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From the Board of Trustees |
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Greetings fellow seekers of truth and justice
We are about to begin our annual pledge drive. Most of us do not want to talk about money. However, it is unavoidable. Our community relies on your generosity to survive these trying times. I have said before, we have a great staff, a wonderful building and a community of members with shared values.
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Article II provides us a roadmap for life. I would like to focus on Generosity. In order for us to be appropriately generous to our staff, we need to pay them accordingly. In order to keep our beautiful building in order and maintained, we need to provide the necessary funds. All of this depends on each of us giving what we can to the pledge drive.
It is important in the budgeting process to know what we can depend on for the year. Without the pledge commitments, the finance team cannot properly determine the salaries we can support. Part of the Justice listed in Article II, includes just pay for the important labor provided by the staff and minister.
Consider both the Generosity and Justice required for UUCV's goal of transforming lives and caring for the world. Soon we will form a pledge team. Consider joining that team in their important work. More information will be coming over the next couple of weeks.
Jim Burton,
UUCV Board President
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Focus on Finances
As mentioned previously in this space, the Finance Committee has started the process of revising and streamlining the format of the spreadsheet used to create UUCV’s budget. The current format has been tweaked for a number of years and has become cumbersome. There are line items that are no longer used, places that are confusing to total, and the layout can be baffling. Hopefully the revision will be more user friendly and make understanding the complexities of a budget a little bit easier for all of us.
As the Finance Committee looked at the income side of the budget, 4 major sources of income were identified. First and foremost are our annual pledges, the financial commitment members and friends of UUCV make on a yearly basis toward our annual expenses. Next is our fund raising activities which include grocery card sales, the auction, yard sales, soup sales, the strawberry booth on Foundry Day, and any other event where the funds go into UUCV’s general account. A third source of income is the offering received on Sunday mornings which includes bills and any checks marked as offering in the memo line. And our fourth major source is the annual disbursement of funds from the Laws Music Fund which significantly helps to cover the cost of our music program. The Laws Music Fund was established by Ken and Priscilla Laws, long time active members of UUCV, both now deceased, but their love of this community continues to be demonstrated through their generosity in establishing this Fund.
If UUCV were a social club type of organization, we would have dues expected of each member. If UUCV were a traditional Christian church, we would speak about tithing or giving 10% of your income to the church. These approaches have equal expectations of all of their participants. If this approach were applied to UUCV, we would take the annual pledge drive goal and divide it by the number of pledge units, a pledge unit being a person, couple, or family that makes a pledge. Using the social club model and the actual (not goal) data from last year’s pledge drive, we have 78 pledge units pledging $208,200 which equates to $2,669.23 per pledge unit. UUCV does NOT follow this model. We are a welcoming community that recognizes everyone’s life circumstances, including finances, are unique, and thus ask for an equitable, not equal approach to pledging. This
means that each us gives according to the reality of our circumstances and that our gift reflects our commitment to UUCV.
As we head into the second half of this fiscal year, our cash on hand situation is good, primarily because of your consistent commitment to your pledges for this year, and that we are not currently paying salary and expenses for a minister. Our ability to continue with all of our current staffing and programming along with hiring a new minister is contingent on the outcome of this year’s upcoming Annual Pledge Drive. Since January 20th we are all acutely aware of the need for a safe and welcoming place to gather, nourish our hearts and minds, support each other, and strive to live our mission to transform lives and care for the world. Knowing that all of our circumstances are unique, I invite you to begin to think about how you are able to support UUCV financially by making a pledge toward our next fiscal year, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026, during this year’s Annual Pledge Drive.
Wendy Gebb
UUCV Treasurer
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The Worship theme for
February is Inclusion |
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February 2 - "Flourishing in the Clearing" Toni Morrison's
Beloved offers a womanist perspective on caring for those often excluded and marginalized in society. As we begin Black History Month, let us celebrate the literary genius of Toni Morrison and explore how her characters exemplify the resilient spiritual care of Black women, providing a model of care for us all. Rev. Jessica Chapman Lape is our guest speaker with worship associate Cheryl Parsons.
