September 2025 Newsletter

 

CASSEROLES – 3 or 4 needed  Any type of CHICKEN dish which also contains some veggies & carbs too.  Hopefully each can serve 8-12 people. It should be baked & ready to reheat & eat. 

Some suggestions are: chicken & rice, chicken enchiladas, chicken & broccoli, Sheet pan chicken & roasted veggies, chicken & zucchini, chicken & veggie pot pie, southwest chicken & veggies, chicken taco casserole, chicken wild rice, creamy chicken & spinach, teriyaki chicken casserole,  OR your own imaginative combination….  (If you use Pinterest recipes, there are SO many ideas!!)

RAW VEGETABLES – 45 bags -  Individual snack size bags of any combination of ready to eat raw veggies, such as celery, carrots, broccoli, pepper strips, cucumbers, etc.

FRESH FRUIT – 4 Large Bags of tangerines/ mandarins or apples.  

DESSERT – 4 large Containers of cookies, bar cookies, brownies, etc.

 

BEVERAGES - 2 gallons of MILK, 2 gallons of LEMONADE

Please email Pam office@uucv.org if you can contribute any part of this meal. Your help to provide this meal is important and very appreciated!!!! 

Despite all these and other efforts, the un-sheltered numbers keep rising in Cumberland County.  Housing, if available, is expensive.  There already is an overnight shelter in Shippensburg, but it is for families only.  To help remedy this problem, CARES has purchased a 6,100 sq. Ft. Empty building at 230 S. Garden Street in Carlisle across from GIANT.  Hopefully, starting in February, renovation will begin.  They also will start construction to add more spaces, bringing the total square footage to 9,100 sq. Ft.  Inside the building, partitions will be erected between each bed, creating some much-needed privacy.  Besides a bed, each compartment will have a nightstand and lamp.  This will temporarily provide about 40 - 50 adults (no children) with a warm, safe space to live, while working on their recovery. 

 

All this will cost a lot of money, so any amount you can give for this renovation will be welcomed. 

Below are the 2025-26 Faith Development offerings for children and youth:

 

Spirit Play - Grades K-2 :  Spirit Play is a gentle program which introduces our children to our UU principles through story and wondering questions.  There is free time for each child to explore their creativity (called "works"). 

 

Soul Matters - Grades 3-6 :  Soul Matters classes are based on monthly themes which coincide with the monthly adult worship service themes, and explore how these themes are important to us as UUs through story, discussion and experiential learning activities.  

 

Jr. Youth Group - Grades 7-8 : This year our Jr. Youth Group will meet together with Senior Youth on most Sundays to collaborate on social justice projects and community building.  There will be opportunities for game nights, movie nights, field trips, as well as shared discussions and peer support.

 

Sr. Youth Group - Grades 9-12:  In this group, our teens bring their faith into action through worship, community building activities, social action projects, learning and leadership experiences.  Youth work with adult advisors to plan and lead events, meetings and a Youth worship service.  Friends are always welcome!

 

New "Seeker" Option:  On any given Sunday, Youth that wish to may remain in service through the sermon, and then go into the Social Hall with their Seeker facilitators to discuss the service together.
"Off-Sunday" special programming:

 

"Off-Sunday" special programming:

Coming of Age - Grades 7-9:  In the Coming of Age program, our youth will take a deep dive into exploring their own faith beliefs and their connection to Unitarian Universalism.  It will consist of 4 extended day workshops with optional overnights, regular Sunday night Zooms, and field trips.  At the conclusion of the program, Youth will have the opportunity to develop and present a personal "credo" to the congregation.  This class requires a commitment to attendance, as well as a family orientation session.  More info to follow.

Nursery Care is available every Sunday from 10:15 - 11:45 am for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

 

 

Below is our Faith Development Sunday schedule for our children and youth for September:  

 

September 7:   Water Communion - A Service for All Ages:   Join us for this family-focused service celebrating the start of a new congregational year with our annual Water Communion ceremony.  Bring a vial of water that symbolizes a special memory from this summer. This is a service for all ages - no RE today.  Nursery Care for children ages 4 and under will be available during the service.

