The Unitarian Univeralist Fellowship of Ligonier Valley is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist
Association. Ours is a denomination whose principles are based on tolerance and freedom of religious belief with an emphasis
on the integration of faith and reason. Our roots date back at least 400 years to Poland and Transylvania. We have had many
notable thinkers and activists such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Clara Barton and Albert Schweitzer as members. While our community's
heritage is Judeo-Christian we find value in opening ourselves to a variety of religious experiences. In September 2007 we
received the status of "Welcoming Congregation" from the Unitarian Universalist Association. This was the culmination
of a two year long program including workshops, discussions and outreach programs designed to support the rights and worth
of bisexual, gay and lesbian people and to make them and all other individuals to feel safe, secure and welcome in our congregation.
Our Sunday service starts at 10:30. It is followed by a
break for snacks and coffee. After the break many stay for a lively discussion of the morning's topic.
Schedule of Services for June and July
June
7 Annual Meeting A short service will be followed by our annual meeting. Election of officers,
adoption of a budget and other necessary business items will be considered and voted on.
June 14 Witch Hunting in the Middle Ages We hear a lot about torture
nowadays, and it is of course nothing new. Those (mostly women) suspected of witchcraft in medieval Europe were tortured,
tried, and if found to be guilty, executed. The whole episode of witch hunting forms a pall over the history of Christianity
in the Middle Ages. Presented by Dr. Sue Lau, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.
June 21 The Rumi Solution Describing the
life and work of Jelaluddin Rumi. Rumi is able to verbalize the highly personal and often confusing world of personal/spiritual
growth and mysticism in a forward and direct fashion. He does not offend anyone, and he includes everyone. The world of Rumi
is neither exclusively the world of a Sufi, nor the world of a Hindu, nor a Jew, nor a Christian; it is the highest state
of a human being — a fully evolved human. Presented by David Graham.
June
27 The Butterfly Effect Everything we do has an impact on the world, whether we realize
or understand it or not. Would we pay more attention to our actions if we thought about this more, or would we live the
way we always have? Our minister, Dr. Renee Waun will present.
July 5 The Fist of God Some masters
of Zen Buddhism are said to have used the infliction of physical pain, and even serious bodily injury, to help their
students achieve enlightenment. Although I do not consider myself a Buddhist, I do practice a form of meditation called "Mindfulness,"
and I did recently have an enlightening experience from an unexpected source. Presented by Jim Galik, President of the our
Fellowship.
July 12 Becoming Love We
all have our own definition of "love"...for our spouse, children, family, pets, job, etc. But what about the
bigger, sacred, unconditional kind of love that the Divine calls us to? How do we learn to see God in everyone and everything?
How do we learn to see God in ourselves? How do we express this most important love of all..the love that transcends
people and place and the attachments of our own ego? Presented by guest UU Minister, Reverend Debra Thackrah.
July 19 Laughter, the Best Medicine Steve Powers
will speak briefly about recent changes in medical philosophy regarding the benefits of humor in regards to patient recovery.
After this he’ll tell a few jokes and then we will go around the room and share our favorite jokes. Everyone is
encouraged to participate in the joke telling segment by bringing their favorite joke in to share with all. All jokes
should be appropriate for the setting.
July 26
The Bucket List Our minister, Dr. Renee Waun will bring a bucket. Each person will be given an index
card on which to write one or more things you would like to do before you kick the bucket (as in the movie with Jack Nicholson
and Morgan Freeman). As you place your card in the bucket you will be invited to share why you chose to write what you did
on your card. This will be a more informal summer service, set up in the round.
Religious Education ClassesOur classes provide religious education free of dogma. Exploring religious truth, meaning and experience
is central to UU faith. In our communities and as individuals we seek lives of meaning anchored by values and a commitment
to promote principles of justice, safety, tolerance and encouragement. For further information call 814-255-2676 or write
to UU Fellowship of Ligonier Valley, 1730 Route 30 East, P. O. Box 692, Ligonier, PA 15658.
Classes
will resume in September.
First Friday
Our First Friday series will not be held during the summer months. The next First Friday event will be on the first Friday
of October.
Movie Night
Movie night will be Saturday, July
11th at 7:30 PM. It is Race to Execution. It explores the deep
and disturbing link between race and the death penalty in the United States. Rachael Gross, community organizer for Pennsylvanians
for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, will lead a discussion following the showing of the film.
Our Second Wednesday book discussion group will continue meeting throughout the summer. July's
book (July 8) is Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin. at 7:00 PM. All readers
are welcome to participate. There is no membership requirement.
Future selections are:
The Joke by Milan Kundera for August: Truman
by David McCullough for September: The Tin Drum by Gunther Grass for October: The Ogre by Michel Tournier for November and The Bostonians
by Henry James for December.
Peace
Group The monthly meeting will be held on July 17th at 7:00 PM.