About Rev. Chapman: Rev. Dr. Jessica Chapman Lape recently joined the staff at Dickinson College as director of the Center for Spirituality & Social Justice. Before accepting the position at Dickinson, she was assistant professor of interreligious chaplaincy and director of the interreligious chaplaincy program at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul, Minn. In these dual roles, Chapman Lape provided extensive curricular oversight to the interreligious chaplaincy program, taught courses related to qualitative research and spiritual care for both doctoral and master’s level students, and provided programming related to spiritual care for students and the broader Twin Cities community.
Rev. Chapman Lape is ordained in the United Church of Christ and has been a chaplain for over 10 years. Her chaplaincy experience spans across sectors to include care within nonprofit organizations, hospice, outpatient clinics and hospital systems. She is also a community birth doula trained through the Riverside County Health Foundation and Sankofa Birthworkers Collective. Her doula and chaplaincy practices are rooted in her womanism, her commitment to reproductive justice, as well as spiritual and reproductive care practices within her African American heritage. Rev. Chapman Lape continues to advocate for the intersection of spiritual care and social justice with a focus on addressing systemic inequities. A native of Los Angelos, California, Rev. Chapman Lape currently resides in Carlisle with her husband and two-year-old son.
February 9 – "From Ashes to Excess" We are constantly surrounded by excess. Stuff, information, you name it. When we are surrounded by unlimted choice, how do we 'right size' our consumption....of anything? Rev. Chris Kapp leads the service.
February 16 - "Buddhism: With or Without?" Is Buddhism atheistic? Agnostic? Does it even matter? We will explore these questions and see whether Buddhism is compatible with other religions and/or no religion. Guest speaker Jonathan Murray leads the service with worship associate Rick Sollman.
About Jonathan Murray: Jonathan grew up in Camp Hill, PA. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College and in his second year of seminary at Starr King School for the Ministry. He currently lives in the Pittsburgh area with his wife, Sarah, his two girls, Piper and Jane, and their three dogs: Frank, Abby, and Steve. They are members of the UU Church of the North Hills in Pittsburgh.
February 23 - "Casting Starfish into the Sea" The challenges of the world can feel absolutely overwhelming, and the vastness of it all can make us feel small and insignificant. Do our efforts to make a difference really, actually matter? Rev. Chris Kapp leads the servcie with worship associate Susan Rimby.
Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary every Sunday at 10:30 am or on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 550 751 6685
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The UUCV Book Group meets at 6:30 pm on the 4th Sunday of each month for a lively, thoughtful discussion on our worship ZOOM channel https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa
February 23 - The Vaster Wilds: A Novel by Lauren Groff (Bev Ayers-Nachamkin leads)
A servant girl escapes from a colonial settlement in the wilderness. She carries nothing with her but her wits, a few possessions, and the spark of god that burns hot within her. What she finds in this terra incognita is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her. Lauren Groff’s new novel is at once a thrilling adventure story and a penetrating fable about trying to find a new way of living in a world succumbing to the churn of colonialism. The Vaster Wilds is a work of raw and prophetic power that tells the story of America in miniature, through one girl at a hinge point in history, to ask how—and if—we can adapt quickly enough to save ourselves. 2023, 272pp.
For more information, or questions, contact
Bev Ayers-Nachamkin
bayersna@comcast.net
For a full list of the 2025 Book Selections see the complete article under "UUCV Announcements" in this newsletter.
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Adult Religious Education Group – Class Schedule – Winter-Spring 2025 |
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These classes will be held on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:00 am in the Board Room at UUCV or join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/my/meetingsuucv (572 887 2212).
February 2: How to Stop Negative Self-Talk
Do you find that you often talk to yourself in a harsh and critical way? Why do you say mean things to yourself that you’d never dream of saying to other people? If you’d like to learn how to stop the negative self-talk, come to the RE meeting on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 9:00AM. Discussion leader: Jill Hoffmann
For the complete schedule of Adult Religious Education see the complete article under "Religious Education" in this newsletter.
