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INTERCOM
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The
Unitarian
Universalist Church of the North Hills
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Carol
Meyer
Minister
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May
20, 2007
Volume XLVI, No. 10
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Carol
Ballance,
Board President
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Dawn FitzGerald-Swidal,
Editor, email
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Carol Meyer,
Minister:
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10:30 - 12:30pm, Thursday; Any other
time by appointment
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Greta
Porter, DRE:
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T, TH: 10:00
am -
Noon |
Sheila
McCall,
Secretary:
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9:00 - noon, Monday
through Friday |
Website:
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www.uucnh.org,
contact the website manager
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Beginning
September 10, Sunday
Services
run from 11:00 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. Nursery
Care is provided and the religious education program is held concurrent
with the service. Coffee and conversation for adults and children
immediately follow the service. Parents should supervise their
children during coffee hour.
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FACILITIES PLANNING UPDATE
The following motion passed at the Annual Meeting: I move that the
congregation authorize the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian
Universalist Church of the North Hills to proceed with the renovation
project, which will include; entering into the loan of $100,000 with
the anonymous lender, entering into a contract with Sota Construction,
spending no more than the available amount from pledges plus $100,000,
and entering into a bridge loan to finance the project until the
pledges are collected.
The Facilities Planning Committee will be meeting with the architect
and the builder to finalize plans. These meeting dates and times
will be announced by e-mail to the congregation and will be open to the
members of UUCNH. The architect will be completing construction
documents and we will be establishing a start date for the project
Thanks to everyone for their hard work over the past seven years in
helping UUCNH to reach this milestone. There is much to be done
over the next year but I look forward to celebrating our finished
project with you by this time next year
Dorinda Depp, Chair,
Facilities Planning Committee
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 Carol’s
Column:
BE PREPARED
An old friend of mine from Boston visited me recently in
Pittsburgh. We got to talking over lunch, and she shared with me
how she always keeps an unopened bottle of champagne in her
refrigerator, along with several champagne glasses in her
freezer. Why? Because she loves celebrating, enjoys doing
so with a glass of champagne, never knows when a time for celebrating
may arise, and likes to be prepared.
“Prepared to celebrate,” I thought. My friend is always prepared
to celebrate. Most people concern themselves with being prepared
for everything but a spontaneous celebration. We’re advised to
stockpile batteries, water, and food when a snowstorm or natural
disaster threatens. We insure ourselves against damage to our
homes, loss of income, loss of life, disability, getting sued, needing
medical care, car accidents, and more. We learn growing up to be
prepared for inclement weather and temperature changes. We spend
years preparing for careers, and many more years preparing to
retire. But how many of us put any energy whatsoever into being
prepared to celebrate, especially on the spur of the moment?
“Life comes at you fast,” one of the major insurance companies cautions
in its current advertising campaign, which features such unbelievable
catastrophes as the cork from a champagne bottle causing a chimney to
topple onto a house, thereby destroying a couple’s newly completed
second-floor addition. The message? Even celebrating can be
dangerous, and you need to be prepared for the devastation that popping
a cork can cause by ensuring that your homeowner’s insurance provides
ample coverage.
Sure, the ad depicts an absurd calamity intended to be funny, but I’ve
come to dislike it just for the way it dampens the joy of
celebrating. Popping champagne corks can be dangerous, of course,
especially for alcoholics and others who need not to drink
alcohol. And surely drinking champagne is never the only way to
celebrate anything. But let us not imbibe the message that
celebrating itself is somehow dangerous. Far more dangerous to
our spirits would be the attitude that we must guard against the
hazards of celebrating, however remote or unlikely. Far more
dangerous would be focusing so much on being prepared for life’s
potential difficulties and challenges that we fail to notice how much
we could find to celebrate if we experienced life instead through
“be-prepared-to-celebrate” lenses.
