Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie

11/14/2025

UUErie Thanksgiving Dinner!
Thursday, November 27 at 2:00 PM

We all have something to be thankful for, and we’d love to celebrate together. Join us for a community Thanksgiving meal and, if you’d like, share a story or two.

We have the turkey covered, along with a turkey breast. If you enjoy cooking or baking and want to bring a side dish or dessert, it would be a big help and very much appreciated.

Please use the sign-up sheet at the church on November 16th or 23rd, or call/text to 814-572-0800 to let us know you’re coming. This helps us make sure there’s plenty of food for everyone. You’ll also find space on the sign-up sheet to note whether you’ll bring a dish to share. We hope to spend the holiday with you!

11/14/2025

Sunday Service - November 16, 10:30am

“Nurturing Gratitude” with Guest Minister: Ann Keeler Evans

Gratitude is central in any healthy spirituality.
When people talk about how grateful they
are, it can sometimes be a “cheap gratitude”
which encourages us to be thankful for every little thing, which essentially means nothing.
But an active spirituality of gratitude can turn our hearts away from slights and dangers
and toward life’s great possibilities.

Rev. Ann Keeler Evans is a Unitarian minister,
peacemaker and priestess based in the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania. She
has been a regular speaker at UUErie for the
past year. She serves as the chaplain at
Geisinger Hospital and was Lewisburg’s Poet
Laureate in 2024 and 2025. She created a
Peacemaker's Tarot and provides daily
reflections at annkeelerevans.org

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/93308904216?
pwd = L2tzdFllcjBiYzBlTytyN0lNN29FZz09
Meeting ID: 933 0890 4216
Passcode: 502128
Dial in with any phone: 312-626-6799

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NOVEMBER THEME DISCUSSION:
Join us for our discussion after the service from 12-1pm

Our Soul Matters monthly theme is Nurturing Gratitude. This is an in-person event No advanced preparation or registration is required for attending. The following questions will be presented for discussion.
Newcomers are always welcomed!

Questions for thought and discussion:
1. Who is the most grateful person you know? What part of them has rubbed off on you?
2. When was the last time you were grateful for yourself?
3. The most difficult gifts to be grateful for are the gifts given to us by our suffering and losses. Have you found the gift in the thing you wished hadn’t happened?

UUErie.org

11/11/2025

Today we hold in gratitude all who have served in the armed forces, and we remember the courage, sacrifice, and hope that their service represents. We honor not only their dedication, but also our shared longing for peace and healing in a world still in need of both.

11/10/2025

Join us on Saturday, November 15 for an afternoon of fun!

Beginning November 15!

The weather will soon be getting colder, but the fun’s just heating up! Come join us indoors at the UU for games, laughter, and good company. It’s the perfect way to spend a cozy afternoon together - don’t miss out, go put on your calendar!

11/09/2025

Great news — we can finally get mail delivered right to our building! No more P.O. Box runs! A big thank-you to Pat Lorei for installing our new mailbox and to Nanci Lorei for coordinating with our mail carrier to make it all happen. We appreciate you both for helping bring the mail home!

11/07/2025

✨ Magical Moments – UUErie Service Auction ✨

Saturday, November 8 | 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Abracadabra! It’s time for some magic! Join us this Saturday for an evening full of fun, food, and fellowship as we support our UUErie home.

The evening begins at 5:30 with appetizers and our first silent auction, followed by a live auction at 6:15. At 7:00, enjoy desserts and another silent auction, then we’ll move to the sanctuary at 7:45 for our final live auction.

🍷 Wine and punch will be provided.
🍪 Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share—it helps keep costs down.
💫 You can pay by cash, check, PayPal, or through the UUErie website (no credit cards).

If you can’t attend, pre-bid instructions were sent by email—bids are due by noon on Friday, November 7.

Our Service Auction is one of the most magical nights of the year—raising vital funds while bringing our community together for laughter, good food, and shared joy.