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Mark your calendars:
- Saturday, February 1 Coming of Age Workshop 2:00P in the Yuuth Room
- Friday, February 7 UUCV Game Night for all 7:00PM in the Dining Room
- Saturday, February 8 Caregivers Circle at 9:00A in the Yuuth Room
- Sunday, February 23 SoUUper Bowl in the Dining Room following worship
- Sunday, February 23 UUCV Book Group at 6:30pm on Zoom https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa
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Grocery Cards…Easiest Fundraiser Ever!!
Did you know?
- Buying Giant or Karns or Weis grocery cards from UUCV is the easiest fundraiser ever!
- Buying a $100 grocery card is a win-win:
- You get $100 worth of groceries, wine, beer, gas, prescriptions.
- UUCV gets $10 for each Giant card you purchase or $5 for each Karns or Weis card purchased.
- There are multiple ways to buy grocery cards from UUCV:
- By check or cash on Sundays – before or after service.
- By setting up an ACH payment through Pam or through your own bank.
- By credit card or paypal* over the phone. *UUCV pays a service charge for these purchases.
- Buying grocery cards to give as gifts is an awesome idea!!
Reach out to the members of UUCV’s grocery card team if you have any questions OR if you’d like to join our team. Thanks from the team: Margie Akin, Lynn Michels, Rebecca Fratantuono, Dee Lauderbaugh, Cindy Good
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February Social Justice Opportunities |
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We encourage UUCV members and friends to get involved with Social Justice Committee -sponsored projects in one of the following ways:
· Donate regularly to our quarterly Change for the World recipient
· Suggest an area non-profit organization to be a CFTW recipient by filling out a form online available on UUCV’s website or a hard copy found on the Social Justice table
· Cook or donate a dish for our quarterly Community CARES dinner that provides a nourishing meal for Carlisle’s homeless population
· Contribute to the Mozambique Bursary project and help educate girls there
· Suggest a topic for our Justice Moments during worship to help educate our members about accomplishments of People of Color, women, people with disabilities, People from the LGBTQIA+ community or cultural practices that have led to discrimination or lack of recognition (see Rev. Chris)
· Write a postcard or contact your legislators about impending or much needed legislation in our state government as suggested by the Harrisburg organization that promotes our values, UUJusticePA · Join UUJusticePA at www.uujusticepa.org by donating as little as $1 or as generously as you can to support the staff and partnerships that help us stand up for our values
· Volunteer for our monthly work day commitment at Community CARES in Carlisle on the fourth Thursday of each month from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
· Participate in an Earth Day hike in April
· Help at the annual Pride Festival in Harrisburg, National Public Lands Day, or United Way’s One Day of Caring
· Show up to area rallies or protests that promote our values
· Do your part to end the racial divide in our area by attending Moving Circles (3rd Monday of the month at 7:00pm at the Carlisle YWCA), Carlisle Bridge Builders (2nd Saturday of the month at 10:00am at Carlisle Bibleway Church on S. West and Walnut Sts.), or participate in a quarterly Friendship Dinner sponsored by Moving Circles
We anchor our efforts around UUCV’s mission to transform lives and care for the world. Thank you to those who serve on the committee: Wendy Gebb, Deb Genet, Jill Hoffman, Dee Lauderbaugh, Cheryl Parsons, Carol & Mike Reismeyer, and Kim Stone. Thanks also to all who participate in the above programs.
The Social Justice Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month mostly at 6:30 PM on ZOOM. Please check the weekly previews to confirm the time and format of the next meeting on Wednesday, February 19. All are welcome to participate in our meetings or suggest a new project.
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Change for the World -
January thru March
The CFTW for January thru March is Tomorrow’s Neighbors, whose name is based on the reality that 90% of everyone in prison will someday be released.