Summer is an especially fine time of the year for being prepared to
celebrate. Nature herself gives us so much cause to
celebrate. There are warm and sunny days, incredible flowers,
cool shade, water for swimming, beaches for relaxing, vacation days,
birds singing all day long, and sunlit evenings--just to name a few of
the countless causes for summertime celebration. Surely not a day
goes by when we couldn’t find something
to celebrate, if we lived with the intention of noticing causes for
celebration and daily being prepared to celebrate.
In The Color Purple, Alice
Walker has Shug tell Celie, “I think it pisses God off if you walk by
the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.”
Why? Because creation doesn’t like playing to an empty
house. We humans are meant to celebrate, to know joy, and we deny
ourselves the fullness of our being when we allow life to draw our
attention away from all we might find to celebrate in daily
life–including the color purple in a field somewhere.
So, let me suggest celebrating as a spiritual practice for your
summer. Approach each day with the intention of finding something
to celebrate and being prepared to do so–not by becoming a lush or
daily drinker, but simply by noticing whatever and paying attention to
the joy that naturally arises in us when we let loose our human
penchant for celebrating all that we might in this life.
Happy celebrating,
Blessings,
Carol
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Upcoming Services
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June
3:
Storms of Change
Michael Miller from
UUCSH
Longtime member of
Sunnyhill, Michael Miller, joins us this Sunday to share around his
transformative trip to New Orleans, where he participated in the UU
Service Committee’s Just Works Camp to help those whose lives and
property were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Come and find out
how you can get involved!
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June 10:
Flower Communion & Picnic
Rev. Carol Meyer leading worship
Come this Sunday for
our annual, intergenerational flower communion. Bring a flower to
share as we create a bouquet symbolic of our entire community, and then
choose a different flower to take home. Also bring food to share
at our annual spring picnic following the service. Drinks will be
available, and the grill fired up.
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June 17:
Celebrating Our Fathers
Rev. Carol Meyer leading worship
This Father’s Day we
remember, honor, and celebrate fathers and fathering. Please contact Rev. Carol if you would like
to participate in this service by sharing something about your father,
your experience of fathering or being a father, poetry, music, or
anything else that might be appropriate for this service.
Participation and contributions from men are especially encouraged!
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June 24:
GLSEN Pittsburgh
On June
24th, members of GLSEN Pittsburgh (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight
Educational Network) will share their experiences and current issues
confronting the GLBT community. A major mission of GLSEN is
working with school systems and "increasing trainings which will enable
teachers, counselors, and administrators to create safe and respectful
schools for all." GLSEN also hosts its hugely popular annual
event "A Safe Prom for All"
held May 25th and will be participating in PrideFest 2007 on June 16th.
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REV. CAROL’S ANNUAL LEAVE
Carol’s letter of agreement with UUCNH provides for nine weeks of
annual leave, half as vacation and half as study leave. This
summer Carol will be taking annual leave from June 20 through August
22. She will be on Buddhist retreat locally from June 20-23, and
otherwise has no firm plans to be away or otherwise unavailable.
So please feel invited to email or call her at home as needed.
Look for an update on Carol’s summer plans in the July Intercom.
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JUNE COFFEE HOUR HOSTS
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June
3:
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UUCNH Youth
Group
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June
10:
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UUCNH
Community Picnic
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| June 17: |
Gorka Family
Rambasek & Laird Family
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June
24:
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Luebbert -
Hill Family
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CHOOSE YOUR COFFEE HOUR DATE
For the past two years, the hosts for coffee
hour have been assigned to ensure we have food and drink for our time
together after service. If you would like to choose which Sunday
you host coffee hour or which household you partner with, sign up on
the yellow coffee cup sign hanging in Friendship Hall. We need
two households per Sunday, except during the summer months, when we
need only one. If everyone does his/her part, it works out to
less than one Sunday per year for each household. Coffee hour is
a vital part of our church. It has been de-scribed as "UU
communion." Thanks for doing your part!
