March 2001 Women’s History Month

Allegheny Advocate

Monthly Newsletter of the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church

It was about two years ago (if my memory serves me correctly) that the congregation held a meeting in the basement of the church (also known as the Jefferson Room) to decide together what we wanted to do to improve our church space. We democratically decided to improve the bathrooms, which no one could deny are pretty unattractive, and to make them handicap accessible, and to make improvements to the Jefferson Room, which is a very important space for our church community since it serves as RE space, a meeting room, and a social room for gatherings like the Thanksgiving dinner and the spaghetti dinner/talent show.

The Capital Campaign committee has worked very hard on raising funds for the renovations, which will begin in May. This will be an exciting time. The projected cost of the improvements that we as a congregation decided we would like to make is approximately $60,000. At the present time, we have raised, or received pledges for, about $45,000. Many of us feel that it would be a real shame not to make all our hoped-for improvements at this time. After all, tearing up the church for a number of months will not be a simple task and will require a certain amount of inconvenience to all of us. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to do a partial renovation and then go through the whole process again in a few years if we want to complete our project. So, of course, the obvious point I am trying to make (and we all hate to talk about money) is that it would be great if we could somehow come up with the needed $15,000. I know that most of you have already given as much as you are able to or may just not be in a position to give any money at all. We are grateful for everyone’s support in whatever amount you judge appropriate. But if the Capital Campaign somehow slipped your mind, or you are new to the church and missed the Campaign drive, or if you know of some possible outside source of funds, please talk to any member of the Board.

To totally change the subject, I just wanted to report that on February 10 I spoke about the Living Wage to about 20 UU high school kids from the O-MD at their conference at First Church. What a wonderful bunch of kids!! I was truly overwhelmed by their thoughtful comments, the respect that they showed to me and to each other, and to their enthusiasm for social justice. These UU kids really gave me optimism about the future!

Jeanne Zang

First Annual Fabulous Lasagne Dinner

Plus Talent Show and Silent Auction

The AUUC Jr. High School class presents the first annual Lasagne Dinner at the church on Saturday, March 10, beginning at 5:00 pm. Besides plenty of delicious, homemade lasagne, valuable goods and services that will be given to the highest bidder. But wait, there’s more! After the dinner, stick around to enjoy the many and varied talents that will be presented during a Talent Show, starting at 7:00.

Please consider making a donation to the silent auction. Service items are an easy and useful way to contribute: babysitting, dog/cat sitting, lessons of some kind, bread baking, dinner making, etc. Think creatively about your own unique gifts, and how they could help support our church!

Talk to Linda Deafenbaugh if you have something to contribute for the auction. Or, if you want to do your bit in the Talent Show, get in touch with Jane Dirks.

Tickets for this charity dinner are $8 for everyone 13 or older, $5 for kids 5-12, and children under 5 are free. You can get tickets from Pat Downey, Kate Tomlinson, Linda Voytko, Jane Dirks or Linda Deafenbaugh.

Greeters

March 4 – Jacqueline Ellis, Walt Brethauer

March 11- Barbara Stolarz, Jesse Virago

March 18 – Nancy Karpinsky, Tammy Taucher

March 25- Linda LeFever, Steven Wertheim

Refreshments

March 4 – LynnGlorieux, Jeanne Zang

March 11 - Jacqueline Ellis, Jane Schwarz

March 18 – Betty Schwarz, Beth Halliday

March 25 – Diane McMahon, Jane Dirks

Board of Trusteees

At the March Board of Trustees meeting, the Board will be discussing issues related to the District Annual Meeting. Decisions made at this Board meeting will inform our delegates on the congregation’s wishes with regard to a proposed District By-law change, the possibility of increasing our District dues, and choices around the District budget. Board meetings are always open to the congregation for input and discussion. If you are interested in these District-related issues, the Board will meet on 21 March at 7 o’clock.