This Organization seeks to help these people become good neighbors by using an 8 step Re-entry program, before they are released. To help with housing,
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Tomorrow’s Neighbors operates the13 bed Cumberland House in Carlisle, which opened in May, 2023, and provides former inmates with safe, supportive and affordable housing. The former inmates are eligible for 2 months free rent, while they search for gainful employment. At this time, Pennsylvania has a 68% recidivism rate, while Tomorrow’s Neighbors had only one houseguest returned to prison!
Tomorrow’s Neighbors was named the 2022 Non-Profit for the year by the Partnership for Better Health, and its director, Kurt Denysh, was named a Catalyst of Change by the Commonwealth. |
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Support UU JusticePA
Being responsible citizens means being in the know about what is and what isn't happening in our state government, not just the federal government. UUJusticePA makes that easier for all of us. Please help us fund their staff that notifies us of important legislation or proposed bills that further our values, the staff that arranges lobbying/advocating opportunities and partnering with other organizations to create greater impact; the staff that sends email alerts and requests for us to contact our legislators to make sure that our voices are represented. Suggested annual donation is $50, but as little as $1 makes you a member. Please donate now if you haven't yet for 2025. Let's walk our talk! |
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Did UU Know?: A Quick Way to Stay Informed
Starting this year, UUJusticePA will be sending out Did UU Know? flyers every Friday. These concise, informational flyers highlight current issues that are relevant to our justice teams. Each edition will include key statistics, relevant metrics, and links to further resources—perfect for staying informed without being overwhelmed by information overload. These updates are meant to empower you with the facts you need to engage in conversations and act on the issues that matter. Become a member of UUJusticePA to receive weekly updates.
Action Hour Monday: Take Action with Us!
We’re also excited to launch Action Hour Monday, a new initiative to help us all take collective action in support of important legislation. Kicking off in February, Action Hour Monday will take place on the first Monday of each month from 12-1pm. This virtual gathering will focus on one bill we’ve been closely monitoring, exploring its history, significance, and the impact it could have on our communities. After the briefing, we’ll provide you with simple, actionable steps—like draft text for contacting your representatives or key talking points for phone calls.
Even if you can’t join us live, don’t worry! We’ll make sure you can participate on your own time. Each session will be summarized and logged on a Google Sheet, allowing everyone to take action in their own schedule. The first Action Hour Monday is scheduled for February 3rd—mark your calendar!
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Please Consider when Donating to Food Pantries!
Now is the time of year when many folks make generous donations to local charities.
Most people buy what they think food pantry users want, but have never asked them. If you help families, single people, foster youth and the homeless, this list can help better tailor your donations! |
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Some tips and guidance if you donate to food pantries derived from feedback by those who use them:
1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.
11. They rarely get fresh meat.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
15. Butter or margarine is nice too.
16. Eggs are a real commodity.
17. Cake mix, and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
18. Dish Soap / Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury, and women will cry over that.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.
Also, please consider donating dog and cat food. Some people have hit a temporary low point and don’t want to give up their pets but find they have to choose to feed themselves or their pets. |
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Auction Events still available....sign up in the social hall.
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Many events are still open. You can sign up in the Social Hall at the Auction Table or contact Pam in the office to sign you up..... no bidding number is needed. Just issue a check to UUCV with Auction marked in the Memo line for any open events you would like to attend.
February 8 2:00 PM Cupcake Decorating Party $10 (Emily Cappucci)
February 21 Time TBD Learn to Make Dumplings $30 (Rev. Chris Kapp)
February 22 6:00 PM Winter Party Game Night $30 (Susan and Mark Green)
March 21 6 - 8:00 PM Hot Pot Extravaganza $35 (Rev. Chris Kapp)
March 15 7:00 PM Choose Your Game Table $30 (Carole and Tom DeWall)
April 17 10:00 AM Vernal Pool Tour at Kings Gap State Park $10 (Dee Lauderbaugh and Rebecca Fratantuono)
May 3 5:00 PM Kentucky Derby Party $20 (Cheryl Parsons and Susan Vernon)
May 17 Time TBD Campfire and Singalong $35 (Joe and Midge Osborne)
May 24 4:00 PM Croquet & Billiards Picnic $30 (Carole and Tom DeWall)
And....work out time and date details with the event holder for these open items:
Pianist for your special celebration $75 (Carole Knisely
Routine Eye Exam $75 (Dr. Matt Burr)
Pet Sitting for three days $80 (Dee Lauderbaugh)
Introductory Class on Cybersecurity $5 (Michael Cappucci)
How to Make your Own Retro Gaming System $10 (Michael Cappucci)
Get to Know your Human Design $15 (Tara Sollman)
Custom Sewing - Historical Items $75 (Lisa Balog) |
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Greetings all!
