ADVOCATE UPDATE
Weekly updates for Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church
February 22, 2012

========== THIS SUNDAY AT ALLEGHENY ==========

SUNDAY WORSHIP
Rev David McFarland - “Lift Every Voice”
Sunday, February 26, 10:30 – 11:30AM
At the close of African-American Heritage Month, what are our historically Euro-American institution’s potential contributions to healing racism?

========== REGULARLY AT ALLEGHENY ==========

Walking Together
Tuesdays 10 - 11:30AM
Meet at Allegheny Library on Federal Street

SANDWICH MAKING
Tuesdays 6:15 - 7:15PM
Founders Hall

TAI CHI
Thursdays 8 - 9PM
Founders Hall

CHOIR REHEARSAL
1st & 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30PM
Every Sunday, 9AM

========== COMING UP AT ALLEGHENY ==========

Rev David McFarland - “I’m Abstaining from Lent”
Sunday, March 4, 10:30 – 11:30AM
Exploring the spiritual practice of abstinence.

Rev David McFarland - “Human Rights. Human Responsibilities.”
March 11, 10:30 – 11:30AM

VISIT OUR CALENDAR at http://www.alleghenyuu.org/ for all meetings and events.

========== CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS ==========

BANNER IDEAS REQUESTED by February 26th
What do you want to tell the world about Allegheny? We need your ideas for a new banner to represent the church at important events such as PIIN gatherings and UU General Assembly! Ideas are accepted in any medium (words, pictures, sculpture, whatever allows you to express yourself) and can be electronic or physical. To submit an electronic idea, email Eric Meisberger (ericthered77<at>comcast.net), or if you have a physical submission please see or email Liz Dell (jademren<at>usa.net). We would like to get the banner finished in time for Justice GA in June, so please submit your ideas by February 26th."

SPAGHETTI DINNER and TALENT SHOW
Saturday, March 10,  6:30PM
The Stewardship Committee announces the return of the SPAGHETTI DINNER and TALENT SHOW on Saturday, March 10!  It's our kick-off to the spring Stewardship Drive.  Clear your calendars, sign up for a spot at the mic, and polish up your performance skills.  It's going to be a rip-roaring good time featuring our multi-talented congregation - with minimal "money talk".  Also consider signing up to help set-up, clean-up, bring food, and help in the kitchen.  Be seen at the Allegheny UU Event of the Year!  Your Stewardship Committee, Mark Tomlinson, Betty Luff, Tiffany Merriman-Preston, and John Luff.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY Febuary 26 and Select Sundays through April  6:30 -8:15PM
Whether you are new to the church or a long-time church member, the reflections in "Evensong" are a great way to explore your personal beliefs and deepen connections with others.  For more information: gail.ward<at>verizon<dot>net or through the office at 412-327-4261.
 
JEFFERSON RECREATION CENTER
Want to help kids and have a lot of fun in the process? Allegheny is kick-starting its return to Jefferson Recreation Center and needs you to help! Come and spend some time with the kids of the Central North Side playing games, doing art projects, and just having fun. We are still working on the dates and times that Allegheny members will visit the Center so if you are interested please contact Skylar Blanchard (kllblnchrd<at>gmail<dot>com).

"Jump in the Pool!"As you may have noticed, we're doing several concerts throughout the year. Our concerts are a way we get financial support from outside the church. But we need the support of people inside the church to make it happen! We have created a "Program Pool" of potential volunteers who like working on these social, musical events. So if you have time & energy & interest, please contact the office (office<at>alleghenyuu<dot>org) to let us know you'd like to jump in "The Pool"! Thanks!

========== FAITH & JUSTICE PARTNER EVENTS ==========

Apply for "Outreach Coordinator" for UUPLAN* - flexible 25 hours per week at $20 per hour.  Apply by Feb. 29, 2012. Visit UUPLAN at: http://www.uuplan.org/
*Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania Legislative Advocacy Network

OHIO MEADVILLE DISTRICT ASSEMBLY MARCH 23-24
Registration is open for OMD District Assembly to be held in Meadville, PA next month.  We would like to have a good showing from Allegheny.  Check your calendars and then check the District's website at www.ohiomeadville.org for more details.  Partial scholarships are available for those with financial need if registered by Feb. 25; home hospitality is also available on a limited basis.  Come experience your District in action and make some new UU connections.

PIIN BANQUET
Saturday, April 22nd, beginning at 4PM
Westin Convention Center Hotel  1000 Penn Ave.  Pittsburgh 15222
"The Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network has recently changed its name to the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network, to better reflect its goal of working for social justice throughout Pennsylvania and not just in the city of Pittsburgh. To achieve its goals, PIIN needs financial support more than ever. One great way to support the work of PIIN is during their annual fundraising banquet.  Tickets are $45. Reservations with payment need to be in by April 1st. If you cannot attend the banquet but still want to support PIIN, you can donate to PIIN as a patron of the banquet. Patron donations need to be given by April 1st as well. Finally, if you know of a business or other organization that would benefit by advertising to a social-justice minded audience, ads can be purchased for the program that is distributed at the banquet.  If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Melissa Trainor (meldtra<at>yahoo.com). Thank you for your support!"

2012 SCREEN FREE WEEK
For your calendar: April 30-May 6. Join a national effort to turn off the screens. Check it out on FaceBook (www.facebook.com/screenfreeweek) or Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen-Free_Week). 

========== About Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church  ==========

We are a welcoming, urban congregation that puts Unitarian Universalism into action by celebrating life, nourishing the spirit, and inspiring a commitment to justice.

========== About the Advocate Update Newsletter ==========

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