8 at 8 is on for Oct 9

The 8 at 8 tradition is about to begin.

The schedule is now at version 1.2. Make sure you have the latest version, now uploaded.

Oct 9, 2004
Nov 6, 2004
Dec 4, 2004
Jan 8, 2005

Be there or be elsewhere and less nourished.

Save the date, Oct 21

Amy Carol Webb, a great UU singer and songwriter, is going to perform at
Sunnyhill at 7 pm to 10 pm on Thursday, Oct. 21 for our voter education
event. Save the date. Details to come soon.

Song search

Denise wrote in part for any ideas, recordings, sheet music, etc:

I'm searching for songs about Families of Different Types, acceptance of different types of families, orientation, lifestyle, diversity ... that are lyrically acceptable for children to sing, i.e., not raunchy, or else that can be acceptable with a few changes to the words. This is for a service at Sunnyhill on February 6 about "all kinds of families". (Actually, I'm not going to include abuser/victim style families.)

Put messages into comments.

Good Clean Fun - Soap Wrapping Party

Not Rap, but wrap.

Join the fun at the annual Soap Wrapping Party at 7 pm on Friday, September 24, 2004.
We slice and wrap 80 brand-new loaves of Primal Elements Soap to fill our bathtub for the upcoming Harvest and Holiday Shop. Attendees sniff the cool new selections and have first choice on this year's soap and candle purchases!

Jan Ripper and Dorothy Burns will provide the snacks. Source: Jan and Dorothy, Soap Mavens, -- via Amy.

Exploring and Sharing Spiritual Practices

Rev. Lynn Brodie will lead this class exploring a variety of spiritual practices.

Each week will focus on one technique including hands on work. Participants will be asked to experiment with that particular practice during the coming two weeks and share their reflection on the process at the beginning of the next session. Topics will include such practices as journal writing, sitting meditation, Sabbath, walking meditation, spiritual practice through relationship.

This session will meet six times on alternate Tuesday nights from 7- 9 p.m. starting September 14. Dates are: Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct.12, Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 23. All classes will meet in Room 25 at Sunnyhill.

Participants must sign up ahead of time by calling Lynn at 412-561-8012 or using the sign up sheet on her office door.

Diversity Dialogues

This discussion forum facilitated by our minister, Lynn Brodie, will involve people in sharing their personal journeys in ways that increase understanding between theological, philosophical and political perspectives.

For example, what makes you feel safe gives you and gives you a sense of belonging at Sunnyhill as a UU humanist, a UU Christian, a UU pagan, a UU Buddhist, as a Republican or a Green Party member? What do you need from Sunnyhill? Monthly topics will be announced in the newsletter.

Dialogues will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. followed by snacks and social time on the first Sundays of Oct., Nov., Dec., Feb., March and April. Dialogues will be held in the main room at Sunnyhill.

Peaceable Kingdom, movie at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 25, 2004

The Schweitzer Group Presents the movie at 7 pm Saturday

Jane Goodall calls it "a masterpiece". The world premiere of Peaceable Kingdom at Lincoln Center sold out 10 days before the event, and drew an audience of 1100. Now we will hold the first Pittsburgh area screening of Peaceable Kingdom, a documentary with a message of compassion and a look into the world of factory farming, focusing on individuals whose lives were deeply entrenched in that world. "Much more than an expose, Peaceable Kingdom is about personal redemption, commitment, healing and hope, offering a life-changing vision of a peaceful world that is well within our reach." (Tribe of Heart Ltd.)

Childcare and light refreshments will be provided, and there will be a raffle for a basket of animal-friendly goodies. A discussion will follow, with guest speaker Cayce Mell of Oohmahnee Farm, a farmed animal sanctuary near Pittsburgh, on hand to answer questions. This event is free and open to the public. For more info contact Jay or Geneva Pullen.

Behavioral Covenant Workshop

A workshop is slated for staff, board of trustees, and congregational leaders to begin the creation of a behavioral covenant. Rod Thompson (our UUA district leader) first suggested our participation in this during the mission/vision process earlier this year. This covenant is an agreement about how members of the congregation will treat each other, helping to manage conflict by avoiding it. During the workshop, participants will share thoughts and ideas that will then be drafted by volunteers into a working document. Input will be solicited from the congregation. Finally, the congregation will vote on the covenant and sign it.

The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, October 2 from 9 am to 3 pm.

Religion and Politics

From Lynn and the September edition of The Drummer

We still have time before the presidential elections. I feel strongly that the results really matter, but it's not clear what will happen. This is just the time to talk a bit about religion and politics.

Many of us feel very strongly about the upcoming elections and about other current political issues. Unitarian Universalism encourages us to be involved in politics and to use our religious values as we take political stands.

