January 2016
DonSense
– by Rev. Don Garrett
Our Theme for January: Heroism
January 3
Happy New Year 2016
Rev. Don Garrett
We’ll celebrate the season
with reflections, release and
renewal. Join the fun!
January 10
Got Mission?
Rev. Don Garrett
We’ll take a look forward at
where our mission might be
leading us.
January 17
The Herosim of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Rev. Don Garrett
We’ll celebrate King’s life by
reflecting on what it took to
do what he did.
January 24
Unitarian Universalist
Heroes
Rev. Don Garrett
We’ll take a look at some of
our courageous ancestors.
January 31
A Year of Wonder
Rev. Robin Capoor
We’ll wrap up the wonder of
the season as a special gift.
What does heroism mean to you? Who are your heroes?
Our culture certainly has some very specific ideas about this. We lift
up the example of our soldiers serving in combat, risking their lives to save
their comrades. We celebrate our first responders for their bravery as they
disregard their own safety in order to save the lives of others. There are
countless examples of this in the media, and they are usually rooted in
some kind of intense conflict or personal risk.
Other times we see the quiet heroism of those who suffer bravely in
the face of disease or hardship. There are many, many kinds of heroism
that deserve our recognition and praise.
This month I’d like to lift up the kind of heroism that embraces
peaceful resolutions of difficult situations. The kind of simple,
straightforward witnessing that we sometimes call “speaking truth to
power.”
Sometimes it emerges as an ideal. The nineteenth-century Unitarian
minister, Aiden Ballou, advocated what he called “the standard of practical
Christianity,” which was based on a radical form of pacifism saying that
“We cannot employ carnal weapons nor any physical violence whatsoever,
not even for the preservation of our lives. We cannot render evil for evil . . .
nor do otherwise than love our enemies.
Ballou founded the Hopedale Community in 1841 as the foundation
for a different kind of society. It lasted only about 15 years but provided a
potent platform for modeling a different way of being in the world, a way of
being that was embraced by none other than Leo Tolstoy, who translated
Ballou’s works into Russian. In his book, The Kingdom of God Is Within You,
Tolstoy wrote “one would have thought Ballou’s work would have been
well known,” but that there was a “a kind of tacit but steadfast conspiracy of
silence about all such efforts.”
Fortunately the ideas didn’t stop there. Through Tolstoy, both
Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. were influenced by Aiden
Ballou’s pacifist advocacy. Both Gandhi and King were committed to the
special kind of courage that it takes to confront evil with love rather than
violence. Sometimes acting from a gentle and loving heart can be the most
powerful form of heroism.
See you in church.
– Don
The Link
January 2016
F ROM T HE P RESIDENT
Now that we have come through the
annual season of worthy causes seeking
year-end contributions, comes another
request to support our church. We share
the benefits of our support, with a firstclass Religious Education program,
inspirational music, thoughtful homilies by Rev. Don
and others, and a building which has been improved for
our use and the use of other organizations. Our
community outreach includes Haven, Bethlehem
Sheltering for homeless men, and our participation in
the Lehigh Council of Churches, among others. We
have reached out to help with the settlement of Syrian
refugees in the Lehigh Valley.
Most of our income comes from pledges by
members and friends. Our Service Auction and native
plant sales augment our income, as do rentals, but the
majority of our funds to maintain our building and
provide services comes from the support of those who
have committed their funds to our shared venture..
What seems to be happening this year is that we
are behind on pledge income. In the past, by the end of
November (five month into our fiscal year) we had
received about 57% of pledges; as of this November 30
we received about 54%. In the past, by November 30,
we would have received about 53% of the annual
budget; this year we have received just over 49%.
Please consider sending your pledge soon so that
we may continue the good works of our church!
