The Spire The Newsletter of First Parish Unitarian Church 24 River Street P.O. Box 152 Norwell, Massachusetts 02061 phone 781-659- 7122 fax 781-659- 7939 October 10, 2012 Volume XI Issue 3 www.firstparishnorwell.org Sunday Services 10:00 am Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein preaching unless otherwise indicated October 14: Revs. Weinstein and Susan Chorley, Director of Renewal House, will reflect on how acts of service and social justice work transforms all of us. The Second Sunday collection will benefit Renewal House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. It is a program of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministries. October 21: October 28: Life After Life Bring photos of your loved ones who have died in the past year. Rev. Vicki will preach a sermon that attempts to respond to recent questions asked her by parishioners about how to manage fears of our own mortality. We will continue the conversation following the service with the third of our UU Are Here series, this one on the Afterlife. On a pastoral note, we have lost many church members in the past year. This will be a service of celebration as well as mourning. Please come and be part of the body that remembers, gives thanks and grieves together. Rev. Dr. Weinstein will preach on the identity of Spiritual But Not Religious.
OFFICE HOURS (September to mid- June): Closed on Mondays Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9 am- 1 pm Friday: 9 am- 12 pm PHONE: 781-659- 7122 FAX: 781-659- 7939 HOME PAGE: www.firstparishnorwell.org Minister: Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein victoria.weinstein@gmail.com Acting Director of Religious Education: Victoria Capon vcapon@me.com Music Director: Gingy Grimes E- MAIL: Hope Weinman, Office Administrator office@firstparishnorwell.org Donna McDonald, Bookkeeper donna@firstparishnorwell.org Parish Committee 2012-2013: Chair: Bob Neely Members: Noel Constantino, Bernie Gardner, Deane Howard, Sue Keady, Sue Robinson and Patti Walters Treasurer: Marta Reese Minister Emeritus: Rev. Richard M. Fewkes The deadline for the next issue of THE SPIRE is Monday, October 22 (email version). Submissions may be emailed to: office@firstparishnorwell.org, or dropped off in the church office. IN THE SPIRIT You may have seen the article on Unitarian Universalism by Bob Smietana of the Religion News Service that appeared last week in the Washington Post. It was very heartening! I m excerpting the article here for those of you who didn t see it, but if you re Google- savvy you can find it easily enough on- line. I ve also posted it on our church s Facebook page. De Lee is one of a growing number of Unitarian Universalists, a group of people who believe in organized religion but are skeptical about doctrine. The denomination grew nationally by 15.8 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Although they remain small in total numbers with about 211,000 adherents nationwide, Unitarians believe their open- minded faith has a bright future as an alternative to more exclusive brands of religion. They might be right, said Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. Bass, who has studied thriving progressive churches, said Unitarian Universalists can fill a niche in conservative religious cultures such as the Bible Belt. I think there is a role for these kinds of more open and liberal spiritual groups, Bass said. They provide a nice countercultural community. The denomination, which started in New England, has been growing more in the South than in other parts of the country, said Rachel Walden, a public witness specialist from the Boston- based Unitarian Universalist Association. 2
The church hopes to appeal to the rising number of nones those with no specific religious identity. A recent poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press showed that about one in five Americans falls into that category. Parlor at 10 am. Come if you can; the ladies welcome everyone! In faith, hope and love, Rev. Vicki Lee Barker, president of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, said Unitarian Universalists are in the right place at the right time. We are at a time when the values of our church and the values of our culture are intersecting, said Barker, who is a Unitarian minister. I don t see that going away any time soon. It was good to see author Diana Butler Bass quoted in this article, as I read and loved her most recent book (the one referenced above) this summer. It s a great analysis of the current moment in American religion, and I highly recommend it to you. If some of you are interested, we can get together to discuss it. Discussion is high on our list of priorities for the next three Sundays after church, when Victoria Capon and I will be hosting informal gatherings for teaching about our religious tradition and doing theological reflection together. You don t have to sign up but it would be helpful if you would! CARING CORNER Our condolences to the family of Charlotte Messinger, sister- in- law of Don and Joan Messinger and dear friend to many in our church. Healing prayers are with Carol Sullivan who is recovering after a recent hospitalization. Prayer for Living in Tension By Joseph M. Cherry, Voices from the Margins If we have any hope of transforming the world and changing ourselves, We must be bold enough to step into our discomfort, brave enough to be clumsy there, loving enough to forgive ourselves and others. May we, as a people of faith, be granted the strength to be so bold, so brave and so loving. In other great reads I must recommend Tom Perrotta s novel, The Leftovers about the aftermath of a sort of Rapture where millions of random people (not just born- again Christians) are whisked away at the same moment. Where did they go? What do the people left behind do next, how do they continue to make meaning in the face of such existential fear and trembling? I will be discussing the book with the Alliance on Wednesday morning, October 17 in the Fogg 3