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THE BALLANCE SHEET
My apologies to those of you who heard this on May 6. I repeat my
vision statement because I would like to hear what your vision
is. By the time you read this, the annual meeting will be over
and we should be on our way to a major addition to our building.
Now let's come together and think about how we will be a church in our
improved space.
In my vision, we drive down the driveway into the parking lot, and
there are no cars parked along the side. The first few slots near
the steps are reserved for visitors; as usual a few are occupied.
After recycling my paper, we hurry up the stairs. At the top,
there is a sign indicating the hours for the "little house". It
seems to be a resale shop, or a satellite office for NHCO or maybe a
pick-up spot for a CSA (community supported agriculture). We are
greeted warmly as we enter the church. We leave our donations for
the food bank in the bins. The entryway and Friendship Hall are
inviting. I notice the plaques for "Welcoming Congregation" and
"Green Congregation". As I walk my grandchildren to their
classes, I notice how clean and attractive the rooms are.
Children's artwork decorates the halls and rooms. Clearly there
are many programs going on here. It looks as if we must share
some space with a Girl Scout troop. Perhaps an after-school
tutoring program rents a few of the rooms. Of course, Bellwood
uses much of the space during school hours. However playgroup
seems to have expanded so that a number of home school activities
happen on Tuesdays. My grandchildren eagerly get engaged in their
class activities. While I am upstairs, I catch a few bars of the
choir rehearsing. I continue to the sanctuary. I truly see
it as a sanctuary. For a half hour before the service it is
closed and soft music plays. Those who wish to may enter and
meditate before the service. I enter quietly into the
peace. The service begins promptly at 11 a.m. with the ringing of
the bell. The lay leader reads the announcements. It's
clear from the announcements that we are actively involved in an
all-church social action project, perhaps something with the Spiritual
Progressives. (The announcements have been copied for
distribution to all the folks involved in religious education.)
The choir comes in as we joyfully sing the first hymn. There are
Joys and Concerns, meditation and artwork or flowers. This is my
time during the week to look at what life means instead of just
figuring out how to get from point A to point B. The sermon gives
me something to reflect on for the next week. The sanctuary is
comfortably full. Because it's the third Sunday of the month, the
offertory will be donated to a charitable organization, and we give
generously.
At the close of the service, we all meet in Friendship Hall for coffee
hour. It is great to be reunited with my family and find out what
happened in Sunday School. One child has made a new friend so I
meet that new family. I make sure to check the master calendar
before I leave so I'm aware of what's happening that week.
Perhaps I'll be back to help cook a meal for the shelter, bring a
grandchild to playgroup, work on a letter writing campaign for clean
water or help with a potluck. I take special note of the ongoing
environmental projects we're involved in. I buy some herbs from
the garden and I'm ready to go home.
Please let me know your vision. Feel free to contact me.
In fellowship,
Carol Ballance
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SUMMERTIME MEMORIES WANTED
SUMMERTIME:
~ long, warm, free days ~ family vacations ~ ball games in an empty lot
~ playing with friends after dinner ~ riding bikes ~ roller skating
~sandcastles at the beach ~ the treehouse ~ fresh vegetables ~
exploring . . .
What’s your special summer memory? Your special summer wish for
your kids or grandkids? How has summer helped you become who you
are? Want to share some thoughts with your UUCNH friends at a
special SUMMERTIME service on
July 15? Sing a summer song? Read a summer poem?
Please contact Paul or Susan Cox. Let’s talk about it. Why
not? After all, it’s SUMMERTIME!
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Mark your calendars for the annual camping trip to the Allegheny
National Forest, which will take place August 1-5. Come for all
or part of the time – a good time is always had by all. Please
sign up with Kathy Ke.
