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My dear friends,
May the natural cooling of the seasons bring restorative energy to you.
Robert Frost wrote about October:
“O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
To-morrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.” |
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In just a few short words, Frost tells us that while we don’t know if each morning will
greet us with mildness or a wild wind, it can be a comfort to know that we are entering
the time of year when the “leaves have ripened to the fall.” That is to say that October
is a time devoted to rest. It is a time when the leaves are supposed to fall, and we are
supposed to pull our sweaters tighter around us.
As we hunker down in preparation for a Pennsylvania winter, we do so in the sure
comfort that we are together in spirit and in heart. We continue to find one another
virtually as well as in person, through the many groups and meetings of our beloved
community. These can always be found on our website calendar. We connect to one
another in a profound and holy way through our Sunday services.
If October invites us to slow down, dig in, take time, we would do well to listen. This
time of falling leaves reminds us that we are invited to shed the unnecessary, to present
ourselves authentically, and to show up with open hearts. This is what UUCV excels at.
This is where we shine: authenticity.
I look forward to sharing worship with you on these mild October mornings that Robert
Frost spoke about.
And as always, I invite you to contact me at minister@uucv.net just to chat about
anything at all. I look forward to connecting with you in person, online, or via phone!
With so much love,
Rev. Meg |
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The Worship theme for October is Radical Rooting
October 2 – “Rooted in our Shared History” All are welcome to join in this service for all ages, where we set a welcome table to celebrate each of our six UU sources. At each step we ask, "Where are the broken places? How do we help repair them?" Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associate Heather Fox.
Congregation Meeting and Pot-Luck! Stick around after worship for a quick congregational meeting....and bring your appetite and favorite dish to share after the meeting in the Social Hall.
October 9 – “Rooted in our Differences” All are welcome to join in this service for all ages, where we set a welcome table to celebrate each of our six UU sources. At each step we ask, "Where are the broken places? How do we help repair them?" Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associate Ben Ramirez.
October 16 - "Let's Talk about Pronouns, Baby" Once we've added our pronouns to our name tags, what's next? Radical Inclusion? Respecting all people? Where does the madness end? Join us as we take another look at pronouns and just what they have to do with spiritual growth. Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associate Michele Burton.
October 23 – “A Profession is not a Personality” Are we what we do? Is “job” a noun or a verb? Rev. Chris Kapp leads the service with worship associate Primajoy Ramalingam.
October 30 – “Samhain: A Thin Veil Between Two Worlds” The Wheel of the Year turns again as we celebrate Samhain (sow-wen), or Halloween. This is a time when the veil between here and there seems to thin. Who are our ancestors? How do we celebrate their influence in our lives? What heirlooms and gifts are ours from them? We invite you to bring photos of your ancestors or of the heirlooms they’ve shared with us. We’ll display them in the sanctuary during this special time. Members of our Wheel of the Year small group will lead this service.
Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary or on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 550 751 6685 |
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The UUCV Book Discussion group meets via Zoom on the 4th Sunday of each month at 6:30 pm. Dates and titles can be found on our website: https://uucv.org/fellowship/book-group/ . Please join us for a lively discussion, newcomers are always welcome!
The selection for October 23rd is “The Sentence” by Louise Erdrich. Set in a Minneapolis bookstore, this latest work from a master storyteller is a ghost story beginning on All Souls’ Day 2019. Tookie has recently been released from prison, and landed a job selling books. A frustrating customer, Flora, dies and refuses to leave the store. Can Tookie figure out why Flora’s haunting the place? Can any of us work through the grief of the year following All Souls’ Day 2019?
For questions, contact the Book Discussion coordinator, Riley Johnson riles1806@gmail.com pam@uucv.net
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Following worship on Sunday, October 2, we will hold a congregational meeting.
Meeting agenda includes
- Q & A on the 8th Principle,
- Auction announcement,
- Financial report,
- Capital Campaign update
- update on our formal paperwork filed on our interim minister.
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Pot Luck -
October 2
We are looking for folks to join our worship associates team.
If you've ever thought about helping out with worship services, please reach out to Chris Kapp and she'd be happy to talk to you about what being a worship associate entails.
Email Chris at voyagersheart@gmail.com or text her at 864-652-0611.
