THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF MIDDLEBOROUGH

Transcription

1 THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF MIDDLEBOROUGH 25 South Main Street, Middleborough, MA November, 2017 The yearlong theme is power, privilege and possibility. Sunday, November 5, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Sarah K. Person preaching Keeping Our Enemies Closer Psalm 23 affirms that You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. What is the most difficult situation you have ever been in? Who are the most difficult people you ve had to deal with? The guiding principle of Namaste embraces the idea of a radical hospitality so powerful that it invites everyone, even those we perceive as our enemies, to the table. How can we prepare ourselves to offer, or accept, such generosity? The Chalice Choir will be singing. Sunday, November 12, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Sarah K. Person preaching A Woman at War Revolutionary War veteran Deborah Sampson was considered an exemplar of female heroism, fidelity and courage. Her impoverished mother bound her out as a child to be an indentured servant to Deacon Benjamin Thomas, Middleborough farmer. She served her term with the family and grew up to serve her country as a soldier and scout. Disguised as a man, she engaged the British in battle - digging trenches and suffering injuries alongside her fellow troops. Her story has something to tell us about dedication in the face of tremendous obstacles. Special Music will be provided by Heidi Lawton-McCarthy. Sunday, November 19, at 10:30 a.m. A Family Worship Service led by Juliet Donaldson, DRE Building a Better World Join us for a family Wrap-Up Service where we explore the foundation of the Equal Exchange movement here in America. Michael Rozyne will be speaking about his experiences. The Family Choir will be singing. Sunday, November 26, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Sarah K. Person preaching In Light of Lies Imagine a world in which there is no alternative to the absolute real: no fiction, no advertisements, no religion, no lies. That was the clever premise of a 2009 movie called The Invention of Lying. Life is comically dull by our standards, human interactions are brutally frank, there is no imagination and no hope. Along comes a character who discovers in himself the unique capacity to lie, and through his subsequent shenanigans there is mercy, hope, religion and love (along with great wealth, fame and fortune). In the land of truth, the liar is king. What can we glean from this concept in today s America? This is a family-friendly service. Special Music will be provided by Marc MacQueen, bass-baritone. Minister s Meditation On Tee Shirt Sunday It started with the Boston Women s March last spring when I saw two young boys wearing identical tee shirts saying, Fight like a girl. I was tickled to see them a part of this event. Young boys and young girls would be the vanguard of change, or nothing we did that day would matter. Would these two wear them to school? Maybe, maybe not; but they wore them when they wanted to be counted - standing with their families, with their sisters. Tee shirts are proclamation. They demonstrate our individuality, or hide our individuality in the midst of a crowd. Either way, they say I am here, deal with me; we are here, deal with us. Some are funny, some are political, some are angry, some are sweet and some are profane, some are informative, some are offensive, some are from the heart, and some are marketing. This is what I want you to know I care about, they say; whether it s a designer or a declaration. This is who I am, this is what I like, this is how I want you to see me. Like me. Loathe me. Fear me. Laugh with me. Our tee shirt slogans say pay attention. They don t say agree with me. They just say pay attention. And if you want to comment on my tee shirt, go ahead. I m okay with it. What do you want people to know? What idea do you share? What does your heart proclaim? What better time than now? Rev. Sarah