In our country, though we have a strict separation of church and state. This means it is never appropriate for the minister, any service leader or a guest speaker to advocate from our pulpit for particular political candidates. It is also not appropriate for members of the congregation to advocate for certain candidates during a church service. If we start to do these things we will risk losing our tax exempt status.

However, expressing your views in conversation after a service or at social events is just fine. When you do have political discussion, it is important to keep in mind that one of the gifts and the strengths of Unitarian Universalism is our diversity. Some UUs assume all of us are Democrats. It's true that many are, but we also have Republicans, Green Party members, Independents, Libertarians and probably more.

Sometimes I wish everyone would vote the way I plan to vote in November. But I catch myself when I begin to think this way. After all, if everyone voted the same way, we would have an autocracy, not a democracy. Democracy and Unitarian Universalism thrive on diversity of perspective and healthy, respectful discussion and debate. If we all agree, that can never happen. In the coming months I encourage you to celebrate our diversity and rejoice that not everyone thinks exactly the way you do.

(For further reflection on the subject of diversity, please note the upcoming Diversity Dialogues.)

Volunteer Party

Sunnyhill's volunteer party, rained out from last weekend, is slated for 7-9 pm on Saturday October 2, 2004. Light fare and beverages are to be provided. Feel free to bring your own grog of choice. Babysitting is available if requested in advance.

Every Sunnyhill member and friend, volunteer or not, is invited to this evening of festivities, so don't delay with your RSVP. The staff and board need a count of adults attending and children requiring babysitting by Wednesday.

Hope to see you there for a song and dance evening celebrating the people who really make Sunnyhill shine. USUNNYHILL@aol.com

Down Under Coffeehouse, Allegheny UU Church

You are invited to attend the Down Under Coffeehouse on Saturday, Oct 16th from 7:30-9:30 to hear an evening of songs from the American songbook, featuring the vocal styling of Jennifer Wood with the unbelievable jazz piano of Tom Roberts. A night not to be missed!

The Down Under Coffeehouse is held the third Saturday of every month in the basement of the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, 416 West North Ave, North Side. Suggested donation is $5.00. Call 412-322-4261 or see www.alleghenyuu.org for more details.

Submission via Stephen Hirtle.

Eight At Eight

The new schedule is out. A PDF is on the web site. You'll need to know the password to open it.

Quaker Meeting Begins at Sunnyhill

Sunnyhill, in cooperation with members of Pittsburgh Friends Meeting will offer a Quaker meeting for worship every second Sunday evening of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. The first meeting will begin, with a brief introduction to Quakerism, on Sunday, October 10th. Quakers meet silently in unprogrammed worship, occasional spoken messages, inspired by the Spirit, may arise from the
silence.

Its looking like Christmas

The annual Harvest and Holiday Shop is just around the corner. The workers are busy to prep the event.

Stop! Wait!

Recent sermon now on the web. Thanks Lynn.

Main page goes to black

From time to time, as sad news arrives, the main page at Sunnyhill.Org goes to a black background, as is the case now (Sept. 6). This is a way to send an alert without being so direct. The web and the internet isn't always the best medium for delivery of news and information.

New Members mingle with Committee Chairs

All committee chairs are invited to the Sunnyhill Get Acquainted Party at 7 pm on Friday, Sept. 17, 2004. Bring Hors d'oeuvres to share, and help give potential and new members a chance to meet us in a casual setting in order to learn more about what the congregation has to offer.

Each chair is to give a short presentation regarding what the committeee does and offers. We'll tape the presentations for a new member video.

Significant others are welcome. Babysitting is provided. RSVP to Patty Williams.

Mindy Simmons to return to Pittsburgh - Jan 29, 2005

Mindy signed a contract to do a workshop in the afternoon and an evening concert with the folk organization in town. Save the date, January 29, 2005. Events will be at First Unitarian in Pittsburgh.

Mindy is working on other engagements in the region.

A confusing, but hopeful first day

A confusing, but hopeful first day: "Claire Galpern, 16, a Schenley High School junior, left, and Eliza Hens-Greco, 14, a freshman at Winchester Thurston School cheer for Amina Sunday night as she learns how to open a combination lock for the first time. The three were attending a dinner at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside where backpacks full of school supplies and clothes were given to about 50 Somali students. "

Event at First Unitarian gets great ink and serves a wonderful purpose. Eliza is a S.I. regular too.

Voices of the Revolution on Friday with Anne

This Friday, September 3rd, the Voices of the Revolution Tour is coming to Pittsburgh, 7pm at the Quiet Storm, 5430 Penn Ave in Friendship/Garfield.

The $5 admission helps the Thomas Merton Center continue working for peace and justice throughout the year.

Board member and labor folksinger, Anne Feeney, is emcee-ing and performing! This is something you won‚t want to miss ˆ a chance for many within the peace movement in Pittsburgh to get together for fun and relaxation and to get to know one another a little better.