March 2007 REPORTER Submissions & Articles
C From Your Minister c
Rev. Howard N. Dana
Four Good Options: Option Three
This spring our congregation, lead by the Board of Trustees, will take the next step in determining
its future. We will meet with architect Harrison Bink to think about how we might better serve the physical
needs of our growing, thriving church. Members (and only members) of the church will have an
opportunity at that meeting to vote on a variety of questions related to mission, vision, and growth.
To accommodate our growth and to fulfill our mission in the world, I think we have four viable
options. Of course each option comes with its strengths and weaknesses. Each option costs money, some a
lot of money. And the only option I could not personally accept would be to do nothing. The Unitarian
Church of Harrisburg is again at a crossroads. We are again at a place as significant as the church’s 1961
move from Harrisburg’s Front Street to Swatara Township’s Clover Lane. What we soon decide will
determine the nature of the church for easily the next 40 years.
Option One: stay at our Clover Lane site and build an additional new building. Option Two: stay
at our Clover Lane site and start a new congregation elsewhere. Option Three: buy a building and/or land
elsewhere and move. Option Four: buy an additional building in the City of Harrisburg and be one church
with two campuses. This month I will focus on Option Three.
One way for a church to fulfill its mission in the world is to move where the action is. A move
demonstrates a bold commitment to serve people better. Either a suburban move or a move to the City of
Harrisburg would further signify the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg’s commitment to its community.
Currently most of our new members find our church by word of mouth or through the Internet. This is fine,
as long as our mission is to serve more people like us. We would not move simply for the sake of moving.
Such a step would need to be mission driven.
During the 1960’s and 1970’s white people left Harrisburg for the suburbs in droves. As a result of
this white flight, Harrisburg (and dozens of churches within its city limits) fell on increasingly hard times.
The city has only just started to make a remarkable comeback. But for every robust city church like Market
Square Presbyterian there are five tiny struggling congregations inhabiting sanctuaries that seat 300 to 500
people. Grand old churches stand all over Harrisburg that 30 or 40 elderly members drive in from the
suburbs to attend on Sunday mornings. Fundamentalist congregations are buying some of these churches,
further widening the theological gap between Harrisburg and the suburbs. The city needs more progressive
religious voices. The city is also where there is clearly the most need for social justice. The poor and
dispossessed do not live in Swatara Township. They live in Harrisburg.
Moving to another suburban location is equally intriguing. The property we own continues to
increase in value. The Travelodge next door will soon sell and be replaced by who knows what kind of
business—another tall new hotel or a Hooter’s. There is a good chance we could buy a more visible site
and erect a larger building. What might it be like to have the greater Harrisburg area readily recognize our
new church and know that a progressive congregation meets in it? What might it be like to have better
signage and be a greater witness in the world? As the Harrisburg region grows rapidly, the window of
opportunity is closing to buy property, both within the city and in the suburbs. For a congregation like ours
it is not a matter of money. It is a matter of will.
Next month I will describe my ideas about our last good option. While I might personally favor
one of the options over the others, they are all four viable routes we might take. I am most interested in
helping our congregation determine what it wants to do in the world and move forward accordingly. It is
your church and your decision. Whichever one you pick is fine with me. If you are not a member of the
church yet, I urge you to consider joining any second Saturday or Sunday of the month. Only members who
have contributed money or time in the past year will be allowed to vote on these important decisions. These
are exciting times. I feel honored to walk with you boldly into your future.
Love, Howard
Lent for UUs?
By Intern Minister Susan Kirkchaney
In Christian churches, the 40 days before Easter is observed as the Lenten Season. As many of you know,
during Lent, it is customary for some Christians to “give up” something. Having been raised Catholic
myself, I can remember, as a kid, giving up chocolate or yelling at my bratty sister, or, when I was older,
giving up swearing or some other perceived character flaw.
Christians observe Lent as a serious and solemn season, with no “alleluias” allowed in services, and much
emphasis on not just prohibitions, but also on penance and almsgiving. But when I attended Christian
churches, lent was never my favorite time of year. I much preferred the richness and fullness of spring, of
which Easter, and the Christian promise of forgiveness and new chances, were part. The solemnity, the
depravation and the emphasis on shortcomings of Lent were, frankly, depressing. And I would have much
rather focused on the coming warmth and new beginnings of spring, my favorite season. But other than
just general knowledge or knowing what our Christian neighbors are observing this month, what
specifically does this have to do with us as UUs?
Well, I think that we might want to consider if there might not be some aspects of Lent which might be
important for us to add to our lives too. I am not talking about giving up chocolate or swearing. Rather, I
am thinking of mistakes, penance and forgiveness.
We modern Unitarian Universalists – rightly, I think – tend to emphasize the humanist influences in our
tradition. We look at our own abilities and our responsibilities. We look at what we can (and should) be
doing to improve the world. And while I certainly do not think that we live in a world with original sin, or
one that is “fallen,” there really is some truth to the observation that, our efforts notwithstanding, we
humans are an imperfect lot. We tend to make mistakes. There are words spoken and actions taken that we
almost immediately regret. We hurt each other and we sometimes fail to live up to our hopes and
expectations even of ourselves. Other than very serious injury done to another, which may be another case,
even when those we hurt forgive us, we can have trouble forgiving ourselves. And forgetting? Sometimes
it seems impossible.
So what do we do?