Come and discover the magic this Saturday at Magical Moments! 🪄

11/07/2025

Sunday Service - November 9, 10:30am

“Philosophy of Emotion, Especially Love” with Speaker: Steve Sullivan

Philosophers have been intrigued by emotion
since ancient times, perhaps especially by
love. I would like to focus on personal love,
not only because of its general interest but
because of its relevance to Unitarian
Universalism. After indicating that relevance,
I will consider four philosophical theories of
personal love. I will conclude with some
questions for the audience.

Steve Sullivan joined this congregation in
2012 and is glad to be a member. He earned
a Ph.D in philosophy from Cornell University
in 1990, and went on to make a career of it
over the next three decades (the last 21
years at Edinboro University) before retiring
in late August. His specialties are ethics and
the philosophy of religion, and his main
publications have been in those areas.

This service will be In-Person and on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/93308904216?
pwd = L2tzdFllcjBiYzBlTytyN0lNN29FZz09

Meeting ID: 933 0890 4216
Passcode: 502128
Dial in with any phone: 312-626-6799

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Potluck Lunch!
Please join us after the service for our monthly potluck lunch. Bring a generous dish/item to share if you can. Everyone is welcome! Enjoy delicious food and good conversations with UU friends!

UUErie.org

10/31/2025

🌒 Blessings for Samhain 🌒

Samhain, observed in many pagan and earth-centered traditions, is a time to honor ancestors—those whose love, courage, and wisdom continue to shape life today.

It also marks the turning of the wheel toward the dark half of the year, inviting reflection, release, and rest in the mystery of endings that make space for new beginnings.

May this season bring remembrance, connection, and peace to all who observe.

10/31/2025

Happy November!

The Beacon, UUErie’s monthly newsletter, is available now and it’s packed with everything happening in our congregation this month. From upcoming services to social events, volunteer opportunities, community updates, and other news, there’s something for everyone.

Take a few minutes to catch up, get inspired, and see how you can connect this month at UUErie!

https://uuerie.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/November-2025-Beacon-1.pdf

10/31/2025

Sunday Service - November 2 - 10:30am

“Sacred Laughter” with Speakers: Bruce Getsinger, Michele Paich, Tammie Johnson, and Dan Tingley

Humor often nudges us towards gratitude for
being human. Four congregants will share
some fond memories of the humans in their
lives.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Michele Paich, a member of UUErie since 2020, is a tree hugger, wonderer and wanderer, cloud watcher, star gazer, sun worshipper, dream weaver, water dancer, moon idolizer, nature lover, creator, and destroyer.

Dan Tingley, the proud father of four grown children, is a semi-retired magician and comic who has performed and sung with George Carlin and Sammy Davis, Jr. He is currently enjoying life with his wife and his hot tub.

Tammie Johnson's early religious training instilled a goal of advocating for the underserved and disadvantaged. She currently works with the downtown YMCA, helping families secure after school safety and security.

Bruce Getsinger is a semi-retired attorney; full time husband, father, grandfather, enthusiastic hiker, kayaker, and cross-country skier; a happy screen share tech who joined UUErie from the Oil City branch in 2008.

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Please join us for a delicious Potluck Lunch after the service. Bring a generous dish to share if you can. There is always plenty of food. All are welcome!

This service will be In-Person and on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/93308904216?
pwd = L2tzdFllcjBiYzBlTytyN0lNN29FZz09
Meeting ID: 933 0890 4216
Passcode: 502128
Dial in with any phone: 312-626-6799

UUErie.org

10/24/2025

Sunday Service - October 26, 10:30am

“Commissioning the Lay Pastoral Care Team” with Speaker: Bobbie C**t

Join us for a special Rites of Passage Service
as we commission the new Lay Pastoral
Care Team. Together we will celebrate their
covenant with the Board and congregation,
honor their ministry of compassion, and
affirm our shared commitment to care. Come, lift your voice in song, story, and community.

This service will be In-Person and on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93308904216?
pwd = L2tzdFllcjBiYzBlTytyN0lNN29FZz09
Meeting ID: 933 0890 4216
Passcode: 502128
Dial in with any phone: 312-626-6799

At this time there will be no coffee hour after the service, as we have no volunteers to host. Coffee hours are an important part of our Sunday morning gatherings. If you can volunteer this week, please email Michael Long. [email protected].

UUErie.org