December Minister s Musings by Julie Lombard

Transcription

1 December 2015 Minister s Musings by Julie Lombard Have you ever attended Winter Solstice at NSUU? Being new here myself, I can say I haven t. However, that will all soon change. Winter Solstice is a beloved tradition at our church in the woods. This year we will celebrate it on the evening of Monday, December 21st. December is sprinkled with honored worship traditions during December the Holiday Workshop on December 6 th, Music Sunday on the 20 th, and a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service on the 24 th. As the days grow short and the nights longer, we urge you to celebrate with us the hope that candle light brings. I know, how could you possibly fit in another thing to your busy lives, right? If you are agreeing with me, these worship interludes may be for you. They offer a break from the busyness of the season and call us to be at rest for a short while as we celebrate the season before it passes by. Do you like to sing, do holiday crafts with friends, fill a darkened a room with the warmth of candle light? Come join us this December. We offer what sooths the soul. Gautama Buddha said, Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. This is the feeling that comes to mind when I think of a sanctuary light by flame. The tranquil candles brighten the darkest corners and burdens are lifted as brief word serenely reminds us of the peacefulness needed to exist in a hectic world. These gatherings offer us a break from the craziness of the world, a warm refuge from the winter-like weather, and a delightful way to come together in community. Don t miss out on attending one of these worship services in December. Francois Nars said, Fragrance makes us dream. As we worship by candle light this December, the smells of wax and wicks burning will permeate our sacred space. This smell is an invitation for us all to come to dream together. Please join us.

2 December 2015 Services HOPE DECEMBER 6 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am Holiday Workshop Celebrate the joy of the season at our annual holiday workshop service on Sunday, December 6. We take a break from the hectic commercialism around us to focus on connection and reflection of the holiday. We will gather together for a short service and caroling accompanied by the Northshore Ukulele Players, and then we create gifts, treats, and decorative items for the holidays. This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another as we collaborate in a setting of sharing and creating. The crafting will be followed by a potluck lunch. The service leader will be Tracee Kneeland. The festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. DECEMBER 13 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am When Hope Is Hard to Find Julie Lombard December s worship theme is Hope. Even still, we sometimes struggle to find hope during the holiday season. Many, at different times throughout their lives, confront a blue Christmas. Come rediscover ways to lift even the hopeless spirit, and find joy in the beautiful music of Bonnie Anderson. Bonnie Anderson, a frequent and favorite piano soloist will be providing our music today. DECEMBER 20 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am All Music Service Judy Putnam, Music Director You don't want to miss this service that will include our Singing Group, youth singers, handbell ringers, and guest soloists including Annie Lombard, flutiest; Ed Wall, cellist; Andrea Kaiser and Judy Putnam, four-hand piano, and others. This service will include a variety of music, readings, reflections and poetry. This is always a most uplifting service during our holiday season. DECEMBER 21 SOLSTICE SERVICE-- MONDAY EVENING 6:30 pm Due to the wonderful response from last year's solstice service, we will be repeating the service which is based on A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual, A Celebration of the Darkness and the Light with Songs and Stories, written by Julie Forest Middleton and Stasa Morgan-Apel. This celebration will have lots of music, rituals, stories and candle lighting. Northshore Church volunteer members and friends will be the readers, and the Singing Group will perform many musical selections and will lead the whole congregation in song.

3 DECEMBER 24 CHRISMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 6 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Julie Lombard Feel the spiritually renewing magical powers of worshipping together by candlelight on Christmas Eve. Come to a multigenerational worship celebration which will rekindle all souls with familiar carols, uplifting readings, and the warmth of community. DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH FRIENDS 1-3 pm All are invited to join us for a traditional Christmas Dinner with all the fix-ins'. DECEMBER 27 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am Past, Present and Future Peter VanDeBogert A nostalgic look back at past holidays and traditions, a thoughtful look at present joys and concerns of the season, and consideration of future hopes and dreams for meaningful celebrations. The emphasis will be on how those elements affect you and your loved ones. Those attending will have the opportunity to share. Religious Exploration December is a busy time for Religious Exploration and the community that we are part of. It is a month that we all come together through music, craft and worship. There will not be a lot going on in the classrooms as we spend most of our time with the entire congregation. Please remember that we are still seeking volunteers for the Religious Exploration program and could use your help in many different ways. Please let Meryl know if you are interested. Thank you for the support of our youth during their caramel apple sale. They raised much needed funds for their spring service trip. Next year we will have to double our apple count! Writing your life, one story at a time You are invited to attend a two hour workshop, Introduction To Memoir Writing, on Sunday, January 10 after church. Begin putting those family stories on paper for your children, grandchildren and beyond. As time spins faster and faster, the lives we've led and those experiences that made us the persons we are may fade unless they are documented. No one else can tell your story with all its subtleties, complexities and historical context. Don't you wish you had your ancestors stories to read today? Your families will thank you for preserving your memories. Just bring pencil and paper and a bag lunch. If there is enough interest, we could form an on-going group. Call me if you would like to talk it over. Edith Fenton ( ).