Catholics, as I was raised, have the ritual of confession, a rite I have to admit that I sometimes miss. I
always bristled at being required to tell my “sins” to someone else; but I have to say that, above and
beyond what I said to another person, having a way to say to the universe that I was sorry, that I tried but
missed, that I was less than I wanted to be and I hoped to be given another chance – that was truly
redemptive. I did not always feel any force or divine being heard me. But I heard me. I realized that while I
was not perfect, I could grow and change and I was worthy of a new chance just like spring would bring
new life and new chances for things to grow and to change. Sometimes in my daily life I forget this. I make
a mistake and I feel awful, as if the whole of who I am is somehow in jeopardy. I sometimes even feel like
maybe there has been irreparable damage done somewhere, somehow. Now admittedly some of my biggest
mistakes have been like that. But they are few and far between. Mostly I make, like you I am sure, gardenvariety mistakes. They are not the “mortal sins” or mistakes of my childhood learning, but rather little ones,
easily forgiven. Forgiveness. Not something I am good at asking from others usually. And often not
something I offer myself; and even if given, letting go of a mistake is still a challenge. So what would it be
like to have a chance to let go of mistakes, to start fresh, to begin anew? And what mistakes must I let go of
in order to be able to do so?
Maybe this “UU Lent” could be a time to go within and to look for those mistakes, missteps, or mishaps of
which we need to let go. We could have a time for thinking of those relationships we have strained simply
by being human and being fallible. We could then find ways to mend them. Or, in the case of our mistakes,
perhaps we could let them go, especially if they are the smaller mistakes of everyday human living. And
what better time, what better season, than the one right before spring, when all will be new and blooming
with beginnings.
So, I wish you a March of reflection. I wish for us all a time for identifying that which keeps us feeling
shame or guilt. I hope we find ways to let go of those when they are no longer teachers showing us ways
we need to grow, but have turned into weights we carry upon our backs and in our spirits. And by so
doing, may we be ready for spring and all the promise it holds, as well as any new chances that come
around. May it be so!
Peace and blessings,
Susan
President’s Message
The Lancaster County Bible Church (LCBC), located just off the Mt. Joy exit of Route 283 on the
way to Lancaster from Harrisburg, was built just a few years ago to hold about 1500. They have 4 services
per week, which they generally fill. Their membership at the beginning of 2006 was about 5000, and they
had a goal of reaching 6000 by the beginning of this year…instead, they’ve grown to over 7000 members.
Last October they held a 1-month capital campaign to raise money for new facilities – they raised $15
million toward their goal of $20 million. Church members do not pledge, and there are no dues. All money
raised is through good-will offerings each week. A typical week brings in around $80-100,000, while a
good week brings in $300,000.
LCBC is just one of 4 Christian megachurches between Lancaster and our church – I pass 3 of
them on my way to UCH every time I come to church. There’s another such church about a mile from us
near the Harrisburg Mall. LCBC also has plans to set up a branch campus in our own neighborhood, over
behind the woodcrafting shop by Bob Evans. Now, LCBC happens to be a progressive Christian church,
but the other churches are fundamentalist.
I admit to being envious of LCBC – not only of their facilities and ability to raise money, but of
the way they impact the world. For instance, they’ve built four water treatment systems for villages in
Africa. Other service projects have a significant impact on Lancaster County.
How do they do it? How do these congregations obtain such enormous resources? Of course, some
of their financial power comes just from their size, but there’s clearly more going on than that.
Part of what’s going on is a result of their particular theology: you can earn points for getting into
heaven by doing good things (like giving money to the church) here on earth. Obviously that won’t fly
within our community as a motivation! Part of it, however, is just that it is part of their religious culture to
give, and to give generously. They generally believe in tithing 10% of their gross income as the starting
point of their giving.
When I look at the influence these huge churches have on the world, I see our competition for the
hearts and minds of humanity – and we’re getting beat. I wonder what it will take to propel Unitarian
Universalism to being a major player in world influence. I wonder what more we should be doing to
provide a counter-weight to the growing influence of right-wing fundamentalist religion. One of the
inescapable facts is that they “out-give” us by more than 4 to 1 as individuals.
I’m not asking you to give more to UCH in order to build a lavish new palace of a church, or to
give big raises to our hard-working staff, or to hire new staff we don’t need. I’m asking you to increase
your giving to help us build facilities that will greatly enhance our ability to have a positive impact on our
world, to help us hire and retain qualified staff to help us do more things, and, ultimately, to make our
progressive religious perspective more visible in the world and a greater influence. We need to pay a new
Associate Minister fairly, spend more on service and outreach projects, advertise more, prepare for some
kind of building project… If we want to have an impact on our community and the world, we simply need
the resources to do so.
I know you all hate when the leadership here talks about money (not as much as I hate talking
about it!). I’m sure it seems like all we ever do is tell you that we need more money, for x, or y, or z. I’d
love to be able to tell you that we don’t really need x, or y, or z, or that someone just gave us a pile of
money and we don’t need anyone to increase their pledges. Fundraising is one of the most difficult parts of
running a UU church. People don’t like to talk about their money, they resent someone always asking them
for more, and there’s an old mythology in UU-ism that church ought to be “free,” so why is someone
asking for money anyway? Believe me when I say that one of my goals is to get to the point where we no
longer have to have a “pledge drive” because everyone automatically gives at an appropriate
level…pledging just happens.
But, the ultimate reality is that we can’t expect to have as much influence in the world as our
fundamentalist neighbors just by wishing it to happen. We have to put as much money and effort into our
work as they do. It’s just that simple.
Blaise Liffick
Have you wondered what COUCH (Connecting Our Unitarian Church of Harrisburg) groups are really all
about? Our COUCH facilitators will have small group ministry sessions at the church the last Sunday of
each month from March through May for anyone not yet a COUCH member, but who would like to try a
session to see what it's like before making a commitment. We will have one session from 10-12 and one
from 12-2 on these Sundays, and child care will be available for the early session. Each group is limited to
10 participants and will be co-hosted by two current COUCH facilitators. If you are interested, please sign
up on lists that will be available in the Common Room on a first come basis.
Submitted by Joan Hellmann, COUCH Coordinator
BANANAS
Is your household one of the 125 households that now uses Giant/Weis/Karns gift cards
to give extra support to UCH at no extra cost to you?