2 NOTES FROM THE PARISH COMMITTEE Are you looking for something to get involved in? Would you like to do something that really matters? Is there some deep yearning or purpose that you're seeking to fulfill? Maybe you'd like to make some connections with others? Well, there are many opportunities here at Church to do all of that. If you missed the All About Us Fair held last month, don't despair. There are many who will gladly fill you in on all that's going on here. Reverend Sarah will be glad to point you in the right direction and connect you with the right person who can tell you more. If you're invited to join or support or perhaps even lead a particular effort, please consider it an honor to serve the Church that you love, and know that our wonderfully vibrant community is the product of all of our collective efforts and contributions. Also, think of it as an opportunity to put your own unique stamp on our brand of Church life, as we are richer with the diverse blend of talents and gifts of many. If you're not able to commit, that's ok. Saying no to one thing frees you up to consider other things that speak more to your heart. What is your heart telling you? How can the Church help you fulfill your deepest yearnings? Bob Waterman, President DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS Don t forget to turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night, November 4! STEWARDS OF CHILDREN Child Abuse Prevention Training for Adults and Children Sunday, November 5 4:00 6:00 p.m. in the Church More than 90 percent of victims of child sex abuse know their abusers, usually quite well. Do you know how to speak up as an adult if you see a situation that makes you uncomfortable, and how to set up routines and spaces that will make the children in your life safer? On Sunday, November 5, Julie Kennedy of Old Colony YMCA will bring to our church this course for ages 18+ developed by From Darkness to Light, a national child-sex-abuseprevention group. Both Juliet and Kimberly took the course, required for all Y child-care workers, and learned new practices we could put to use in our families right away. This is not just for teachers, parents, and grandparents but for all adults who have children in their families, neighborhoods, and church. While the adults are learning upstairs in the parlor and sanctuary, K-6 children are invited downstairs to learn from the safety unit in the Our Whole Lives curriculum for their age group. Teens are needed as assistants and to provide care for pre-k children. Pizza will be provided; let us know if you require gluten free. You must sign up for these programs by November 1 so we have enough course materials. Sign-up sheets are located in the Parlor and on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, or let one of us know. Kimberly French and Juliet Donaldson, Adult and Children s Religious Exploration

3 n Special thanks to the many people who made our Fall Concert such a success, including performers and bakers and candlestick-makers. That last group includes all the people who are not up-front and center, who provide the needed support. This is truly a church that pulls together to pull things off, and we did indeed (once again) Raise the Rafters. Our November adventure will be participating in the Middleboro Music Guild Thanksgiving Concert on Sunday afternoon, November 19, at 3:00. The venue is Sacred Heart Church, and the cast of characters includes choirs from churches and schools, instrumentalists, and soloists all from our greater Middleboro/Lakeville area. A free-will offering benefits scholarships for high school students going on to major in music at the college level, as well as funds used to help promote music in our Middleboro schools. This annual community concert is a kick-off for the holiday season. In December we will have Caring Choirs bringing holiday cheer to many people in our community. Stay tuned for details in the next newsletter. Susan Hotchkiss, Director of Music MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Interested in starting, developing and enriching a meditation practice? Join us Monday mornings, 9:00-10:30, November 6, 13, 27 and beyond, in the Parish Hall. Facilitated by Tom Tanguay, long time practitioner and teacher in the Buddhist Mindfulness tradition, we will build a practice that extends from the cushion to every aspect of daily life. CUUPS Monday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall ELDERHOOD Rite of Passage As we go through life, we encounter several milestones. Many religions have ceremonies or rites of passage denoting these milestones. As with females who have their three main stages of life, so do males have important points that they can celebrate at these stages of life. Whereas women have a Croning ritual to celebrate the entry into Elderhood, males have a Saging ritual to welcome them into the elder stage of life. This Elder stage is one full of wisdom, compassion and understanding. Come join us as we celebrate the rite of passage of Frank Girard into Elderhood as a Sage. Everyone is invited to join in this celebration. A potluck will follow. Monday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall THANKSGIVING RITUAL We have so much to be thankful for each and every day of our lives, but at this time of the year we dwell more upon the many gifts from Nature, from family and from friends. This evening will be filled with poems, prayers, songs and thoughts of what life means to us all. Come and be Thankful.

