Ricky Bernstein. Residence: 1089 Main Street, Housatonic, MA map and directions

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1 Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire Spirit of Life November What We Remember : Rev. Carol Allman-Morton At a time of year when people in many traditions remember their ancestors and stories, in worship we will share in ritual and a time for lifting up the names of those we have lost. We will also share funny stories, make some art, and explore memory. Today will be meaningful and fun for all ages. With Rev. Carol Music: Trustee/Greeter: Greeter: Hospitality: Hosp./Chalice: Jus ce, love, and compassion in spiritual community Hilda Banks Shapiro Laurie Shaw Gary Shaw Ricky Bernstein Dona Burdick What Does it Mean to Live a Virtuous Life? : Rev. Carol Allman-Morton For our next big question, we explore virtue. Who decides what virtues are? How do we know if we are achieving them? Why is it important? We will continue the conversation after coffee hour in Second Sunday School (for all ages). With Rev. Carol Music: Trustee/Greeter: Greeter: Hospitality: Hosp./Chalice: Ron Hanft Laurie Shaw Gary Shaw Bob Rausch Jon Greene When Girls Succeed, Everyone Benefits : Ricky Bernstein Ricky is a member of our congregation and Executive Director of Hands in Outreach Share the Plate with Hands in Outreach Music: Trustee/Greeter: Greeter: Hospitality: Hosp./Chalice: Hilda Banks Shapiro UUMSB Choir Laurie Shaw Gary Shaw Melissa Greene Paula Duhon Music from the Heart and Soul : Rev. Carol Allman-Morton Join us for a celebration of music, talents in our community, and the practices that bring connection with the holy through music." Music: Trustee/Greeter: Greeter: Hospitality: Hosp./Chalice: Musical members of the congregation Laurie Shaw Gary Shaw Wendy Noyes Sandy Noyes Mission: We come together from diverse traditions as a welcoming, religious community with shared values, seeking spiritual growth, lifelong religious education, and fellowship. We strive to promote justice, acceptance, and compassion in the world. Reverend: Carol Allman-Morton Residence: 1089 Main Street, Housatonic, MA map and directions Mailing address: PO Box 783, Housatonic, MA Tel: info@uumsb.org Spirit of Life November of 7

2 Rev. Carol s Column Love Will Guide Us This reflec on is excerpted/adapted from my October 7th sermon. Don t forget that Elec on Day is Tuesday, November 6! In our fi h Principle we have covenanted to affirm and promote, The right of conscience and the use of the democra c process within our congrega ons and in society at large. It is a spiritual and religious act to listen for the s ll small voice in your heart and vote. Vote your values. Encourage others to do the same. There are decision makers in this country whose jobs rely on the willingness of the people who disagree with them on values and vision to not show up, and on making it as hard as possible for many of the people who want to vote, to vote. Those who would hold power over us need us to believe that there is nothing we can do to stop them, and we need to do everything in our power to show them they are wrong. Let s get out there and live our Principles. Let s build a world community with peace, liberty, and jus ce for all. Let s help build communi es where all people can feel safe. Let s help take care of each other, listen to one another. And let s smash some patriarchy. I had the Blessings on the journey. Carol See Carol s sermons: h p:// worship services/ If you have any pastoral concerns, please call me to set up an appointment. I am available to meet on Sundays and weeknights or callmanmorton@gmail.com. info@uumsb.org Spirit of Life November of 7

3 Message from our President, Martha Page One must work with time and not against it. -Ursula K. LeGuin There are so many ways I love how our New England fall progresses...from the first crisp days through the frenzy of color to the late autumn browns and grays that allow us to see how every branch of every tree is formed. The shortened days are not one of the things I love, however. Earlier and earlier darkness underscores for me the passing of me which, as I get older, seems to go ever faster. There has actually been significant research on this phenomenon of me s more rapid pace as we age. One of the most popular theories posits that, as we age, each me period represents a smaller percentage of the total, thus giving the impression of faster movement. Another theory is much more appealing to me; this one indicates that me is perceived to pass faster when we are in a set rou ne and not regularly learning or experiencing new things. Thus, one answer to slowing down me may be to do new things, keeping a steady diet of firsts or differents similar to how children experience life. As we move through the years, there may be fewer areas where we can do something for the first me, but there are obviously an almost infinite number of different experiences we can pursue. If this theory is true, and if we are interested in slowing the passage of me, it might mean that enrolling in that Spanish class you ve been intending to or taking part in that community protest that may feel a li le in mida ng just might be the cket to extending our view of our me here! The gi of our congrega onal life means that many of those experiences can be done with others, including applying our me and skills in the myriad ways our hur ng world needs. All of this also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes about me and our use of it; I will end with this one from Tolkien in The Fellowship of the Ring: I wish it need not have happened in my me, said Frodo. So do I, said Gandalf, and so do all who live to see such mes. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the me that is given us. Martha info@uumsb.org Spirit of Life November of 7

