Welcome to the Community Blog of First UU Church of Indiana, Pennsylvania
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.
Patti Holmes, Worship Service Leader, led the “Music: A Healing Art” Sunday Service with the congregation recently.
The Cinco de Mayo themed annual auction fundraiser held on Saturday evening, May 5, created a colorful fun-filled evening with congregation members, friends, and guests!
Rev. Joan and Board President, Liz Cook, presented information at the May 20 Annual Meeting when both the Mission Statement and Bylaws were adopted by the congregation. The current working mission statement has been posted to our website. Pull down the “About Us” tab to access.
In yesterday’s sermon, I alluded to finding a way to use modern technology to have deeper spiritual and theological discussions within our congregation. This is my first attempt. (more…)
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
I got up this morning and wrote a letter to the editor. Not a common practice for me. Here is the text: I have absorbed news reports from Wisconsin, and other states, in dismay this past week. I needed only to remember the courageous efforts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Read more…
Below is Josiah Gromley’s original poem that he shared in the service this morning. Thank you, Josiah, for being willing to serve as our first Worship Associate at First UU. rev joan The Spiral Path I want to walk the Spiral path, the long path, the path that sees the Read more…
One of my New Year Resolutions is to post more often to this blog. Requests were made after the service this morning for book references and poems. I am responding quickly. The book I referenced several times this morning is, A Language of Reverence, Edited by Dean Grodzins, Meadville Lombard Read more…
As the last days of autumn slip away from us, and thoughts of holiday times with family and friends begin to be planned, I want to remind the congregation of our Life Crisis Files program. We have a water and fire proof file box in the office with file folders Read more…
I hope I’m preaching to the choir, but in case you need a nudge, TODAY IS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY. Live your values as a UU and as a US citizen and VOTE. rev joan
This morning we held our annual Day of Remembrance Service at First UU. I am sorry that I could not share my closing prayer, because it is my wish for all of the members and friends of our congregation. I offer it here for your reflection. As we leave this Read more…
If you’ve been around First UU much this past year you have heard about our dream. We want to grow!! We want to grow spiritually and numerically. We want to create an organizational structure that can adapt to this growth. And we want to reach out to our community in ways that are both beneficial and at the same time, let folks know who we are, what we value, and that we are here in Indiana County. (more…)