4 From your church administrator... Your pledge Every month is a great month to pay your pledge, but December is an especially great month to complete your pledge and claim it on your 2015 income tax return. Use of the church There are many spaces here at Northshore Church for church groups and committees to use for their meetings. Although we discourage use of the meeting room by small groups during the winter heating months, there are many other rooms that can be used. In addition to the fellowship hall and the library, there are also 5 classrooms in the wing. There is one key to all classroom doors, and it hangs on the kitchen wall, just to the right of the entry door. You are welcome to use any classroom space on Saturdays and Sundays and on weekdays after the daycare is closed at 5:30 pm. Directories New and updated directories are available on the table in the fellowship hall. Church Online--nsuu.org The church website is there for you. The church online calendar is a great resource when making plans for an upcoming meeting or event, the current and past church newsletters are posted on the website, and there's lots more--it's all there for you! Thank you to Bo Batty and Vanessa Grimes, our Webmasters. News from the Social Action Committee November 29 - December 13 - Return of the Fair Trade Boutique: Enjoy your holiday shopping in a relaxing, non commercialized environment. Join the Social Action Committee during coffee hour from November 29 through December 13 at our Fair Trade Boutique. You will find unique and beautiful handcrafted items for everyone on your gift list made by artisans from 32 countries, all at extremely reasonable prices. Our church will receive 10% of all sales. But most importantly, the money will support lowincome artisans and farmers. All sale items come from SERRV, a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. December 6 Food Sunday: 'Tis the season of giving. And what better way to celebrate the holidays than to help replenish the Danvers Food Pantry. Nonperishable food items may be left in the Food Pantry basket in the Fellowship Hall during our Holiday Workshop on Food Sunday, December 6, or at any other time. You may also make a donation of gift card or check made out to the Danvers Food Pantry. These can be given to Gwen, Nelson, or Daniel Scottgale for delivery to the food pantry. December 13 Operation Troop Support Sunday: NSUU is a collection point for Operation Troop Support. Donations for the troops (both male and female) include toiletries (razors, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.), socks, puzzle books, candy and snacks. Donations may be left in the Operation Troop Support box in Fellowship Hall.