HOLIDAY FAIR 2012 Saturday, November 17 9:00 2:00 Mark your calendar right away - we need your help with this major fundraiser! We need you to bake and can, make handcrafts, clean out your closets and bring your clean, good toys, books/cds and household treasures to the church the week before. See Deanna Riley or Bev Gardner for ideas on gift baskets you could make. Please don t leave items in the sheds unless protected. They get very dirty there. NOTE: We will not accept large sports equipment, TV s or very old skis. Bring pictures of any large furniture, instead of the item. To volunteer to help, call any of the following coordinators: Set- up & Handcrafts: Marcia Babcock, 781-659- 2956 & Betsey Drollett, 781-934- 6672 Holiday Table: Sue Robinson, 781-294- 8840, Rita Horgan, 781-826- 6060 Silent Auction: Marina Selby, 781-659- 2019, Joanne Howard, 781-826- 6561 & Joyce Hockman, 781-545- 6517 Snack Bar: Jim Miller, 781-837- 6620 Books: Sally Turner, 781-659- 4646 Grandma s Attic: Phyllis Buell, 781-659- 2203 and Noel Constantino, 781-878- 7983 Jewelry: Stan & Jean Wilderoter, 781-659- 7682 & Dorothy & Bill Montuori, 781-383- 1468 Gift Baskets: Deanna Riley, 781-837- 4964 & Bev Gardner, 781-829- 0932 Baked Goods: Helen Keeler, 781-837- 8248, and the Alliance Toy Table: **Chair or Co- Chairs needed** Electronics/Sports: Chris Kitchenham, 781-447- 5831 & Larry Baker, 781-826- 3284 Face Painting: Youth of the church (proceeds to the Youth Group), assisted by Karen Baker, 781-826- 3284 Publicity: Peg Kitchenham, 781-447- 5831 Clean- up: Don Messinger, 781-659- 7574 & Les Taylor, 781-837- 2929 Be a part of this year s fair and make special memories! Be sure to bring a good appetite for lunch and don t miss the fun of this important all church activity. CALLING ALL COOKS! First Parish members and friends need to get cooking! Breads, cookies, pies, jellies and preserves, beans, casseroles and candies will be sold at the Holiday Fair in November and we need people to help provide them. You can start baking now because many of these items can be successfully frozen. The Bake Sale Table usually sells out so the more food we have, the more money for First Parish. Any questions, please call Helen Keeler at 781-837- 8248. I have lots of recipes if you need help! ATTENTION, COMMITTEE CHAIRS Each committee is assigned at mail box in the Church Office. Please try and check it regularly. Any mail will be left for you there. Parish Committee members each have their own mailbox. 4
THEMED GIFT BASKETS The gift basket committee is in dire need of donated large or extra large empty baskets! We have plenty of nice small and medium baskets for you to choose from but need larger ones. Please sign up to provide a gift basket to be sold at the Holiday Fair which will be the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 17. You can use your own basket or choose one of ours at Coffee Hour. You decide on a theme, buy items with that theme, keep a list of what you have bought and what you paid for them, bring the whole thing to church during a Coffee Hour, and we will help you wrap that basket with our supplies: grass, a cellophane bag and a pretty bow. Then we will take your list and make up a card listing the basket contents and the price. Please look for sales and deals since we want to keep the baskets reasonably priced. Baskets between $15- $45 sell best. Please bring your filled basket to Coffee Hour any Sunday between now and November 11, and we will help you wrap it. Baskets MUST be at church by November 11, but the earlier the better! If you want to donate money but not do the shopping, we have two wonderful volunteers who will make a basket of your choice with your money. How easy is that? ~Bev Gardner, Deanna Riley, Joanne Howard and Noel Constantino ALLIANCE BOOK REVIEW Reverend Vicki will join us on Wednesday, October 17 for her always- fun reviews of interesting books. If you like to read and enjoy stimulating discussions, this is the meeting for you. It begins at 10 am in the Fogg Parlor with refreshments provided by Pearl Jayko, Margaret Karns and Margy Erickson. Discussion at 10:30. Hope to see everyone there! Habitat for Humanity is building a home on Circuit Street in Norwell. We at First Parish are being asked to provide lunch for 15 volunteer workers on several Saturdays in October and November. Help is needed to make sandwiches, provide an item for dessert, purchase chips and drinks, as well as deliver the lunch at noon. Please contact Sue Robinson (artsue45@hotmail.com) if you can give a half hour to this project on October 20, November 3, or November 10. Did you know that First Parish Church is on both Facebook and Twitter? Visit our website, www.firstparishnorwell.org. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page. You ll find the links just under the Upcoming Events section. 5
PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY Sunday, October 21 at noon The New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth is having a fund- raiser at the end of October. They need lots of carved pumpkins. We will have a pumpkin carving event after church the previous Sunday, October 21. Each person/family should bring their own pumpkin and carving implements. Also, you should bring a lunch. Let Peg Kitchenham know if you plan to attend. There is a sign- up sheet on the Membership Table or call Peg at 781-447- 5831 or email her chrispegk@verizon.net. COFFEE HOUR AT THE JAMES The Board of Directors of the James Library and Center for the Arts has kindly invited the congregation to Coffee Hour at the James following the church service on Sunday, October 14. The library is a wonderful resource for our church and the people of the area, offering concerts, lectures, and art exhibits as well as serving as an intimate library. Newcomers to the congregation and old timers alike will not want to miss this special coffee hour. Shastin and Scott Garland and Diane Koury will host Coffee Hour on October 21 and Betsey Detwiler and Debbie Chase on October 28. They will be offering Coffee Hour Lite : please join them to see how stress- free hosting Coffee Hour can be and while you are enjoying your coffee and snacks, please sign up to host a future Coffee Hour. The James Library and Center for the Arts Star Party Saturday, October 20-4- 8 pm The South Shore Astronomical Society is hosting a free Star Gazing party in the parking lot of First Parish in association with the Coastal Printmaker s MOONSTRUCK show in the James Art Gallery. Starting at 4 pm, those interested may view sun flares by a special sun- scope under the supervision of SSAS. From dusk to 8 pm, the moon stars, and planets, may be observed through the SSAS telescopes. This event is free and will be held rain or shine. Dress warmly! The James will be open from 5-6 pm for those who wish to see the Coastal Printmakers show Moonstruck. Children s Halloween Program Saturday, October 27-10:30 am For children ages 3-6. Join Elaine Kessler for an hour of not- tooooo- spooky fun featuring interactive songs, games and Halloween tales. This event is free thanks to the generosity of the Church Hillers. Seating (on the floor!) is limited, so call 781-659- 7100 to register your child. Due to the ongoing renovations at the James, this event will be held in the Parish Hall. 6
HALLOWEEN FAMILY POTLUCK DINNER Calling all First Parish families! Come share good food, good company and some fun at an all- church family potluck on Saturday, October 27, 5:30 to 8:00 pm. (This will be in place of the fall Circle Dinners.) We hope you ll wear a costume! (We ll have a kids costume parade.) We especially welcome newer families. Come get to know us better! There is a sign- up sheet at the Membership Table. You can also see Peg Kitchenham during coffee hour, or contact her at 781-447- 5831 or chrispegk@verizon.net. This space has been lovingly maintained by members of the church over the years. Record keeping of those memorialized has not been as meticulously kept. We have names on the plaque who are interred elsewhere and we have ashes scattered in the garden whose names are not on the plaque. Both choices are perfectly acceptable, however a record should be accurate as to names and dates. If you are aware of someone whose ashes are at the garden and are not named on the plaque or if you are memorializing your loved one on the plaque but they are interred elsewhere, please let Hope in the Church Office know. Future genealogists will thank you! Also, if the Memorial Garden is a space you would like to use in the future, please check in with the Church Office and our minister to discuss when and how. Take a brief walk down to the garden and find peace in the beauty of the space. FIRST PARISH S MEMORIAL GARDEN There is a lovely space behind our historic carriage sheds that was created more than 20 years ago as a Memorial Garden for members of the church. It is a quiet place to remember a loved one, a peaceful place to hold a brief service for scattering of ashes, a natural space to enjoy the flowers and plantings placed in memory. Just outside the granite post entry and on the outside wall of the church is a brass plaque holding names of those who are remembered. HOLIDAY COOKIE WALK Wanted: Holiday bakers for the First Annual First Parish Church Cookie Walk. The Activities Committee is in need of bakers to donate 4-8 dozen holiday cookies for the Cookie Walk fundraiser to be held on Saturday, December 15 from 10am- 2pm. See Donna Wilson at Coffee Hour to volunteer or email her at ammeran@comcast.net. 7
First Parish Book Club s November selection: Trans- Sister Radio by Chris Bohjalian Join us November 3 at 7 pm for a discussion in the Fogg Parlor. 8
YOU (UU) ARE HERE: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OUR THEOLOGIES Sundays 11:45 am- 1:00 pm October 14, 21 & 28 Fogg Parlor Join Rev. Vicki and Victoria Capon, Acting Director of Religious Education for a conversation about your theological location within our tradition. We will first examine the topic from the perspective of the Unitarian Universalist history and heritage and then discuss where we connect with it from our individual beliefs and experiences. October 14: God Concepts October 21: The Good Life: How, and For What? October 28: The Afterlife We will provide child care if you let us know you need it.
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