The Steel Chalice

August, 2017

August Worship Theme:

"Strength and Renewal"

"I see the American experience as being defined by the

immigrant paradigm of rupture and renewal: rupture with the

old world, the old ways, and renewal of the self in a bright but

difficult New World."

Ayad Akhtar

"Strength and Resilience"

I was invited by a member of our community to attend

a conversation at the Jewish Community Center

(JCC) about facilitating an intentional dialogue

between the young Jewish and young African

American community, leading to a shared project

serving Youngstown. There was a brief mentioning of

sharing a history of victimhood, and yet living in the

present, looking to the future. There was an

agreement that past trauma did not dictate or

completely encapsulate our person in the present or

our communities.

This leads me to wonder about the role of trauma or

victimization in offering us strength and resilience. We

often, myself included, think of trauma or victimization

as being a hindrance, an obstruction to strength and

resilience. It is pain that often leads us to seeking a

place where we can discover or rediscover a reservoir

of strength, enabling us to be resilient. This pain is

what led many of us to come to church, seeking a

place to help us hold our head up, and keep our spirit

aflame as we face difficulties in our week.

The late Rev. Forrest Church reminded ministers new

to preaching to remember that there is always at least

one person in the congregation on Sunday who is so

beaten down in despair, that they are close to giving

up, and willing to give life one more shot - for them

this shot is a worship experience on Sunday morning.

Now I don’t know if this is factually the case, but

nonetheless the point is clear - what we do in church,

especially how we worship matters. It’s life or death,

at least for some.

Extending this beyond our Sunday worship together, I

think it’s a good question for each of us to ponder this

month: “What and how do we worship?” Your answer

may engage what we do every Sunday, but don’t stop

there. Expand the question to include the minutia of

your day - how you get up, how you walk, what you

think about, how you spend your time. We discover

what we truly worship in the privacy of our own minds,

and often what we find is not aligned with what we

consciously wish to worship. Worship is derived from

the the word worth - worship is literally what we give

worth to, what we believe is most important. By

paying attention to our thoughts and actions, we may

be surprised to learn that we worship busyness,

money, worry, what other people think of us, etc. We

may be giving our life energy to areas that are

sucking us dry without us realizing it.

The acts that give us strength and resilience can be

simple and practical. I read a post from a minister

colleague about how she makes time each week to

eat a delicious meal at a restaurant by herself while

she reads a book. This alone time to nourish herself is

key for her. I’m not sure this activity would renew me,

but our paths are idiosyncratic. It just matters what

nourishes us, not what nourishes our family or friends.

It’s personal.

A commitment I’ve made to myself since moving to

Youngstown has been to work out a few times a week

at Wick Park, using the different work out stations. It’s

a wonderful antidote to being in my head. Settling in

and feeling my physical body, rejuvenates me, and

helps give me perspective. It literally strengthens my

body, especially since I’ve learned that I have

weakness in my lower back and hips. I feel more

supported, literally, when I get a good workout. There

have been unintended consequences too - I’ve been

able to get to know people in the community who also

use the workout stations, and seek the same strength

and resilience I do.

Church is a place for us to discover and rediscover

what renews us and gives us strength. As you pay

attention this month to your thoughts and actions,

take note of what renews you. Feel free to share with

me either through e-mail or in person what is feeding

you right now, and giving you strength. If you have no

idea what strengthens and renews you, be open,

make space for this question, and see what strikes

you this month.

In faith, Rev. Joseph

Sunday, August 6: "Rupture

Before Renewal"

In approaching the theme this month of strength and

renewal, it can be tempting to think that the path to

renewal is straight forward - just practice that which

renews. The Pulitzer prize winning playwright Ayad

Akhtar brings up an inconvenient truth: often before

than can be renewal, there must be rupture, a

dramatic break with the life we've known and the

people we were. How do we navigate this period of

rupture in our lives personally and politically?

Come Sunday, and join me on the path to renewal.

Rev. Joseph Boyd - minister

Sarah Lown - worship associate

Marcellene Hawk Mayhall - piano

Bits from the Board

Greetings from the Board!

The July meeting was bittersweet since it was our

final meeting with Reverend Matt and our first meeting

attended by Reverend Joseph. As so many times in

the past two weeks, we realized how fortunate we

were to have this unique transition, to have both men

present sharing thoughts on the past, present and

future of the church and our community. Reverend

Matt's parting words were thoughtful suggestions for

the future of UUYO, urging us to build on the growth

and vitality of UUYO, to recognize the unique position

of the church as a leader in the Valley on many social

justice issues.