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From the Auction Committee
Good day to everyone! It is a good day indeed because once again, the quest to have a great and successful fall auction is at hand. The auction site is set up with 32auctions.com and ready for your sign-ups, food, baked goods, or made to order items. On Saturday, November 12 at 6:00 pm, the auction will begin in the church social hall. |
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For a suggested $10.00 per adult entry fee to join the festivities you get a great evening! Children are free and will have their own supervised festivities in the re classrooms. Upstairs, you will be entertained and can dance to the great music of the band lead by Brian McPherson. Food and desserts made by the volunteers of UUCV auction will be available to enjoy. An open bar will be hosted by the UUCV Men’s Group with beer, wine, mixed beverages, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Here’s the best part of it all! You will have the opportunity to bid on the sign-ups and made to order food, baked goods, and made to order items that your donor friends have come up with. I and the committee are encouraging everyone to come on over on auction night and join the festivities! If you need a ride, let the committee know using the auction email address, and we will safely get you here and returned home after the auction. There is also the option of getting a proxy bidder to get your bids in.
With all that said, we need your donations. As I think about it, I do not believe there is a single adult (and even some children) that do not have some skill they can create a sign up with. (I learned to kayak from a 10-year-old boy!) I know there are educators here. Offer a few hours tutoring a struggling child. Cooks and bakers, do your thing! Travelers and explorers, take a group to an interesting or unusual place. Families, host a back yard game and BBQ event. No back yard, no problem, get with a family who does or host in a local state park. Pavilion rentals are relatively cheap and there is always something happening to participate in. These are but a few suggestions. Use your imagination! The more creative you are, the more likely you will fill your maximum attendee roster!
We also need food and desserts for auction night and as always, some volunteers to help
with the auction. It’s not demanding work and if we get lots of help, you may only need to help for an hour or so. A donor sign-up board is on the auction table in the social hall.
Sign-up sheets for auction donors are also available on the table or you can submit you sign-up to the email address below.
Cathy Dewalt
Auction Chairperson |
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October Social Justice Opportunities |
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Programs under the umbrella of the Social Justice Committee include the monthly CARES dinner, Change for the World (CFTW), the Mozambique Bursary project and the UUCV Antiracism Initiative. Another component this year has been assisting an Afghan family as they transition to America from war-torn Afghanistan. Other events we regularly participate in include Project Share’s Farm Stand, the annual Pride Festival in Harrisburg, National Public Lands Day, and United Way’s One Day of Caring. We anchor our efforts around UUCV’s mission to transform lives and care for the world. Thank you to all who serve on the committee and for outside support we receive from many others in the congregation.
All are welcome to our meetings. The next Social Justice Committee meeting is Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 6:30 pm in person in the UUCV board room OR on Zoom. https://zoom.us/my/uucvpa |
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Change for the World
4th Quarter October - December |
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Moving Circles is a non-partisan local community group that networks/builds bridges for social change. Since 2016 it has met monthly (currently via ZOOM) for an on-going conversation, building trust over time, talking about racial and social justice issues and experiences. Concretely, it has hosted bystander intervention trainings and sent out alerts for vigils, marches, demonstrations, Borough Hall meetings, community unity events, festivals, … And it shares articles, videos, online links, books, films, and other resources. See Moving Circles Several separate action-oriented organizations have spun off including
Not In Our Town
and
the
Greater Carlisle Community Responders Network e.g. 4/6/21 “Carlisle Walks 4 Asians”. All work is volunteer. Moving Circles recently got 501(c)3 status so it can pay for e.g. ZOOM access, printing, postage, and website design and upkeep.
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Volunteers Needed - Franklin County Pride Festival!
UUCV is expanding its outreach into Franklin County and we need your help.
Please sign up for a shift at the Pride Franklin County Festival on Sunday, October 9 at Wilson College in Chambersburg. Sign up for a one hour to two hour shift. Perfect time of year to enjoy the outdoors and spread the love & acceptance UUCV as to offer. The greatest way to increase our funding is to grow our membership.
