A large group of First UU members and friends met at Cozumel Restaurant to enjoy conversation and authentic Mexican cuisine on Friday, May 10th. The Membership Committee decided to support the Downtown Indiana’s monthly “Lovin’ Downtown Every Second” by offering our members to come together for a social evening out Read more…
The annual Goods & Services Auction held on Saturday evening, May 11th, was a successful fundraiser for the First UU Church. Michelle Greene, Auction Chairperson, can be seen in the center of the photo delivering Mexican refreshments, while auctioneer, Michael Charnego, continues to entertain those bidding on items. Check out Read more…
On Sunday, May 19th, the Flower Communion was celebrated with Rev. Joan M. Sabatino and Nonna Randal, Worship Associate, leading the service. Flower Communion is an annual Unitarian tradition first created by Czech minister Rev. Norbert Chapek in 1923. Our Sunday school children collected the flowers members brought to church Read more…
Pete Brook, IUP Professor of Spanish, was the guest speaker on Sunday, May 5. His presentation, “Cinco de Mayo: What It Is and Is Not” gave congregation members insight to the historical importance of this day. Brooks went on to contrast the celebration festivities as they occur in Mexico and Read more…
Former Spanish instructor, Judith Yothers, with assistance by Jaunita Burdette, read the Story for All Ages to the children and congregation on May 5th. After giving a quick Spanish introduction to colors of the Mexican flag, she went on to enthusiastically read “Cinco de Mouse-O” by Judy Cox.
A Cinco de Mayo themed annual Spring Goods and Services Auction will be Saturday, May 11th. Doors open at 6 p.m. and auction begins at 7 p.m. with Michael R. Charnego, auctioneer. Holding a few of the auction items are First UU members: Pete Brooks, seated; Rev. Joan M. Sabatino; Read more…
Several IUP First UU student-members participated in the annual Chalk on the Walk event at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The annual event encourages students to create a social or political message in chalk on sidewalks in the IUP Oak Grove. A flame within a chalice (a cup with a stem Read more…
On Sunday, April 21, the service title, Seeds, Webs, and Hope: An Earth Day Intergenerational Service with Rev. Joan M. Sabatino, Josiah Gromley, Swana Chepaitis and the Religious Education Children and Adults encouraged full participation of the congregation as they were invited to decorate the sanctuary’s Earth Day Altar with Read more…
Faye Bradwick, guest spoke on the topic of “Render to Caesar.” On Sunday, April 14, on the eve of the United States’ “Tax Day”, the congregation was asked to reflect on the importance of giving from what they have for the greater good. Pauline Simms, Worship Associate; and Lori Rittle, Read more…
The first “Unitarian Universalists “Lovin’ Downtown Every Second” occurred on Friday, April 12, when more than twenty members and friends met for dinner at Spaghetti Benders on Philadelphia Street. With great fortune, “Grist for the Mill” was scheduled to perform on the same night. A great time was had Read more…
On Saturday evening, April 6, Andrew Shingledecker, played guitar and piano live in the church sanctuary. Andrew is a local artist and songwriter and covers popular music from Tom Petty to Beatles to Leonard Cohen The event was hosted by the First UU Board of Trustees. Snacks and beverages were Read more…
The meeting of the first satellite branch of the First UU of Indiana took place on the Clarion University campus on Thursday, March 28. Rev. Joan M. Sabatino, was greeted by a number of interested students and faculty members at the university. Seated to the left of Rev. Sabatino is Read more…
Unitarian Universalist musician, composer, and activist, Jim Scott, brought his contemporary and multicultural music to First UU on Sunday, March 31. Jim along with Rev. Joan M. Sabatino embraced the service’s topic, Leaning Toward the Sun – Rebirth & Renewal. Jim has shared his talents in more than 500 UU Read more…
The Religious Education students along with parents and teachers decided to personally assist with the March social justice project, The Alice Paul House, Indiana. The group started the process of creating sock animals to give to the children who will be served by The Alice Paul House. After the group Read more…
Our Annual Easter Tree Tradition Lives On ~ This year the children at First UU made lovely new decorations for the Easter tree, continuing an important church tradition. Our annual Easter tree tradition began on Easter Sunday in 1994. That particular Sunday was also the first Sunday that we held Read more…
After the violence at a Sikh temple last Fall, UUA President Peter Morales suggested Unitarian Universalist learn about the Sikh religion. First UU welcomed to our pulpit on March 3, Harold Morales, IUP Religious Studies Professor, who helped us understand this often misunderstood Sikh religion. Rev. Sabatino is shown with Read more…
In honor of Black History Month, on Sunday, February 24th, Wang Xi, IUP Professor of African American History, reflected on the Emancipation Proclamation. Patti Holmes, Worship Associate, lead the service entitled “History Remembered.”