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CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL FUND UPDATE
In the past year, the Children’s Memorial Fund Committee lost Angie
Ellis. Angie was a long time member whose compassion and wisdom
helped guide the Committee through the grant making process. She
always tried to balance the goals and health of the Fund with the
often-heartbreaking needs of the children. Angie will be missed.
Although the task seems daunting, Angie’s place on the Committee must
be filled. We are looking for a new member with a strong interest
in and knowledge of children’s issues. If you are interested
yourself or know of someone who might be, please contact any current
member of the Committee for consideration.
For those of you who may not be familiar with the Children’s Memorial
Fund, it was established in 1962 by a gift of $5,000 from Dennis
Gilbertson in memory of his wife Virginia and their children, Christine
and Eric, who were killed in a plane crash. The Fund was
established "for the relief of suffering and neglected children
throughout the world". Grants are made only from the income of
the Fund and only when no other source of funding can be found.
In the years since its establishment, the Fund has grown through
contributions from church members and friends. At the end of this
current fiscal year, its value will be approximately $41,600, most of
which is on loan to the church at the current rate of 5%.
Although in the past year numerous inquires and requests were made from
children’s services professionals and families with children in need,
only one grant was made. Often requests are for a grant larger
than what we are able to fund or are not in keeping with our mission
statement and the Committee must deny the request. The grant that
was made by the Fund since the last annual report was for
$1,000.00. The grant paid for moving expenses for a boy, his
brother and their mother. The family had previously moved to the
Pittsburgh area from Atlanta to be with and receive support from the
mother’s own mother and grandmother. The boy is 10 years old and
is autistic. His mother has a brain stem tumor and MS. When
the mother’s health worsened and her mother and grandmother passed
away, the family found their living situation threatened due to
economic hardship. The mother decided it would be best for her
sons if she moved the family from the Pittsburgh area back to Atlanta
to be near other extended family members.
If anyone knows of the case of a child in need where all known sources
of financial assistance have been explored but come up empty, please
refer the professional involved with the case or a family member to a
member of the Committee. All cases will be considered and grants
made based on our financial ability and the Fund’s guidelines.
The 2006 Christmas Eve offering raised $593.00 and the Toy Exchange
raised $54.00 for the Children’s Memorial Fund. The Fund is
always grateful for gifts from church members and friends.
Through gifts, the Fund can continue to increase its ability to help
needy children.
Individual donations to the Fund can be memorials to loved ones.
An "In Memory Of" plaque listing honored loved ones is hanging in
Friendship Hall. The plaque has not been updated for a
while. The patience of those who have donated is
appreciated. An update is planned for this year.
The members of the Children’s Memorial Fund Committee are: Carla
Baldwin; Greg Jarold, Chair; Kathy Mastantuono; Claudia Minnich; Tony
Palermo; Anne Steytler and Peggy Trevanion, Secretary / Treasurer.
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DO YOU LIKE THE
UUCNH ENEWSLETTER?
WE NEED HELP!
Leslie Riker has done
an absolutely phenomenal job creating and sending the eNewsletter each
and every week since inception. We couldn't ask for more, and I
personally want to thank Leslie for all her time, effort and dedication
in keeping us all informed about UUCNH.
Since Leslie's tenure as eNews editor is coming to an end, I'd like to
ask for some volunteers to take over this task. Ideally several
people would share the task, so we're asking for an hour or two a
month.
If you're interested in learning more about this great opportunity,
please contact Brandee Abel. And if you talk to Leslie, thank her
for her extraordinary efforts!
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UUCNH ANNUAL
COMMUNITY
PICNIC
Sunday, June
10, 2007
Following our Flower Communion Service
Please bring a dish to share with your group and at least 8 others of
our congregation as we celebrate our traditional June potluck picnic
immediately after the service. The grill will be hot and drinks
will
be provided. Remember to bring your feast gear along and camp
chairs
if you have them! |
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Come and help Dave
Wells celebrate the release of his CD of original songs, Legacy.