 

September 14:  Teacher Dedication ceremony during Time for All Ages, followed by our first day of regular RE classes.

 

September 21:  Regular RE Classes

 

September 28:  Regular RE Classes
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 (or outside in the yard) 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 August volunteers!  Ryanne Mack, Julie Cullings, Melissa Mattson, Staci Kendall, Michael Cappucci, Rebecca Fratantuono, Susan Green, Becca Grinnell, Susan Rimby, Rebekah Musser and Judi Whitesell.  Thank you so much for your time and energy! Members of the Congregation are encouraged to volunteer with the Children and Youth RE Program! Please email Lynn Sodora DLFD at dlfd@uucv.org to check in about submitting clearances.

. 
May we continue to learn and grow together!

 

In faith and service,

Lynn 

September 7: What does meaning & purpose look like in your life?
Do our lives have meaning and purpose? If so, where does that meaning and purpose come from? Are meaning and purpose something we choose or create ourselves or, as some philosophers and theologians would argue, can meaning and purpose only exist in relation to something that is eternal? Join us for an open discussion about what meaning and purpose look like in our lives.

September 21: Evolution of Life on Earth
Discussion leader: Matt Burr

October 5: Universalism
In this class, we explore the “Universalist” side of our Unitarian-Universalist tradition.
Discussion leader: Jeff Naughton

October 19: Forever Chemicals
Discussion leader: Dave Mooney

November 2: Creativity
For this class we will explore certain elements of creativity, how creativity shows up in our lives, and ways we might cultivate our own creativity. This class is open to all, regardless of how creative one thinks they are. Please bring your curiosity, self-compassion, and perhaps a willingness to play.
Discussion leader: Ryanne Mack

November 16: John Muir: Spirituality in Nature
John Muir passionately and evocatively inspires us to view nature as a spiritual place, where we can feel transcendence, peace and renewal. He helped create our national park system and modern preservation culture. Who was this John of the Mountains? And how do we experience our own spirituality in nature? 
Discussion leader: Christine Carracino

December 7: Amend Video Series: The Fight for America - Immigration
This episode of the Amend video series explores the ongoing struggle of immigrants in America against intolerant policies, racism, and violence. It highlights how these issues have frequently trampled the hopes of immigrants, emphasizing the need for equal rights and protection under the 14th Amendment. The episode features discussions on the impact of these challenges and the ongoing fight for equality and inclusion in the
United States.
Discussion leader: Melissa Mattson

December 21: Pagan Practices Surrounding the Solstice
Discussion leader: Lynn Sodora

 

Dianne Dusman and Susan Rimby saw Titos and Sonia in action during their monitoring
trip in 2023. They accompanied Titos and Sonia into Zambezia, a week-long journey, to
distribute supplies and meet with the stakeholders. Titos and Sonia talked with the Bursary girls about their life goals, shared study tips, and advised the girls to avoid distractions while they concentrated on their educations. Titos and Sonia complemented the parents on taking their daughters’ educations seriously, answered their questions, and listened seriously to their concerns. Titos and Sonia also took time to meet with the housemothers who manage the boarding centers, making sure they had what they needed and complementing their good work as well. When school principals and district administrators were available, Titos and Sonia met with them as well. The respect and affection the stakeholders had for Titos and Sonia was evident everywhere.

If you want to know more about “the team on the ground,” please come to the October
26 th Bursary Church Service and post-service luncheon. You’ll enjoy great food and fellowship, and learn more about the Bursary Project as well.

 

 

Stop by the tables and meet the Committee Chairs/Members and see if there's a committee...or two....you would like to join and support UUCV.

UUCV will hold a fall yard sale this October.   Bring your items in beginning the week of Monday, September 22.  Last day for drop-offs will be Tuesday, October 7,  Place your items on the tables in the dining room with the corresponding signs.