4 ON THE TABLE Wednesday, November 8, at 7:00 p.m. Center for Spiritual Practice at the McKinstrey House, 115 High Street, Taunton AND Wednesday, November 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor On the Table is a monthly conversation hosted by Rev. Sarah Person about faith in society that is now taking place in two locations: Taunton and in our own Church in Middleboro. Kneeling for the Anthem The debate over kneeling in protest during the national anthem started with Colin Kaepernick in 2016 and has intensified as a nationwide issue across teams and sports from high school to professional venues. These protests have sparked a very public conversation about the messages and how players have chosen to deliver them. Share your thoughts with us about whether this is an appropriate and effective means of peaceful protest, or an act of disrespect toward our country. What does the national anthem mean to you and what do you believe it should represent in this instance? For a good briefing on the debate, click on RITUAL & REFLECTION with Barbara Bancroft and Rev. Sarah Mondays - November 13 & 27, December 11 6:00 8:00 p.m. Join us in the Parish Hall for ways to feed the soul with a blend of gentle yoga, videos by Tara Brach ( creative practices, conversation and prayer. There is a limit of 15, so please contact Rev. Sarah at minister@uumiddleboro.org. STAND-IN AT THE STATE HOUSE Do you feel concerned about climate change but worry there s nothing you can do that will make much difference? In the current political climate, state legislative policies are one of the most effective places to have an impact. Two key issues our church has been learning about in the past year are fossil-fuel infrastructure and carbon pricing. On Tuesday, November 14, our congregation will be joining UU Mass Action and other UU churches at the State House for a day of action addressing both issues. We will be standing in at noon outside the governor s office to demand an end to oil and gas infrastructure passing through the state. In the afternoon, we ll meet with our legislators to learn about their environmental positions, especially carbon pricing. We ll also have an organizing training in the morning and lunch with other UU congregations who are working on these issues. All are peaceful, non-confrontational actions. Everyone is welcome, and you can come for any part. We ll have a brief strategy session at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 13, in the Parlor and work out carpooling then. Let us know ASAP if you can join us. Kimberly French, Climate Justice Team MEMORIAL GARDEN In mid-november we will be cutting down all the perennials and spreading a layer of compost. If we load compost into tubs and bring it over from a local supplier ourselves, we will save money. If you are willing and able to help with the cutting, the hauling, or the spreading, or can help us with the use of a pickup truck and big buckets or tubs, please call or Mike Schroeder to let her know when you are available so we can put together a team. Did you appreciate the garden at any moment this season? Please thank Patty Simon, who did almost all the maintenance this year.

5 RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION We ve made a good start on our Jedi training: we ve discovered the 7 pillars of the Jedi, voted on the First Principle Project, talked about the issues of cloning, and learned about the Jedi Trials. The Jedi Trials There are four Jedi trials that our Jedi trainees can work towards during the year: Justice, Service, Compassion and Democracy. The Trial of Justice: As part of our Force for Change unit, Jedi trainees can help sell Equal Exchange products, are encouraged to trade out regular family purchases for more ethical options, and help out and learn more about our local food pantry. The Trial of Service: Trainees are encouraged to be greeters, help with coffee hour, raise money for the church by helping with the RE Valentine Dinner, help with childcare, or light the chalice during the service. The Trial of Compassion: Trainees will be asked to identify random acts of kindness that they feel they could do during the year. The Trial of Democracy: Trainees will be asked to contact a government representative about an issue that is important to them, attend a town or political meeting with their parents, sign or help promote a petition, or research and raise awareness of an issue with family and friends. To succeed in a Jedi trail and earn their pin, each trainee will need to undertake 7 activities. Parents and Guardians will need to initial the Trial Cards once an act has been done. Trainees are encouraged to write details of their accomplishments on the back of their Trial Cards. Save the dates: Our Halloween Party is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, starting at 3:00 at Juli Gould s house. Grab your costume and join us for fun games, food and a bonfire. Force for Change Event on Sunday, November 12. We ll be selling Equal Exchange items just in time for Thanksgiving. Our Holiday Party will be after the service on Sunday, December 3. We ll decorate gingerbread houses, sing carols, put up the Christmas tree, prepare reindeer food, make Christmas cards and eat pizza. Our Winter Pageant is scheduled for Sunday, December 17. We ll be acting out the story of Star Wars with the help of R2D2 and all the beloved Star Wars characters. On Saturday, February 10, the RE Program will be hosting a Valentine Dinner to raise money for the congregation. We ll cook food, wait on tables and offer some after dinner entertainment. Juliet Donaldson, Director of Religious Exploration

