SEPTEMBER 2001

Allegheny Advocate

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE ALLEGHENY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

Sunday, September 2, 10:00 Rev. Dr. Alfred Brown

Labor Sunday: African American Workers Union

We are pleased to invite into our pulpit, Rev. Dr. Brown, Pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church here in the city. Rev. Brown serves as chaplain for the African American Worker’s Union, and also participates in our PIIN group. Dr. Brown will tell us about the union’s struggle to gain entry into the labor market here in Pittsburgh.

[Note that regular 11 a.m. services begin on September 9]

Sunday, September 9, 11:00 Rev. Art McDonald

Ingathering Service

Please note that this is our first Sunday service that begins at 11:00 a.m. Also, please bring water collected from wherever you might have visited this summer; if you never left town, you can bring Pittsburgh water. This is an intergenerational service for the entire congregation.

Sunday, September 16, 11:00 John Meikle & Jeanne Zang

Seventh Principle Project: The Green Sanctuary

Our Social Justice Committee is leading this service which will celebrate AUUC’s commitment to environmental justice. The Seventh Principle relates to the interdependent web principle of UUism and the Green Sanctuary is the recent program to help congregations become more environmentally conscious. Come help us usher in the Autumn Equinox. Today is also the annual Mexican War Streets’ House Tour and we will be conducting our annual book sale and bake sale as part of this day.

Sunday, September 23, 11:00 Rev. Art McDonald

The Meaning of The Sabbath

Art will share some reflections from the writings of the great Jewish Rabbi, scholar and social activist, Abraham Heschel. One of Heschel’s more famous meditative writings was about the meaning of celebrating a Sabbath day, the way in which the Jewish faith sanctifies time and reflects upon eternity. This will be our way of celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the high holy days of Judaism.

Sunday, September 30, 11:00 Anthony Silvestre, Ph,D., LSW

Community Activism and Spiritual Practice

Tony, a social worker and professor at Pitt, has been a principal organizer in the fight to obtain partner benefits for GLBT employees of the University of Pittsburgh. Today he will share with us how his social action and community organizing are informed by his Buddhist practice, one inspired by Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn.

From the President

As I write this, the summer is quickly winding down. Somehow my life seemed to be just about as busy in the summer as it is the rest of the year. The same seems to be true of AUUC. Unlike many UU churches, things didn’t seem all that different from what they are during the year. Summer services were pretty well attended. The Board and all the church committees have been meeting regularly over the summer. On August 18 we had our second annual Board of Trustees-Committee Chairs meeting. Our main focus was on growth issues. We brainstormed about our hopes and fears about the future of AUUC and possible ways to attain our dreams. I will report more about this in the next Advocate.

There was lots of activity in the basement, although it was invisible to us. I got a tour of the construction area three times throughout the summer, most recently in mid-August. I think everyone will be amazed and pleased at what our new space looks like. Please don’t forget that the Capital Campaign is ongoing, so contributions are welcome at any time!

On September 9 we will start the new “regular” year with our annual Ingathering service. Don’t forget to bring your water from your special summer place. The program committee has discussed instituting a slightly different practice during the service. We would like to have people observe silence in the sanctuary when they enter. We will try this for a few months and see how it works out. Please give your feedback to me, Mac, Art, DZ, or Linda Deafenbaugh.

Jeanne

Joys and Concerns

Church Business

Vacation Rainbow Camp

On August 6-10, AUUC held its first annual Vacation Rainbow Camp. Seventeen children and youth enjoyed a week of fun and games while we learned about our Unitarian Universalist Priniciples. Caitlin Thomas and Zoe Engberg did an outstanding job of planning and leading us in opening and closing worship each day. We took fun-filled and cool trips to the Children's Museum and the National Aviary. On Friday, Michelle Bilyk, the tie-dye queen, taught us all how to tie dye T-shirts, which came out beautifully. We can't wait to do Vacation Rainbow Camp again next year! Thanks to all the adults who helped to plan and came to play at Rainbow Camp: Lynn Yocum, Denise Ramsey, Leslie Balzarini, Michelle Bilyk, Kris Thomas, Joe Chekanowski, and Claudia Neely.

Children’s RE Gears Up

On Sunday, September 9th there will be a Religious Education Teacher Orientation. This will take place in the Unitarian House, following the Ingathering Service. We ask that all RE teachers attend. If you are unable to be there, please contact Kris Thomas.

RE classes for preschoolers through eighth graders will begin on Sunday, September 16th. Families should receive a registration form in the mail. Please bring the completed form with you to the Unitarian House on Sunday morning, where you will receive a copy of the Religious Education handbook. We can't wait to see all those smiling faces!

