Caring Community
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Pastoral care is available to all members and friends, new and longstanding.
Rev. John Ballance is available for ministerial visits, memorial services and weddings. He can be reached directly at 724-312-4712 or by email. Contact Erica Shadowsong, the Director of Religious Education, for concerns regarding children or families with children. She can reached directly at 412-621-8008, ext.103 or by email. Contact the Pastoral Care Contact of your musical group, your covenant group, the Women’s Alliance, WomenSpirit, the UU Christian Fellowship, the Healthy Congregations Collaborative or other group of which you are a member when you or someone you know is in need of support or care. To be included in the pastoral prayer on Sunday morning contact the Pastoral Care Team, Kathy Miller, 412-639-8012 or by email.
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Comfort Quilts
Two beautiful comfort quilts have been created by First U quilters. These washable quilts can be loaned to members and friends who seek comfort as they cope with illness, loss or other difficult life events. Please contact the church office or Mary Ruth Kelsey.
Two beautiful comfort quilts have been created by First U quilters. These washable quilts can be loaned to members and friends who seek comfort as they cope with illness, loss or other difficult life events. Please contact the church office or Mary Ruth Kelsey.
Marion's Purse
Marion's Purse has practical resources to share. We have Giant Eagle cards to help with financial and life needs. Please contact Kathy MIller in confidence.
Marion's Purse has practical resources to share. We have Giant Eagle cards to help with financial and life needs. Please contact Kathy MIller in confidence.
Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program
If you have items to loan or need to borrow something, please contact Jim Reitz at j5650r@comcast.net
If you have items to loan or need to borrow something, please contact Jim Reitz at j5650r@comcast.net
Pastoral Care Team
Pastoral Care Team members bring deep compassion as well as a mix of formal training and practical experience to their pastoral ministry. The Pastoral Care Team assists the minister and congregation in providing a circle of loving support to members and friends of First Unitarian Church. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please contact Rev. John Ballance 724-312-4712/ johnbballance@gmail.com . In the event of a non life-threatening situation, please contact one of the Co Chairs: Jim Cunningham 412-2650205/ cunni@comcast.net or Kathy Miller 412-639-8012/ kathymillerotter@gmail.com.
Pastoral Care Team members bring deep compassion as well as a mix of formal training and practical experience to their pastoral ministry. The Pastoral Care Team assists the minister and congregation in providing a circle of loving support to members and friends of First Unitarian Church. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please contact Rev. John Ballance 724-312-4712/ johnbballance@gmail.com . In the event of a non life-threatening situation, please contact one of the Co Chairs: Jim Cunningham 412-2650205/ cunni@comcast.net or Kathy Miller 412-639-8012/ kathymillerotter@gmail.com.
Caring Connections Table
The Caring Connections Table is a place where you can choose a card for friends in need, speak informally with a member of the Pastoral CareTeam and share concerns requiring Marion's Purse access.
The Caring Connections Table is a place where you can choose a card for friends in need, speak informally with a member of the Pastoral CareTeam and share concerns requiring Marion's Purse access.
Addictions Ministry Sharing Group
On the fourth Sunday of each month at 11:45 am during the regular church year, we gather to share our experiences as addicts and family and friends of addicts. We celebrate our successes, share our challenges and look forward with hope. We encourage all who have been touched by addiction to join us in a caring environment as we share experiences. Contact Jim at 412-606-1813 or jimpashek@gmail.com.
On the fourth Sunday of each month at 11:45 am during the regular church year, we gather to share our experiences as addicts and family and friends of addicts. We celebrate our successes, share our challenges and look forward with hope. We encourage all who have been touched by addiction to join us in a caring environment as we share experiences. Contact Jim at 412-606-1813 or jimpashek@gmail.com.
Other recommended community website links: Addiction Resource, which promotes health through education and AlcoRehab.org, a group of professionals helping those struggling with alcoholism.
Gathering of Men
The Men’s Group meets the second Wednesday each month, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. We have volunteer leaders. Men sign up for a date to lead and pick their own topics. If they don't want to sign up there is no pressure to do so. The Leaders don’t “give a speech,” or necessarily talk a lot, but get the discussion started. Topics are very widely ranging, usually issues related to men's lives: wills, family relationships, key events in our lives, issues with mothers, sons and fathers, dying, and many unusual topics. We don’t attempt to be a “support group,” type of gathering, but the group is very “supportive” to the men who come regularly. It is not uncommon that a man has come and described a personal concern, grief or joy and stated he came specifically that night because this was weighing on him and he wanted to feel the support of the other men. The group can and does provide that. We have a lot of fun and laughter. It isn’t learning from the topics that is most valued. It’s the sharing of ideas and thoughts and a chance to express our feelings and concerns to other men and get some feedback, which most of us find of value. Meetings are very low key, friendly and very beneficial. We average 10 to 15 in attendance most meetings. We encourage new men to check out the group. There are no dues, membership or other requirements – just show up. You might come and decided it isn’t for you. That's OK. Contact: Jim Reitz at j5650r@comcast.net or 412-521- 6575.
