Unitarian Universalists of Pittsfield

Food for Thought

office — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:48:04 +0000

During the recent Executive Committee Retreat (followed by a great church picnic) there were discussions and brainstorming among the Officers and Committee Chairs regarding concerns and opportunities for the coming year. The discussions led me to three separate but intertwined trains of thought which I understand best as Faith, Politics and Common Respect. It seems almost prophetic that the current “Muslim Community Center and Mosque at Ground Zero” conflict has further illuminated and crystallized my thinking regarding the three.
FAITH
Faith is often used in a religious context, as in theology, where it almost universally refers to a trusting belief in a transcendent reality, or else in a Supreme Being and/or this being’s role in the order of transcendent, spiritual things. Unitarian Universalist faith is based in the 7 principles of our covenant (commitment) rather than a Supreme Being. Our individual and collective search for truth is unencumbered by proclaimed dogma leaving us free to embrace those principles of other doctrines and theology that resonate within our spirits and makes common sense to us. The principles are based on common humanitarian principles, social justice and equality and common decency. Faith is the confident belief or trust in the truth or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. UU faith is in part the belief and the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared, based on our covenant, its moral authority and truthfulness. The Mosque at Ground Zero is argued as a conflict between constitutional first amendment rights and the separation of church and state. It has become a political attack between Democrats and Republicans, Progressives and Conservatives. I am an ardent political being and the attack against the creation of the Muslim mosque on religious grounds is to my mind an egregious violation of constitutional rights, but it is also a profound violation of most of the principles of my UU covenant. I find that I am compelled to give voice to my faith and my political indignation. We sometimes have to find an appropriate way to do each if we honor the wall of separation which protects both institutions.
POLITICS
The separation of church and state is a legal and political principle derived from various documents of several of the Founders of the United States. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” In an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, Jefferson spoke of the combined effect of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. His purpose in this letter was to assuage the fears of the Danbury, Connecticut Baptists, and so he told them that this wall had been erected to protect them. To my mind the attempt to prohibit the development of a Muslim mosque at “Ground Zero” is a clear violation of the “Establishment Clause” Some of the Executive Committee Retreat discussion revolved around concern regarding the 501c3 IRS rules which derive from the above wall of separation. We as a congregation must continue to struggle with the inherent political principles of the First Amendment. That is to guard against church based or sponsored activities that put us at risk of violating 501c3 rules while ensuring congregants the free exercise of defending their beliefs based on our covenant are preserved.
COMMON RESPECT
The most compelling argument for forcing the removal of the planned community center and mosque is that it is insensitive to the families of the victims of the 9/11 attack by Al Qaeda. Compassion is a hard point to argue against (even as a pretext). Passion for the feelings of others is a compelling humanistic principle. I don’t know many people more compassionate than Unitarian Universalists and we often have the challenge of accommodating competing compassions in our Sunday services and committee discussions. Some parts of the “order of services” such as Announcements and Joys and Concerns are the foundation for our practices of “caring and sharing”. But, as a practical matter we have a limited amount of time to divide between transformational messaging and caring and sharing messaging. We rely on common respect to allow as many people as possible to share joys, concerns and important events going on that are of interest to all our congregants. Fortunately we have additional ways to support these desirable parts of our coming together. The social hour following the service is one opportunity to share additional time. We also – thanks to Bob Shepherd, our Webmaster – have a first class website that extends opportunities for sharing news, announcements and calendars. I hope people will consider using these other occasions to share and communicate. The Executive Committee is weighing other ways to fairly and equitably moderate the limited amount of time for caring and sharing exchanges, but common respect for each other will go a long ways and three of our 7 covenant principles address this thought:
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations [and in society at large]

Respectfully Submitted,
Gerry Robinson

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed

office — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:42:52 +0000

Don’t forget to sign up in the Social Hall, we all enjoy the time we spend together after service reconnecting, meeting new people and visitors, and it is an easy way to volunteer to support the church. Coffee, tea, sugar and paper supplies are stocked in the kitchen, all that needs to be done is milk for the coffee and a few goodies to snack on. It does not need to be elaborate and home baked!