It's simple and easy, and we need your support.
To get started contact Michael Mark at 566-6055 or
michaelmark@paonline.com.
Submitted by Michael Mark
Religious Growth & Learning for Children &
Youth
Dear Friends,
My husband Gerry proudly recalls two childhood events. One was participating in an anti-war
march in Washington D.C. as a child in 1971. Another was watching his father organize the picketing of a
“whites only” swim club and participating in it. He remembers those days vividly. They were childhood
experiences that leave an indelible mark. It was courageous of his father to take Gerry to the march and to
organize a protest. Attending that march and walking the picket line made more of an impression than a
hundred books, lectures, or pictures ever could.
I don’t remember much about my childhood but a few such experiences do stand out. What
positive value and character building events do you remember from your childhood and teen years?
It is well known that children learn best through experience. Having taken a public stance also
makes it easier to take a stand when unexpectedly confronted with a moral challenge. That is why we are
encouraging families to participate together in social action ministries of the church. Our church’s public
stand has powerful effect of both participating as a family, with friends and as an intergenerational
community.
What will your children remember when they think back to their childhood? I hope they will
remember the time when they took a stand to participate in a rally deciding to forgo their daily routine of
sports or music or dance lessons, and overcame the logistical concerns over parking in Harrisburg. Please
encourage your child or youth to take advantage of these opportunities to visibly express their Unitarian
Universalist values. You can lead the way by demonstrating the moral imperative to engage and act on our
faith.
I find comfort in the words of Olympia Brown’s “Stand By This Faith.” … Do not demand
immediate results but rejoice that we are worthy to be entrusted with this great message…”
It is never too late to start. If you were unable to join us for the Freedom to Marry rally, there will
be more opportunities this spring. The Environmental task force dinner and presentation is on April 14, the
Greenbelt clean-up will be held on April 15, the MS Walk is April 22, and the Race Against Racism is
April 28. Additional events and details are in the Reporter and available at church. Give children and youth
the powerful gift of experience and participate with your church community for a worthy cause.
In Faith,
Trish
REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT
On February 25th our middle school youth traveled to Lancaster to attend a service in which the
Lancaster youth participated as the culmination of their racial justice learning focus. The youth were
surprised to experience inequality after the service at a justice lunch. Participants were given meal portions
to represent the economic disparity in the U.S. It provided an opportunity to not only experience it, but to
consider what to do about it and act on it.
Ice skating and playing games rounded out the day of worship, learning and fun.
Thank you to the drivers for making the trip and spending the day with our youth!
RGL CALENDAR
March 4
OWL classes 10:30 – 12:00 (K-1st -2nd , 5th -6th )
OWL class for 9th – 12th grades 10:30 to 1:30
Other classes 9:00 – 10:15 or 11:00 to 12:00
Coming of Age mentor bowling option 1
March 11
Intergenerational Music Services at 9:00 and 11:00
No regular classes, child care available as usual
Coming of Age meeting with Rev. Dana 9:30 to 10:45
Coming of Age mentor bowling option 2
March 18
OWL classes 10:30 – 12:00 (K-1st -2nd , 5th -6th )
OWL class for 9th – 12th grades 10:00 to 12:00
Other classes 9:00 – 10:15 or 11:00 to 12:00
Coming of Age Mentoring – no classes for 7th- 8th
March 25
LAST OWL class 10:30 – 12:00 (K-1st -2nd , 5th -6th , 9th -12th )
Other classes 9:00 – 10:15 or 11:00 to 12:00
Coming of Age Mentoring – no classes for 7th- 8th
Coming of Age meeting with Rev. Dana 6:00 to 8:00
“PENNY-A-POUND”
PROGRESS REPORT!
The “Coming of Age” class would like to thank the congregation for their generous support of
“Penny a Pound!” This project was intended to raise money for our trip to Boston this May, and to raise
food for the Food Pantry and Food Bank of Central PA. As of this writing, our class has raised almost 80%
of its goal of $1,000.00 and almost 25% of its goal of 2,000 pounds of food!
We are no longer asking for your financial help, but we would greatly appreciate your continued
generosity in helping us raise food for the Food Bank and Food Pantry. If 300 people in our church donated
only five pounds of food each, we would reach our goal in ONE WEEK! If 400 people made it a habit, the
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg could donate a ton of food every single week to the hungry in our
community.
Please continue to visit our “Donation Station” in the Common Room to see how we’re doing and
to leave your donations of food! We hope you will keep on helping our class, and helping the hungry. And
thanks again for all of your kindness and generosity!
Submitted by Olivia Hayes and the Hayes family
This month at the Clover Lane Coffee House, on Friday, March 16, at 8:00 pm,
come celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style with the Arcona Reel Band, an annual favorite
at UCH.
This witty and raucous Celtic band is well known for both its wonderful music
and its amusing banter. You'll hear songs from Ireland, Scotland, the British Isles, and
even some tunes influenced by the migration of Celtic music to America - played on
hammered dulcimer, concertina, guitar, fiddle, upright bass, mandolin, octave mandolin,
bodhran, bones and tambourine.
Admission to the event is $5.00, and includes complimentary coffee and tea,
with goodies available for a donation. This is a truly intergenerational concert, so bring the whole
family. Remember, the Clover Lane Coffee House is the 3rd Friday of every month, September through
April. Every concert is unique and enjoyable - we hope to see you there!
For more information, see Donna Hoskins-Helm, Music Ministry Coordinator.
Submitted by Donna Hoskins-Helm
Mindfulness Meditation Group
"You can outdistance that which is running after you,
but not what is running inside you."
-Rwandan Proverb
If you find yourself getting fed up because you can run but you can't hide, you can always try “sitting with
it”.
Please join us as we practice being with “the stuff” running inside of ourselves. Just taking it one breath at a
time. Nothing to add, nothing to subtract, nothing to change, just being in this moment.