The evening will feature Dave performing stripped-down versions of
songs from the CD, as well as guest performances by two of Pittsburgh's
best songwriters, Jack Erdie and Sue Gartland, and a surprise guest
artist. Admission is free, light food and soft drinks will be
provided (or BYOB), and best of all, proceeds from copies of Legacy
sold that evening will be donated to UUCNH.
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Here are a few
options for recycling some things you might otherwise throw away:
Cycle recycle
Free Ride, a non-profit recycle-a-bike shop located inside Construction
Junction, will refurbish it and give it a new home.
http://www.freeridepgh.org/
Recycle Computers
Take to Goodwill store on McKnight Road
www.reconnectpartnership.com
Contemporary clothing men’s and women’s
Cash, not consignment
5858 Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill
412-421-2911
www.avalonexchange.com
Books, CD’s, games, etc.
Half Price Books at 4932 McKnight Road
412-369-0860
www.halfpricebooks.com
Free compost classes, “put the worms to work” and rain barrel workshops
Conservation Consultants, Inc. - Bringing Resources Together
Call Corinne Ogrodnik 412-431-4449 ext 325 or corinneo@ccicenter.org
http://www.ccicenter.org/
Home Improvement surplus
Furniture and building materials
Construction Junction, 241 N. Lexington Street, Point Breeze
412-243-5025
www.constructionjunction.org
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American Zen Teacher
Cheri Huber is giving a free public talk at UUCNH beginning at 7:30
p.m. on Tuesday, June 19. She has entitled the evening of
conversation, “Being the Person You
Want to Be.”
Cheri Huber hosts a weekly Open Air Talk Radio show and is the author
of 18 popular books on the practice of Zen Buddhism. In 1987 she
founded the Zen Monastery Retreat Center in Murphys, CA, where Rev.
Carol spent seven weeks of her sabbatical last year. In 2003,
Cheri founded Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization that offers
retreats and includes the Global Community for Peace and the Assisi
Peace Project, as well as The Africa Vulnerable Children Project, which
provides meals and education for children at risk in
Zambia.
More information can be found on her website: www.cherihuber.com.
We are honored to have Cheri join us for this evening of
conversation. Come prepared to ask whatever you’ve always wanted
to ask a long-time Buddhist practitioner and teacher. Cheri is
not one to lecture and loves to engage the curious and students of Zen
in dialogue, especially about what people are noticing in their
personal practice.
The evening is free, but donations to support Cheri’s work will be
gratefully accepted.
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Come and join us on
Sunday, June 3 at 5:30 for our last potluck dinner of the Adult RE
season. Enjoy all the best dishes of the UUCNH family and then
attend an adult RE class such as "UU
Discovery". OWL families please join us! Or, just
come and eat and enjoy UU friendships and fun.
Contact Kathy Miller if you have a special dish you want to share, or
if you want to help with set up.
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Sunday classes:
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Facilitators: Kathy Ke
Sunday evenings 7-8:30pm at UUCNH.
Dates: June 3, June 10, and June 17.
Childcare provided!
The class is for anyone interested in meeting other people within the
community and learning more about our church and Unitarian
Universalism. Participating in the series does NOT imply a
commitment to join the church, only an interest in learning more.
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Non-Sunday
classes:
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Facilitator: Carol Ballance
Monday evenings 7-8
Dates: 6/4
Simplicity Circle on June 4th at 7 p.m. at the church. We will
meet to discuss Chapter 3 "Communities" in the book Choices for
Sustainable Living. Marsha Albright will facilitate. If you
have questions please contact her.
Simplicity Circle
hint for the Earth: Carry your own durable shopping bag; if you
need an extra bag ask for paper.
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Facilitator: Carol Ballance
Friday evenings, 7pm at Members’ Homes:
Next: 6/15
Book Discussion on June 15th. We'll meet at Dawn Lindgren's house
around 7:00 p.m. (carpool from church at 6:30 p.m.). We'll
discuss Scott Turow's Ordinary Heroes. If you have questions
contact Dawn Lindgren.