Cheers -- Ellen Bell, Board President
Page 2
J UST A T HOUGHT - I N P RAISE
OF THE A NNUAL B UCKET L IST
Need a good belly laugh as we lurch from the
warm fuzzies of Christmas into the cold, dark days
of January? Consider watching (or, more likely, rewatching ) The Bucket List! Despite the serious
issues of the film there is plenty to laugh about;
but, just as in real life, Edward (Jack Nicholson)
and Carter (Morgan Freeman) really had to search
for it. While pausing on one of their hare-brained
jaunts, they sat on top of a pyramid looking over
the Giza. Carter, the “Jeopardy “ trivia king, asks
Edward the two questions Egyptians were asked
to enter eternal life. Did you know joy? Did you
bring joy to another person? Not a bad start for a
list of resolutions to sharpen our focus on the
greatest gift the universe presents us each New
Year, time.
The Lay Listening Committee seeks to bring joy by lending their
ears and hearts to members of UUCLV. If you know of anyone
who would enjoy a visit and a chance to share their wisdom, let
Rev. Capoor know.
THE UU-LINK NEEDS YOU!
Don’t forget—the submission deadline for The UU-Link
is the 3rd Sunday of the previous month. For example:
the deadline for the February issue is Sunday, January
17. Submit content via email at [email protected] .
Copy may be edited for length, etc.
A NEW SONG FOR THE NEW YEAR
The Beacon Choir invites you to joint its ranks in the
coming year. It’s a sociable group that meets on
Wednesday evenings from 7:15 until 8:45 and performs
for services once or twice a month except in the
summer. You do not have to be able to read music, so if
you enjoy singing, it is a great way to get to know
people while having fun. Contact the UUCLV music
director Larry Lipkis to let him know you are
interested: [email protected] or 484 554-9199.
The UU-Link is published and mailed monthly,
and is also available on our website.
The Unitarian Universalist Church
of the Lehigh Valley
424 Center Street, Bethlehem PA 18018
Office Phone: 610-866-7652
Office Email: [email protected]
The Link email: [email protected]
Sunday Bulletin & OOS: [email protected]
The eNews: [email protected]
The Minister: [email protected]
We’re on the web at www. uuclvpa.org
The Link
January 2016
JANUARY MEN’S GROUP
The January meeting of the UUCLV Men's Group will be
held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan 4., in the FM kitchen. The
topic will be the New Year. What are you optimistic
about regarding 2016? What are you pessimistic about?
What one event would you be willing to forecast for the
year. Your area(s) can be personal, family, church,
community, state, country or world.
The UUCLV Men's Group is open to all men
affiliated with the UUCLV and their male friends. Please
bring food and/or beverage to be shared. For more
information, contact [email protected] or Frank Claps
at 610-346-7629.
Page 3
JANUARY BREAKFAST FORUM
January 3
December Worship Theme:
Heroism
Rev. Don Garrett, Facilitator
There will be a brief presentation, followed by a smallgroup discussion format and a reuniting later to share
what we’ve learned on the topic of “Heroism” Join in
this adventure in speaking, listening, thinking, reflecting
and sharing together in a new way; another way to live
our values of compassion, nurture, and justice in our
beloved community.
January 10
SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to those who keep our plants and flowers
outside the church growing and fresh. Ilse Zinnes is the
caretaker who keeps the native plants in the front and
the side of the church weeded and maintained.
Thanks, also, to Kate Ranieri and Josie Miserendino
for tending the planters that are located at the Center
Street steps and at the Wall Street entrance. These
planters provide a challenge due both to changing
weather patterns and to the squirrels who love the
planters, too. Both sets of planters really make our
entrances welcoming! Thank you!
JOSEPH CAMPBELL VIDEO SERIES:
POWER OF MYTHS
At the request of several people, we will be presenting
the three series of Joseph Campbell videos on “The
Power of Myths”, with discussion following, on the
second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30
p.m. in Room 304, starting on Wednesday, January 13th.
There are 16 different sessions and we anticipate each
to last about 1 ½ hours depending on the discussion.