Happy February! One of the highlights of RE this month is the kickoff of this year's Our Whole Lives (OWL) program. This year's program is for children ages 5-8 and will run for 8 weeks. They will meet in our Spirit Play Room after services from Noon-1:00 PM. To learn more about OWL, visit uua.org/owl
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Below is our Faith Development Sunday schedule for our children and youth for February:
February 1: Coming of Age class, Extended Workshop, YUUth Room, 11:00a - 5:00p
February 2: Regular RE Classes; OWL noon - 1pm
February 9: Regular RE Classes; OWL noon - 1pm
February 16: Group RE class, Dining Room during service; CoA zoom 6:30-8:00 pm
February 23: Regular RE Classes; OWL noon - 1pm
NURSERY CARE is available every Sunday from 10:15 - 11:45 am for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Our Sunday Morning Worship Services begin at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. On "Regular RE" days, the children and youth go downstairs to their RE classrooms after the Time for All Ages. Classes end at 11:45 am.
**Please sign out your young children (up to 5th grade) from their classrooms by 11:45.** This gives parents the opportunity to socialize before pickup, while respecting the Volunteer Teachers' time as well.
Thank you to all our January volunteers! Ryanne Mack, Julie Cullings, Emily Cappucci, Jim Burton, Brent Dickerson, Melissa Mattson, Primajoy Ramalingam, Michael Cappucci, Susan Rimby, Ben Ramirez, Becca Grinnell and Gail Black. Thank you so much for your time and energy! Members of the Congregation are encouraged to volunteer with the Children's RE Program! Please email Lynn Sodora DLFD at re@uucv.net to check in about submitting clearances.
May we continue to learn and grow together!
In faith and service, Lynn
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Adult Religious Education Group –
Class Schedule –
Winter-Spring 2025
These classes will be held on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:00 am in the Board Room at UUCV or join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/my/meetingsuucv (572 887 2212).
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February 2: How to Stop Negative Self-Talk
Do you find that you often talk to yourself in a harsh and critical way? Why do you say mean things to yourself that you’d never dream of saying to other people? If you’d like to learn how to stop the negative self-talk, come to the RE meeting on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 9:00AM. Discussion leader: Jill Hoffmann
February 16: The Aramaic Lord's Prayer
Explore the richer meanings of the Lord's Prayer when understood in the language spoken by Yeshua (Jesus) and in the context of the time and culture in which he lived. Many misunderstandings about Jesus and his message seemingly have arisen based on mistranslations from Aramaic to Greek and then to King James English within the context of the social structure of the early 1600's. The session will be based on the work of Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz, scholar and author in the fields of comparative Semitic hermeneutics and psychology.
Discussion leader: Cheryl Parsons
March 2: Gnostic Gospels / God
The Gnostic Gospels, left out of the Bible by early Christians, express some very different, often more mystical, views of God, Jesus, sin, and so on. We'll talk about some of these views, and whether they feel true, or useful, to us. And we'll broaden our discussion to ask: what does God, or whatever you call it, look like in your life?
Discussion leader: Christine Carracino
March 16: Rumi - Sufi Mystic
Many love the soaring poetry of the Persian poet Rumi. His words from nearly 800 years ago transcend the ages and take us to a timeless realm. Join the discussion on the works of Rumi, including not only his poetry, but also his establishment of the oldest Sufi order. What were the factors influencing Rumi's life that made him into the person he was? How do we view his life in the context of today's world? These are just a couple of the questions regarding Rumi that we will entertain. If you have a favorite Rumi work, bring it to share.
