UU Fellowship of Ligonier Valley

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Sunday Service

A welcoming home for liberal religious thought and action in eastern Westmoreland County
 
“The success of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

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In September 2007 we received the status of "Welcoming Congregation"
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.

 
 
 

 

First Friday Events...
 
On the first Friday of each month beginning in early fall and running through May, the UU Fellowship of Ligonier Valley presents a evening program of religious, philosophic, ethical or other vital topic affecting humankind. It is free to the public. First Friday events will begin again in September or October. Topics to be announced.
 
 
How to Find Us...
 
Ligonier, proceed east on Route 30 for approximately 1.5 miles. We are on the right side of the road just beyond Ligonier Valley Beach. Coming from the east we are about 2 miles west of Laughlintown on the left side of Route 30. Look for a large blue sign with white lettering.
 
Our mailing address is:
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ligonier Valley
P.O. Box 692
1724 Route 30 (East)
Ligonier, PA 15658

Our telephone is usually unattended, but you are welcome to leave questions via voice mail. Please call 724-238-7797.