Welcome!
We’re glad you’re here!
Sunday services at 11 AM.
1105 Elm. St. (at Illinois)
Youngstown, OH 44505
Recently Added
- UUYO Members Help Plant Community Gardens as Part of Farm to Family All-Church Project
- Sunday, May 20 – Gathered Here Discussions
- Sunday, May 20, Service – “Singular Experience”
- Sunday, May 20, Adult Forum – “Update on the Farm-to-Family All-Congregation Project”
- Mother’s Day “In Care and Conscience” Led by Rev. Mary Grigolia, Audra Carlson, Tim Raridon, and Becky Harker
- Students in UUYO Religious Education Classes Doing Artwork
- Sunday, May 13, Service – “In Care and Conscience”
- Sunday, May 13, Adult Forum – “New ‘Simple’ Solutions to Life’s Love Problems
- All Church Auction Saturday June 2 – 6 pm
- Introduction to Healthy Congregations – CANCELED
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May 5, 9 a m – 3 pm, Channing Hall
Healthy Congregations is a new way of thinking about both the congregation and its leadership. Participants learn to view the congregation as a whole, as an organism, as a system. Instead of seeing separate parts, participants will see interrelated parts and their interactions. The congregation is seen as a whole unit in need of care by the leadership. The concepts of Healthy Congregations are also applicable to many work and family life situations.
Our Minister, Matt Alspaugh, is a certified trainer in the Healthy Congregations program, has led a six-session training for the cluster of nearby UU churches — several UUYO leaders have participated in this program. In this introduction, he brings the essentials of Healthy Congregations to UUYO. Anybody associated with the congregation is welcome to attend; you do not have to be a member or in leadership to be part of this.
A lunch will be served. Participants are asked to contribute $10 (less if necessary) as a free will offering for the lunch.
Tuesday – April 24, and May 1 (7-8:30 PM)
This, the second of three discussions, will focus on native voices in the question of the Doctrine of Discovery, and the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants.
When Christopher Columbus first set foot on the white sands of Guanahani island, he performed a ceremony to “take possession” of the land for the king and queen of Spain, acting under the international laws of Western Christendom. Although the story of Columbus’ “discovery” has taken on mythological proportions in most of the Western world, few people are aware that his act of “possession” was based on a religious doctrine now known in history as the Doctrine of Discovery. Even fewer people realize that today – five centuries later – the United States government still uses this archaic doctrine to deny the rights of indigenous peoples. Read Five Hundred Years of Injustice: The Legacy of Fifteenth Century Religious Prejudice by Steve Newcomb of the Indigenous Law Institute.
What role has it played in American history? Why should we repudiate it? We’ll explore these questions with discussion, readings, and videos. Leader: Matt Alspaugh
As a kindness, please email the office or call the office at 330-746-3067 if you are planning to attend.
Saturday April 21, from 9 AM to 1 PM
Belonging to UUYO is for anyone who is thinking about greater involvement in UUYO, and possibly becoming a member. In this informative gathering, we’ll get to know each other, and learn a bit about this church and Unitarian Universalism. We’ll have an overview of the history of the church, and learn about how things get done at UUYO, and meet some of the leaders and doers here. We’ll also explore the building, maybe uncovering a few secrets along the way. A brunch will be provided. Those who wish to join UUYO will have an opportunity to do so the end of this gathering.
Please email or call the office at 330-746-3067 if you are planning to attend. Please email or call Rev. Matt (330-333-1456) if you have questions.
Three Tuesdays – April 17, 24, and May 1 (7-8:30 PM)
One of the items for consideration at the UU General Assembly in Phoenix in June is a resolution rejecting the Doctrine of Discovery. What is the Doctrine of Discovery? Here’s the story from the UUA website:
When Christopher Columbus first set foot on the white sands of Guanahani island, he performed a ceremony to “take possession” of the land for the king and queen of Spain, acting under the international laws of Western Christendom. Although the story of Columbus’ “discovery” has taken on mythological proportions in most of the Western world, few people are aware that his act of “possession” was based on a religious doctrine now known in history as the Doctrine of Discovery. Even fewer people realize that today – five centuries later – the United States government still uses this archaic doctrine to deny the rights of indigenous peoples. Read Five Hundred Years of Injustice: The Legacy of Fifteenth Century Religious Prejudice by Steve Newcomb of the Indigenous Law Institute.