6 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COMMITTEE MEETING (approved) September 20, 2017 Present: Bill Howe, Holly Begley, Bob Waterman, Pam Davis, Marc MacQueen, Reverend Sarah Person, Nancy Backus, Eileen Smith, Barbara Bancroft, JR Pucillo-Dunphy and Laura Stevens Attending: Susie Sherman The July minutes were approved with corrections. The Hospitality Committee wishes to acknowledge Jeanne Marks s contributions. A card for her will be passed around. Minister s Report: We are off to a good start. Our first fall Sunday brought in new families. On the second Sunday many returned. Barbara Bancroft and Rev. Sarah are offering a new course on Ritual & Reflection; the next session is on October 16. Two controversies occurred this summer. Reverberations from the Sex Offenders in Our Midst program generated some Facebook exchanges. Rev. Sarah thanked the staff, Lay Minister Sue Curtiss, and the congregation for their strong support around Mrs. Page s memorial service. Chris Korben and Dorine Levasseur are ramping up membership development efforts. Deanne Bonner and others are working to focus Social Justice efforts. Rev. Sarah is developing linkages through work with MAAC, the local YMCA board, as a Peer Facilitator for the region, the Ballou-Channing District and the Center for Spiritual Practice. Rev. Sarah thanked the PC for the transfer of funds from the Scott Trust to the Minister s Discretionary Fund. The Ballou Channing District will host a meeting at the church on 10/14, facilitating conversations between lay leaders and offering resources. Treasurer s Report: Presented as distributed via . Lots of early pledges have cushioned summer income. Financial markets are performing well for our funds. Religious Exploration Report: Presented as ed. Most of last year s participating families have re-registered, along with two new families. Twenty-four participants signed up for the OWL program. Possible BCD grants are being examined. The PC will consider a request from RE to provide several Chapel Sundays to offset Juliet s increasing workload resulting from programmatic growth. It was suggested that committee reports be posted somewhere in the church for the Congregation to read. Building & Grounds reports that the back porch roof area leaked over the piano. Alan Melchior replaced the ladies room faucet and may paint as well. Clutter by the back stairs needs attention. The sliding door to the office is sagging and needs attention. Sue Sherman expressed thanks to all those working, repairing and replacing throughout the church. Expansion Task Force reports that architect Eric Kluse will be coming next week to look at the Benard land to determine whether or not it is buildable. Expansion is taking a long view; it could take 5-6 years to conduct a capital campaign. Rev. Sarah reported that the Social Action and Membership Committees will soon be holding brainstorming sessions. Things are going smoothly with PR & Outreach. A strategy is needed to cover Val s summer vacation. UU Updates should be used as needed, but not overloaded. Some folks are missing the paper newsletter. Cash in the Plate: Sunday 9/24 collection was earmarked for hurricane relief; we will continue this through October, while working to identify an entity for distribution of funds. UU church organizations and others will be considered. November s cash will go to the food pantry, and December will go to the Minister s Discretionary Fund. Fundraising: The yard sale earned about $2,270. Set-up and clean-up crews worked well. Sue Sherman thanks all those who helped. Plans for next year include starting earlier and screening out broken or damaged items. Planning is well underway for the Lakeville Arts Festival task sign-up sheets are posted in the Parish Hall. Our Raising the Rafters concert will take place on October 8. A space rental proposal from Fred Ortelt was discussed; it will be considered as a one-time project. Hospitality suggests renters pay kitchen coordinators for private events. The Music Committee recommends that we drop one license and keep another, shifting to different coverage. Pledge Drive plans were discussed. Dan Hotchkiss recommends a three-part strategy. 1) Examine mission and determine what money is needed for. 2) Decide what the message and packaging will be. 3) The Ask Coordinate who, what, where and when it will take place. The next meeting on this topic will take place on 9/27 at 6:00 p.m. Regarding incorporation with the State of Massachusetts, one report is due in October and another in June, to be signed and submitted with a $15 fee. Bill Howe will handle this for the time being. Long-term management will be planned. A meeting on Congregational Safety took place on 6/25. Janet Walkden, Kimberly French, Juliet Donaldson, Bob Waterman and Reverend Sarah participated. Follow-up with concerned individuals will continue and transition to the Committee on Ministry. The congregational safety policy will be updated, and conversation within the congregation will continue. The YMCA s Julie Kennedy will offer a presentation on how kids can help keep themselves safe. The meeting was adjourned.

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8 DRUMMING CIRCLE Saturday, November 18, at 6:00 p.m. at Pam Rasa s Home Pam is starting a Drumming Circle on November 18 which will continue to meet the third Saturday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at her home for anyone ages 15 and up who would like to attend. This will be an indoor/outdoor event depending on the weather. Please bring a rattle or a drum or both. If you need a rattle or a drum, one can be purchased at Ms. Bee Haven Angel Alley, 10 West Union Street, East Bridgewater. A pot of soup or other main course will be provided. Finger foods are welcome. Please RSVP to Pam Rasa.