The Unitarian Universalist 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.
“Every religion is true in one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically.
But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble.” -Joseph
Campbell
Schedule of Events
Services.....May
Our Sunday service starts at
10:30. It is followed by a break for snacks and coffee. After the break many of our members and friends
stay for a half hour's lively discussion of the morning's topic.
May 5 Who Do You Think You Are? A great part of our self-image
comes from internalizing the judgments of others. But how accurate are these views? Are they helping or hurting us? Let’s
look at whether we should accept, discard or update old labels that follow us through our lives. Presented by Carole
Kurek.
May 12 Lost Love In the Christian Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament clearly identify God’s greatest
commandment for us. In light of that, one would suppose Love would have a prominent place in Christian theology and worship,
but it doesn’t. In addition to wondering why that is so, I also wonder what would happen if it could be given its rightful
place. Presented by Jim Galik, President of the UU Fellowship of Ligonier Valley.
May
19 Transcendence and Meaning Our fourth UU principle talks about a “free and responsible
search for truth and meaning”. We will ex[lore the idea of meaning. Presented by Leo Nagorsky, Humanist minister and
member of the Allegheny Center UU Church.
May 26 The Third Jesus, the
one that can’t be ignored Using insights from guru Deepak Chopra, our minister,
Dr. Renee Waun, will examine the three understandings of the one called Jesus: historical; mythical; and inspirational. How
do some UUs interpret his life and teachings?
Religious Education Classes...
Our 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.
Religious
education classes are held for both primary school age children and teens. Children attend the first
part of the Sunday service with their parents and then leave for their own classes.
Religious Education
Primary/Intermediate Class:
UU Holidays
and Holy Days: A Whole Year of Celebration
May 12- Mothers'
Peace Day- Led by Betsy Poole
May 26- Certificates awarded and continuation
of wildlife habitat work- Led by Caroline Reed
High School Class:
Sacred Threads: An Asian Religions Curriculum for High School Youth
Babysitting Schedule
May 12- Review of lessons from the
year and wildlife habitat work- led by Karlice Makuchan
May 26-Certificates awarded and continuation of wildlife
habitat work- Led by Karlice Makuchan
Babysitting Schuedule
May 5-
Sara Ruckosky
May 12- Connie Frank
May 19- Ed Makuchan
May 26- Jean Slusser
Other Activities...
Our book discussion group meets at 7:30 PM on the second Wednesday of the month. All interested readers are welcome to participate. One is not required to be a member.
May 8 - Wanderlust: A History of Walking by Rebecca Solnit
June 12 - Kamouraska
by Anne Hébert
UUFLV Self Inquiry Group
What
Is Real?
Is it possible for the mind to recognize or comprehend physical reality with which it has had no prior
experience? Can the same be true of mental and emotional ideas and concepts? What does this say for such things as peace,
the things that are grouped and known as the esoteric and the concept of God? If we were presented with actual examples of
such things, is it possible that we would not comprehend them and totally reject their existence?
“What Is Real?”
will be the subject of our discussion on May 1. 7:30 PM.
The Beginning of All
Real Knowledge
“The knowledge of even the wisest of all men, if communicated to us, will be nothing more
than an opinion, as long as it is not experienced within our own selves. As long as we cannot penetrate within the soul of
Man, we can know little about him but his corporal form; but how could we penetrate within the soul of another as long as
we do not know our own? Therefore the beginning of all real knowledge is the knowledge of Self, the knowledge of the Soul
and not the vagaries of the brain.”- Franz Hartman
The question: “What do you really know?”
Discussion
on May 15th at 7:30 PM.
The Self Inquiry Group usually meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 7:30 PM. Meetings are held
in the lower level of our building. Use the downstairs back entrance. Convenient parking in the back lot.
The Course In Miracles discussion group
meets on the second Friday of the month at 1624 Old Linn Run Road, Rector.
Everyone is welcome. Book is not required.
led by C. J. Frank. Meet at 7:00 PM.
