October 28, 2012 On
Sunday, October 28, 2012, we celebrated with our Welcoming Congregation
Team on becoming, a Welcoming Congregation. Over the 2+ year process,
we learned much about LGBTQ issues, and are working hard to be allies to
our friends in this(our) community. http://www.uua.org/lgbtq/welcoming/program/ October 1, 2012 On October 1 community members and friends of Family Promise of Lower Bucks enjoyed awesome wings at Buffalo Wild Wings in Langhorne. The restaurant donated a portion of all sales on that day to Family Promise of Lower Bucks. This non profit will be providing services to homeless children and their families in early 2013. For more information please contact Lisa at 215-547-0569 or email fplb@comcast.net. In this photo supporter Laura Weinstein from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lower Bucks is selecting her dinner at the event. September 23, 2012 “International Day of Peace” ![]() September 18, 2012 ![]() Evelyn Griga representing the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lower Bucks presents a check to Jeff Fisher the CEO at the Bristol Borough Community Action Group who manages the Food Bank. The fellowship has seven basic Principles including the second 'Justice,Equity and Compassion in Human Relations'. Through out the year the fellowship collects food and a shared plate collection of cash that supports the Food Bank. Evelyn and her husband Bernie have noted how very much the food bank needs donations. Together we can make a difference. May, 2012 The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lower Bucks member Rich Kelly presented the Ivin's Outreach Center in Morrisville a check collected from the congregations split plate program. One of the 7 Principles of the UUFLB is to express Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. They were inspired after the large apartment fire in town over the summer. February 5, 2012 “Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Gender Bias” On Sunday, February 4, 2012, Allison Woolbert and her business parter, Debbie Duncan lead service and a workshop on gender identity and bias. In her sermon, "Men are from Mars, Women Are From Venus, So Where Do I Come From?”, Allison spoke of her life experiences being born into the world of fundamentalism and gender intolerance. After service, Allison and Debbie led an interactive workshop that created a peaceful but provocative environment where participants' beliefs were (safely) explored. Sixty-two members, kids and visitors, participated in the workshop and were treated to a quiche lunch, prepared by the Welcoming Congregation Team. Read more about what the team is doing by clicking here. October 2, 2011 Reverend Libby Smith Installed as UUFLB's First Settled Minister September 22, 2011 CONGREGATION MAKES HISTORIC FIRST IN ITS 46 YEARS Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bucks County to Hold Installation of Settled Minister October 2. Bucks County – For the first time in its 46-year history, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lower Bucks (UUFLB) will install a settled minister Sunday, October 2. The membership voted to “call” their consulting minister of the last four years, the Reverend Libby Smith, and she accepted that call. The installation service is a formalization of the agreement during a public worship service. In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, ministers and congregations are free to choose one another. This is in contrast to many other religious denominations where clergy is chosen for, not by, the members. UUFLB, historically a lay-lead congregation, has had several consulting, extension or interim ministers, but never settled. As a settled minister, Smith commits to the congregation beyond a yearly contract. Now she will enjoy an open-ended contract with the vibrant, growing congregation. “Settled ministers do what their title suggests,” says Smith, “they settle in to become a part of the long-term life of the congregation. One version of the act of installation puts it this way: ‘We have called you to live among us, to make our concerns your concerns, and to walk with us on the paths of understanding, righteousness and peace.’”
Smith grew up in the Unitarian Society of York, Pa. – now Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York – where her mother is still an active member. The Tufts University graduate worked as religious education director in Columbia, Md., for five years before earning her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. She spent a year as Interim Minister in Rockport, Mass., before moving to Bucks County to accept a call from BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. After eight years as a settled minister, Smith accepted a half-time position as Chaplain at the now-shuttered Unitarian Universalist House, a small nursing and assisted living facility in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Smith joined UUFLB as consulting minister in September 2007. UUFLB supports spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth in a diverse congregation of all ages and beliefs. UUFLB is a member congregation of Unitarian Universalist Association. [ image link ] [ press release ] May 14, 2011 Gay Pride Parade The Fellowship came out in strong numbers to "Stand on the Side of Love" in this year's New Hope Celebrates, Gay Pride Parade on Saturday, May 14th. The threat of rain did not dampen anyone's spirit, and the group marched and sang through the streets of New Hope, PA. There are moments in our UUFLB history that should be remembered. Our
participation in the Saturday May 14, 2011 Pride Parade set in New
Hope, was one of those moments. Forty of our members including our
minister, Libby Smith, marched side by side with other religious groups,
service organizations, local politicians, musicians and local
businesses as a show of support for the LGBT community. We were solid in
our stance and very vocal in our message of "standing on the side of
love." That day we became one voice. One voice supporting respect and
inclusion for all.
-- Laurie LeMott
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