Other Committee Meetings this month are as follows:

Membership—March 5

House—March 6

Executive Committee—March 13

Religious Education—March 14

Program—March 19

Proposed Music Director

The congregation is invited to participate in an open discussion around the establishment of a part-time Music Director position. The Program Committee has recommended to the Board that this next step be considered in our planning for next year’s budget. Our current music consultant position was viewed as a first step, but now we must decide whether or not we want to continue with the process. The issues for discussion include the kinds of programming that we want, the increase in our operating budget, and the implications of hiring another employee. The meeting is scheduled for after Service, Sunday, 11 March at 12:30. You are welcome to bring a bag lunch. Childcare will be provided. This is a significant step for our congregation, so your input is important!

Community Spaces Campaign

Our Community Spaces Capital Campaign continues to generate the resources that we need to renovate our downstairs spaces. Pledges and gifts from members total over $45,000 as of February. If you are a member, and you have not pledged or made a gift to the Campaign, please consider doing so this month. We anticipate starting work in early June and will need to finalize our construction budget. Also, if you have made a pledge, your timely payment of installments means less renovation money expended on loan interest. The Campaign Committee Chairs and Steering Committee would like to extend a special thanks to all the members and friends who have generously given to our Community Spaces Campaign!

Choir

Adult choir practices will take place on Sundays, March 11 & 25, beginning at 9:00 am. Children sing most Sundays at 10:00 am

Art McDonald will conduct a class for newcomers on Sunday, March 18, from 12:30 until 1:45, downstairs in the church. Anyone who is interested in hearing about Unitarian Universalism and wishes to know more about Allegheny and what it means to be a member, please come.

Meditation Space

Every Sunday morning, from 10:15 until 10:45, Jane Dirks will provide an opportunity for meditation with music on the first floor of the Unitarian House. Why not join her.

Pleasant Valley Shelter Meal

This month’s shelter meal at Pleasant Valley Shelter for homeless men will take place on Thursday, March 15. See Jane Schwarz to volunteer.

Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network

PIIN meets on Thursday, March 8, beginning at 7:00 pm, at Wesley Center AME Zion Church, Center Ave., Hill District.

Second Parent Adoption

Karen Engro and Sally Thomas will be with us on Friday, March 30, for a discussion about the current state of second parent adoptions in Pennsylvania, which, as we reported a few months ago, were declared not legally recognizable under the PA Adoption Act by the PA Superior Court. Karen was the lawyer for a case in Erie that involved the male partner of a father seeking to adopt. The court denied that sexual orientation was an issue, though a scathing dissent was written by two of the judges suggesting it WAS based on the petitioners’ relationship.

We’ll have a potluck at 6:00 pm with a discussion to follow at 7:00 pm. We’ll circulate a sign-up and provide childcare if that is needed.

Holy Week Services

This year we will celebrate our annual Passover Seder on Saturday, April 7, the first evening of Passover, and Holy/Maundy Thursday on April 12. Please mark your calendars. Mark your calendars for Seder

Ohio-Meadville District Annual Meeting

Why not attend the annual Ohio-Meadville District UU meeting to be held in Cleveland, March 23-24, Friday night and Saturday. See the flyer in the Emerson Room. The three candidates from UUA President will be there.

Adult RE Class: Rise Up and Call Her Name

Starting this month, AUUC’s Commissioned Lay Leader, Jane Dirks, will be facilitating an Adult RE Class using the UU curriculum, "Rise Up and Call Her Name: A Woman-Honoring Journey into Global Earth-Based Spiritualities." This rich curriculum offers opportunities for emotional, mystical, as well as intellectual encounters with the material, which draws from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Goals include: bringing an awareness of the processes of nature into our spiritual lives; nurturing self-respect in women and respect for women in men by making known the range of emotions and actions attributed to female deities in many spiritual traditions; and opening doors to cross-cultural interaction by fostering an appreciation for the richness of diversity. Jane is an anthropologist who teaches cross-cultural women's issues at Carlow College.

Please sign up on the sheet in the Emerson Room and indicate when would be best for you to meet for this class (beginning in March). We will pick the day and date that most folks can meet.

Guest at Your Table Collection

This year we collected $402 for the annual UU Service Committee’s Guest at Your Table Fund. That’s the highest ever for AUUC. Thanks to Lynn Glorieux for organizing and collecting the funds.