Work Days

It’s a race to the finish line, but construction in the church basement should be substantially complete by the Labor Day weekend. If the space is ready, we will begin cleaning and moving on Saturday, 1 September and Monday, 3 September. If you think that you may have some free time, and would like to help out, see Donald Zeilman to get your name on the contact list. Unfinished work will continue on the following Saturday if you would like to volunteer for that day. This is the fun part – please join us!

Pittsburgh UU Cluster Meets

For anyone interested in knowing about the local UU cluster of churches, the group meets at noon on Tuesday, September 18, in Squirrel Hill. Talk with Jane Dirks or Donald Zeilman or Art McDonald for details. This is a good way to meet other UUs from the area.

Also, a larger gathering of the Cluster will take place on Saturday, November 3, which will likely involve some programming around themes important to congregational life.

Bake and Book Sales

Every year during the Mexican War Streets House Tour, AUUC organizes a book sale and bake sale, both to raise funds and to make our presence known in the neighborhood. The Growth & Development Committee is heading up the bake sale – Mark and Kate Tomlinson and Art McDonald will be point people. We need bakers and volunteers for that day – Sunday, September 16, from 11:00am until 4:00 pm. Please look for a sign-up sheet and/or talk with Kate, Mark or Art.

In addition to baked goods, we’re also looking for book donations for the book sale. Books will be accepted until Saturday, 15 September. If you’re making room on your shelves, losing interest in those mystery novels, or you’re just trying to simplify your life, why don’t you consider making a donation to the sale. Proceeds are used to buy hymnals. If you have questions or need to arrange a drop-off, please speak to Donald Zeilman.

Youth Group Kick-Off

Calling all youth in grades 6-9!! On Saturday, September 8, from 4-7 pm, there will be a Youth Group Kick-Off and Cook Out at the home of our Director of Religious Education, Kris Thomas. This is an opportunity to shape the direction of our Youth Program for the coming church year. Regular youth group meetings, which take place on the second and fourth Sunday evenings of each month, will resume on Sunday, September 23, at 6 pm.

Giant Eagle Certificates –Pay in Advance

When we send in our order for Giant Eagle coupons on the first Sunday of each month, we are required to send in our check in payment at the same time. If you give us your check on the same day, there's no problem. But several of us have gotten into the habit of not writing our checks until we get the coupons the following week--or even later. When that happens, AUUC is, in effect, loaning us the money for our coupons until we pay up and our checks clear.

Until now we have not been strict about insisting on getting the money up front, but because much of our cash is now tied up in the building project, we need to get your checks on the first Sunday of each month, the week before you get your coupons. If you are not going to be in church that Sunday, please mail your checks in advance to Betty Schwarz.

Unitarian House Repairs

As renovations proceed in the downstairs Jefferson Room of the church building, a great effort is also underway in the Unitarian House to employ congregational volunteers in demolition and restoration. Thanks to the great leadership of Andy Schwarz and Greg Dietz, progress is being made. However, between now and September 16, the first day for Children’s RE on Sundays, there is still much to do. If you have time, or signed up and haven’t been contacted, please call Andy or Greg and let them know of your availability.

Bring Water on Sunday, September 9, 11:00 AM

Don’t forget to bring water on Sunday, Sept. 9, for our Ingathering Service at 11:00 am. As you remember, we are looking for water from your travel destinations this summer. If you didn’t travel, bring water from home. Also, on September 2, the Labor Sunday Service, begins at 10 am. This is the last 10 am service of the summer.

Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network Covenanting Event

Please mark your calendars for PIIN’s major coming out service on Sunday, October 21, at 4:00 pm, at Wesley Center AME Zion Church, 2701 Centre Avenue on the Hill. It would be great to get 20-25 AUUCers in attendance.

Another Recycling Opportunity

Jeanne Zang reports that some area post offices have displays with mailers for recycling used printer ink cartridges. You just drop your cartridge in and send it postage free. You can also buy ink refill kits at Giant Eagle, but that doesn’t always work out too well. If you want to recycle your cartridge and can’t find the mailers at your post office, Jeanne has volunteered to provide them to anyone who needs them.