5 December Share-the-Plate: The December share-the -plate will take place at the Christmas Eve service and will be donated to the Danvers Food Pantry. To donate by check, make out your check to the Danvers Food Pantry. Common Read: A common read is a book that everyone in the congregation is encouraged to read during the same time period and then discuss. Over the past two years, NSUU has had four common reads that have sparked lively discussion. This year, as the Social Action Committee focuses on the environment and environmental justice, we have chosen for our next common read Naomi Klein's recent book: This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate. We will have a discussion of the book early in Climate change is an alarm that calls us to fix an economic system that is already failing us in many ways. Klein builds the case for how massively reducing our greenhouse emissions is our best chance to simultaneously reduce gaping inequalities, re-imagine our broken democracies, and rebuild our gutted local economies. Klein documents the inspiring movements that have already begun this process. Sunday-Night Suppers at Lifebridge: Thanks to a dedicated crew of team leaders, who plan and organize, and volunteers, who buy food, cook, and serve, we provide a hot meal for about one hundred clients of Lifebridge in Salem on the fourth Sunday of each month. We welcome new volunteers. We are now signing up volunteers for the December 27, January 24, and February 28 dinners. The time commitment is 5:00 to 7:00 PM. You can sign up on the white board in Fellowship Hall. If you would like to donate money for the purchase of food, you can make out a check to NSUU, write Lifebridge in the memo line, and put your check in the offering any Sunday. Green Sanctuary: The Social Action Committee has formed a subcommittee to explore the process of becoming a Green Sanctuary. The subcommittee, already busily at work, is open to anyone in the congregation. If you are interested in joining, please contact Iain Goddard. Family Promise North Shore Boston: Family Promise North Shore Boston is a non-profit, interfaith hospitality network that provides temporary shelter, meals, hospitality, and case management for families experiencing homelessness on the North Shore of Boston. The goal is accomplished through the participation of hundreds of volunteers from North Shore congregations. Currently, the Social Action Committee is developing a group of volunteers from NSUU. A volunteer commits to two hours of service four times a year. The service may take the form of providing a meal, serving a meal and visiting with the families, driving, spending time at the day center with families, etc. Cathy Sullivan-Bradley is the volunteer coordinator for NSUU. If you are interested in volunteering, contact her at catherinegaia@comcast.net or Lending Library: The Social Action Committee has a small collection of DVDs and books on social justice topics. They are located on a table in Fellowship Hall. If you would like to borrow a DVD or book, we ask that you sign it out and return it within two weeks so that others may borrow it. Share-the-Plate Applications: The Social Action Committee welcomes proposals for the share-the-plate program. If you support a charitable organization whose goals are consistent with UU principles, please consider submitting an application for that organization to share the plate. Blank application forms are posted on the Social Action Committee bulletin board near the front of Fellowship Hall. The Social Action Committee welcomes new members. Contact Lois Markham for more information.

6 Excerpts of November 10, 2015 NSUU Church Board Meeting Iain Goddard, Chair of the Green Sanctuary Subcommittee, presented the completed Energy Audit to the board. He summarized the findings of the audit, noting that 54% of our $11,000-12,000 annual electric costs are incurred in February, March and April. In the report there are several recommendations concerning air quality as well as energy conservation measures that can be taken to reduce costs and waste. Recommendations include installing weather stripping and caulking, conducting a humidity analysis, improving ventilation, replacing the costly electric baseboard heating system with more efficient units, and replacing lighting units for more efficiency. Iain noted that the Green Sanctuary Subcommittee is ready to help with any of these projects as the board begins to prioritize the recommendations. Iain presented an overview of the UUA Green Sanctuary process. On behalf of the Green Sanctuary Subcommittee, he asked the board to support a congregation-wide involvement in the process with the goal of increasing awareness and building a culture of earth-friendly sustainable practices, culminating in a Green Sanctuary certification from the UUA. Iain outlined the four basic areas of concentration for projects that will increase awareness and respect for the environment: environmental justice, worship, religious education and sustainability. The first step in the lengthy process was conducting the energy audit, from which may come several of the projects. The second step is a board vote to support the process. After the vote, the UUA will provide a coach who will help guide the work of the committee and the congregation. There was discussion about cost implications of the Green Sanctuary process. Iain noted that costs associated with specific projects would be determined at the board level and built into the budget. The only direct cost for Green Sanctuary certification is the $100 application fee. Although each church who has been through the process would have their own unique goals and projects, Iain was asked to talk with other churches to determine their Green Sanctuary-associated costs. The Board unanimously agreed to support the Green Sanctuary process at NSUU. Treasurer s Report: Vanessa reported that income is currently exceeding expenses by $30,000 and noted that snow removal and the heating season have not yet begun. It was also noted that Maintenance is at 95% at 58% of the fiscal year due to late summer and early fall projects. She will adjust the forecast for this line. She noted that endowment dividends are more than expected and that cash collections are exceeding forecast. Minister s Report: With regard to the Minister s Report, Brian wanted to discuss the time constraints and how Julie is feeling about time management. It was agreed that after the initial two months of attending all committee meetings, she could now cut down on that schedule. The creation of the Church Council will create a mechanism whereby she can be informed of all committee work in one meeting with committee chairs. She will also be able to call upon the Transition Team to be a sounding board and help her prioritize her time and commitments. Julie will prioritize more time with staff in the coming weeks. Other Business: It was agreed that NSUU should plan to have an annual Homecoming Sunday each fall. It was noted that the 50 th Anniversary will be celebrated in Church Council: The Church Council will be made up of the chair or a representative from each church committee as well as the board co-chairs, treasurer and minister, staff and webmaster. A council chair should be selected. The purpose of the Church Council will be to enhance communication and church-