Good Pies, Good Work!

Though the pies are likely long gone, the final tally from the 2nd Annual Yummy Thanksgiving Pie Sale is finally in. Together we sold 244 pies - a few more than last year - with the help of some last-minute impulse buying on delivery day, made possible by the extra ordering of the never-doubting, always optimistic piemasters. We raised over $1100 for AUUC programs, and donated 62 pies to those in need through the Community Food Pantry of Northside Common Ministries and the West Park Court Senior Center at North Avenue & Brighton Road. Special thanks go out to: our friends at First UU Church, UU Church of the South Hills, East Suburban UU Church, and North Hills UU Church for their appetites and their support; Nancy Fitzgerald, Christopher Hill and Susan Liebert for help in delivering pies far and wide; and Haas Farm Bakery for their delicious pies. Thank you for your support and we look forward to doing it again next year!

UUA GA in Cleveland

The UUA General Assembly comes to our District this year and with it the opportunity for more of us than ever to join over 4000 UUs from around the world in celebration of our community. GA will be in Cleveland, from June 21 to June 25. If you sign up to be a volunteer at GA, your registration fee will be waived. Please talk to Jane Dirks NOW if you are interested in getting involved in this wonderful opportunity to help celebrate our faith. Call Jane at (412) 242-5166 or email her at: dirks@sis.pitt.edu to learn more!

Disaster Assistance for India

For those interested in sending a donation for earthquake relief for the state of Gujarat, India, contributions should be sent to: UUA India Fund, c/o Rev. Olivia Holmes, Director of International Relations, UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 01208.

Revival II: UU Christianity

There will be a conference for those interested in exploring UU Christianity on April 4-7, 2001, in St. Louis. There will be music, prayer, bible study, worship, etc. Registration deadline is March 10. See details in the Emerson Room.

Building New Hope

For those interested in making contributions to earthquake relief for El Salvador, donations can be sent to Building New Hope, c/o 7525 Tuscarora St., Pgh., PA. 15208. Or call 412-241-2542 and talk with Barbara or Jorge. If you want information from someone who has recently returned, write to Lynette Arnold, Spring Valley Bruderhof, Rt. 381 North, Farmington, PA 15437.

Celebration of International Women’s Day

On Saturday, March 10, 2001, from 7:00-10:00pm, there will be a celebration of International Women’s Day at the Friends Meeting House in Oakland. The cost is $5 and the proceeds will go to the Women’s Resource Center. There will be music, poetry, dancing, international appetizers, desserts, a silent auction, children’s storytelling, etc. RSVP if you need on-site childcare at 412-521-2826

Just Harvest Annual Empty Bowls Dinner

Join this annual event on Sunday, March 4, 2001, from 4:00-7:00 pm, Reizenstein Middle School. Donations are $15. Mail checks to Just Harvest, 120 E. Ninth Ave., Homestead, PA 15120 or call for tickets, 412-464-0739.

Bridging the Gap-Creating a Continuum of Care for Drug Users

The PA/MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center is sponsoring a conference on March 29-30 to bring together providers of diverse services to drug users, such as drug treatment programs, mental health providers, AIDS service and prevention programs, health care providers, housing providers and others. The conference will focus on how harm reduction based interventions can be incorporated into existing programs. More details to follow.

Rainbow Rising

This outreach program sponsored by the UU Congregation of Smithton will focus on a ministry for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and families and friends. It will focus on religious services and pastoral care. Rev. Kim Miner is heading up this outreach. Contact Kim at 724-872-5056 for more information.

International Student Exchange

If anyone is interested in housing a high school student from overseas, call Shannon Matusicky, 1-800-637-5859 for information, or call the local coordinator of Adventures in Real Communication Year Program, Deidre Schroeder, at 440-247-9222. The program is headquartered in Chagrin Falls, OH.