What role has it played in American history? Why should we repudiate it? We’ll explore these questions with discussion, readings, and videos. Leader: Matt Alspaugh
As a kindness, please email the office or call the office at 330-746-3067 if you are planning to attend.
Wednesdays, April 18, 25, & May 2, 9, 16, 23 (7-8:30 PM)
Building Your Own Theology has been a popular program at UUYO for people to explore their spirituality. This BYOT uses the second program in the series: “Exploring.” This draws from the UU sources and constructs from systematic theology. Both new and long-term congregants are welcome to attend — you do not need to have attended the first BYOT series to attend this one (they are not sequential) . Please contact Matt for more information.
As a kindness, please email the office or call the office at 330-746-3067 if you are planning to attend.
 Six Wednesdays Starting February 22, 7 PM to 8:30 PM
Led by Rev. Matt Alspaugh
The Building Your Own Theology course invites each of us to develop our own religious understanding and a deeper sense of what each of us, individually, believes and values. The BYOT class will also help you develop a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism and perhaps make new friends. This has been a popular and well received course at UUYO. Both newcomers to UUYO and long-time participants are encouraged to attend.
 Rev. Matt writes: “As part of my spiritual practice, I read and reflect on short passages from inspirational writers. For 2012, I’m using Mark Nepo’s “The Book of Awakening”, and I invite you to join me. On occasion, I’ll be posting my own insights to my Facebook page, and you are invited to join in. Go to http://facebook.com/matt.alspaugh. Please realize that this kind of on-line sharing is new to me, so we’ll be experimenting a bit!
“The Book of Awakening should be readily available at local bookstores and at places like amazon.com. You can also preview much of the book, including the first two weeks of January’s daily readings, at google books.
“If you have questions, write me directly at minister@uuyo.org, or on Facebook. — Matt”
 Wednesday, November 30 – 7 PM
William Ellery Channing is considered one of the founders, if not the founder, of American Unitarianism. We will examine one of Channing’s most controversial sermons, the one which launched Unitarianism, a talk called “Unitarian Christianity”. The text is at http://www.channingmc.org/channingspeech.html. The group is led by Rev. Matt Alspaugh and Alan Tomhave, of the Philosophy and Religious Studies Dept. at YSU. All are welcome.
 The UUYo Resilience Circle will meet this Sunday, October 30, 1:00 pm in Channing Hall.The Resilience Circle is a small group of 10 – 20 people that comes together to increase personal security during these challenging times. Circles have three purposes: learning, mutual aid, and social action.
The economy and environment are going through a deep transition, leaving many of us feeling anxious and economically insecure. We’re facing unemployment, foreclosure, lost savings, and a rapidly changing environment. Many of us are isolated and face these challenges without the support of a community. In response, people are forming small “Resilience Circles” (also called “Common Security Clubs”) to get to know their
neighbors and explore a new kind of security based in mutual aid and community support. All are welcome.
 Oct 16, 12:15PM — get a beverage and join us in Schweitzer Lounge
Resilience Circles are groups that come together to increase economic security during these tough times, through learning, mutual aid, and social action. We’d like to explore organizing one here at UUYO, using the material from localcircles.org as a starting place. This is a great group for anyone worrying about their economic situation: transitioning jobs, underemployed, unemployed, retiring or retired, leaving school, or just feeling insecure.
We will see what the next steps will be to organize a group.
Rev. Matt Alspaugh
 Our Harpsichord building project is getting underway! The team will be building and finishing a harpsichord kit generously donated by Wally Mayhall (pictured) and Marcellene Hawk. The project requires some advanced woodworking and instrument making skills, under Wally’s direction. This will be followed by wood finishing and cover decoration — we’ll be looking for ideas and artistic talent. Want to know more? Contact Wally or Marcellene, or talk to Matt.
A Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) study group
Buddhism in a Nutshell – Part II
Saturdays 3 – 5 p.m.