9:00 - 11:00 for Set Up
11:00 - 5:00 Booth Time
5:00 Clean Up
Email Melissa Mattson to sign up and let her know what timeframe you can do. jemgrrl@gmail.com. |
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MUST-SEE Social Justice Film
"Suppressed and Sabotaged:
The Fight to Vote"
Sunday, October 16th 9:00—10:00 am
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The Social Justice Committee is hosting a 45-minute film, Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote (2022) by Robert Greenwald (Director of Outfoxed, Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price and Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA) is a powerful documentary about the growing threat of voter suppression and election sabotage. The film focuses on a recent wave of conscious voter exclusion and subversion laws being enacted in states, and how the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race provides a deplorable example of today’s voter suppression efforts across the country. You will be surprised to learn shocking details you did not know. We hope to start promptly at 9:00 in the UUCV Board Room to have a brief 15-minute discussion afterward. |
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The 8th Principle
“Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” www.8thprincipleuu.org
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Do you have questions or concerns about the 8th Principle and how it may impact UUCV? Then please plan to attend the Town Hall meeting which will follow the Sunday service on October 2. 2022. Rev Meg and members of UUCV’s Anti-Racism Initiative will be providing information about the 8th Principle along with the plan to move UUCV toward adopting the 8th Principle. And then there will be a Q&A session during which you are encouraged to raise your questions or share your concerns and comments. The Town Hall meeting will be held in person and also carried on Zoom. Following the Town Hall meeting we will gather for a potluck meal. So, along with your questions, please bring a tasty treat to share!
If you are unable to attend the Town Hall meeting, another option for exploring the 8th Principle is to participate in a discussion session led by Rev Meg on a Friday evening. Dates for October sessions are Oct 14 and Oct 28. Session are at 7pm in the Board Room or on the UUCV Zoom channel.
For more information about the 8th Principle please visit www.8thprincipleuu.org or www.uua.org and type “8th Principle” or “article ii” into the search bar. You can also check the Anti-Racism Initiative page on www.uucv.org . From the UUCV homepage click open the “Justice” tab and then click “Anti-Racsim Initiative”. On this page you will find helpful resources for advancing your understanding of the issues the 8th Principle calls us to address.
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UUtheVotePA
Important Dates:
- October 24, 2022
Last day to REGISTER before the November election
- November 1, 2022
Last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot
- November 8, 2022
Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted mail-in and civilian absentee ballots (must be received by 8:00 P.M.)
- November 8, 2022 – GENERAL ELECTION
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Check your Registration or Register to Vote
- Links are provided at www.UUJusticePA.org
- While there, check out the Resources tab to find out more UUtheVote activities and info.
- Make sure your voting-age family members, neighbors, and friends are all registered to vote. And ask them to “Commit to Vote” on Nov 8
Volunteering Opportunities
BE AN ELECTION POLL WORKER
Call your county election office to determine what your county needs.
You will most likely not be in your precinct. Mail in your ballot beforehand.
If you would like more detailed information, please visit the pa.gov/Resource page.
- Participate in a training and get names to join in text-banking or phone- banking efforts.
- PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS. They are essential to our privacy, health, well-being, and environment. Remember Rev. Joan Sabatino's oft-repeated message: If every resident of our State voted, our General Assembly would look different, and our legislative priorities would be different.
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CARES MEAL
The October CARES meal will be provided by our members on Sunday,
October 16.
It’s time for us to provide a hot meal of Meat Loaf and warm casseroles containing vegetables.
Email Pam if you are able to donate any of the items still needed.
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Meat Loaf - 3 large meat loaves needed
Casseroles - 4 needed : Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean, Broccoli
Rolls & Butter- 3 dozen rolls & 1 lb of butter
Cole Slaw- 2 salads needed
Fresh Fruit - Any seasonal fruits like apples or pears
Desserts - 3 or 4 dozen cookies, and 3 dozen individual applesauce containers
Drinks - 1 gal of milk, 1 gal of iced tea, 1 gal of apple cider, large can of coffee and creamer
Thank you to all of you who contribute the nutritious parts of a great Sunday dinner to serve the CARES clients in Carlisle. Feeding these persons a nice Sunday dinner is so very important!
You can drop your items off on Sunday, October 16 in the UUCV parking lot between 3:00 - 3:30 pm. or bring them into the church kitchen the week of the meal.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE MOZAMBIQUE BURSARY COMMITTEE
The UUCV Bursary Committee would once again like to thank our members and friends
for their financial support. We frequently receive questions about this project. Some of
our most frequently asked questions, with answers, are provided below. You’ll see
more information in the coming weeks and months as the Committee prepares for its
November 6, 2022 luncheon.
Why would girls in Mozambique need financial help from us to attend high school?