Discussion leader: Brian McPherson
April 6: Christian Denominations and the Spectrum of Christian Belief
Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Assemblies of God, Episcopalians…and the list goes on. Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations within Protestant Christianity and what similarities or differences they have? And what about terms like fundamentalist, evangelical, mainline, and liberal. What do those terms mean when applied to Protestant churches? Join us as we seek to get some insight and clarity on these topics. Discussion leader: Keith Bittinger
April 20: Amend Video Series: The Fight for America - Love
After decades of setbacks, the struggle for same-sex marriage equality culminates in an Ohio's couple's case taken up by the Supreme Court in 2015. Hosted by Will Smith. Discussion leader: Melissa Mattson
May 4: Cultural Values / Intelligence
Discussion leader: Lacey Armstrong & Martha Bergsten
May 18: What do faith and hope look like in your life?
What do you have faith in and what do you hope for? Maybe you have faith in the fundamental goodness of others and that gives you hope for the future. Or maybe to the contrary, you’ve lost faith and as a result aren’t feeling very hopeful these days. Join us for an open discussion about what faith and hope look like in our lives.
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Minister Search Committee |
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Update from your Minister Search Committee
The Ministerial Search Team is excited to provide an update on our progress. In December and January, we received three applications through the UUA portal. After conducting an initial round of Zoom interviews, one candidate was dismissed for not meeting our criteria. The remaining two candidates impressed us, and we believe both have strong potential to be an excellent match for UUCV. As a result, we have invited both of them for an in-person visit and interview in the Cumberland Valley.
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These visits are a crucial step in the discernment process and will allow the search team to engage more deeply with the candidates. In accordance with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) guidelines and protocols, the in-person visits will be limited to participation by the Ministerial Search Team only. We understand that many of you are eager to meet the candidates and share in this important process. Rest assured, the team is committed to keeping you informed and engaged as we move forward. We thank you for your trust, patience, and support as we continue this meaningful journey. If you have any questions or thoughts to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: tinyurl.com/uucvminister |
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Coming up in Music...
Set your next choir performance date for February 23rd. Next week i will record the parts for you to start practicing. I have the music, but if given a piece of music, early I won't have extras. You will need to keep in in a safe place and remember to bring it to the required rehearsals Thanks. We lost several copies last time, by sharing before rehearsals started.
Rehearsals will be after church on the three Sundays prior to February 23 starting on February 2, 9, 16. See me after church if you want a copy of the music that far in advance.
Please contact me if you will need babysitting services during the rehearsals |
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News from the Mozambique Bursary |
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You did it! You, our generous members and friends donated to the 2025 Bursary campaign. With your contributions we hope to fund 109 girls this year – 105 in the Molumbo and Namarroi secondary schools and four who are attend post-secondary programs.
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Despite inflation both here and in Mozambique, and civil unrest in the Maputo area, these girls will begin or continue their secondary educations. The Bursary program offers valuable opportunities to girls in one of the world’s most impoverished countries. The girls and their parents value the chances they now have to improve their lives and those of their families and communities. In the photo, you see the Molumbo Bursary girls, with their mothers and siblings, and their housemother, Mae Beatriz.
The UUCV Mozambique Bursary Committee is always looking for volunteers. If you’re interested or would like more information, feel free to contact any Committee member. We are Martha Bergsten, Dianne Dusman, Deb Genet, Brian McPherson, and Susan Rimby.
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UUCV New Member Classes
We invite you to join us for a New Member Class where you can learn more about our history, beliefs, structure, and what we offer as a congregation. This is a great opportunity to connect with other members and discover how you can get involved
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Class Details:
- Date: Choose one of two convenient Sundays:
- Time: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Location: Board Room
RSVP: Please RSVP by Feb.16 so we can ensure adequate space and materials. You can RSVP by calling the office [717-249-8944], or emailing Pam at office@uucv.net.