Sunday Service Committee

office — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:38:25 +0000

In consideration of the timeliness and flow of the Sunday Service, we are asking that all announcement be written ahead of time and place on the podium to be read by the lay leader. There will be forms available on the foyer table with space for all the pertinent information: what group, date, time and place.
We appreciate your cooperation and thank you in advance

Respectfully
Terrill M Ploss
Sunday Services Chair

Pittsfield UU Meditation Sangha

office — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:29:27 +0000

Meeting every Thursday at 6:00 pm, starting with 1/2 hour meditation
175 Wendell Ave, (corner of Broad and Wendell) Pittsfield, MA. 413-358-2626

Sept 2: The Wisdom of Insecurity, a audio DVD by Pema Chodron, introduced by one of our Sangha, Tim Wright

Sept 9: A Surprise talk by one of our Sangha, Craig Johnson

Sept 16: Audio of one of Pema Chodron’s teachings on Compassion introduced by Tim Wright

Sept 23: Hatha Yoga Buddhist Meditation by Felicity Lodro, Australian student of Traleg Kyabdon Rinpoche

Sept 30: Sangha discussion

All are Welcome

Qigong and Tai Chi Chaun Classes

office — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:38:56 +0000

Anne Icardi will be practicing Qigong and Tai Chi Chaun in the Social Hall on Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 pm. The class is free and donations to the church will be accepted.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention. It promotes good health by facilitating the body’s internal healing mechanisms to relieve stress, develop flexibility, improve coordination and increase stamina. Qigong requires no former training and/or level of fitness.

Tai Chi Chaun is an ancient form of self defense that has been refined into a slow, graceful, rhythmic exercise. Often referred to as moving meditation, it is a method for developing relaxation, concentration, physical and mental balance. In Master Kai Ying Tung’s words, “The goal of Tai Chi Chaun is not to demonstrate strength, power or violence. The goal is to attain serenity, tranquility and the discovery of oneself. It is truly an exercise of the mind.”

Balance & Strength Exercise Class

office — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:23:56 +0000

Join us as we improve our balance, increase strength and have fun doing it!
This class features low impact, weight bearing exercise that can be modified to accommodate all levels of ability.
Kas (our Church Administrator) studied exercise physiology and has been trained in adapted exercise and osteoporosis prevention. She has worked for area Council on Aging organizations, community centers and schools.
Class meets weekly Tuesday 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Social Hall at the church, 175 Wendell Ave. (the corner of Broad and Wendell Avenue) in Pittsfield.
Cost is $8.00 per class. Your first class is free! For more information call Kas.

Pittsfield’s Unitarian Universalist Church partners with Rotary and Rotary International and the Town of Washington, Mass in Haitian Relief Effort

Bob Shepherd — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:12:58 +0000

The Result - click to enlarge

The Social Responsibility Committee members, Eddie O Toole and Sheila McKenna, went to the Mapleview Nursing Home at the invitation of the Board of Selectman of Washington township. The nursing home had been empty for many years and the Board and Committee wanted the equipment to be used for a good purpose. Eddie and Sheila began investigating how to get the crank style bed frames and some other hospital equipment to Haiti. Sheila, who is also a Rotarian, presented that club’s Benevolence Committee and board a request for funding for the transportation.

Gonzalo Bermudez disassembles a bed tray for shipping

The Pittsfield Rotary Club board donated $2,000 for shipping and bedding, to Miami. From Miami, Sheila arranged that Rotary International took the shipment onto the island where Dr. Claude Surena head of the Haitian Rotary Relief organization, paid the duties and got the equipment to the clinic.

The first dismantling and stacking work day was TEAM O’Toole and members president Gerry Robinson, Kelly O’Toole, Sunrisa O’Toole and Gonzalo Bermudez, who brought his two brothers to dismantle the frames and sides, and stack the frames along the steep driveway for the next day’s loading into the semi van. On Saturday August 14th, members of the Board of Selectmen of the town of Washington, Kinzer Davis and Rose Bornis and their families, joined Rotarians Sheila McKenna, Rotary president Don Ferry, Charlie Wetherall, Mark Busch, Don Derry, Tom Hamel, John Reynolds, the O’Toole Army, Gerry Robinson and Gonzalo and Gilberto Bermudas to load the truck and see it off to Miami.

Kelley O'Toole takes time off to prepare refreshment for the crew

The Social Responsibility Committee is Chaired by Pamela Weeks and Paula Robinson.
Eddie, Sunrisa and Kelly O’Toole have worked for over 15 years on humanitarian efforts in and for Honduras, where they built a school, brought medical aid and education, and lived within the community. The Pittsfield Unitarian Universalist Church supported their efforts during this period, and members had visited and donated time and professional services to that community. Dr. Michael Kaplan has brought his medical expertise, and most recently Linda Giancola has visited and worked there.

The cargo, ready for loading on truck

Newsletter Will Go Digital

Terrill Ploss — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:10:10 +0000

In accordance with our efforts to be green, and the mission of our Green Sanctuary,
the newsletter will be emailed beginning in October 2010
This will save on paper, postage and wear and tear on our equipment. Please send an email to the office office@uupittsfield.org to confirm you contact information so we can begin to compile an email list. We will of course also send a “paper” newsletter to those who do not have email, please either mail or phone in your request, so we may have an accurate count. Thank you~