June 4th, 18th and July 2nd.
Special Shakyamuni Buddha birthday celebration on Wednesday June 15th from 2 – 4 p.m.
(No class on June 25th – all dates subject to change)
This FPMT study program presents basic Buddhist philosophy and principles within the Tibetan Mahayana context, and provides simple meditation instruction. It includes audio recordings, readings, and discussion questions.
Suggested donation: $10 per session or $5 if you are a student or laid off.
You do not have to have attended Part I to attend Part II. This program is offered by FPMT in partnership with UUYO. See the blog, fpmt-ohio.blogspot.com
May 25, 7 PM, Sanctuary
 You are invited to join us as we explore the philosophical foundations of Unitarian Universalism. We look closely at original texts and examine their philosophical import and relevance for the modern UU church. We also consider how reactions to some of the popular doctrines of the past developed into UU beliefs.
On Wednesday, May 25, we will read the sermon by Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, which is available here. Edwards was one of the more famous preachers of the First Great Awakening in the late 18th century. American Unitarianism is in part a reaction against this piety.
Because sermons are meant to be heard and not read, we will read “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” aloud from the pulpit. Anyone who wants to give a go at fire and brimstone preaching is invited to share in reading, then we’ll discuss the text and times.
All are invited to our Socrates Cafe discussion group Wednesday May 4, at 7 PM at the church. We decide on a topic as a group, usually world events or issues with philosophical themes, then have a spirited discussion. It’s fast paced – you only get a minute or so each time you speak. Great fun! Monthly, led by Roger Jones.
Course Title: Buddhism in a Nutshell
Duration and Dates: 5 weeks – April 2nd, 9th, 16, 23rd & May 7th .
(No class on April 30th)
Days & Time: Saturdays 3 – 5 p.m.
Suggested donation: $10 per session: $5 if you are a student or laid off
Julie Thomas (Coordinator)
Tel #: 330-941-1735
taradakini108@gmail.com
This course is being offered by Julie Thomas, who has taught “Tara Dance” at UUYO for many years. We are excited to have her provide this offering in association with Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (fpmt.org).
Every other Thursday at 6:30 PM
March 3 — “The Stirrings Of Compassion: Caring For One Another”
March 17“Blow In The Wind, Rise In The Sea: Nature and Spirit”
March 31 — “Move in the Hand: Living Our Spirituality in Our Day-to-Day Lives”
Spirit of Life is a small-group exploration of Unitarian Universalist spirituality. Each session will explore a different aspect of spirituality, including topics like “Nature and Spirit,” “Everyday Spirituality,” “Celebrations and Rituals,” and “Spirituality of Working for Change.” This is a program developed by Rev. Barbara HamiltonHolway and is a part of the UUA Tapestry of Faith set of curricula for adults and children.
Rev. Matt Alspaugh will lead this program. While participants are encouraged to attend as many classes as possible, each class can stand alone. Newcomers are especially welcome.
March 23, 7 PM
This discussion-based group will explore the philosophical foundations of Unitarian Universalism. The group will look closely at original texts and examine their philosophical import and relevance for the modern UU church.
On March 23, we’ll be exploring the “Gospel of Thomas” http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/gosthom.html. (Copies will also be available in the Adult Education mailbox.)
The group will be led by Matt Alspaugh and Alan Tomhave All are welcome.
 Patricia Shelden Sunday Oct. 17, at 1 pm (after the Bread and Soup lunch)
This is a discussion of all losses, from the small, gradual losses to large, traumatic losses. This will be a chance to deepen your understanding of loss, grief and bereavement, and make sense of the complex emotions that often surround a loss.
All are welcome!
Rev. Patricia Shelden, a UU minister, directs an interfaith community ministry, Miriam’s Way, which offers support for loss and grief. Rev. Shelden frequently lectures about many aspects of Loss and Grief, especially Children and Teens and Loss. She conducts workshops, support groups and seminars and preaches on issues of Loss, Bereavement and Pastoral Care. She has developed and offers training for Lay Pastoral Care Associates for congregations. Rev. Shelden is currently the Community Minister Affiliated with the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland.
Rev. Matt Alspaugh will participate.
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