We meet Tuesdays at 7 pm in the sanctuary to share readings, thoughts, and to meditate in silence. Tuesday
March 20th (the third Tuesday of the month) meditation will be held in complete silence. Questions may be
directed to Jeanne at 774-1479 or mmg@harrisburgUU.org.
It's time to mark your calendars! Cheri Huber will be visiting June 20, 2007 at 7 pm. Details will follow in
upcoming reporters.
Submitted by Jeanne Shellman
Drum in the Spring!
On Wednesday, March 21, join Clover Grove (the Pagan group) for a Potluck and Drum Circle to
welcome the spring. As the sun becomes stronger, let us feel our energy growing through the pulsating beat
of the drum. All are welcome. Drums and percussion instruments will be available, but bring you own, if
you have such. All levels of skill welcome. Potluck will begin at 6, and drumming circle at 7. Join us in the
lower level of the church for an empowering and fun celebration!
Thanks
for
Groundhog!
Celebrating
the
About 40 of us gathered to celebrate Groundhog's Day on February 2. We had a casual, but meaningful,
ritual, great potluck food, and a retro TV experience. We saw the movie Groundhog Day in black and white
due to a TV glitch! The taffy pull was great - JD may finally have the secret to good taffy. We have
already reserved space for February 2, 2008, so mark your calendars now and plan to join us for a great
time!
Submitted by Ann Stillwater
Helping Women in Prison & Their Families
Our Success Story for March is about two women who work as a team. Tammy Johnson is a caring
administrator, and Dorothy Clemons is house manager who brings ministry to her work. They put in long
hours, and together they help the women of Promise Place to reenter the community successfully. They
have told us how they appreciate what we do to help the women, and we appreciate their caring and their
hard work.
You helped us make the Re-Entry breakfast a success – THANKS! The Community Forum that evening
was another success, as people heard Rev. Vivian Nixon. Let’s keep things moving as we find ways to help
the women at Promise Place and Woodside Family Center reenter the community, and to advocate for more
constructive alternatives to prison.
The next Community Connections (Re-Entry) Breakfast will be on March 24 at Faith Presbyterian Church,
1801 Colonial Road, Harrisburg, and as usual WE NEED TWO PEOPLE TO DRIVE. The Prison Action
Committee (PAC) of Christian Churches United sponsors these monthly breakfasts to help re-entering
women and men get in touch with supporting people, ministries, and agencies. If you can drive women
from Promise Place or Woodside Family Center, let Chris Dutton know (she’s in the directory). We pick
up the women at 8:30 a.m. to get them there by 9 am, and the breakfast is over at 10:30 am so they can be
back by 11 am. Ask volunteers Ann Sitrin or Fred Burton or Margaret Carrow or Dick Hoke or Jim
Cavenaugh or Chris what it’s like to drive – they enjoy it, and the women get a lot out of it.
Our March meeting will be on the 6th, at 7:30 pm. We NEED TO FIND creative ways to follow up on three
big events: the Community Connection Re-Entry breakfast on February 24, the Community Forum that
evening, and the shadow play “THE HARDEST QUESTION EVER” (See page 15.) on March 3.
We continue to work on life skills training for the women at Woodside family center. Joan Hellmann
continues to teach the “Money management” course, and Mary Henninger-Voss and Lisa Acri and Niurka
Reyes (a friend of Lisa’s) have had some really good sessions of their “Reading and creative writing” class.
MAYBE YOU CAN improve the women’s lives by offering life skills training the women need, like (here
are some possibilities picked at random): shopping for food on a tight budget, active listening, accepting
supervision in the workplace, dealing with difficult people, etc. Training is still our focus this year, as that
is the way we can make a difference.
The women at Woodside have been promised a free computer if they complete a computer training class,
like Jim did in May and June. No matter how much they want a free computer, the course completion
certificate is the ticket to get one. Teaching it isn’t a one-person show, however. For the next offering of
Computer Basics, Jim and Angie Halaja-Henriques will be working together, if others can pitch in to plan
what will be covered, develop the handouts, and help teach the ten evening sessions. PLEASE SAY
YOU’LL HELP them become more employable, AND get a free computer.
Alice Winner’s “Paperwork & Time Management” training session at Woodside Family Center is planned
for the last Friday each month. She had 9 women in her class on January 26, but no volunteer helper. She
NEEDS A VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT for each class, and helping her is an excellent way to meet the
women. If you’d like to help or just want to know more, check with her at 533-2775 or
info@awinnersos.com or you can check with recent volunteers Lisa Acri, George and Joan Hellmann,
Marilyn McHenry or Dick Hoke to find out what it’s like.
DONATIONS OF WINTER WORKPLACE CLOTHES, clean and on hangers, are needed by the women,
and winter coats/jackets are especially popular. Large sizes are needed: 1XL, 2XL and 3XL. No shoes,
please, unless they are new with the size clearly marked, and NO cell phones -- they should be donated to
the YWCA for battered women to use. Please fill in the donation form when you drop off the clothes, so we
can thank you and document the tax deduction for you – and track what’s going on.
The SUNDAY CLASSIFIED “HELP WANTED” ADS you bring to church play an important part each
week in helping the women find jobs. There is a basket inside the downstairs door by the name tag rack,
and another in the alcove opposite the name tags upstairs. UCH members John Quimby, Nancy Witaconis
and Dick Hoke take turns delivering them to Woodside Family Center (next to Harrisburg Mall). Because
we do this, each woman looking for a job gets her own copy of the classified ads to work with. We truly
NEED OTHER PERSONS TO TAKE TURNS in the rotation – can you help?
Keep on supporting our UNDERCOVER FUND. When new women arrive at Promise Place they often have
only the clothes they are wearing. Just put your check in the collection plate, and put Undercover Fund on
the memo line. It isn’t difficult, and a woman just out of prison will be really happy to get new underwear.