Questions, contact Cease Blocker, 610-866-3714.
Yoga as a Spiritual Practice
Claudia Simpson, Presenter
Claudia’s presentation will be a talk, followed by a
gentle, seated yoga/meditation practice, suitable for all.
January 17
Climate Change: Economic Solutions
Randy Gyory, Presenter
Randy is a retired natural gas industry executive and
engineer and member of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of
the Citizens Climate Lobby. He will present a marketbased solution for a healthy, livable climate.
January 24
Transformation of Myths Through
Time: Myths of Ancient Egypt
Peter Stone, Presenter
Campbell reviews endo-European and Semite cultures,
conflicts of their deities, the biblical deity (Yahweh),
cross-cultural religious ideas and the Egyptian myths of
Osiris and Isis. – DVD
January 31
Sounds Jewish: Stories from London;
Could be Anywhere
Dan Poresky, Presenter
No matter where they call home, Jews find welcome
and familiarity almost everywhere they travel, be it
London, Lima or Lincoln NE. Get a glimpse of why while
enjoying a few specially selected stories of Jews in
London told on Sounds Jewish, a radio podcast from
England. It's the food, the gatherings, the humor and
shared history.
The Link
January 2016
FROM THE LIFESPAN
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) FOR
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Our First Children’s Worship Service
Twelve children and four adults attended the first RE
worship. I followed more or less the same liturgy as the
adult service, so they were familiar with each element. I
created an Order of Service so they (and I) could follow
along. Just as in the adult monthly theme, our theme was
Wonder. We had an engaging conversation. One of the
children described wonder as the feeling of amazement.
That helped them to understand the context of the word.
We talked about where we have felt wonder: in nature,
big cities, looking at the sky.
I used Rev. Don’s special meditation bell as a call to
become quiet. The children were especially quiet as they
listened to the bell. They raised their hands when they
couldn’t hear it any more. Most of them were familiar
with the hymn Enter, Rejoice and Come In. After Joys
and Sorrows, we sang Spirit of Life. The children had the
printed words and they knew the melody, so they sang
well. We had our own offertory and collected a little
over $15.00. At the end of the year, we’ll vote on which
charity will receive the money.
The story I chose about wonder was written for a
slightly older age group, so it wasn’t as engaging as I had
hoped. Next time I will take care to find a great story,
preferably a picture book. I sensed some restlessness in
the group, so since we had talked about wonder at the
beginning, I decide to move to the craft activity. They
made window ornaments out of black paper cutout
shapes. Using decorative hole punches, they punched
out shapes of stars, snowflakes and maple leafs. They
then glued colored crepe paper on the back, giving the
effect of stained glass. It was a very fun exercise that had
them engaged for over 20 minutes. We closed with a
circle where we held hands and passed the squeeze.
Overall it was a great morning. I hope the children
had as much fun as I did. They inspire me to do my
work. Next month we’ll have a children’s worship on
Martin Luther King weekend. The story and theme will
be social action and the project will be related to that.
In faith,
Jansen Wendell, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
([email protected])
Page 4
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
MULTI-GEN GAMES NIGHT & CHILI COOK-OFF:
(Saturday, January, 16 at 6:00 pm. )
Keep an eye out for a sign-up sheet to bring your special
chili – vegetarian, turkey, all bean, sausage, spicy or
gluten free. We’ll crown a Chili Champion. Bring your
favorite board games, CD’S. Tickets will be sold at the
door. Proceeds will benefit the Coming of Age trip to
heritage trip Boston.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION :
MINDFULNESS PRACTICE GROUP,
led by Reverend Don Garrett
(Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 8:30):
With the help of conscious breathing we are able to
touch and be nourished by the peace and joy that are
available within and around us, in the here and now.
We meet most weeks to learn, practice, and enjoy the
benefits of mindfulness in our lives, our relationships,
and in the larger communities of which we are a part.