Schedule

Greeters

September 2 - Jeanne Zang, Pete McQuillin

September 9 - Rich Graham, Beth Halliday

September 16 - Kathy Kozachenko, Andy Schwarz

September 23 - Mark Tomlinson, Peter Adams

September 30 - Youth Greeters

Refreshments

September 2 - Diane McMahon

September 9 - Melanie McDonald (set up), Ann Sitrin (clean)

September 16 - Betty Schwarz (s), Jane Schwarz ©

September 23 - Kate Tomlinson (s), Kiki Barley (c)

September 30 - Jane Dirks (s), Jean McQuillan (c)

Bulletin Board

UU Church of North Hills Celebrates 40 Years

We are all invited to celebrate with our North Hills’ UU friends as they mark 40 years as a UU congregation on the weekend of September 15-16. Armor and Sturtevant, great UU musicians, will be with them to provide great music both Saturday evening and Sunday morning at service. Information is in the Emerson Room. There is a supper on Saturday evening and reservations must be made, preferably by September 1. But if you are late, I would still call.

Young Adults

Young Adults ages 18-35 are invited to attend Sunday evening gatherings at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside. For more information, contact Doug O'Neal (doneal@cobweb.net), Liz Heltman (jademren@usa.net), or Anne Green (412-344-2534).

Family Folk Concert

Folk Singer Nan Hoffman will perform at First Unitarian Church September
30 at 2 pm. Call First Church for more information.

Just Harvest Annual Dinner

Why not join our good friends at Just Harvest for their annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, October 4, at 6:00pm, to hear George McGovern address issues of food and agriculture. Details are in the Emerson Room. Call 412-464-0739 for more information.

GLENDA Co-Sponsors Cleanup

On Saturday, September 15, from 9:45-1:00 pm, the Gay/Lesbian Neighborhood Development Association will partner with Friends of the Riverfront, to help do a cleanup on the North Shore of the Allegheny River. If you have interest, call Jay Poliziani or let Art know and maybe we can form a wee group from AUUC. GLENDA is contacting many Northside congregations to invite participation.

Stand for Children

The local chapter of Stand for Children will be sponsoring a kick-off luncheon for their efforts on behalf of children on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 11:30-2:30pm at Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg. Call 412-361-3022 for more details.

Northside Ecumenical Service

For a few years now a group of Christian churches have been gathering for religious services on the Northside; several of us have participated from time to time. On Sunday, Sept. 23, at 1:30pm, there will be such an event at the Aviary. Anyone interested?

Rally against Globalization

On Sunday, Sept. 30, there will be a major protest in Washington, DC, against the monetary policies of the IMF and the World Bank, etc. Details will be forthcoming. Buses and autos will be traveling for this event.

Help Wanted—Excellent Benefits

Looking for a new way to get involved and contribute to AUUC? If you have some editorial and page-layout skills and access to a home computer, then you might consider editing the Advocate. What’s involved:

-Edit/proofread text provided by Minister, Committee Chairs and other members and friends. No writing required.

-Layout newsletter and calendar using any desktop publishing package (MS Publisher, etc.)

-5-8 hours per month of time.

If you have the time and inclination, see Art McDonald or John Schriefer for more details. As for the benefits—isn’t it great being a part of the AUUC community? Wouldn’t you get tremendous satisfaction helping to keep us all informed of local goings-on?

Advocacy Report

Rev. Art McDonald

Minister/Director of Social Advocacy

Summer’s End

It is striking to me how rapidly this summer has passed. In part that has been because I have been in and out of Pittsburgh so frequently, some of that time a great vacation in Boston and Maine, and part due to denominational activities such as General Assembly (Cleveland-June), Summer Institute (Ohio-July), and UU Urban Disciples (San Francisco-August). I am looking forward to returning from the coast on August 27 and re-orienting myself to good old Pittsburgh.

AUUC had four people at GA this year, probably the biggest group ever for us, at least in recent history. Sarah-Wade Smith, Donald Zeilman, Jane Dirks and I represented the congregation and witnessed the largest GA ever - over 4,000 participants. The major news was the election of Rev. Bill Sinkford as UUA President. Bill is the first African-American to be elected as leader of our Denomination/Association. AUUC voted for him over Rev. Diane Miller.

Although it was anticipated that it would be a close election, Bill garnered 70 percent of the vote. The only explanation I have for that is the General Assembly itself. There must have been many undecideds in attendance, since Sinkford’s campaign was pretty sure it would be close based on their informal surveys, but a candidates’ forum at GA seemed to tip the scales in Bill’s direction. Though I didn’t attend it, since I had heard Bill and Diane square off several times in the past year, those who did attend said that Sinkford was a clear winner.

At any rate, I think Bill is a pretty progressive fellow with a serious interest in social justice – racial, economic, gender, sexual orientation, environmental, etc. His very first communication, which the church just received last week, concerned Bush’s tax “rebate” and Bill’s suggestion that we donate it (those who even receive one) to the UU for public witness work on justice issues. Although this could be interpreted as self-serving, in the letter Bill was very clear about his disagreement with Bush about cutting taxes and his view that this action benefited the rich at the expense of the poor. I was proud and I told him that in a recent phone conversation. He admitted that he had received some negative comments about the highly political nature of his communiqué, but appreciated the support of a colleague.