A light lunch will be provided and Childcare will be provided upon request.
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End of Life Clases
Rev. Chris Kapp will be holding an "End of Life" class on Sunday, March 16 and March 23 at 12:30 pm in the Board Room with a light lunch provided. |
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Information covered will include planning your memorial service, talking about living wills, information you need to have available for your loved ones, how to make end of life donations if you choose, and will offer documentation to help you with your planning.
If you are interested in this class, please email Pam in the office pam@uucv.net to get on our list. Choose which date works best for you and childcare will be offered if requested. |
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Calling All SoUUp Lovers!
The 6th annual SoUUper Bowl will be held on Sunday, February 23. The event will be held in the UUCV Dining Room after the service and will feature 2 soups (one vegetarian), bread and salad to dine in or to go. Any leftover soup will be available after lunch to purchase. There will also be macaroni & cheese for the kids if they prefer. Tickets will be on sale Sundays at the grocery card table in the social hall. Help is needed in the kitchen on 2/22 to make the soup and on 2/23 to serve and clean up. Please sign up in the social hall at the grocery card table or by texting or emailing Lynn Michels at 717-580-6615/ lynnisue57@gmail.com.
Ticket prices - $10/person and $25/family.
Also, donations can be made for the soUUp ingredients. Make checks out to UUCV with SoUUp in the memo line....grocery cards can also be donated...be sure to note they are for the soUUper bowl.
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Pride Prom Coming to UUCV!
There will be a Pride Prom Planning [p3] team meeting at 3 PM on Sunday, February 2nd, in the minister's office/upstairs meeting room. We will be approving posters, finalizing ticket sale methods, and discussing security for the event, as well as receiving updates on prior tasks. Please join us if you'd like to help with this important community outreach/fundraising event. |
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Please take a minute and check out the Volunteer Table in the Social Hall.
We need Coffee Makers for Sunday mornings.....if you are a first timer, we will have someone show you the ropes.
And fresh flowers are always welcomed for Sunday mornings. There is a sign-up sheet for that as well.
It takes many hands to make our Sunday service and social hour pleasant for everyone. |
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UUCV Winter Weather Policy
With the winter weather setting it, just a reminder that UUCV follows the South Middleton School District Weather Cancellation policy. If the District is on a 2-hour delay, UUCV will run at a 2 hour delay in the mornings. If the District is Closed, UUCV and all activities scheduled at UUCV will be cancelled as well.
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For Sundays, we will do our best to make decisions before Sunday service. An email will be sent out and you can check our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/uucvpa and our website www.uucv.org for cancellation information.
And, as always, use your own best judgement on traveling if the weather is bad
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UUCV Book Group
Selections for January - October 2025
The UUCV Book Group meets at 6:30 pm on the 4th Sunday of each month for a lively, thoughtful discussion on our worship ZOOM channel https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa |
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February 23 - The Vaster Wilds: A Novel by Lauren Groff (Bev Ayers-Nachamkin leads)
A servant girl escapes from a colonial settlement in the wilderness. She carries nothing with her but her wits, a few possessions, and the spark of god that burns hot within her. What she finds in this terra incognita is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her. Lauren Groff’s new novel is at once a thrilling adventure story and a penetrating fable about trying to find a new way of living in a world succumbing to the churn of colonialism. The Vaster Wilds is a work of raw and prophetic power that tells the story of America in miniature, through one girl at a hinge point in history, to ask how—and if—we can adapt quickly enough to save ourselves. 2023, 272pp.
March 23 - Small Town Sins by Ken Jaworowski (Susan Rimby leads)
Nathan, Callie, and Andy are residents of down-and-out Locksburg, PA, a former coal and steel town that has seen better days. Each thinks they've gotten a raw deal in life, So, when each is faced with a morally ambiguous situation, they make questionable choices. The bulk of the plot deals with how they each navigate those choices.
