Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley - UUCV

06/13/2026

As Carlisle Pride Week comes to a close today, we share another moment from our Pride Service on Sunday June 7th

Glitter is resilient and tenacious. It sparkles because of its many broken pieces together.
And Glitter Blessings at UUCV are a wonderful reminder that each of us is beautiful in our sacred imperfection.

06/12/2026

Pulse was more than a nightclub. It was a place of joy, belonging, community, and refuge. We honor those whose lives were taken 10 years ago on June 12, 2016, and we hold close the survivors, loved ones, and LGBTQIA+ communities forever changed by that night.

May their memory continue to call us toward a world where every person can live openly, safely, and fully as themselves.

06/11/2026

What a powerful and beautiful start to Sunday June 7th’s Pride Service, led by Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs, worship associate Ci Kendall, and Carlisle Pride Ambassador Miss Misfit

🏳️‍🌈

06/11/2026

This Flower Communion Sunday, we celebrate the beauty of our community and the gift of one year in shared ministry. Each flower we bring honors the unique gifts we offer; each flower we receive reminds us that we never flourish alone. In gratitude, courage, and joy, we gather to bless the year we’ve grown through—and the blossoming still to come. Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs leads service with assistance from Lifespan Faith Director Lynn Sodora.

Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary every Sunday at 10:30am or on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/97422815066

There are no RE classes today as we join together in the Sanctuary for an all-ages service in celebration of Flower Communion. Nursery care will be available from 10:15 - 11:45 am.

06/11/2026

Be safe today and stay in doors if you can.
Be sure to drink plenty of water.

Cumberland County is under a Heat Advisory until 8 p.m. Friday. The heat index is expected to reach 103 degrees. 🔥

If you're heading out today or tomorrow, take precautions to stay safe in the high temperatures:
💧 Stay hydrated & drink plenty of water
🏃‍♂️ Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat
🌳 Take regular breaks in the shade if possible
👕 Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing
👶 Check on children, pets, and older adults
🚗 Never leave kids or pets in parked cars

Stay cool and safe, Cumberland County!

06/10/2026

As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to act in the face of injustice and depression. This Pride Month, we have the opportunity to do just that. The current administration and the Department of HUD are effectively trying to create legislation that would put the lives of trans non-binary people who are experiencing homelessness at risk, and that is not OK. Everyone deserves dignity and respect, especially those who are systematically multiply marginalized—public comments, close at the end of the month. Link in the comments. Be sure to get your voice on the record.

This Pride Month, put your values into action.

The UUSC: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee the UUA, and Trans Religious professional UUs Together (TRUUsT) are inviting people and congregations to submit public comments opposing a proposed HUD rule that would make federally funded shelters less safe for transgender, nonbinary, two-spirit, and intersex people.

Every unique comment helps build the case for protecting access to safe shelter and housing with dignity. You can also host a Coffee and Comments event with your congregation or community using the campaign's downloadable guide and resources.

Learn more about the proposed rule, why it matters, and how to participate at the link in comments.

Public comments close Monday, June 28.

06/07/2026

Today’s service was nothing short of GLORIOUS! As part of Carlisle Pride Week from June 6th - June 13th, UUCV has the honor of hosting the official Carlisle Pride Worship service with the theme - Flourish Anyway: Pride, Power, and Collective Courage

In a world that often tries to diminish q***r and trans lives, we choose to flourish anyway. Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs, Rev. Chris Kapp, and worship associate Ci Kendall explored topics of fierce joy, resilient love, and collective courage that allow our communities to bloom in every season. Rooted in June’s theme, Flourishing Together, we honored the power we hold when we show up boldly, tenderly, and unapologetically as ourselves. 2026 Carlisle Pride Ambassador Max Stough/Miss Misfit spoke about their journey and Rev. Phoenix, Rev. Chris, and Ci provided glitter blessings for the congregation. We left with our hearts overflowing with joy!

Special thanks to Mary Baker with Magnolia Bloom Photography for these beautiful photos!

06/05/2026

We are still in need of your donated items in order for our Spring Yard Sale - Take 2! to be successful! Thank you!

06/05/2026

Our Recovery Dharma sangha will be on pause for the foreseeable future effective immediately. Our dedicated facilitator has been navigating some meaningful life changes that require a shift in schedule, and we look forward to the group being reformed at a future time. We are deeply grateful for the community that has gathered in this space and for the compassionate leadership that has made it possible.

In the meantime, if you feel called to help co-facilitate Recovery Dharma of the Cumberland Valley when the time comes, we'd love to hear from you! Please reach out to: [email protected]. (Note: You do not need to be a member of UUCV to co-facilitate or attend).

With gratitude and loving-kindness to all who have been part of this sangha.

06/05/2026

We are in full support of this statement from the UUA and are in full solidarity with those in our congregation and beyond who are and have been part of the US Military. Everyone deserves a chaplain of their faith in moments of need.

We send our unwavering support for Unitarian Universalists (UU) in uniform and our UU military chaplains. We recently learned the Department of Defense (DOD) has removed 180 separate religious affiliations from the US military’s list of religious affiliation codes. This eliminates the code for Unitarian Universalists, as well as Humanists, Atheists and Pagan traditions, and many others. Along with dozens of other religious traditions, UUs will be categorized broadly under “Other” in military’s religious affiliation codes.

Please note this decision does not directly impact the status of our UU military chaplains, who are authorized through a separate faith-based endorsement process with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). What it does mean is that Unitarian Universalist service members will not be able to select their specific religious identity in their personnel records. This may make it more difficult for our uniformed UUs to access the spiritual care that they need.

At this time, we are diligently working with our UUA counsel and partners in a variety of faith traditions to craft a strategic response that faithfully represents our values and demonstrates clear support for our UU service members and their families, as well as all those who are impacted by this DOD policy.

We will share more information when it is available. But today, we declare that no government action can erase our faith nor lessen the powerful and necessary grounding it provides for those who serve.

Read the full statement at the link in the comments.