4 November 2018 News for our UUMSB Congregation from your Social Justice Team The last quarter of 2018 began with a full schedule for your Jus ce Team. We sponsored an environmental jus ce workshop led by Laura Wagner of UUMassAc on following a Sunday service; we hosted a film (Robert Reich s Inequality for All) and post talk discussion; and we also sponsored a book talk with author John Bonifaz co author of The Cons tu on Demands It * The Case for the Impeachment of Donald Trump. Three members of our SJ Team led a Sunday Lay Service in mid October tled We Believe Our UU Faith Calls Us to Change the World with speakers Karen Clark, Erin McNamara and Tommie Hu o Blake. Sheryl Davies introduced to our congrega on a new Share the Plate organiza on UUA s Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF). CLF may be new to UUMSB but as Sheryl explained this UUA organiza on actually began in 1944 (during WWII) as an outreach ministry to military personnel serving abroad. In more recent mes the CLF has led an outreach ministry serving incarcerated (well over 700 prisoners are a part of this program) people serving prison me, who have become UUs using this CLF outreach. We learned that there are over 3,700 members of UU s CLF living all over the world. over 25 people (UUs and visitors) watching the film Inequality for All The Jus ce Team held our final 2018 quarterly mee ng on the last Sunday of October. Our 2018 calendar was reviewed and we began planning toward our 2019 schedule. We are pleased to say our commi ee is growing but we always have room for new members. For, as we stated during our recent Lay Service our UU faith calls us to do this work and working together we can have real impact in our own Berkshire community. info@uumsb.org Spirit of Life November of 7

5 November 2018 News for our UUMSB Congregation from your Social Justice Team To begin closing out our 2018 calendar in November our UUMSB People s Pantry Team will be working at the pantry during the first full week of the month and on Sunday, November the 11 th, SJ Team Member Ricky Bernstein will be giving his annual update on his work in Nepal with the educa onal program he helped found and is now the Execu ve Director Hands in Outreach. The mission of HIO is to find individual sponsors for inner city girls in Nepal who desperately need a li up. Once sponsored, a girl becomes a student (some for the first me) in HIO partner schools with the purpose to help alleviate profound poverty of the girls and their families. Come hear Ricky tell us about his most recent trip to Nepal, introducing his staff and students to our congrega on. You will be impressed with the work of HIO and we hope you will share generously when we Share the Plate on that November Sunday for a program that one of our own founded. Please remember you are invited and welcome to join us in this jus ce work. We work as a team and thus share the load. We make it a prac ce to enjoy our work and have some fun along our way. In the journey, ~Tommie Hutto-Blake for the UUMSB Justice Team Ricky Bernstein, Al Blake, Valerie Bluhm, Karen Clark, Stu Dalheim, Sheryl Davies, Ray Garnett, Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant, Lissa McGovern, Erin McNamara, Martha Page, Gary Shaw, Linda Skipper. **************************************************** DONATE BOOKS & BENEFIT UUMSB! You have an opportunity to do your own private fundraising for UUMSB! If you have good books on important or interes ng subjects that you no longer have use for, you can take them to Yellow House Books on Main Street in Great Barrington for possible purchase. Bonnie Benson, our UUMSB treasurer, owns Yellow House Books and if she likes your books and decides to buy them, she will give the purchase money to UUMSB for you as your dona on. For a clear understanding of the types of books Bonnie would like to purchase, call her at between Monday through Saturday. Many thanks from the UUMSB Board for your support! info@uumsb.org Spirit of Life November of 7

6 November Membership Directory! If you are part of our community, but have not yet officially joined the congrega on, we would love to add you to our member directory as a friend, so that folks can be in touch with you and we can call you in case of cancella ons. Just send an to our administrator Sheena with your contact info at info@uumsb.org! 2 Leigh Merlini 3 Vera Kalm 9 Elisabeth Cary 11 Pauline Dongala 14 Jon Greene 14 Fiora Randall 15 Julia Drury 18 Anna Duhon 24 Wesley H van Sant Any one else have a November birthday? Sheena and let her know! Calling all church folks! The UUMSB Facili es Management Commi ee (a joining of the Building and Grounds Commi ee and the Facili es Use Commi ee) is having an Outdoor and Indoor Fall Cleanup on Saturday November 10, from 9 12, followed by a potluck lunch. Come join us for leaf raking and weeding outdoors or a more thorough indoor cleaning than our monthly ones. There will be a sign up sheet during coffee hour. Many hands make light work! For more informa on, Valerie Bluhm at valerie4748@gmail.com. Thanks. Would you like to join? Come and sing with us! We rehearse at 9:15 a.m. before worship on the Sundays we will be singing. Contact Marian Rose for informa on. We come together November 18 UUMSB Community News: If you have any personal joys or concerns that you would like to share, send them to Sheena at info@uumsb.org. Thanks! The Caring Committee, a part of the Membership and Growth Committee, coordinates and delivers caring services to members experiencing difficulties. We are available for anyone needing assistance in life or family situations that seem to come to everyone from time to time. Our committee finds volunteers from the congregation to help provide visits, food, transportation, and other services, depending on the situation. Whether you or someone you know may need information, encouragement, a hand or a ride, please call: Valerie Bluhm (413) Zoe Dalheim (413) Phlox Laucher (413) Sharon Meyer (413) info@uumsb.org Spirit of Life November of 7