For more information contact Margaret Carrow, Chris Dutton, Dick Hoke, Jim Cavenaugh or John
Hargreaves.
Submitted by Jim Cavenaugh
2006 – 2007 Eckels Lecture Series:
Moral Issues of Our Time
Friday, March 23, 2007, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Panel Discussion:
What are Morally Just Considerations
in Addressing Climate Change?
Al Gore in his film, An Inconvenient Truth, says that climate change is a moral problem, but he does not
say what type of moral problem it is, nor what morality would require us to do. These subjects are the
focus of the up-coming panel discussion in the Eckels lecture series, which will address the following
questions:
1. What do we mean by the claim that climate change is a moral problem?
2. What does morality require us to do about climate change?
The panel of experts will include UCH’s Don Brown - Director, PA Consortium for Interdisciplinary
Environmental Policy; Rev. Sandra Strauss – Director of Public Advocacy, Pennsylvania Council of
churches; Joy Bergey – Global Warming Outreach Coordinator for PennFuture; and George Hoguet –
Director of Mid-Atlantic Operations, NativeEnergy. The moderator will be Karl Hausker, Principal at
Global Environment and Technology Foundation.
After the initial discussion panelists will respond to questions posed by the audience. A reception will
follow the program.
We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to gain an understanding of some of the moral and
ethical dimensions of climate change and how individuals and churches can respond in a way that is
consistent with what morality requires.
Admission is free and open to the public – Please come and bring a friend!
Submitted by Rachel Mark
Volunteer Connection
CAN YOU HELP?
The new Membership Committee met for the second time in January to organize and brainstorm
ideas. Several ideas were selected and tasks broken down into smaller subcommittee work groups for a
smaller time commitment. We are looking for different volunteers to assist with such things as:
 coordinating member dinners by zip code areas,
 phone call follow-up to new members and invitations,
 developing exit interview questions,
 putting together new member packets,
 assisting with welcoming events,
 and get youth involved.
Contact Dianne Martin if you are interested in being a part of this important aspect of UCH.
Office Helper needed. Occasional and/or flexible hours as you are able. Copying, collating, answer phone,
follow up calls, research info, bulletin boards, etc.
Saturday Evening Coffee Hosts needed. Following evening service, serve coffee or other beverage and
snack. Quick cleanup with disposable products.
THANK YOU
Wendy Shaver and Teen/Youth group for baking and providing the congregation with baked cookies
following services the weekend of February 3rd/4th.
Members of the new Brew CrUU, February Coffee Hosts: Peter and Mary Houts, Darren Sage, Rima
Bowser, Ann Sitrin, Rebecca and son Christian Waldemar, Nancy and Richard Pratt, Don and Linda
Brown, Cordell Affeldt, Carlotta Capitani, Coffee Coordinator Mike McCullough, the Board of
Trustees and volunteers who helped out where needed.
Dianne Martin, Shared Ministry Coordinator
Save The Date
Environmental Spaghetti Dinner & Program
Saturday April 14, 2007 at 6:00 pm
in the Common Room
Those of you new to the Church are probably aware of Unitarian coffee but have you heard of Unitarian
spaghetti? This remarkable substance prepared by Chef Tracy Alsedek and his crew of volunteers anchors
a family-oriented environmental education program for our children, including scholarship support to
attend educational environmental camp for children age 11 to 15. You can participate by volunteering for
the dinner crew or donating a dessert by contacting Tracy Alsedek at “thehousewizard@comcast.net”. If
you want more information about the Environmental Task Force or the camping experience contact Rugh
Henderson at 838-5961. Or you can simply join us for a dinner and excellent environmental presentation by
last year’s speaker Gene Wingert, who is returning by popular demand. More details will be available in the
April REPORTER.
Submitted by Rugh Henderson
One way of fostering connections in our small group ministry program is for the group to become involved
in service projects for UCH or the larger community. We are grateful that several of our COUCH
(Connecting Our Unitarian Church of Harrisburg) groups have served such communities in the last six
months. Chris Heagy’s group (now ably facilitated by Michael Mark) put on a Halloween party, which was
an auction item from the Nov 2005 auction. A great time was had by the 30 who attended.
Jennifer Ziegler/Cynthia Tyger’s group helped Lynne Davies with the painting of the pre-school room.
Fred Burton’s group threw Christmas parties at three shelters serving women and children in Harrisburg
and Shiremanstown. They played games, sang, made handcrafted items with the women and children,
served refreshments, and gave them each a gift. They also helped set up for the November Eckles lecture.
Nan Cavenaugh’s group had its second annual COUCH recycled gift exchange providing some ecological
relief to our planet. Thanks to all who participated in these service projects.
Submitted by Joan Hellmann, COUCH Coordinator
A new COUCH group open to both adults and kids ages 9 and up is being formed. The group will meet
every other Sunday afternoon beginning April 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. It will meet primarily in Jane
Bechtel's home in Susquehanna Township and occasionally in Kevin Geist's home in Dauphin. Kids will be
included in discussions but will be free to excuse themselves to play or read. (At this point, there will be no
childcare provided for younger children.) Adults who don't have kids but enjoy interacting with them are
also welcome to join.
Please call or email Jane or Kevin to sign up or for more information:
Jane at 221-0449 or mjbechtel@paonline.com
Kevin at 921-8482 at kevingeist@hotmail.com
Submitted by Jane Bechtel
The Philosophy and Literature Group
will meet at 7:30 pm on Sunday, March 11, at the home of Marilyn McHenry, 2238 N. Second St.,
Harrisburg, to discuss Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami. Please call Marilyn at 238-2756 to let her
know you are coming.
The 2007 books and hosts:
title
author
Host
Apr.
