Minister Musings In October a young mother took her life by standing in front of a truck on Interstate 95 in Lincoln, Maine. What deeply saddens me

Transcription

1 Minister Musings In October a young mother took her life by standing in front of a truck on Interstate 95 in Lincoln, Maine. What deeply saddens me is that she was holding her two year old son when she was hit. Enoch, the young boy, survived and he is recovering in a hospital in Bangor. This story has truly rocked me. These two souls were not alone in life. They were part of a family. Enoch has an older brother, Ethan; and a father, Daniel. There are grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many friends that are left mourning. We understand that this mother, Heidi, is no longer suffering the pain of the depression she struggled with; but how do we comprehend that there s a little boy who is healing in a body cast? When does gratitude begin? It must start immediately. Gratitude is found in Enoch surviving and that the first responders on the scene were a nurse, an EMT, and an ambulance that just happen to be driving by. I find gratitude in his family being so kind towards the innocent driver that hit them and to all those who have helped them since. This family s outpouring love to all is ever present. Gratitude is no cure-all for the suffering in life. It cannot stop a mother from taking her own life, yet it can bring some comfort to her family now. They are thankful that both lives were not lost. They praise the kindness and generosity that has come since the accident. They are grateful for their faith which they have leaned on in this tragedy. It s said that Enoch s daily healing is healing the hearts in this family. Their faith has given them the gift of gratitude to look for what hope they might find in this terrible situation. They do not have all the answers. Such as when to tell the boys that their mother died, but they do have a purpose to care for Enoch and to give thanks. The holiday season invites us to take inventory of our gratitude. These days I find comfort in the simplest of gifts- for my family s health, for the heat in my warm home, and being in a loving church community that is so caring and thoughtful. I am most grateful for this precious life and for the lives that share this universe with me. Sadness and suffering are inescapable, but our gratitude can bring some relief from that pain. Peace, Rev. Julie

2 November 2018 Theme: Gratitude NOVEMBER 4 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am OUR TOWN A Dramatic Reading Rev. Edwin Lynn and Peter VanDeBogert The Religious Services Committee will present a special service with a dramatic reading of the last act of Thorton Wilder s poignant drama OUR TOWN. Cast Director Charlie Gravina Stage manager (narrator) - Charlie Gravina Emily Webb (upstanding young lady) - Jillian Steeves George Gibbs (upstanding high school boy) - Chance Kluckman Mrs. Gibbs (George's mom) - Terri Hansen Dr. Gibbs (George's dad) - Leonard Swanson Mr. Webb (Emily's dad & town paper editor) - Nelson Scottgale Mrs. Webb (Emily's mom) - Marcella Guerriero Wally Webb (Emily's younger brother) - Leonard Swanson Simon Stimson (church organist & alcoholic) Bob Harris Mrs. Soames (the gossip) - Genevieve Moen Constable Warren (the watchful cop)- Chris Ruggles Joe Stoddard (the undertaker) - Peter VanDeBogert Sam Craig (Emily's cousin) - Bob Ferris IN ADDITION there are several bit parts Because of this special service, there will be no story for all ages or cares and celebrations. There will be printed scripts for members who use hearing assistance devices. Some of those scripts will be highlighted with very minor speaking parts that will be read by members with the highlighted scripts. Bonnie Anderson returns to delight us with her virtuosity and soulful piano music. NOVEMBER 11 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am From Armistice Day to Veterans Day Rev. Julie Lombard On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 2018 people worldwide will mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. Folks will pause to recognize those who sacrificed their lives in the Great War, the war that was supposed to end all wars. We know it didn t end all wars; we also know the importance of taking this moment to honor all those who have served or have yet to make the sacrifice in the defense of freedom and democracy. In a month where gratitude is our worship theme, we come together with praise and thanks for those who serve. Please join us for a special kind of celebration that will honor them. The Singing Group will provide seasonal music to accompany the message of the morning.