Reverend Joseph contributed creative ideas for the

125th Anniversary in September and the months to

follow. At this time a special service is being planned,

a festive meal and a gathering on another date to

share history and member's stories. Also, watch for

anniversary items to be offered for sale to the

congregation to mark a long proud history. Now that

Molly Toth and the Search Committee have

successfully completed a very rigorous task, energy

can be focused on planning the anniversary

celebration.

Wishing to keep the workload in the coming months

manageable for all, wanting to direct individuals'

energies toward the anniversary, the board voted to

move the fall auction to a date to be determined in the

spring. Of course, that means that money that was

expected to be raised at the auction to meet 2017

budget expenses will now have to be raised by

another means. Please do your part to meet your

2017 pledge as promised. The board is highly

grateful to have members of the congregation

volunteering to serve on a finance committee that will

help plan and coordinate an annual stewardship drive

and to assist the board with other financial concerns.

The board is also appreciative of the dedicated work

of UUYO staff and unanimously voted to award one-

time gifts to our UUYO Office Administrator, Heather

Best, and to our UUYO Director of Education,

BeckyAnn Harker. If you attended the farewell

reception for Matt and Liz, you saw that a gift was

also given to Reverend Matt in recognition and

appreciation of his many years of leading the UUYO

Congregation.

Wishing you a summer filled with peace and joy,

Anita Wesler,

Board Member

REflections

This Summer in RE

Each week, there will be one Religious Education

class for children of all ages. Various stories, crafts,

and activities will be done. Children will start in the

service, as usual, and will leave for their class some

time during the service. Child care will continue to be

provided in the Nursery for children 5 and under for

the whole service.

Regular Religious Education classes will resume on

Sunday, September 10.

Please register your child(ren) for the 2017-2018

Church Year. Each child will need a separate

registration. Please do this even if you have been

registered in the past. This will help with class

planning. You can register

here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiE

Ht7AxFa0KZaTvuepdVwL0fvZOUyztXpHm2Jyhszvm

cWSA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

BeckyAnn Harker,

Director of Religious Education

August Events

8/1 Stretch & Creative Movement class (CH) 5:30pm

8/1 AA (CH) 7:30pm

8/6 Frack Free Meeting (CH) 6pm

8/8 Stretch & Creative Movement class (CH) 5:30pm

8/15 Board Meeting (BR) 6-8pm

8/8 AA (CH) 7:30pm

8/12 Work Party 10am

8/12 Valley Voices United for Change Meeting (CH)

10am

8/13 Frack Free Meeting (CH) 6pm

8/15 Stretch & Creative Movement class (CH) 5:30pm

8/15 AA (CH) 7:30pm

8/18 All Church Dinner (All Rooms) 4pm

8/19 Administrative Workshops (All Rooms)

8/20 Frack Free Meeting (CH) 6pm

8/22 Stretch & Creative Movement class (CH) 5:30pm

8/22 AA (CH) 7:30pm

8/27 Newcomers' Circle (SL) 12:15pm

8/27 Frack Free Meeting (CH) 6pm

8/29 Stretch & Creative Movement class (CH) 5:30pm

8/29 AA (CH) 7:30pm

8/31 International Overdose Awareness Day Events

Legend for locations: (CH) Channing Hall; (SA)

Sanctuary; (SL) Schweitzer Lounge; (YR) Youth

Room

UUYO Work Party

Saturday, August 12 at 10am

The August work party will occur Saturday, August 12

at 10:00am. Rain date is August 19. All are welcome -

we need all the help we can get. Cold drinks will be

provided gratis. Questions? Call Bob Seibold, 724-

981-4791.

All Church Dinner to Welcome

Rev. Joseph

Friday, August 18 beginning at 6pm

We had a fantastic transition service on July 16 as we

wished Rev. Matt and Liz farewell and Rev. Joseph

Boyd took over. We continue forward with our official

welcome to Rev. Joseph with a potluck dinner on

August 18 at 6pm where we welcome everyone to join

us. This event will be followed with a Saturday

meeting where the Board and UUYO leaders get

together with UUA regional staff to start Rev. Joseph's

ministry with a planning session.

The potluck dinner is an event to explore the time line

of the congregation's history and to highlight major

patterns or themes as we explore that history. It's an

opportunity for Rev. Joseph to learn more about

UUYO and of course a great time to break bread (and

chili and salad and soup...) together!

Please join us on Friday 8/18/2017 to be a part of this

exciting beginning of Rev. Joseph's ministry at UUYO.