Rev. Art McDonald,

Minister/Social Advocacy Director

I must share with you that in the past few weeks I have had very interesting experiences related to my practice of ministry in a UU context. By way of preface, I think we UUs often think that other religionists pretty readily dismiss UUism and its ministers as on the fringe or not really a religion or a cult, etc. But these two experiences suggested something very different.

While visiting with my brother and his family two weeks ago, Melanie and I participated in a very rich session with a social worker from the Hospice movement. She facilitated a difficult but powerful sharing among my brother, his wife and children, Melanie and myself. Later, a hospice chaplain paid a visit to my brother to get a sense of his spiritual well being. He is a very kind, friendly fellow with a deep compassion for what my brother is experiencing.

At any rate, I greeted him at the door and brought him in to meet Jerry. It turns out that he is a Catholic layman, who served as an FBI agent for over thirty years. After retiring at the tender age of 57, the FBI’s mandatory retirement age, he went through special pastoral training with hospice and now spends his time caring for the spiritual needs of the terminally ill. After introducing him to my brother, I left them to discuss heavenly matters. After a while, I heard my brother call out for me to join them. My brother had shared the details of my Catholic/UU ministry history with him and they both wanted me to participate in the discussion. As it turns out, he is a graduate of Providence College, the same small Catholic school I attended in Providence, Rhode Island – though several years before me. But the most intriguing/ironic piece of history is that two of his three daughters are currently attending UU churches! Despite his own, pretty traditional-pious, Catholic background and current religious practice, he was very clear that this was a very positive religious expression for them; one which gave him an appreciation of our UU path. He couldn’t have been more engaging and appreciative. It was a delightful connection. And, thankfully, after having spent a good bit of time with Jerry, he completely shared my sense that my brother is in pretty decent spiritual shape. He detected no great emotional/spiritual turmoil, only concern for his wife and family.

The day before Melanie and I went to Boston, I finished teaching a two-week course at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with a group of 12 pastors from various Christian denominations – Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists. Most had been in ministry for 15-20 years. I was anticipating some fairly conservative theological views and had some concern as to what they would make of this Catholic-trained, UU minister, teaching them about theology and congregational ministry. They were generally conservative theologically but pretty open to other perspectives. Rather than expressing skepticism about my own professional journey, they actually displayed a good deal of curiosity! Late in the first week, I bumped into one of the participants in the cafeteria and he said that most in the class would really appreciate hearing about my religious journey! They were intrigued by my embracing of UUism and wanted to know more about it. On the final day, one pastor confided in me that he was considering changing affiliations and wondered if UU might be the right fit. How about them apples! I’m just hoping this doesn’t get back to the Seminary President who is probably wondering how I got invited onto the faculty.

Northside Common Ministries-$7000, "By Jeeves."

NCM pocketed $7000 from the recent fundraiser at the O’Reilly Public Theater performance of "By Jeeves."

Living Wage Campaign

As I mentioned last month in this column, as the living wage legislation is being crafted in order to be presented to the County Council, a significant difficulty has emerged from the non-profit, social service sector. Since I work with some of the agencies in this sector, e.g., Northside Common Ministries, Mercy Behavioral, etc., which will be effected by the legislation, I’ve received phone calls from both the living wage campaign and a representative of the service agencies with whom I interact. Although some successful negotiations have occurred between the groups over the past year, at the moment there is not much discussion even though difficulties still exist. Although I don’t have a handle on all of the specifics, I am aware that there are aspects of the administrative code in the legislation that present problems for the service providers. Also, there is a concern that the legislation would be passed without additional or sufficiently-increased monies from Harrisburg to cover the costs of raising the wages. I suggested to those involved that a mediator might help resolve the issues. To date, the idea has not received a positive response by everyone. Without a breakthrough or an agreement to submit to a mediator, I am worried that the service providers will lobby against the legislation as it is currently written. The service providers claim to be totally in favor of paying a living wage, but don’t think it’s possible without the two above concerns being addressed. This would be very unfortunate. Stay tuned.

Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network

Things are rolling along for PIIN. We have formed five task/research groups – education, criminal justice, low-income housing, economic development and transportation. The idea is for each group to begin gathering data and defining their issues so that when we have hired staff and plan a major issues convention, we will have already gathered important information to help inform our decision. Although I missed the last general meeting, Jeanne Zang reports that the group unanimously supported the Living Wage Campaign.