The Big Bang
Simon Singh
Peter Calcagno
May
American Pastoral
Philip Roth
Joyce Dourte
Jun.
Rough Crossings
Sim Schama
Joanne Storch
Jul.
Everyman
Philip Roth
Jack & Tucker Susskind
Aug.
Seed to Seed
Nicholas Harberd
Peter & Mary Houts
Sept.
On Desire
William Irvine
Dick Hoke
Oct.
Making Globalization Work
Joseph Stiglitz
Ann Sitrin
Nov.
Understanding Iraq
William Polk
Rachel & Michael Mark
.
QueenSpirit presents
Potluck & Circle
Please note the 1st Wednesday date!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007, 6-9 pm
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, Common Room
 Bring a favorite dish, dessert or beverage to share
 Bring your place setting and serving spoons and plates
Ritual for March
 Bring a symbol of a ritual in your life
 Bring your thoughts about what simple day-to-day rituals help you weave beauty, peace, meaning and
order into the fabric of your life
Betsy Stone, Kristie Gerson, and Julianna Sillett will lead the ritual and the continuing exploration of
women’s spirituality circles by considering “What is ritual or ceremony?” and “How does ritual influence
our lives?” In their book, The Art of Ritual, Beck and Metrick describe ritual as “…a tool to focus our
attention on meaning; this is a skill we can develop to enhance each moment of our lives. To be truly
present in our own lives is an ability we must develop if we are to continue building a foundation of
relatedness and beauty in a world that can seem so divided and in pain.”
Our presenters will use the following books as information and inspiration:
 Sacred Circles: A Guide to Creating Your Own Women’s Spirituality Group by Robin Deen Carnes and
Sally Craig
 The Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and the World by Jean Shinoda Bolen
QueenSpirit Sisters co-create a Circle with a spiritual center.
Submitted by Mary Ann Rhoads
An Inspiring Workshop with Donna Henes
THE QUEEN OF MY SELF:
STEPPING INTO SOVEREIGNTY IN MIDLIFE
Based on her award-winning book from Monarch Press
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2007
10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Cost: $85.00 ($75.00 for UCH members)
Are you in your middle years, or about to enter them? You know you’re not a maiden anymore, but the term “crone” doesn’t seem
to fit your dynamic, accomplished self! Join renowned spiritual practitioner Donna Henes and discover the Queen in your Self –
that wonderful middle stage of mastery, moxie and power that is rightfully yours to enjoy.
In this workshop, you will learn to read the signs of entering this sacred life change and to recognize it for the spiritual
opportunity that it is. Donna will help you to identify the pitfalls that keep many of us from becoming the Queens that we were
meant to be. And you will get plenty of upbeat, practical and ceremonial inspiration for caring for your own inner Queen from
cultures and mythologies around the world.
For more information, visit Donna Henes’ website at www.thequeenofmyself.com or Vicki Fox Productions at (717) 774-1275 or
www.vickifoxproductions.com. or call Randa Todd at 732-6576.
Submitted by Randa Todd



The Facilitators’ Circle of the Joseph Priestley District Women and Religion
invites the women of UCH


Saturday, March 3, 2007  10 am to 2 pm
at the UU CHURCH OF DELAWARE COUNTY (MEDIA, PA: easy access from Route I 95 or I
476)
Join Marcy Francis, Minister of Healing through Music, Movement and Touch at The Christian
Association at Penn, as she and her professional team lead a drumming circle. Go to
http://www.jpduua.org/pages/women-religion.php and read about it, call Anne Slater at 610-896-6468, or
contact our own Randa Todd for more information or to carpool: irrt1946@yahoo.com or 732-6576.
Submitted by Randa Todd
Finance Committee
Report
A Month of Miscellany
This month’s article from the Finance Committee is a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Read on to see if any of the
information applies to your situation.
Missing Checks
We have become aware in recent weeks of two checks that were written to UCH which have never been cashed by the bank
or credit union on which they were drawn. Please look back in your checkbook (or your on-line banking, if you are one of the
folks who use that progressive technology) to see if any checks that you wrote to UCH in the past 6 months haven’t been
cashed yet. If so – please let Don Hoskins, Treasurer know as soon as possible. You can reach him at geodmh@verizon.net,
or 545-8406.
When you write checks – please, please fill in the memo line!
Each week, the money received at UCH (both cash and checks) is recorded (we call it posting) in a Finance database by
members of the Finance Committee. As part of the posting, we record not only the amounts, but who wrote the check (or
gave the cash), and for what purpose (a stewardship pledge, payment for the worship flowers, RGL materials, etc.). This
database is used to prepare annual tax reports and other communications to our members.
We are often puzzled how to correctly post your contributions, because nothing is written on the memo line of the check.
Please remember to write on the Memo space on your check what the payment or contribution is for. It will greatly aid those
of us who do the posting, and will better ensure that the reports you receive correctly record your intentions when making a
contribution or other payment.
An IRA opportunity that you can use to aid UCH
If you are at least 70½ and blessed with an IRA from which you must take distributions, and if your IRA account continues to
grow such that the amount you must annually receive increases your federal tax obligation, you may have an opportunity that
would aid UCH or other charitable organizations.
For such individuals the 2006 Federal Pension Protection Act permits a charitable contribution of up to $100,000 to be given
directly from the IRA account to the charity. Previously, the contribution would have to be received by the IRA owner,
donated to the charity, and then itemized to obtain a deduction. It’s a win-win for you and for UCH!
Submitted by Don Hoskins
GET BUSY GET EQUAL CENTRAL PA
Stand up for BGLT equality!