7 wide planning. It was suggested that the format be a 5-minute check-in for each committee and then focusing discussion on a church-wide project or event. The date was set for Sunday, December 13, at noon for the first meeting of the Church Council. The agenda will include budget deadlines. The focus of the first meeting will be the Green Sanctuary process. Policies: It was decided to create a small group to review and decide on policies such as building use, fundraisers, etc. A subcommittee was formed: Jason Beringer, chair; Vanessa Grimes, Bob Bullivant. Jason also would like to look at the by-laws and update them. Holiday Appeal & Stewardship Campaign: Brian reported that a holiday appeal has been planned and he will write a letter for the appeal. The annual stewardship campaign is being planned. Brian would like to see a task force formed to lead the campaign. Transition Team: The Transition Team for the new minister has been formed: Carol Bullivant, Barbara Haight, Peter VanDeBogert. They have set a date of December 6 for their first meeting with Julie. Kitchen Supplies: There has been a question of who buys kitchen supplies and who is responsible for keeping the kitchen stocked. It was suggested that a Hospitality Committee be formed to consist of the coffee host coordinator and others who are willing to create a list of kitchen needs and obtain supplies. Membership currently has the budget for kitchen supplies. It was agreed that a kitchen usage policy should be created and a process for stocking the kitchen be instituted. This topic should be added to the Church Council agenda. Building & Grounds Update: The damaged rugs have been moved out of Fellowship Hall and the rug from the Meeting Room has been installed there. The exterior wall damaged by ice dams has been repaired with new insulation and a heater to prevent further dams. A broken window in the nursery wing has been repaired. Retreat Committee: Bob will see if dates at Ferry Beach are favorable; if not, he will look at alternatives. Nominating Committee: Barbara Reeder and Audrey Merkel have agreed to serve on the nominating committee. It was suggested that Marty Langlois be asked to join them as there are several vacancies to fill. Art Calendar: It was suggested that a picture of the calendar be posted on Facebook and our website to increase sales. Sound System: During the 200 th anniversary morning service, Rev. Lynn s microphone did not work properly and a few individuals did not hear all of the service. It was agreed that more training for set-up and operating the system should be provided to members who volunteer for pre-service prep and for visiting speakers.

8 A Letter from the Northshore Church Board Dear Membership Team and Religious Services Committee, Thanks to your excellent cooperation and planning, the bicentennial celebration was an unqualified success. You can be extremely proud of the efforts you contributed to honor the history and heritage of the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church. Both the entertainment event on Saturday night and the outstanding Sunday service will be remembered for many moons as capturing the essence of what our church and its members are all about. It was such a joy to see so many former members who accepted Leonard Swanson s invitations to join us for the festivities. We hope that some of them will be motivated to return to our church. Having three ministers representing 39 years of our church life added special meaning to the worship service. The musical renditions by the handbell choir, the three youngsters, the fourhand piano and the Singing Group were fabulous touches orchestrated by Judy Putnam. Meryl Baier s story was a perfect complement. The lunch, organized by Judy, was a fitting conclusion to this superb weekend. The left-over food was delivered to the residents of the Extended Stay Motel in Danvers. The calendars of Northshore Church artists, arranged by Jean Koulack- Young and Dick Lundgren, were like the frosting on the cake. Also, having the written copy of the church history project spearheaded by Barbara Haight will serve as the chronicle of how Northshore Church came into being. What could have been better than the Saturday night entertainment? The combined effects of Bonnie Anderson s virtuoso piano playing, Tony Walsh and the Knotty Celts and the dramatic readings by Peter VanDeBogert, Beth Blanchard and Julie Lombard provided a showcase of the rich talents which we have enjoyed for many years. The refreshments, the table decorations by Audrey Merkle and the feel of the evening are additional evidence of the wonderful spirit we share. And oh, by the way, we may actually make a little money when all the accounts are settled. Many hours of preparation helped to accomplish such a marvelous triumph. We also want to express gratitude to the many people who helped with set-up and clean-up activities. We can treasure the outcomes, which felt like a return of the good old days and will serve as a springboard in our efforts to restore full-time ministry by increasing Northshore Church membership and financial support. On behalf of the Board, Bob Bullivant and Brian Orr