Contact Rev. Garrett at [email protected] for info.
JOSEPH CAMPBELL VIDEO SERIES –
THE POWER OF MYTHS
(Session 1: Wednesday, January 13 at 7:30 in room 304.
continuing on 2ndand 4th Wednesdays of each month.)
In lively, expansive dialogues, inspirational scholar
Joseph Campbell discusses how myths hold the key to
understanding human experience. They may vary
superficially from culture to culture, but at their
deepest level they all reveal the path to self-fulfillment,
social integration, and ultimately, transcendence.
Discussion will follow. There are 16 sessions, lasting
about 1 1/2 hour depending on the discussion. Contact
Cease Blocker at 610-866-3714 or [email protected].
LONG STRANGE TRIP: 2000 YEARS OF UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST HISTORY (DVD series):
This set of 6 DVDs, available for loan, trace the history
and evolution of Unitarianism, Universalism, and the
merger of the two into today’s Unitarian Universalism. If
you want to find out about how our “Uncommon
Denomination” came to be what it is today, from its roots
in the Reformation to the American Revolution to the
Civil War to the Transcendentalist Movement to the
present, these movies are entertaining and captivating.
Contact Jansen Wendell to arrange to borrow DVD’s.
The Link
January 2016
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR:
Sun, Jan 3: Story for all ages, followed by regular RE
classes
Sun, Jan 10: Story for all ages, followed by regular RE
classes
Sat, Jan 16: All church games night and chili cook-off.
Sun, Jan 17: Children’s worship and social action festival
in room 208
Sun, Jan 24: Story for all ages, followed by regular RE
classes
Sun, Jan 31: Story for all ages, followed by regular RE
classes
Sat, Feb 6, 6-9:30pm, the gym: All Church Barn Dance
and Pot Luck
Sun, Feb 7: Story for all ages, followed by regular RE
classes
Sun, Feb 14: Story for all ages, followed by regular RE
classes
Sun, Feb 21: Story for all ages, regular RE classe
Sun, Feb 28: Multi-generational Youth-led service
Page 5
LUMINARIA NIGHT TRADITION
CELEBRATED AT UUCLV!
On December 12, Ellen Bell, Robin Capoor, Dora
Davenport and Margo Dixon "lit up the night" along with
hundreds of other people associated with businesses and
private homes in Bethlehem, as part of a 17 year
tradition.
L to R: Margo Dixon, Ellen Bell, Robin Capoor, and Dora Davenport
prepare to light the luminaria they’d created for the UUCLV display as
part of Bethlehem's Annual Luminaria Night, December 12,2015.
The Luminaria Night event is a fundraiser for New
Betheny Ministries of Bethlehem. The UUCLV has
participated for many years. This year, every structure
on each corner at the intersection of Center and Wall
streets was illuminated with luminaria.
Lighting candles in white paper bags filled with sand
does not sound like a fun way to spend two hours on a
Saturday, but it is really very satisfying, especially when
you realize that through the effort, $82,000 was raised
for the New Betheny Ministry, which provides shelter
and housing for needy families all year.
This is the second year "Luminaria Lighting" has
been offered for the UUCLV Service Auction. Next year,
why don't you sign up? You'll get a Mexican dinner, and
have a lot of fun, as well! Thanks to the four enlighteners
of this year.
The Link
January 2016
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Our next book discussion is Sunday, January 10th, in the
RE Library at 12:00 noon after the service. The book for
discussion is Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by
Sarah Vowell. Chronicling General Lafayette's years in
Washington's army, Vowell reflects on the ideals of the
American Revolution versus the reality of the
Revolutionary War.