Saturday, March 3, 9am-3:30pm
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Keynote speaker: Stephen Glassman, chair,
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
And featuring workshops on the following topics:
 I care...Now what? How to organize in your community
 Meet the press: How to deal with the media: With Mike Lavers of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation (GLAAD)
 Youth speak: With Michelle Simmons, executive director, Common Roads
 Youth! Know Your Rights!: With Mary Catherine Roper, staff attorney, ACLU of PA
 The religion question: Dealing with faith and LGBT issues: With Reverend Paul Fullmer,
chaplain, Lebanon Valley College, and Susan Kirkchaney, intern minister, Unitarian Church of
Harrisburg
 What's happening now? An update on the issues: With Stacey Sobel, executive director,
Equality Advocates Pennsylvania (formerly the Center for Lesbian & Gay Civil Rights), and
Larry Frankel, legislative director, ACLU of PA
 How to lobby: With Stacey Sobel and Larry Frankel
 Plus, a screening of The ACLU Freedom Files: Lesbian and Gay Rights
How to register: $5 registration fee, free for high school and college students. To RSVP, please
contact hbginfo@aclupa.org or 717-238-ACLU.
Co-sponsors: ACLU of PA; Common Roads; Equality Advocates Pennsylvania (formerly the
Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights); Freedom to Marry Lay-Led Ministry of the Unitarian
Church of Harrisburg; NOW Harrisburg chapter.
For more information, contact Alanna Berger, alannaberger@hotmail.com, 361-2992.
Submitted by Alanna Berger
Gettysburg UUs present
The Celtic Powerhouse,
COYOTE RUN
presents their high energy, eclectic
“NEW CELTIC ALTERNATIVE” music
in this area at UUG,
136 S. Stratton St., Gettysburg,
on March 18, 2007 at 6:30 -9 pm
Inspired by the rich heritages of Celtic, Appalachian, Folk and Maritime traditions, Coyote Run’s unique
and rich storytelling style is a high octane blend of fine literature, and alternative rock in a kilt. Coyote Run
plays a broad mix of instruments, including: guitars, bagpipes, mandolin, accordion, drum set, electric bass,
flute, whistles, bodhran, djembe, digeridoo, dulcimer and more. Coyote Run plays in major Celtic festivals,
clubs, pubs and concert halls throughout the United States. They have toured Ireland and Scotland and
regularly perform throughout the United States.
Cost: Adults $15.00; Children under 18, $10.00, "Babes in Arms" are Free.
Contact us at (717) 222-9173 or email at UUGEvents@hotmail.com
SEATING LIMITED: GET TICKETS EARLY! Submitted by Pru Reichart
Denominational Affairs Committee
In April 2007, the Joseph Priestly District will hold its annual conference at the Harrisburg Hilton, beginning on Friday the
27th and ending on Sunday the 29th. Delegates from assemblies throughout the district will attend the event to represent their
community's voice as the assembly charts the direction of the district for the next year. Our Church needs delegates and
representatives to this event. The Denominational Affairs Committee seeks to pay for the registration of seven members
inerested in participating in this exciting opportunity to represent the congregation's interests in this important event.
Denominational Affairs Committeeperson, Andrew Back fondly remembers the time he was a Delegate. “The most important
thing to me about going to JPD Conference was having the opportunity to go meet other UU’s, hear about their churches, and to
find out what is going on in them and in the District.”
While the assembly is open to all UU’s who pay the $125.00 registration fee, selected delegates vote on issues that could
immediately impact the church, as well as attend workshops, events and use their social skills to build networks with other
churches in the district. Registration deadline for the conference is March 27th.
Committee Chair, Chris Williams stated, “my favorite moment was from the first JPD Conference I attended, where the
speaker was none other than UU president, William Sinkford.” He adds that his favorite programs have been the breakthough
congregation presentations. Rugh Henderson added, “Through attending spring conferences, I have gotten to know our District
Executive, Richard Speck and his vision for the Joseph Priestly District.”
This year’s event will culminate in our Church holding its Sunday services at the Conference. A rare opportunity in
fellowship, the event allows our congregation to literally act as a host congregation to fellow UU’s away from their friends and
family. For further information about the conference or becoming a delegate, please contact one of the committee
members: Christopher Williams, Andrew Back, Chuck Bowser, Kenneth Eng, Rugh Henderson, or Caroline Parke.
Submitted by Caroline Parke
Upcoming 2007 JPD Events:
Thurs. Mar. 1
General Assembly Early Registration starts
Sat. Mar. 3
Deepening Our Faith: Building a Vital Adult RE Program
Thurs. Mar. 15
UU Leadership Team Institute Early Registration deadline
Sat. Mar. 17
Healthy Congregations Conference 3 @ Arlington and Wilmington
Tues. Mar. 27
JPD Conference Registration deadline
Sat. Apr. 21
Healthy Congregations Conference 4 @ Arlington and Wilmington
Fri. Apr. 27
Mon. Apr. 30
Tues. May 1
Tues. May 1
JPD Conference at Harrisburg Hilton
General Assembly Early Registration deadline
May 07 Quarterly Meeting
General Assembly Late Registration starts
Tues. Aug. 7
August 07 Quarterly Meeting
UU B&B Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly
people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area? The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re
Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 27 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a
few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends and who are happy to open their home to like-minded people. You can also become a host
and be listed in the directory. Contact us at 828-281-3253 or at info@uurehome.com, and we will gladly send you information about
listing your accommodations. Host listings on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com are updated whenever changes are
made or new hosts are added. The paper edition is published every year in April (and has many listings different from those on the
website). For a copy of the 2007 directory, please send a check for $20 (or $25 and your e-mail address for both the book and a year’s
The Indicator Species hailing from Pittsburgh, PA presents:
THE HARDEST QUESTION EVER…
A shadow play about violence and prisons i our communities
The Hardest Question Ever… is a mixture of live performers, chain gang inspired music, and shadow puppets
set inside a life size prison cell covered with 100’s of letters written by prisoners. We aim to create a dialogue
surrounding how society encourages violence and punishes those who are violent. The Hardest Question
Ever is a three act play portraying community responsibility, forgiveness and the pain of loss. The stories are
actual events that are directly related to the creators of the play.
