “Meditation”- Join us for an intergenerational service using various forms of
meditation. Led
by Jennifer Halperin, ESUUC member and Director of Children and Youth
Ministries at
First
Unitarian
Church
,
Pittsburgh
.
If you are interested in learning how to build a labyrinth from sticks,
you are welcome to help us set up at
7:30 pm
the evening before.
Sunday, August 27,
10:30 am
– “Scavenger Hunt” - Join us
for the nearly annual summertime scavenger hunt.
Maureen McHugh will once again be sending us out on a fun hunt
that will also make us think.
July 2006
Sunday, July 2,
10:30 am
– “Animal Blessing”- Dr. Waun presents this popular summer worship event where you may
bring your favorite animal(s) to church for an intergenerational time of
honoring and blessing the creatures with which we share our planet.
Sunday, July 9,
10:30 am
– “Schinchi Suzuki and the Suzuki
Method” - In his book Nurtured By Love, Schinchi
Suzuki wrote, "...once born we must live with ourselves until the day we
die. There arises, then the inevitable question of how to live. If our ability
was not nurtured properly, we have to develop it for ourselves. Instead of being
defeated by misfortune, we have to make something good of our lives.
There is no reason to give up in discouragement; it is possible for every
person to improve himself."
Dr. Suzuki is a violinist who founded the educational
method called "Talent Education," which puts environment as the
foremost condition in a person's success in any particular subject. Brian
Ogle will present a program about this important figure in the field of
music education and hear young players performing music taught
under the principles of this educational method.
Sunday,
July 16,
10:30 am
– “Where We Stand”
- One of our traditions is to have a
service every few years that lets everyone in the congregation take a stand,
literally. We form a line in the church with opposite views at the ends of the
line and moderate or neutral views spread in between. If you have an issue you
would like to see polled, notify George Ratliff.
Sunday, July 23, 10:30 am – “Getting
the Call to Ministry When Your Phone Is On Mute" - We welcome to our pulpit Jeff Liebmann, a member of
First Church and former member and President of our church. He writes:
"Being a part of a church community can reveal many hidden paths in our
lives. When I reluctantly agreed to become a youth advisor, I never
imagined I would be entering seminary and pursuing Unitarian Universalist
Ministry. I will share with you my experience of being called to the
ministry and how my work with our youth inspired that call." A FAMILY
FRIENDLY SERVICE.
Sunday, July 30,
10:30 am
– “Family Improv (Improvisation, that
is)” - In a time-honored tradition, we will be doing paper bag skits. Our theme
this year is the Seven Principles. Mary
Kukura-Straw will be bringing props. Addition
props are always welcome. This
program is for the entire family.