Please make sure your items are CLEAN and in working condition.  Jewelry, tools, furniture, pet supplies, kitchenware, children's items, purses, bedding, knick knacks are ALL welcome.  NO furniture or shoes and electronics only if Pam or Cindy approve.  It's too hard for us to get rid of some electronics that do not sell.

We would like to announce that this will be the last yard sale that we coordinate.  We'd like to thank everyone who has donated to the sales, helped mark items, helped the days of the sales, and helped take items to various charities after the sales are complete.  We've been doing this for 7 years and with your help have made the church $26,301.00.  

If you would like to keep this fundraiser going, please contact Cindy or Pam to help with the next sale and see how we've made it successful or just let us know you will take on the next spring sale and do it your own way.  

Thanks again to everyone who has participated in any way!

Pam and Cindy

Drop your gently used donations off at any of these locations or at the Outdoor Bins Marked “Community Aid” that you will find in various locations around your area.

 

Reference Partner #50340 and UUCV will receive $.13 per pound.  If you drop your items in a bin, securely attach paperwork with the reference number.

 

We will receive a check at the end of each quarter…..this is a great fundraiser for UUCV and we are helping others as well with our donations.

Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley Launch Community Art Gallery This Fall

New Seasonal Gallery to Feature Local Artists and Align with Worship Themes

 

Boiling Springs, PA — The Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley (UUCV) are proud to announce the launch of the UUCV Art Gallery, a new seasonal gallery space located inside the congregation’s fellowship hall. The gallery will open its first exhibit in September 2025, featuring local and regional artists whose work explores themes of belonging, compassion, and gratitude—inspired by UUCV’s fall worship series.

 

The UUCV Art Gallery will rotate exhibits every three months, intentionally aligning each collection with the church’s seasonal spiritual themes. Through this initiative, the congregation seeks to create a multisensory spiritual experience that nurtures beauty, connection, and reflection.

 

All featured artwork will be available for purchase, with a portion of each sale supporting UUCV’s ministries and the remaining proceeds going directly to the artist.

“This gallery is more than an art display—it’s a spiritual dialogue in color, texture, and form,” says Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs, UUCV’s minister.   “We believe creativity is sacred, and this is a way to bring beauty, imagination, and justice into our shared space.

The inaugural exhibit will run from September through November 2025, with an opening reception scheduled in early September. Featured themes include:

• September –   Building Belonging

• October –   Cultivating Compassion

• November –   Nurturing Gratitude

UUCV invites artists of all ages and backgrounds to submit work that explores these themes. Submissions in a wide range of media are welcome, including painting, photography, fiber arts, sculpture, and mixed media. .

 

To submit art pieces,  complete this form. 

 

Please reach out via email at artgallery@uucv.org with questions, artists. or art piece questions.   

 

Much Love, 

Emily Cappucci

UUCV Art Gallery

 

Carole recently accepted additional administrative and teaching responsibilities at HACC as the new head of their Music Business Program. While she is excited about this opportunity, the new role will require more of her time and focus. After discernment, she made the difficult decision to step back from her position at UUCV in order to embrace this next chapter in her professional life fully. She plans to continue freelance music work and has kindly offered to return for occasional music leadership in the future, if invited by our next Music Director.

Both Carole and Pam are leaving with hearts full of love for this community and with immense appreciation for the support, friendships, and spiritual connection they’ve found here. We will have opportunities in the coming months to celebrate them, honor their contributions, and send them into their next adventures with our blessings. We will soon be shareing thiere letters with the church as at large so you cab here it from them as well. 

In the spirit of shared ministry, leadership is beginning careful planning for these transitions. As Head of Staff, I hold the responsibility and authority to hire staff directly, and I will be leading the search and discernment processes for both roles. While the final hiring decisions rest with me, there will be opportunities for meaningful input and involvement from the congregation, and I welcome your support as we move forward with care. Updates on timelines, job postings, and ways to participate will be shared soon.

 

• Sunday September 7th, 12:30PM in the Welcome Center 
• Thursday September 25th,  6:00PM on ZOOM  
• Sunday October 5th, 12:30PM in the Welcome Center

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