Quilt Show Exhibit Open to Public The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana is currently featuring its annual quilt show in its sanctuary. The show entitled, “The Warmth of Community,” is made up of finely crafted historic and contemporary quilts. These locally owned and hand-crafted quilts represent many aspects of Read more…
Rev. Joan is shown speaking during the Martin Luther King celebration at Grace United Methodist Church held after the MLK Freedom March in downtown Indiana on January 19th. “The Beloved Community” was the theme for this year’s event sponsored by the Indiana County NAACP. The IC NAACP’s planning committee included Read more…
First UU members shown at the sound booth with the new equipment are designer and builder, Bill Heberer; minister, Rev. Sabatino; and Corbin Krug, audio-technician. The First UU Church was awarded the competitive Chalice Lighter Call grant from the Ohio-Meadville District last summer. With this grant, the First UU hopes Read more…
The congregation of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, 285 Twolick Drive, finished their December social justice project to support the Indiana County residents through the ICCAP program. Members and friends of the First UU donated money, non-perishable food, and household items at their recent Sunday services. Along with Read more…
During a recent Sunday worship service at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, the Baumer Studio Treble Choir shared holiday musical selections including “Carol of the Bells,” “Candlelight Cannon,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “El Noi de la Mar,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “Winter Wonderland.” The seasonal songs were Read more…
Thanks to Stella Chepaitis being incredibly persistent, First UU now has a functioning bird bath in the memorial garden. Last May Stella discovered that the bird bath leaked, and asked Kay Snyder if it could be repaired. Kay told her it could not be repaired, but promised to take Stella Read more…
The church will hold its annual Holiday Bazaar and Café from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1, featuring local artisans. There will be fiber art, textile crafts, hand-thrown pottery, silver and stone jewelry, holiday ornaments, origami boxes, knitted items, children’s crafts, holiday cards, and Equal Exchange coffee, chocolate, and Read more…
The congregation of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana (First UU) Social Justice Project during 2010 – 2012 was the Indiana Free Library. By choosing to collaborate with the Indiana Free Library, the following Unitarian Universalism principles were addressed: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, Read more…
Many members of the church continued their support of the Indiana Free Library by attending the library’s annual fundraiser, Evening in the Stacks, on Friday, November 2. Those who gathered on the steps of the library at 7 p.m. under the new digital display system funded by First UU’s social Read more…
The First Unitarian Universalist Church board of trustee president, Liz Cook, center, and sons, Joey and Javan, are shown with Fair Trade Equal Exchange Interfaith Program coffees, cocoa, chocolates, and olive oil available for sale at the 285 Twolick Drive church. In addition, orders can be made from the catalogue Read more…
The First Unitarian Universalist Church’s minister, Rev. Joan M. Sabatino, is shown a sharing a special story with the children of the congregation as part of The Annual Water Ingathering Ceremony. This ceremony brings together in community all ages as members blend the waters they’ve collected over the summer with Read more…
Teachers and children were recently recognized for their dedication to the Religious Education studies.
Giant Eagle & Martin’s Gift Cards are available for sale in the sanctuary before and after each Sunday service or by contacting Rev. Joan at 724-464-5352.