Her telling of the Revolution is just as much a story of
friendship: between Washington and Lafayette, between
the Americans and their French allies and, most of all
between Lafayette and the American people. There is a
video of Sarah Vowell discussing her book at http://
www.c-span.org/video/?329001-1/book-discussionlafayette-somewhat-united-states
February's book for Black History Month is The
Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley. For
further information please contact us at
[email protected]
Page 6
FULLY-INTEGRATED BAKED
POTATO BAR AND CONVERSATION
Margo Dixon will host a "Fully Integrated Baked Potato
Bar and Conversation" at her home, 3916 Oakland Road,
Bethlehem, at 5:30 p.m.,on Monday, January 18. This
event was offered at the recent Auction fund raiser, but
with the wrong date.
There is room for another couple of participants, if
you are interested in sharing baked sweet or white
potatoes with fixings, and discussions about integration,
Civil Rights, political correctness, "Black Lives Matter"
or anything else we decide to discuss, call Margo at 610
-419-0219. Call with questions, too. Looking forward to
a night of heated discussion and potatoes!
The Link
SHELTER CELEBRATIONS
The Wednesday Night Men's Emergency Shelter has
moved to the gym and we all have cause to celebrate!!!
This new location gives our guests so much more
room to spread their cots and sleeping bags. Although
all in one room, it
actually gives our
guys more privacy
in their own little
space. Our
volunteer meal
preparers and
kitchen volunteers
are celebrating
the added space in
the gym kitchen,
the beautiful
restaurant stove,
and of course, the
dish washer.
We all can
celebrate our new
movie screen, our
donated projector
and the gym
Nicolas, the first person to use the new
sound system,
showers as part of the UUCLV Shelter Night
used to watch our
weekly film.
BUT...it's the new bathrooms and showers that
brought the biggest smiles to our guest's and
volunteer's faces. What a good feeling !! Thank you to
all our donors and the UUCLV Congregation for making
this all possible.
The shelter committee also thanks our wonderful
volunteers for these first weeks: Gail Bernhard, Linda
Brown, Tom Church, Stephen Curtis, Cecilia Eberhard,
Don Garrett, Linda, Maddie , Caddie Hammel, Erica
Harris, Gene Hunter, Joyce Jackson, Dave and Lib
Kiefer, Glenn Minnick, Jan Phillips, Tara Quinlivan,
Eliana Sekkidou, Kathy Stagl,Tara Stephenson, David
Style, Bernie Toseland, Jean Walat, Sue Weber, Tom
Zimmerman, Allen Zinnes. We never could do it
without you.
-- The Emergency Shelter Committee of the UUCLV
January 2016
Page 7
2016 FOURTH FRIDAY FILM SERIES
The 2016 Fourth Friday Film (FFF) Series is presented
by the Social Action Committee of The Unitarian
Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center
Street, Bethlehem at 7:15 PM in our community room!
The series has a strong emphasis on promoting the
common good as it relates to saving our environment,
reversing economic inequality, and repairing our
democracy so it works for everyone. The Website for
the film series is www.FFFInfo.blogspot.com.
We invite groups/organizations to join us in this
important endeavor by co-sponsoring one or more of
the presentations (publicize event, add expertise to the
discussion).
We also hope that local college and university
professors and their students will connect with FFF
programs that align with their curricula and/or
interest.
Please contact Tom Ulrich at 610-882-1136 or
[email protected] for more information.
January 22
DREAM ON
This film explores to what degree the optimistic spirit
of the American Dream is alive and well in the 21st
century.
February 26
HEIST: WHO STOLE THE AMERICAN DREAM
Looks at how we got into the current economic
disaster and what we need to do to restore economic
justice.
March 25
FIX IT:
HEALTHCARE AT THE TIPPING POINT
A film that reaches across the political and ideological
divide to expand support for healthcare reform.
April 22
GUNNED DOWNED:
THE POWER OF THE NRA
Frontline looks at the power of the pro-gun lobby, and
we look for answers on reducing gun violence.
UUCLV
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley
424 Center Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Address Service Requested
NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
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LEHIGH VALLEY
PA
PERMIT No. 546