Other highlights of GA: The study action issue adopted was on Economic Globalization, i.e., How can UUs respond to the unprecedented opportunities and potentially dangerous environmental, political and quality of life challenges accompanying economic globalization? This is the third major resolution in these past years regarding economic justice – a major shift for our movement which had stayed away from rich/poor issues for decades. There was also a major demonstration at The Cleveland Indian’s stadium protesting the Chief Wahoo logo that the baseball team has used. This was coordinated with local groups of indigenous folks and the UCC church. Also, The UUA bylaws were amended to establish a position on the Board of Trustees for a youth delegate. Youth presence at GAs has increased significantly in these last years.

We had four AUUC participants at GA and 28! at Summer Institute. There were only three other congregations with more members than AUUC, and they were all drawing off larger membership numbers. Kent had 71 attendees from a congregation of about 150; quite amazing. At any rate, SI has become a major AUUC activity and it truly is a very good community-builder for our group and for the District - just ask the “Rose sisters”, Katie and Anna! I was asked to lead morning worship services and, though it represented a lot of preparation time, it was a very enjoyable role to be asked to play. A wonderful musical talent, Hal Walker from Kent, provides a very rich musical accompaniment to the service with his work with the choir and Pat Lorei from Erie does a great job with the band. Kenyon College is a lovely site for the week, a good facility, pretty decent food, and a very welcoming staff. I was very pleased to be part of this positive denomination-District activity.

Now I’m off to San Francisco for a gathering of the Urban Disciples, a group of 10 or so ministers/activists working in urban churches. It is a Veatch-funded program and I serve as a kind of consultant on urban ministry. I’ll be back by the time you read this.

Welcoming Congregation

There is a program in the UU world focused on the inclusion of the GLBT community in our congregational life. It was developed in the late 1980s and about 260 congregations have participated and been recognized as welcoming – including First Unitarian in Pittsburgh. It involves workshops and action steps that both educate and sensitize the congregation to issues and attitudes that affect the GLBT community. A few years ago, a number of GLBT folks at Allegheny considered this program and thought, for various reasons, that AUUC didn’t need to go through this process. The feeling was that we were already practicing what the program aimed to accomplish. Also, we had a sizeable percentage of our congregation from the GLBT community. At the moment, 27 percent of AUUCers identify as GLBT. At a meeting in Boston a few months back, Keith Kron, who heads up the Office of GLBT Concerns, said that he only knew of about 10 congregations in the movement of 1100 that had more than 20% GLBT members.

Nevertheless, despite our decision of several years ago, I do think it is worth looking at the program again and deciding whether or not it is worth participating, whether the entire process, or, more likely, a streamlined version. As I look at the hoped-for outcomes of such a process, I think AUUC has already accomplished a lot. Nevertheless, I do think there are areas in which we could become more aware and active. Keith told me to look at the outcomes and contact him about a possible modified approach.

At any rate, I led a service on the Welcoming Congregation theme on August 19 at AUUC and it was an opportunity for me to process what insights I’ve gained about GLBT issues and assess my own commitment to the struggle for justice. I am aware that I have a lot to learn and understand and that there are many ways in which this heterosexual male doesn’t get it. As part of the service, I built in some time for the service attendees to look at a grid on GLBT concerns and where our congregation might fall on that grid. The grid uses language such as “structural heterosexism” and one of us raised the question as to its meaning. Although I think it is easily identifiable, during the service I didn’t respond very clearly. It’s true, such language can seem vague and theoretical, yet the reality is quite concrete.

Later Sunday evening I began thinking how I could have responded to the issue. Structural heterosexism involves privilege, i.e., who has unquestioned rights and who doesn’t. Typically, white males have the most privilege and represent a kind of norm, although others also have certain privileges.

For example, take the Boy Scouts issue. Only heterosexuals can serve in leadership capacities. Gay men are excluded by the very structures of the organization. In this case, of course, skin color is not the issue but sexual orientation. How about the University of Pittsburgh’s policy of not extending partner rights to employees with same sex partners, or the very fact that there is no legal standing for same sex unions, i.e., no marital rights. The same applies to same-sex partners with children-there are prohibitions about adoption.

The list goes on and on in which heterosexuals have rights not extended to GLBT folks. There are many subtle forms of “structural heterosexism” as well, but these are just the more obvious examples. At any rate, I was disappointed that such examples didn’t immediately occur to me during the service, an example, I think, of the work I still must do to become a justice seeker with the GLBT community.

