Community announcements
Meadville Unitarian Universalist Church becomes "Welcoming Congregation"
MEADVILLE (December 8) __ At its December 7 annual congregational meeting, members of the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Church voted to become what the U.S. Unitarian Universalist Association calls a "Welcoming Congregation" for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. Through an overwhelmingly majority vote, church members officially agreed to proclaim an alternative, prophetic and life-affirming message of "welcome, inclusion and love of the other," in response to the prevailing anti-gay and inhumane voices in our communities, whose message is "fear, exclusion and hatred of the other." The church will now take on the UUA "Welcoming Congregation" designation, officially proclaiming to the rest of the community its status as a spiritual community for all people, and an open and welcoming religious community for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.
"Over the past two years we have worked diligently toward the goal of creating a welcoming church community and safe religious space for persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender —a space available in very few other places in our world, and in no other places in our immediate area," explained Rev. Kate R. Walker, the church's Minister. "We have always believed that we are a spiritual community where people can really be themselves. And at our annual congregational meeting, we stated emphatically and officially that we are that kind of community."
The "Welcoming Congregation" program is a nationwide effort of the UUA. To date over 400 UUA-affiliated churches have decided to become Welcoming Congregations.
The Meadville Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 346 Chestnut Street at Diamond Park in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Their website is at www.uumeadville.org
"POS-TIME" Drop-in center opens
The Drop in Center "POS-TIME" will be open starting January 2.
It will be held at Community Health Net, 1202 State Street in Erie, and will be open every Friday from 10 AM to 12 noon.
POS-TIME will provide conversation, and a safe place to meet others and the staff, watch videos, read, or just relax. Coffee, tea, soda, water, snacks will be served.
For information call 454-4530 ext. 236 or toll-free 1-866-220-9800.
Re-framing me
The Crime Victim Center will hold a workshop called Re framing me for ages 13-18 to experience art, healing and self discovery while creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece on canvas. The four-week workshop will be held at the Center (125 W. 18th St.) on Wednesdays beginning February 4, 2004. Registration: Marge or Carol at 455-9414, $3 fee for materials.