Jaworoski is a graduate of Shippensburg University and models Locksburg after Shippensburg Borough. If you're familiar with Shippensburg, you'll recognize some of the settings. If you are familiar with the campus, you'll recognize the names of some of the secondary characters. 2023, 261 pp.
April 27 - Outspoken: My Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Afghanistan, by Sima Samar (John Katz leads) March 23 - Small Town Sins by Ken Jaworowski (Susan Rimby leads)
The impassioned memoir of Afghanistan's Sima Samar: medical doctor, public official, founder of schools and hospitals, thorn in the side of the Taliban, nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, and lifelong advocate for girls and women. Sima Samar's wide-ranging experiences both in her home country and on the world stage have given her inside access to the dishonesty, the collusion, the corruption, the self-serving leaders, and the hijacking of religion. And as a former Vice President, she knows all the players in this chess game called Afghanistan. With stories that are at times poignant, at times terrifying, inspiring as well as disheartening, Sima provides an unparalleled view of Afghanistan’s past and its present. 2024, 324 pp.
May 18 - The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (Bev Motich leads)
Set in Chicken Hill, a small town near Pottstown Pennsylvania, where Black, Jewish, and European immigrants, rich and poor, old and young, collide—defending, fighting, entertaining, feeding, and sheltering one another. This cacophonous melody of characters with all of their schemes and dreams reveal how home is where you make it—and how all of these “outsiders” are anything but. 2023, 400 pp.
June 22 - The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi, by Wright Thompson (Susan Rimby leads)
Wright Thompson was born and raised within miles of the Emmett Till murder, but only learned about that horrific event a few years ago. After thorough research and interviews with first-person witnesses, Thompson gives us the context of the 1950s Mississippi Delta, the events surrounding Till's murder, and the impact the murder had, particularly on Till's surviving family and friends. Throughout this process, Thompson supports the people and institutions seeking justice for and preserving the memory of Till. 2024, 448 pp.
July 27 - The Black House by Peter May (Bev Ayers-Nachamkin leads)
Two bodies are found hanging from trees: one in Edinburgh, the other on the Isle of Lewis, the most northerly isle in the Outer Hebrides. Edinburgh cop Fin Macleod, originally from Lewis, is assigned to the case for no more reason than that he speaks Gaelic. Two narratives vie with each other. One involves Macleod’s struggles with confronting people whom he left behind years ago. The other, which eventually informs the first, is Macleod’s first-person memories of his life growing up on the island. The two narratives are brilliantly executed until they converge in an absolute stunner of an ending. For once in crime fiction, a detective confronting demons from his past is not merely a stock plot device. May gives it an urgency that, by novel’s end, makes perfect
sense. A gripping plot, pitch-perfect characterization, and an appropriately bleak setting drive this outstanding series debut. (Connie Fletcher, Booklist) 2012, 368pp.
August 24 - Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon by Michael Lewis (Brian McPherson leads)
The rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, the world’s youngest billionaire and crypto’s Gatsby. CEOs, celebrities, and leaders of small countries all vied for his time and cash after he catapulted, practically overnight, onto the Forbes billionaire list. This rumpled guy in cargo shorts and limp white socks, whose eyes twitched across Zoom meetings as he played video games on the side, had his world come crashing down and is now serving 25 yrs in prison for defrauding investors. 2023, 288 pp.
September 28 - The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens (Bev Motich leads)
Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. 2025, 312 pp.
October 26 - The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology by Nita A. Farahany (Keith Bittinger leads)
Summary: A new dawn of brain tracking and hacking is coming. Will you be prepared for what comes next? Imagine a world where your brain can be interrogated to learn your political beliefs, your thoughts can be used as evidence of a crime, and your own feelings can be held against you. A world where people who suffer from epilepsy receive alerts moments before a seizure, and the average person can peer into their own mind to eliminate painful memories or cure addictions. Paperback: 304 pages, Audio Book: 8 hrs 27 mins
November 23 – 2026 reading selections
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