The Men’s Group meets the second Wednesday each month, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. We have volunteer leaders. Men sign up for a date to lead and pick their own topics. If they don't want to sign up there is no pressure to do so. The Leaders don’t “give a speech,” or necessarily talk a lot, but get the discussion started. Topics are very widely ranging, usually issues related to men's lives: wills, family relationships, key events in our lives, issues with mothers, sons and fathers, dying, and many unusual topics. We don’t attempt to be a “support group,” type of gathering, but the group is very “supportive” to the men who come regularly. It is not uncommon that a man has come and described a personal concern, grief or joy and stated he came specifically that night because this was weighing on him and he wanted to feel the support of the other men. The group can and does provide that. We have a lot of fun and laughter. It isn’t learning from the topics that is most valued. It’s the sharing of ideas and thoughts and a chance to express our feelings and concerns to other men and get some feedback, which most of us find of value. Meetings are very low key, friendly and very beneficial. We average 10 to 15 in attendance most meetings. We encourage new men to check out the group. There are no dues, membership or other requirements – just show up. You might come and decided it isn’t for you. That's OK. Contact: Jim Reitz at j5650r@comcast.net or 412-521- 6575.
WomanSpirit
WomanSpirit is the evening women’s group at First Unitarian Church. WomanSpirit meets at 6:30pm on the second Wednesday of every month for a potluck dinner in a member’s home. We welcome new members and friends of First Unitarian Church. Contact: Pat Schuetz at pschuetz@ix.netcom.com.
WomanSpirit is the evening women’s group at First Unitarian Church. WomanSpirit meets at 6:30pm on the second Wednesday of every month for a potluck dinner in a member’s home. We welcome new members and friends of First Unitarian Church. Contact: Pat Schuetz at pschuetz@ix.netcom.com.
Women's Alliance
The mission of the Women’s Alliance is to enable Unitarian Universalist women to join together for mutual support, personal growth and spiritual enrichment, and through their combined strength and vision, to work toward a future where all women will be empowered to live their lives with a sense of wholeness and integrity in a world at peace that recognizes the worth and dignity of each individual. The Women’s Alliance was founded in July 1891. Over the years, this group of church women has met the changing needs of its members and many needs of the church and surrounding community. Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays each month from September through May. Enjoy coffee at 10:00 a.m., a short business meeting at 10:30 a.m., and a unique program of guest speakers from 11:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m., followed by a brownbag lunch. All are welcome! Contact Annie Stunden, co-chair, annie.stunden@gmail.com, 412-992-1313 or Naomi Crain, co-chair, njcrain@comcast.net, 412-441-1926.
The mission of the Women’s Alliance is to enable Unitarian Universalist women to join together for mutual support, personal growth and spiritual enrichment, and through their combined strength and vision, to work toward a future where all women will be empowered to live their lives with a sense of wholeness and integrity in a world at peace that recognizes the worth and dignity of each individual. The Women’s Alliance was founded in July 1891. Over the years, this group of church women has met the changing needs of its members and many needs of the church and surrounding community. Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays each month from September through May. Enjoy coffee at 10:00 a.m., a short business meeting at 10:30 a.m., and a unique program of guest speakers from 11:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m., followed by a brownbag lunch. All are welcome! Contact Annie Stunden, co-chair, annie.stunden@gmail.com, 412-992-1313 or Naomi Crain, co-chair, njcrain@comcast.net, 412-441-1926.
Covenant Group Team
The Covenant Group Team is responsible for keeping the Covenant Group program running smoothly. They run orientations and place members wishing to be in a Covenant Group with a group seeking members or starting new groups as needed. The committee also tracks group membership and helps existing groups resolve problems with group dynamics and misunderstandings about what is expected to happen in a group. Membership is by appointment from the team or the Minister.
The Covenant Group Team is responsible for keeping the Covenant Group program running smoothly. They run orientations and place members wishing to be in a Covenant Group with a group seeking members or starting new groups as needed. The committee also tracks group membership and helps existing groups resolve problems with group dynamics and misunderstandings about what is expected to happen in a group. Membership is by appointment from the team or the Minister.
Social Events Team
The Social Events Team plans and prepares food for four major events in our church year: Ingathering, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and the June Picnic. We welcome anyone who likes to shop, chop, cook, and simply meet new people. Contact Michelle Coyne.
The Social Events Team plans and prepares food for four major events in our church year: Ingathering, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and the June Picnic. We welcome anyone who likes to shop, chop, cook, and simply meet new people. Contact Michelle Coyne.
Transitions Group
"Transitions Gather-In", a group of folk talking about life transitions, the challenges we face as we get older, as we want to down-size, as we find living in our homes harder, as we just want to make our lives simpler, meets every second Mondays at 10:00am. Please come if you would like to talk about these life issues with us. Contact MR Kelsey or Bob Sullivan.
"Transitions Gather-In", a group of folk talking about life transitions, the challenges we face as we get older, as we want to down-size, as we find living in our homes harder, as we just want to make our lives simpler, meets every second Mondays at 10:00am. Please come if you would like to talk about these life issues with us. Contact MR Kelsey or Bob Sullivan.