Stewart Dubinsky knew his father had served in World War II. And
he'd been told how he rescued Stewart's mother from the horror of the
Balingen concentration camp. But when he discovers, after his
father's death, a packet of wartime letters to a former fiancée,
and learns of his father's court-martial and imprisonment, he is
plunged into the mystery of his family's secret history and driven to
uncover the truth about this enigmatic, distant man who'd always
refused to talk about his war.
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June
Social Action
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- 2007 One Stop Drop Off for Hard to Dispose of
Items
There appears to only be one day for the "Hard to Dispose of Items" collection
at Construction Junction, 214 N. Lexington Street, Pittsburgh PA
15208. The event will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on
Saturday, July 14, 2007. Materials to be collected include: large appliances, rimless passenger tires,
latex paint, electronics (including computers, televisions, fax
machines, printers) and cell phones*. Many of the
electronic items are considered "Hazardous Waste" as they contain lead,
cadmium, arsenic and other potentially toxic elements. Please
dispose of these items in a safe manner through this program!
A small CASH fee will be charged to participants per item. Fees
range from $1 to $20. Look for more information (when I get it)
on the Social Action bulletin board, or see Chris Hill . We also
need volunteers who can take a few items down on this date.
*Cell phones are being collected as part of a new arrangement with
Verizon Wireless' Hopeline Program (sm). PRC sends all of the
cell phones it collects to the HopeLine program, where they are
refurbished or recycled with all proceeds benefiting victims of
domestic violence.
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Several of you have asked about recycling your household batteries,
including alkalines, button cells, and rechargeables.
The E-house on Carson Street on the South Side will take all kinds of
batteries. So, we'll set up a box in friendship hall to collect
them and take it down to E-house whenever it gets full. We can
take any kind of household batteries except leaking ones or large car
batteries (i.e. no lead acid). Since they must pay $1 per pound
to send them out, E house would appreciate a contribution, but it's not
required. For reference, 1 lb is 3 D cells or 6 C cells or 15 AA
cells or about 25 AAA cells. If you have questions, or could help
with a monthly (?) run down to E house, contact Chris Hill.
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What does Fair
Trade mean?
Fair Trade means that farmers are guaranteed a
minimum price for their crop before planting. Sort of like
knowing what your salary is before you start a job. In many
cooperatives, they can take out an advance to pay for their supplies,
thus avoiding going into debt. These small farmers that receive a
fair payment for their products are able to afford basic necessities
like medical care and education for their children.
So buy some of our coffee-whole bean or drip grind; from Breakfast
Blend to French Roast to Decaf and flavored. Only $8 per bag. How
about some cocoa to ward off the cold of this resurgent winter?
Only $6 for a can of Baking or Drink Mix. Or try some of our
chocolate in six (6) flavors (Milk, Dark, Dark with Almonds, Dark with
mint, Dark with espresso beans or Dark with cocoa nib chunks). $4
per bar, $7 for 2 or $10 for 3.
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- NHCO FOOD PANTRY "DONATION STATION”
For May: Any
Kind of Potato Side Dish
Please don’t forget to contribute to the "Donation Station" for the
NORTH HILLS COMMUNITY OUTREACH (NHCO) Food Pantry, located in
Friendship Hall near the entrance to the RE Hallway. The June
NHCO request is to bring Any Kind of Potato Side Dish to the
church. AND laundry detergent,
toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo and bar soap are always
needed. Thanks to all who have contributed lately.
Plastic
bags needed by north hills
community outreach: If you're inundated by plastic bags, bring
your extras to the church and drop them off at the Food Pantry Donation
Station. NHCO uses them to sort food at the food pantry.