3 NOVEMBER 18 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am A Special Instrument Rev. Julie Lombard All are invited to our Thanksgiving Multigenerational Service. As each family prepares to gather at their own Thanksgiving table, where ever it may be, let us raise our hearts in gratitude as we continue the honored tradition of a Corn Bread and Cider Communion. Let us lift our voices to sing familiar hymns and open our hearts as we revisit the story of the slave that gave us Thanksgiving. Please join us for worship to share in this outpouring of love for this blessed church community. The Singing Group joins in the celebration of the spirit of gratitude evoked by the Thanksgiving holiday. NOVEMBER 18 HARVEST DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT Harvest Dinner and Entertainment Barbara Haight, Fundraising Committee Member Following the Sunday service Following the Sunday service on Sunday, November 18th there will be a Harvest Dinner and entertainment in the NSUU sanctuary. Tickets are available on Sundays. Tickets can also be obtained by calling or ing the church office. (978) nsuu@verizon.net NOVEMBER 25 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am Gratitude, or not Observing Thanksgiving Day from the traditional and Native American perspectives Bob Vincent Thanksgiving Day began with modest roots. Originally a celebration of gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and all the good that came with the preceding year, it evolved from its religious and cultural traditions into one of our major secular holidays. But it is not universally celebrated. To many of our Native American neighbors, Thanksgiving Day represents four centuries of racism, genocide and government attempts to destroy their culture. Today s service speaks to both sides of the issue. In the process, it brings to light how one prestigious prep school trains its very privileged students to express gratitude for their favorable social and economic circumstances by learning simple yet effective ways of bringing comfort to the disadvantaged. We finish out the month with more beautiful piano music by Judy Putnam.

4 The Gift of Extra Years. Save the date, Saturday, November 17, 1 3 pm, at Northshore Church. The Caring Team will present a workshop and discussion led by Judith Medeiros, Chaplain at Brooksby Village. Judith has a keen interest in and a fresh outlook on the aging process, as well as an irrepressible positive spirit that we know you will enjoy. All are welcome to share in this event as ALL of us are aging, whether we are 70, 90, or 40, or anywhere else on our personal journeys. We look forward to aging together in the most meaningful way possible. Valet Parking at Northshore Church began on Sunday, October 7th Last fall the Caring Team announced in Good Things Are Happening the idea of having a valet service for Sunday Services. This is to address the concern that the driveway is strewn with acorns in the fall and snow in the winter, which presents a safety hazard for some to walk on. Please speak with members of the team: Martha Ardiff, Helen Brandt, Loring Bradlee, Linda Budd, Terri Hansen, Julie Lombard, Barbara Reeder, Roberta Riddle and Alice Rohr if you wish to learn more. News from the Social Action Committee Return of the Fair Trade Boutique: The Social Action Committee is once again hosting a Fair Trade Boutique, with a new twist. This year you can order from the SERRV consignment catalog during coffee hour after church services, or you can order in a more leisurely fashion from the comfort of your home. This is a winwin-win situation: you will have a large number of unique handmade gifts at very reasonable prices to choose from, you will know that disadvantaged artisans and farmers receive a fair price for their products, and our church will receive 10% profit for the items sold. SERRV is a non-profit organization that creates change through fair wages, empowers women, sends more children to school, and protects the environment. Orders may be placed between October 28 and November 18. November 4 Food Sunday: NSUU supports the Danvers Food Pantry with donations of food, checks, and gift cards. Nonperishable food items may be left in the Food Pantry basket in the Fellowship Hall on Food Sunday, November 4, or at any other time. Checks and gift cards may be given to the Scottgales for delivery to the Food Pantry. November 11 Soul Work Forum: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them: Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly as we ve seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, NY, among others. In this 18-minute TED talk, diversity advocate Verna Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then, move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how. The talk is close-captioned. We will have a discussion after watching the talk. A light lunch will be served. Please join us for this important topic. November 11 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 other snacks. Donations may be left in the Operation Troop Support box. November 18 Share-the-Plate Help Women Heal, for Lamp Lighters School: Those of us who attended the summer service "Waging Peace in Pakistan" will remember the school in Kasur, Pakistan, for the children of poor brick makers. The school occupies the house of the Bhatti family, and the family has moved into one room upstairs so that there can be two classrooms for the children downstairs. The boys and girls currently sit on the floor to go through their lessons. A share-the-plate contribution would be used by the school to finish a third classroom and to buy desks (i.e. benches and tables) for the students. Tax-deductible donations for Lamp

5 Lighters School are being collected and forwarded to Pakistan by the U.S. charity Help Women Heal. Help Women Heal, Inc. is a non-profit organization established to uplift and empower the women and children of Afghanistan and Pakistan. For more information: If you wish to donate by check on November 18, please make your check out to Help Women Heal. 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 November 25 and December 23 dinners. The time commitment is 5 to 7pm. 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. 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 csb.re@comcast.net or Lending Library: The Social Action Committee has a small collection of DVDs and books on social justice topics. They are located in the Library. 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. Our next meeting is December 9 after the service. Contact Lois Markham for more information.