As part of the service, I did pass out questionnaires developed by the Welcoming Congregation Committee which a number of people filled out and turned in. I’ll leave them available and am happy to collect more to get a sense of the congregation on these issues. In September we’ll have more opportunity to decide how we might like to proceed on this issue, or determine where we are with GLBT issues and contact the UUA office for inclusion on its list.

Board/Committee Retreat A Success

Thanks to the good work of President, Jeanne Zang, and with the help of skilled facilitator and AUUC friend, Nancy Fitzgerald, a group of 12-15 board and committee members met on Saturday, August 18, to map out this year’s calendar and to discuss future directions concerning growth, development and change. Minutes from the meeting will be compiled and circulated in September.

Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network

Although it has been tough to maintain momentum over the summer months, PIIN is moving ahead in searching for a full-time community organizer and preparing for a major “coming-out” event, currently scheduled for Sunday, October 21, at 4:00 pm, at Wesley Center AME Zion Church on the Hill. It would really be great if 20-25 AUUCers could participate in that event so please put it in your calendar. We will invite local leaders and announce our intentions at this gathering. It will serve as a prelude to an issues’ convention to be held in mid-November at which we will choose issues of focus for the year.

At an Executive Committee meeting in July, we decided to hire Rev. Lauran Webb as a part-time administrator for the foreseeable future. There was too much work accumulating for just volunteers to handle. Lauran has been great.

Lastly, there is a week-long training sponsored by Gameliel in Chicago, slated for November 11-17. I am tentatively planning to attend so that I can be sure of my own buy-in to the model. Or at least see and experience first-hand ways in which my own philosophy might differ. It would be great for three or four of us to go. We are trying to raise funds to cover all the costs. Let me know if you have interest.

DA Zappala and the Death Penalty

Shortly before leaving for vacation, our anti-death penalty group of religious leaders met again with DA Zappala to continue the dialogue about the death penalty. He agreed to raise the issue with statewide DAs and to report back to us. His own position is to use the death penalty sparingly, though he feels the current law necessitates that he invoke it when “appropriate.” One of his legal advisors from an ethics committee advised him that advocacy against the death penalty would be a misuse of his office. Hence, he could not appear with us at a Press Conference in an advocacy role. Nevertheless, he is willing to have it publicly known that such a dialogue is underway and that he considers us a group of religious advisors for his office. I don’t know how far this will go but I’ll keep you posted.

Mayor Murphy at Mullen’s

Much to my surprise, Mayor Murphy not only attended Northside Common Ministries’ fundraising breakfast at Mullens on the Northside, but he stayed for over an hour to dialogue with us about homelessness and hunger in the city. I think he genuinely wants to work with us and, again to my surprise, Tom actually listened to our thoughts on the subject. I did not experience the often contentious and defensive Mayor whom I had gotten used to over these years. However, the more we talked about social ills and poverty, the more it became clear to me that Mayor Murphy is a serious social conservative. He seems to have no analysis about structural injustice and/or poverty and the lack of a level playing field. His view is that opportunities abound for anyone willing to step up. If someone isn’t working, that’s a choice in his view.

At any rate, I was pleasantly surprised by his willingness to stay and respond to some criticism and tough questions. I thought he was willing to listen and responded, I think, with honesty. I just realized how far apart we were and that was/is worth knowing. To his credit, I would say, he is pretty honest and works hard. I just wish his politics were very different. I don’t see much hope for change in his views but I am more optimistic that he is becoming a somewhat better listener.

Ritualizing our Faith

Donald Zeilman is planning on putting together a vesper’s service for Friday evening, November 2, on what traditionally has been called All Souls in the Christian calendar. It is, of course, that time of year when there are many pagan rituals to celebrate various spiritual traditions as well. I have been thinking that maybe we should begin doing more services beyond our Sunday time together throughout the year. I have no clear idea when or how such services might look. However, I would be interested in hearing from folks about their ritual interests. Stay tuned for more.

Ever hopeful,

Art

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

Contacts

Minister

Rev. Art McDonald

Director of Religious Education

Kris Thomas

Music Director

Kiki Barley

Board of Trustees

Jeanne Zang

Finance

Pete McQuillin

Growth and Development

Mark Tomlinson

House

Donald Zeilman

Membership

Jane Dirks

Program

Mac McMahon

Religious Education

Lynn Yocum

Social Justice

Jane Schwarz

John Meikle

Telephone—(412) 322-4261

On the Web—www.trfn.org/auuc

Allegheny UU Church

Unitarian House

1110 Resaca Place No. 4

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212