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- PLEASANT
VALLEY MEN'S SHELTER
The shelter has a list of dates available for 2007 for all UUCNH
members and friends able to prepare and serve dinners to shelter
residents. Please consider planning ahead for one of these
dates. If interested, contact Greg Jarold.
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~SUPPORT UUCNH ~
BUY GROCERY GIFT
CARDS
You can help balance the church budget by buying groceries! If
you shop at Giant Eagle, Festival or Kuhn’s, consider joining your
fellow church members by purchasing gift cards for these stores.
For every $100 in groceries you buy using the gift card, the church
gets $5. They are simple to use, convenient and cost you no extra
money. If you are interested in purchasing the cards, please see
Jim Noel during coffee hour.
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The next Intercom
will be published on June 17, 2007. Thus,
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
will be the DEADLINE for the July Intercom. This is a HARD deadline - if your material isn’t in
by the deadline, it will NOT
be included in the next Intercom. If you need a deadline
extension, contact the editor (email)
to make arrangements.
If you email your submissions, please do it IN PLAIN TEXT ONLY; NO HTML emails -
they are NOT compatible with
the Intercom format Submissions may be submitted in the office mail
box, or emailed (preferred) to the editor (email).
HOW TO EMAIL IN
PLAIN TEXT: To go your format box on your toolbar in your actual
email and choose plain text. PLEASE,
do not format the article in any way. Thank you!
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The Middle East Peace Forum of Pittsburgh
presents:
Revisiting the
Geneva Accord:
Insights on Creating
a Lasting
Israeli-Palestinian
Agreement
With Daniel Levy
and Ghaith Al-Omari
Sunday, June 3, 7:00
p.m.,
McConomy Auditorium,
Carnegie Mellon University
Daniel Levy was an adviser in the Israeli Prime Minister's office under
Ehud Barak. Ghaith Al-Omari was an adviser to Mahmoud Abbas,
President of the Palestinian Authority. Mr. Levy and Mr. Al-Omari
worked with their governments in an attempt to negotiate a peace
agreement in the late 1990's and early 2000's. When this failed,
they continued to work unofficially along with other Israeli and
Palestinian negotiators. Their discussions resulted in a
comprehensive agreement on all issues in the conflict, including
borders, refugees, Jerusalem, and the settlements. Presented in
Geneva, Switzerland on December 1, 2003, the agreement became known as
the Geneva Accord.
Mr. Levy and Mr. Al-Omari are currently in Washington, D.C. working in
the Middle East section of the New America Foundation. The
Foundation is a non-profit public policy institute that promotes
innovative political solutions transcending conventional party
lines. During their trip to Pittsburgh, these experienced
negotiators will speak about their work together and how to break the
current impasse so that a lasting agreement between their two peoples
can be achieved.
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SUMMER INSTITUTE
Now is the time to start thinking about signing up for Summer
Institute. Register before June 1, you are guaranteed a spot and
the $75 registration fee is waived. If you pay in full by June 1,
you get a free SI T-shirt.
This is a great opportunity to spend some time with your family and/or
other UU’s in a peaceful setting on the Kenyon campus in Gambier,
Ohio. It is a great way to expand your UU family and connect with
the larger UU community. It all begins on July 15 and ends on
July 21, 2007.
Adults can choose 3 of the 14 morning workshops being offered.
The sooner you register, the better your chances of getting your first
choice. You will spend five mornings in your chosen workshop or
you can just sleep in every morning if you wish. The youth and
children have their own morning workshops.
The afternoons are open for various workshops that you can choose from
on a daily basis as the spirit moves you. Many of the afternoon
workshops are intergenerational. Or you may wish to spend your
afternoon sitting in a lawn chair under a tree, reading a book or
taking a nap. . Do you remember how you wished that you had
had the time to just sit and relax under a tree when you were in
college? Well now is your chance.
What are you waiting for? Register today. Booklets are
available at the church now. More information can also be found
at www.omdsi.org or ask someone who
has already been there. Hope to see you at SI.
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