Saturday March 3, 2007 at 8pm
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg - More details available by calling the Church at 564-4761.
The performance is about a half an hour and there will be a
discussion following the event.
access to the website) to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
Received via email to UCH
Expanded
Community Committee
The Brainstorming Session on January 30 was very fruitful! There were many good ideas
presented by the many very generous folks who are interested in helping find out what the needs of our
congregation are, and how we might best help each other in meeting these needs. There seems to be the
most interest in a “Birthday Group.”
This would be a group of folks for whom voluntary training would be offered every other month.
The trainings would be professional level trainings in topics that the group would find useful, and might
include such things as recognizing the symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse, understanding hospice care,
providing parenting education, healthy communications for couples, and so forth. There would be regular
meetings and communications with one of the ministers for guidance or for his/her follow up. The
alternating, non-training monthly meeting would probably be a [catered] dinner for the volunteers to get
together and share their knowledge about how to best help folks in the congregation with differing needs,
as well as providing a place for these volunteers to just have a little fun and fellowship with one another
and be appreciated for their work.
With this training and peer support, these folks would each be responsible for contacting a small
part of the congregation – divided into groups according to their birth month, thus the “Birthday Group”
nomenclature. The goal would be that each household in this congregation would be contacted at least
yearly. By doing so, there would be a caring person, who is in contact regularly with the ministerial team,
who would know of and be able to help with any needs, problems or other issues – temporary or not – that
the congregant or family may be experiencing. These problems would be held in confidence; referrals or
direct help from whomever is best suited to be of assistance would be made available, to the best of the
church’s ability.
This is an exciting idea, and one that is not actually new in this church’s history. It’s time has
come – again! What better definition of a truly caring community could there be than knowing that we as a
church are reaching out to each family, saying hello and retaining that personal connection. We will also be
letting the family or individual know that there is someone who cares, and that there is a trained “someone”
who is available to help if they have needs or problems for which they need help of some kind.
If you would be interested in contacting a small, limited number of families this year, and would
be interested in helping provide or learning who might be able to provide help to any of these in need,
please contact Susan Kirkchaney at the church (564-4761, ext.8). The trainings would be open only to those
in this group, and would be great learning experiences, for use here or even in a job setting or resume. The
fun, fellowship and deepened relationships with fellow UCH volunteers as well as with the families
contacted is an added bonus!
Our next planning meeting will be Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at church. We will meet at 6:30 for
dinner, which will be provided, then move on to planning this exciting way of making our community even
stronger.
Please, help us make this vision of a connected, caring community a reality! Volunteer now!
Submitted by Susan Kirkchaney
Amrit Yoga Group
The Amrit Yoga Group meets every Monday night from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the UCH Conference Room. It’s
free. Bring a yoga mat and a blanket, and wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes. Amrit yoga is a form of hatha
yoga. The entire process moves and stretches every part of your body, for an energetic workout, and includes a
calming, meditative relaxation at the end. If you have any medical conditions that restrict exercise, please seek
out the advice of your physician before coming. You will be asked to sign a release form for injury liability at
the first session.
Yoga is a great way to exercise, offering stress release and relaxation for those of us with busy schedules. Come
join the fun. For more details, contact Ed Sykes at 975-9946.
Back by Popular Demand
The Pot O’Luck Dinner & Concert
All ages are encouraged to attend this social event that begins in the Common Room at 6:00 on Friday,
March 16th. The meal is pot luck style, so bring a favorite dish to share. It’s a great opportunity to get
to know some of your fellow UCH members. The dinner is followed at 7:30 by a concert in the
sanctuary by the Arcona Reel Band, performing their 3rd annual St. Patrick’s eve (-ish) concert at
UCH. Call Kathy Malarich (737-3832) if you have any questions or want to offer your help. She’s
looking for a partner to share in planning and organization. Setup and cleanup help would also be
especially appreciated.
Submitted by Kathy Malarich
The only thing that stands between UCH and a yard sale is lack of a chairperson or persons. If
you love junk and have creative ideas to collect and display it, this job is for you. You will get
all the help you need from past Worker Bees. Contact someone on the church staff or the
Stewardship Committee to make your interest known.
To Contributor Bees, keep stockpiling your treasures that have served you well and have some
life in them. More bulletins with specifics to follow ...
Submitted by Nancy Witaconis
-Coast To Coast Baseball Tours-
Benefit Spaghetti Supper
for
Jordan Wright-UCH HS Class
& his friend Brendon Meyers-CD East HS
After much competition during a recent tryout in Pottstown, Coast To Coast Baseball Tours have chosen
Jordan Wright, UCH High School class, and his friend, Brendon Meyers, C D East High School, to
participate in a week-long international baseball tournament, June 17-23, 2007, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A
benefit spaghetti supper will be held in the Common Room on Saturday, March 10, 2007, beginning at 6:00
pm, to help offset costs and expenses associated with their trip. The cost is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids
10 and under, $20 per family. You can pay at the door. Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, bread, salad,
and non-alcoholic drinks (BYOB). A donation is appreciated for desserts. Take-out is available, but please
bring your own container. Come hungry and help us make this a successful fundraiser for Jordan and
Brendon.
See Bobby Wright for information or call: home-558-8582, cell-421-5232. Submitted by Bobby Wright
A
Two Mindfulness Meditation Group
Events in One Weekend!
Bo Lozoff
VISITS UCH
A MEETING
Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Casual Reception and book signing will follow.
A CONCERT
Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 8:00 pm
No Tickets or Registration necessary.
Donations to Human Kindness Foundation welcomed!
Mindfulness Meditation Group: www.uchuua.org/mmg.htm
Email: mmg@harrisburgUU.org
Human Kindness Foundation: www.humankindness.org