7 All gatherings held at UUMSB in Housatonic unless specified otherwise Click on this link to go to UUMSB calendar South County Race Task Force 7:00pm: Thursday November 1 Clocks Fall Back Sunday November 4 Membership and Growth Committee meeting 9:15am: Sunday November 7 Outdoor Indoor Fall Clean-up 9:00am: Saturday November 10 Facilities Management Committee meeting 9:00am: Sunday November 11 Second Sunday School 12Noon: Sunday November 11 Choir Rehearsal 9:25am: Sunday November 18 Board meeting 12Noon: Sunday November 18 UUMSB Board President: Martha Page (860) Trustees at Large: Vice President: Mike Thiemann (413) Lana Bennett (316) Secretary/Clerk: Graham Christensen (407) Lissa McGovern (413) Treasurer: Chuck Pierce (413) Laurie Shaw (413) Our congregation s first meeting was in 1995 with 6 people in attendance. We are a chartered congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We currently have 67 members and maintain strong ties to our community. We are a growing congregation in the liberal tradition that respects ideas, values diversity, and encourages the exploration of spirituality and life s meaning. UUMSB Church, Housatonic map and directions- info@uumsb.org Spirit of Life November of 7

8 Second Sunday School Big Questions This year explore Big Questions with Rev. Carol through readings, discussion and activities for all ages. Families are encouraged to come together. Each question will also be featured in an upcoming sermon. What Does it Mean to Live a Virtuous Life? November 11 Noon to 1 p.m. Coming Soon: December 9 What Holds the Universe Together (or not?) January 13 What is the Relationship Between Free Will and Freedom? February 10 What Are Prayers and Blessings? March 10 - What Happens After We Die? April 14 What Does it Mean to be Happy? May 12 - Why is There Suffering? Questions about Second Sunday School? Or have some questions you want to talk about? Please send them along to Rev. Carol! info@uumsb.org

9 Lifespan Faith Development at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire Lifespan Faith Development programs at UUMSB are designed to offer opportunities for deepening and exploring spirituality, traditions, history, scriptures, and practices in a Unitarian Universalist context including our congregational covenant and our UU Purposes and Principles. Worship Children are encouraged to take part in worship. While worship each Sunday is intergenerational, on First Sundays, we hold worship that is particularly geared toward intergenerational connection and shared spiritual development. Details for each month will appear in the newsletter. Please note we have a variety of art supplies for all ages available at the back of the sanctuary every Sunday. If you or your family would like to participate in worship through music, telling a story, leading a song, lay readings, or even planning a service, there are lots of opportunities! Talk with Rev. Carol to learn more. Second Sunday School The second Sunday of each month, noon 1 p.m. This year explore Big Questions with Rev Carol through readings, discussion and activities for all ages. Families are encouraged to come together. Each question will also be featured in a sermon later in the month. November 11 What Does it Mean to Live a Virtuous Life? December 9 What Holds the Universe Together (or not?) January 13 What is the Relationship Between Free Will and Freedom? February 10 What Are Prayers and Blessings? March 10 - What Happens After We Die? April 14 What Does it Mean to be Happy? May 12 - Why is There Suffering? For Children ages 7 and under Child care and age appropriate activities are available each week in our space for younger children if they will not be comfortable in the service. Quiet toys, books, coloring supplies and rockers are available in the quiet corner of the sanctuary. Children and youth older than 7 are encouraged to take part in the Second Sunday School program, and to participate in worship. If there is ever a worship topic, or a wiggly day, when they do not wish to be in the service, they are welcome to visit the nursery to read to or play with our youngest members. Coming of Age Program (Youth ages 12-14, and mentors of all ages) This program is an amazing opportunity to help youth bridge into young adulthood, build relationships with the congregation in new ways, have a mentoring relationship and learn more about Unitarian Universalism. Contact Rev. Carol for more information.

10 Living by Heart Second Wednesdays each month in the evening - Explore memorizing poetry as a meditation tool and spiritual practice. Jan Hutchinson is the facilitator and we meet at her house in South Egremont. If you would like to participate, please let Jan know (info@uumsb.org). Other ways to connect: Small Group Ministry - The Small Group Ministry program deepens and broadens personal spiritual growth. A group usually consists of 8-10 members who meet at each others homes, usually once each month. Each meeting is focused on a spiritual or religious topic. Check with Rev. Carol for more info. Social Justice ministries - There are wonderful opportunities for doing justice work in our community and with rare exception are for all ages (sometimes outside groups have minimum age requirements for some tasks, i.e. Habitat for Humanity). We encourage everyone in the community to look at upcoming social justice programs including work days, marches, book discussion groups and interfaith worship and programs. If you have any questions, see Tommie Hutto-Blake or Karen Clark. Feel free to bring your lunch or snacks to any post-worship programs! For More Information: Please contact Rev. Carol Allman-Morton at or info@uumsb.org We worship at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday, 1089 Main Street, Housatonic, MA