First UU Logo Wares

A Cinco de Mayo themed annual Spring Goods and Services Auction will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist (First UU) Church, 285 Twolick Drive, Indiana, Saturday, May 5. Doors open at 6 p.m. and auction begins at 7 p.m. with Michael R. Charnego, auctioneer. Door prizes will be announced throughout the evening. Free assorted snacks with a Mexican theme will be served. A variety of beverages will be available for a small donation. Goods Auction items may include, but are limited to: unique antiques, new and gently used items, artesian crafts, artwork, jewelry, themed baskets, and much more.  Services Auction items may include, but are limited to: dinners prepared and served in the privacy of purchaser’s home, international theme entrees and desserts, lessons on a variety of topics such as knitting, croqueting, quilting, computing, and photography tips. Additional services auctioned may include: home painting projects, transportation to the Pittsburgh airport, pet or house sitting, planting and/or garden care, housework or yard work, babysitting, musical entertainment, carpentry or home fix-up jobs, and computer repair or training. In addition to the formal auction, a large number of items will be auctioned through silent bidding. Several enrichment activities will be available to purchase as well. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo while holding a few of the auction items are committee members, Jaunita Burdette and Judith Yothers; committee chairperson, Michelle Green; and minister, Rev. Joan Sabatino.

The children pictured helped to continue the tradition of creating the Easter tree in the sanctuary at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, Twolick Drive. The church began its annual Easter tree tradition on Easter Sunday in 1994. That particular Sunday was also the first Sunday the congregation held its church service in the newly built church. A huge branch filled with blossoms had snapped off during a storm and was brought into the sanctuary. Those children present delighted in the activity of decorating in celebration of a new beginning.

The congregation was in awe of this colorful Easter tree. The children who decorated that first Easter tree 18 years ago are now adults who still fondly remember their role in helping to create a beautiful sanctuary on the very first Sunday in our new church home.

Over the years, the Easter tree decorating tradition continues. About a week ahead of Easter, church members bring branches inside from trees at the church that have now grown to maturity and need pruning. The branches are secured in a large bucket of water with bricks, so that the buds will begin to open by Easter. Church members also bring in egg-type decorations from their travels to represent the connection to all areas of the world at the church in Indiana, PA. Even very young children love seeing the tree in the sanctuary each Easter, and enjoy placing their hand-made ornaments on it and those made by Sunday school children over the years. The Easter tree stays up for at least a week so it is present the next Sunday when the tree buds are more fully in bloom. As Easter approaches each year, many First UU children ask if they will be decorating another Easter tree, and they are always delighted to know this tradition will continue.

Local Unitarian Universalist youth, Nicolas Chepaitis, Javan Cook, Joe Cook, and advisor, Liz Cook attended District work camp at Full Circle Soil Cooperative in Columbus, OH.  The youth group combined efforts with other youth groups in the Ohio-Meadville District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The youths were able to choose to work at this farm or at a soup kitchen for a SAC-YAC, or Social Action Conference of the Youth and Adult Conference the weekend of March 17.

The First Unitarian Universalist Religious Education students have been rehearsing “Who Wants to Hold the Baby,” created by Joyce Poley and Frank Henning as their holiday pageant. The students invite the community to the 10:30 a.m. Sunday, December 18, service which will be built around the children’s holiday play. The First UU Choir will lead the holiday carols incorporated into this program. Shown practicing in the front row are Henry Powers, Hannah Baumer, Lucy Powers, Lilly Boulard, and Kellan McDaniel; second row are Rachel Okey, Stella Chepaitis, Erin Okey, India Krug, and Haley Baumer. In the back are Nicolas Chepaitis with Javen and Joey Cook. For additional information, please call 724-349-2776

Choir member, Pauline Simms, poured her collected water vial along with Laura Ferguson, Bob Rittle, Mark Minser, Josiah Gromley, prepared to share in the water ingathering ceremony, while Sean and Kellan McDaniel observe the ceremony. This ceremony began in the early 1980s to celebrate the start of the new church year.

Sara Fortnam, First UU Religious Education Director, is shown reading A Prayer for the Earth, The Story of Naahmah. Traditionally, all children are welcome to participate in the sanctuary with a “Story for All Ages Moment” before the children enter into their classrooms.

First UU members Ruth Thomas along with India and Corbin Krug are shown with Fair Trade Equal Exchange coffees and chocolates available for sale at the church.

The community was invited to personally meet the Buddhist Monks who specialize in Tibetan Visual and Performing Arts at the church. Prior to the potluck dinner, the monks are shown taking a moment to give thanks.  The evening was designed so guests could share food and exchange ideas related to their life’s journey and beliefs.

Nicolas Chepaitis released one of six homing pigeons in hopes they would be able to find a new home.  This simple act follows one of the principles of the religion: “Respect for the interdependence of the web of life of which we are a part.”

It was a wonderful experience, delivering the prayer for the PA Senate.  I felt like a VIP, for sure.  Special elevators, seat, parking space,  and a general feeling of respectfulness.

Most importantly Senator Don White was cordial and seemed genuinely impressed with my “prayer.”  After my delivery, he made a point to come out and speak with me.  He said, “that was beautiful.  Just what we needed to hear.”  He acknowledged that he doesn’t often get clergy from Indiana to make the drive to Harrisburg for a short prayer for the Senate.

For me, it is important not only to promote First UU Church of Indiana, PA but also to spread the “good news” of Unitarian Universalism in our world.  That is why I took on this responsibility.

Here is the prayer I delivered:

Let us be together in prayer –
Infinite and ultimate mystery — You who are called by the citizens of Pennsylvania by many names, You who from ancient times has joined us in agreements like covenant, compact, and constitution, as the means by which we may co-create a human, educated, and prosperous society, we give You thanks for the blessings of our lives and ask that You continue to bless us.

As this body begins another legislative session may You help these leaders remember that they are joined with the past and the future by all who serve in these chambers and by all of the people who reside in this great commonwealth who have placed with them a solemn and reverent trust.

May each of us assembled here, as we work in whatever ways we are called in this world:
Remember to use our eyes that we may not be blind to what is going on about us.
To use our ears that we may not be deaf to those who ask for our help or offer to teach us.
May we use our minds, that we might understand what we see and hear and use this understanding to improve this world.
And May we use our hearts that we may not falter to choose the best for the good of the whole and not be swayed by selfish aims.

Oh Thou who made us one nation out of many people, amidst our diversities of race, tradition and faith, unite us once again in a common cause of goodness.

On this new day, accept us anew, as we join again with the calls to stewardship, justice, righteousness and love.

So May It Be.
AMEN.