Although I am not able to attend the March PIIN training in Buffalo, due to my participation in the UU Urban Church Conference in Chicago, approximately 12 Pittsburghers will be going. That will give us about 17 who have gone through a specialized 6-day training session with the national group, Gameliel. That will give the group a good sense of how the Gameliel model works and how we can use such insights to organize in Pittsburgh.

Always with outside organizers there is a push and pull as to how to develop a healthy, cooperative relationship, mutually enriching for both. We respect that the Chicago-based group has many years of experiencing in working with groups such as ours. Its Saul Alinsky philosophical base certainly has had a long history in this country. On the other hand, our PIIN group has lots of experience as well. So we are working up a set of principles as to just how we want this relationship to develop so that Gameliel remains a resource, but in which the local leadership is clearly in charge. It’s a challenge. But a very important one. Meanwhile, PIIN members are building our own relationships of trust and understanding across our differences.

At the moment we are planning a pastors’ breakfast for April to which we have invited the mayoral candidates. Our next general meeting will be held on Thursday, March 8, 7:00 pm, at Wesley center AME Zion Church, Center Ave., Hill District. We would love to add new folks to the group.

Death Penalty

There is another bill in the State Senate (S25) to call for a moratorium on the death penalty in Pennsylvania. It is a good time to contact your state senator and ask for support of this legislation. Meanwhile, we are waiting to receive a new petition to sign which will be carried to Harrisburg on March 27 by a local contingent. Please look for this petition in the Emerson Room.

Also, I received a letter from a death row inmate from the Waynesburg prison. He is a poet and playwright and he writes: "I’d been hearing bits and snatches of stories about the Unitarian Church, particularly, their crusades for the struggles of Justice and fairness and equality—and the work against the Death Penalty, and racism—but got a fuller picture of what you really were about a recent issue of UU WORLD. I’d love to meet and write to members of your church."

Reggie enclosed a flier about his poetry. Anyone interested in corresponding? Talk with Art.

Citizens Budget Campaign

Look in the Emerson Room for the Citizen Budget Campaign’s "A Renewed Call to Action." The campaign is raising consciousness on a myriad of issues, such as a fair economy, affordable housing, voting reform, missile defense, etc. See the available information if you would like to get involved.

Family Pride Coalition

Therese Libert sent me materials from a group called the "Family Pride Coalition," a national network of GLBT parents and parenting groups, which is monitoring legislation in several states, e.g., Arkansas, Indiana and Texas, attempting to ban adoption and foster parenting by "homosexuals." For more information, contact Therese or Robin Kane, Family Pride Coalition, Director of Advocacy, 1700 Kalorama Rd., NW, #101, Washington, DC, 20009. Phone: 202-332-0082 or robinkane@aol.com.

QEX Sale

In the Emerson Room are petitions to WQED directors not to sell QEX to the privately-owned station now seeking to purchase it. We’ve already sent two sheets.

United for a Fair Economy

Tax Cut and Estate Tax Repeal issues are top priorities now for the UFE group. This is a group we have worked with for several years in our collaboration with UUs for a Just Economic Community. They are urging that we lobby congress to oppose the Bush tax cut proposal and to especially object to a repeal of the estate tax. Interestingly, this group has helped organize 200 of the wealthiest U.S. citizens who oppose this repeal. What is being suggested is that folks consider supporting the Democratic alternative that would raise the exemption threshold and further protect small farms and family businesses. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) is developing the alternative bill to "fix" not repeal the estate tax.

Minister

Director of Religious Education

Music Director

Board of Trustees

Finance

Growth and Development

House

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Program

Religious Education

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Telephone

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Allegheny UU Church

Unitarian House

1110 Resaca Place No. 4

Pittsburgh, PA 15212

The Allegheny Advocate is published monthly by the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church. Contributions or inquiries may be directed to John Schriefer (jhschrief@aol.com).

© 2001 AUUC