Newcomers' Circle

Sunday, August 27 at 12:15pm

We'll be hosting what we're calling a "Newcomers' Circle".

We realize that not all of you are new to Unitarian

Universalism, so we think of this more as a "new" to

UUYO, where people can come and talk about what

brought them to the church and what questions they might

have. We will meet in the Schweitzer Lounge (which is on

the lower level; greeters and others will be able to help you

find it if you need help).

Hospitality Teams Schedule

Our hospitality teams do so much to make Sunday

morning come together: Greet, welcome, provide

coffee and treats at coffee hour.

If you are interested in joining a hospitality team,

please contact Linda Mohn

(lmohn2005@yahoo.com). Please be sure and thank

the folks on this month's team!

Team 3: August 6, 13, and 20

Linda Mohn – Communicator

Susie Biersdorfer – Facilitator

Diana Shaheen – Facilitator

Audra & Jason Carlson

Judy Degenova

Karen Lapidus

Sarah Lowry

Dianna Mason

Marcellene Hawk Mayhall

Susan Miracle

Diana Palardy

Wendy & Andy Pfrenger

Gene Pusateri

Davin Stilson

Mary June Tartan

Team 4: August 27

Jan Elias – Communicator

Ben Barnes – Facilitator

Louisa & Martin Berger

Heather Best

Gary Devenport

Marguerite Felice

Chesney Gulas

Clayton Henderson

Roger LaFontaine

Tim Malone

Carole McWilson

Eugenia & Al Pierce

Ellen & Lowell Satre

Mary Ellen Shutes

Sharon Stringer

Care Team Help and Pastoral

Care

Care Team

UUYO’s care team is available for short-term

assistance. This could include transportation, visits,

cards, phone calls or casseroles in time of need. For

more information or assistance, please contact

Jeanne Tucker at 330-652-0308.

Pastoral Care

If you have a pastoral care need, or know of someone

in our congregation who might have a need, please

contact Rev. Joseph Boyd (minister@uuyo.org) or the

church office (office@uuyo.org, 330-746-3067)

Share the Plate

August's Share the Plate recipient will be United

Returning Citizens. This local, non-profit organization

provides job search and training, life and financial

literacy skills and transitional housing primarily for

citizens reentering society from correctional facilities.

We seek to provide a holistic approach to enable all

citizens who are otherwise disadvantaged and

disenfranchised to become productive contributing

members of society.

Check Out These Mug Shots!

During the May Collectibles Sale, a shopper noticed

our mug rack in the hall between Channing Hall and

the RE wing. He was particularly interested in three

mugs with local radio and television station logos and

has reached out to the church to inquire if he might

purchase the mugs for $10.00 each.

We don’t want to sell someone’s favorite mug, but if

these items do not fall into that category we are not

averse to letting our shopper add the mugs to his

collection. Photos of the mugs in question appear

below. If you recognize and claim one of these mugs

please notify Louisa Berger at 330-559-1683 or

lberger@uuyo.

Stuff to Know

Church Calendar

The most up-to-date version of the church calendar is

on the website. You can view it here.

Please contact the office (office@uuyo.org, 330-746-

3067) if you wish to list a church event on the calendar.

Staff

Rev. Joseph Boyd, Minister jboyd@uuyo.org

BeckyAnn Harker, Director of Religious Education

dre@uuyo.org

Heather Best, Office Administrator office@uuyo.org

Leaders

Members of the Board of Trustees

Andy Crabb, President

Sarah Lowry, Secretary

Louisa Berger, Treasurer

Tom Beck

Ralph Malmer

Linda Mohn

Molly Toth

Anita Wesler

Committee Chairpersons

Martin Berger, Building and Grounds

Jeanne Tucker, Caring

Lowell Satre, Endowment

Ralph Malmer, Green Sanctuary

Linda Mohn, Hospitality

Diane Barnes, Nominating

Jan Grigsby, Welcoming Congregation

Eugenia Pierce, Women’s Alliance

Christine Gulgas, Worship Associates Coordinator

Mission Statement

Our Mission is to build a diverse and transformative

spiritual community, help people live lives of wholeness,

and promote justice, peace, and religious freedom.

The rainbow flag outside of the church signifies that

UUYO is an official "Welcoming Congregation" for the

LGBTQ+ community.

Unitarian Universalist Principles

and Purposes

Office Hours

Tuesday and Friday, 9am-3:30pm

Sunday, 9-11am and 12:30-4:30pm