Mozambique publicly funds secondary schools, but families have additional expenses.
School fees, uniforms, transportation, and living expenses in a town that may be hours
from a child’s home village make attendance expensive. Many families cannot afford
these additional expenses. Parents who can pay for only one of their children to
continue in school will likely choose a son rather than a daughter.
How do we know that the girls selected to receive UUCV Bursary funds are the best
candidates?
Many of our Bursary girls come from local PEDRA Clubs, founded by the United Church
of Canada. PEDRA Clubs promote AIDS/HIV prevention by teaching young girls about
the risks of unprotected sex. Our Program Officer in Mozambique, Sonia Saual, is a
former PEDRA Club member and Bursary student. Sonia frequently visits PEDRA clubs,
which enables her to know potential Bursary recipients. She recommends girls who are
capable, motivated to continue their educations, and need our financial assistance. The
Bursary Committee feels confident that Sonia selects the best candidates.
The Committee always welcomes new members. If you are interested in volunteering,
please contact one of the following Bursary Committee members – Martha Bergsten,
Dianne Dusman, Deb Genet, Brian McPherson, or Susan Rimby
Submitted by Susan Rimby for the Mozambique Bursary Committee |
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RE is off to an awesome start this church year. In October, we will continue our RE schedule that includes Multi-gen services, individual class times, and an All-Ages Activity that we call Triple A. We realize that it can be a bit difficult to track what is happening each week so a handy weekly guide can be found below. |
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10/2 is a Multi-gen service and children will remain in the sanctuary.
10/9 Children will be downstairs in the Spirit Play, Middles and YoUUth classrooms.
10/16 Children will be downstairs in the Spirit Play, Middles and YoUUth classrooms.
10/23 is a Multi-gen service and children will remain in the sanctuary.
10/30 is Triple A (All Ages Activity) and the children are invited to join us in the dining room.
During the individual class weeks, Children in Kindergarten through third grade will enjoy time in the Spirit Play classroom, Children in grades four through six will be in the Boardroom, and kids in seventh grade to age seventeen will be in the newly renovated YoUUth room.
The Spirit Play curriculum for kindergarten through third grade is Montessori based and includes the children's chalice lighting, faith-based storytime circle, child-led activity time, and joys and sorrows.
The children in grades 4 through 6 are affectionately referred to as our Middles, and they will be working on Tapestry of Faith activities made available by the UUA. These activities relate to the Service themes of the day as well as community service initiatives.
The YoUUth in seventh grade and up will be working on a curriculum that they developed with Rev. Chris Kapp last spring that includes faith based discussion, social justice initiatives, and community service. The theme they are exploring in October is "Creating Community."
If you haven't yet filled out a registration form for your children who are participating in RE this year, a member of the RE committee will be reaching out as we make sure our paperwork is in order. We ask that parents or guardians of children in Nursery, Spirit Play and Middles promptly pick them up from the classroom at the conclusion of Service.
It takes many hands to run RE. If you are able to help out, you can use the link below to see when our needs match with your availability.
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Adult RE Discussion Group
Adult Fall RE will begin on Sunday, September 11. The group is open to all over 18 and meets in the Board Room (downstairs) at 9:00 am. You can also participate by ZOOM https://zoom.us/my/meetingsuucv
Contact Keith Bittinger with any questions kbittinger@comcast.net
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October 9: Sounds and Emotions - Many spiritual/religious traditions include practices that use mantras or the chanting of sacred sounds to induce a state of wonderment or awe. We will review some research that shows how individual sounds have emotional valence and then apply the findings from these studies to specific mantras from various traditions, including Buddhist, Hindu, and Sufi. Discussion leader: Brian McPherson.
