First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

  605 Morewood Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2999
  412-621-8008

To support the work, the witness, and the wonder of this religious community

Sunday Services at 9:30 and 11:00

WELCOME!

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh has been providing a liberal religious presence in Pittsburgh since 1890. We are located at the corner of Morewood and Ellsworth Avenues in Shadyside.

The heart of our mission is to promote love, reason and freedom in religion, to foster lifelong spiritual growth, and to act for social justice. We encourage seekers of all faiths, nationalities, races, genders, ages, abilities and sexual orientations to visit our congregation. We hope that you will find the spiritual home that you are seeking.

We are a religious community founded on individual freedom with responsibility and openness to truth wherever it may be found. In the fullest expression of our faith, we seek to support each other in the quest for meaning, in the celebration and enrichment of our common life and in our commitment to enhance the quality of life for all.  Guided by individual conscience and wisdom from many sources, we gather in worship and service to nourish the spirit, work for justice, and celebrate the divine in all.

Monthly Message from Reverend David Herndon

In January at First Unitarian Church

Spiritual Theme: Sabbath

Leonardo da Vinci said: “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation. For when you come back to work, your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work, you lose power of judgment. Go some distance away, because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and a lack of harmony or proportion is more readily seen.” The Book of Genesis called for one day each week to be set aside for spiritual reflection and renewal and thus created the sabbath. The labor movement called for an additional day of rest and thus created the weekend. Do you consciously plan for adequate rest, renewal, and reflection in your life?

Membership Orientation

Get Involved: Lifespan Faith Development

Music and the Arts

SERVICES IN January

JANUARY 1, 2012 -- Kwanzaa Sunday -- 11:00 a.m. only

The Rev. Dr. David Herndon, Senior Minister

Kwanzaa is a holiday especially intended for African-Americans, but this celebration holds significant meanings for a wider audience as well.

Music: Bill Larson

Forum - 9:30a.m.

JANUARY 8, 2012 - 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

The Rev. Dr. David Herndon, Senior Minister - "Details"

Taking care of details is an important way of demonstrating care for individuals and responsibility for organizations. Too much attention to details can deprive others of opportunities for growth and strength and initiative. Taking care of details is an important way of holdings things together and keeping things on track. Too much attention to details may signify overfunctioning and may lead to burnout. Taking care of details is an important way of ensuring that planned change takes root. Too much attention to details may prevent essential attention to the big picture. How will our congregation handle details during the sabbatical period?

Music: Brian Junker - both services

Forum - 9:30a.m. The Other Side of Midnight: The Fundamental Principle of Polarity. John Jones.

JANUARY 15, 2012 - 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

The Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker - Affiliated Community Minister - “Some Assembly Required”

It’s New Year’s Resolution time! Again? This morning, we’ll explore what it might mean to view our imperfections and “areas of improvement” with compassion, honesty, and humor, as we embrace the ever-evolving process of becoming fully ourselves.

Music: Sanctuary Choir - 11:00 a.m.

Forum - 9:30 a.m. Pseudoscience: What you know that ain’t so. Eric Swanson, PhD.

JANUARY 22, 2012 - Children and Youth Ministry Sunday - 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Jennifer Halperin, Director of Children and Youth Ministries - “Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures: The Creation Story and Sabbath”

“And on the seventh day God rested.” Jewish people honor the Sabbath day from Friday evening through Saturday by gathering together and paying attention to important things such as being a good person, being thankful, and remembering that they are a people of God. Unitarian Universalists often observe Sunday as a special day. What wisdom is there for Unitarian Universalists in honoring Sabbath?

Music: Folk Orchestra - both services

Forum - 9:30 a.m. Green Sanctuary: More Than a Longer Lasting Light Bulb. Sayf Sharif.

JANUARY 29, 2012 - 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Music: Music: Tara Yaney, flute - both services; Sanctuary Choir - 11:00 a.m.

Forum - 9:30 a.m. The 2nd Annual Robyn Dawes Forum: Decision Making. Julie S. Downs, PhD.

Membership Orientation

If you have decided that you would like to become a member of First Unitarian Church, or if you are considering membership but you would like to learn more, or if you simply would like to know how to become more involved with this religious community, please attend our Membership Orientation. This
orientation is a three-session class for people new to Unitarian Universalism or new to First Unitarian Church. It provides several opportunities for personal spiritual exploration, an overview of the history of Unitarian Universalism and the history of First Unitarian Church, a chance to learn more about our groups and activities, and information about becoming a member of First Unitarian Church. You will have an opportunity to become an official member at the end of the third session.

The dates for upcoming classes are:

Sundays: March 4, 11 & 18, 12:30pm - 2:15pm

Sundays: April 15, 22 & 29, 12:30pm - 2:15pm

Registration: Path to Membership or contact Program Assistant Sandy Regan at 412/621- 8008, X107, or sregan@firstunitarian- pgh.org.

LifeSpan Faith Development

Adult Faith Development

To know the universe itself as a road—
As many roads—
As roads for traveling souls.

--Walt Whitman

We encourage our members and friends to engage in a process of intentional personal spiritual growth. To assist with that process, we offer several structured opportunities for church members and friends to explore spiritual insights from a variety of sources. These opportunities are grouped in four different Paths:

Path to Membership
Path to Spiritual Growth
Path to Social Responsibility
Path to Leadership

You may find that becoming part of an ongoing affinity group would be a worthwhile way of engaging in a process of personal spiritual growth.

More...

Sunday Night Sitting

Sunday Night Sitting is a meditation and spiritual practice group that meets at the church on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, at 7:00pm. Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Julie Childers at julie36pa@gmail.com for more information.

HERE WE HAVE GATHERED: The Story of Unitarian Universalism in Western Pennsylvania, 1808-2008 by Kathleen Parker Book. Order Form

Music and the Arts

Family Choir

The Family Choir provides an opportunity for families to sing together and to create a friendly, informal, supportive community. Rehearsals take place September through May, with a break in January and the first part of February, on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. preceded by a simple catered meal served from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. The Family Choir provides music for the 9:30 a.m. service about once each month and for the Family Christmas Eve Service. All families andindividuals are invited to be part of the
Family Choir!

New families are welcome at any time. You may register for Family Choir on the church website at the “Family Choir Registration Form.” For more information, contact: Rev. David Herndon at 412/621-8008, extension 102 or dherndon@first-unitarian-pgh.org.

SongSpace at First Unitarian presents JOY IKE & JUDITH AVERS

Saturday, January 14 at 7:30 pm (doors at 7:00 pm) in the Undercroft Gallery

Joy Ike is a perennial fan favorite whose music is noted for its lyrical depth, addressing the human condition, thoughts on love, and the search for God in a very tangible way. Ike recently performed on the Lilith Fair Tour and was featured on NPR's All Things Considered.

Recent Pittsburgh transplant Judith Avers refined her Americana-style music while living in West Virginia and Colorado, writing songs that have been referred to as melodic folk lullabies. Avers' haunting melodies and evocative voice captivate her listeners.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students.

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If you are not currently on our email distribution list to receive occasional email notices about church events, please send your email address to David Herndon at dherndon@first-unitarian-pgh.org.

Connect with our official Facebook page to stay up to date with various developments, opportunities, and conversations taking place within our religious community: First Unitarian Church on Facebook