October 23: Antiracism - Common Read - Justice on Earth - Environmental discussion topics are contemplative practices, stepping out of our silos, and learning to change. This class discussion will draw from Chapters 7, 8, 9 (pgs. 67 – 106) of Justice on Earth - People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment (available from www.uua.org and more). Prior reading is encouraged but optional. Discussion leaders: Cheryl Parsons & Martha Bergsten
November 6: Voting in PA - Are you ready to vote on November 8? (Make sure you and your friends are already registered before the October 24th deadline.) Bring your questions about voting in PA for a respectful, non-partisan, non-political Q&A. For example, when is the Pennsylvania Primary, and can independent voters participate? We’ll start by visiting the Running for Office section of the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website, www.dos.pa.gov for an overview of how people become candidates. Then, we’ll take a brief tour of voter education resources on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s other website, www.vote.pa.gov. If you have questions before or after our discussion, please call the Pennsylvania Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (877-868-3772). Discussion leader: Jennifer Hricak
November 20: What Does Spirituality Look Like in Your Life? - Discussion leader: Riley Johnson
December 4: Mormonism - In this class we will look at the origins, beliefs, and rituals of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon Church. Discussion leader: Courtney Wiley
December 18: Powwow - What exactly is it and does it work? - Powwow, also called Brauche or Brauchereiin Deitsch, is a vernacular system of North American traditional medicine and folk magic originating in the culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Blending aspects of folk religion with healing charms, "powwowing" includes a wide range of healing rituals used primarily for treating ailments in humans and livestock, as well as securing physical and spiritual protection, and good luck in everyday affairs. Discussion leader: Cathy Dewalt. |
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Coming Up in October....
Mark your calendars...it's going to be a busy October at UUCV: |
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- New Membership Classes - Sunday, October 9 is the first class which will be held in the Board Room at 12:30pm
- Grief Support Group - Wednesday nights at 7:00pm on October 5, October 26 in the Sanctuary
- 8th Principle Discussions - 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at 7:00pm in the Board Room and on ZOOM
- Holy Grounds - October 1 at Cafe 101 from 12 noon - 2:00. Rev. Meg will have a table reserved...come and talk with her!
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UUCV Fundraising Opportunities
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UUCV Fall Indoor YardSale
NOW Accepting your Treasures!!! Drop off in the Dining Room Sunday, or contact Pam to drop off during the week 8:30 - 1:30 and until 3:00 on Wednesdays. |
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We will hold the sale INDOORS in our Dining Hall on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8.
We would also like to have a few folks to act as guides....we will have a few tables set up in the hallway with some of our brochures, UUCV information, etc. And would like to offer tours of the building for anyone interested. If you can monitor a table, please contact Pam with your requested time.
We will collect items through Wednesday, October 5. No clothes, appliances or electronics. |
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Don't Miss Out!!!
Do you buy groceries? Gas? Prescriptions? Alcohol?
If so…we have a deal for you. Buy a $100 grocery card for Giant, Weis or Karns FOR $100….no extra cost to you…but you will be contributing 10% for each Giant card you purchase and 5% for each Weis or Karns card you purchase back to UUCV.
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It’s a WIN/WIN for everyone.
Buy cards on Sundays, before and after worship, stop in at the church office during the week Monday - Friday 8:30 - 1:30 and 3:00 on Wednesdays, or mail a check and we'll mail your cards back to you. UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. Mark the type of card you want in the memo line of your check.
And...you can use the cards to purchase your groceries online!
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Grocery Card Win-Win
Purchase a Grocery Card from UUCV and donate to ECYEH
Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
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This is a reminder of another way to support UUCV and contribute to our mission of transforming lives and caring for the world. For several years UUCV has been collecting donations for grocery cards that are then given to ECYEH (Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness) in what we call our Win-WIn grocery card program.
Small things can make a big difference. Our Win-Win grocery card program provides much needed help to ECYEH clients and UUCV gets a $10 donation for each $100 Giant card purchased.
Here’s how the plan works if you are able to make a donation:
• Please mail donations to Pam Martin at UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. Donations can also be dropped off to Pam during office hours or placed in the offering baskets on Sunday.
• Donations need to be checks made out to UUCV, and in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100.
• Checks should have ECYEH marked in the memo line.
• Donations will be combined toward the purchase of $100 Giant cards as these provide a $10 return to UUCV.
• The grocery cards will then be given to ECYEH.
From Sonia Pitzi, the coordinator for our region’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program, “Thank you never seems big enough to express how grateful we are that you have chosen us to receive your hard earned dollars. Yet, know that I say THANK YOU with the biggest hug attached.”
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https://smile.amazon.com/
Do you shop on Amazon? Go instead to https://smile.amazon.com/
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support UUCV every time you shop, at no cost to you. Select The Unitarian Universalist of the Cumberland Valley as your charitable organization and everytime you make a purchase Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to UUCV. Same great producs, same prices as Amazon, but https://smile.amazon.com/ makes money for UUCV. |
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