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Arbella - June 2009 Newsletter
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
June 2009
for calendar of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermon and Topics
Sunday, June 7, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“A Place on Earth”
Rev. Wendy Fitting
“A Place on Earth” explores the genius of the fallible community and the transforming contributions of rejected
people.
Wendy Fitting is the pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Gloucester.
Worship Associate: Jeanne Cleary
Music: First Parish choir will sing.
Greeters: Tappan-deFrees family and Betty Taylor
Social Hour: TBA
Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:00 a.m
Youth Sunday - Debra Zagaeski
Please join us for this special service which recognizes the culmination of a year in the life of the youth who have been participating in the First Parish Coming of Age program. Five of our youth will be sharing their credo statements and reflecting on their beliefs that they have come to recognize through a year’s faith and belief journey.
Coming of Age Youth: Mackensia Auth, Thalia Cachimuel, Emily Cudhea-Pierce, Yami Dussault, and Levi Harris. Coming of Age Mentors: Kelly Morton, Lee Pierce, Nancy Teeven, and Sue Twombly. Coming of Age co-facilitators: Carmen Emerson and Debra Zagaeski
This Sunday will also celebrate our First Chalice Children in their first rite of passage. First Chalice Children: Amadi Goodwillie, Marina Hebeisen, M.E. Leon, Roane Morton, and Ruben Sara.
Debra Zagaeski is Director of Religious Education at First Parish.
Music: Children and Youth choirs will sing.
Greeters: Youth Greeters
Social Hour: Sue Kuder, Channing Mendelsohn
Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:00 a.m.
Flower Communion
Rev. Andrea Greenwood
The last "regular" service of the year is our intergenerational flower communion; an event celebrated by UU congregations throughout the world -- although not always on the same day. The service will be a bit shorter than regular Sunday services, so that we can get to our annual end-of year picnic! Please bring a flower to church with you -- one per person -- and bring a food item to share for the picnic. And, since this day is also Father's Day, please remember to take a moment and think about the men who have literally or metaphorically spent their days fathering you, and let them know what they have meant to you any way you can.
Andrea Greenwood is a former minister and DRE of First Parish of Watertown.
Worship Associate: Kathy Warren
Music: Julie Searles and Matthew Allen, voice and guitar duo
Greeters: Nancy Dutton & David Benson
Social Hour: Church Picnic
Among Us
Congratulations to our First Parish recent graduates:
John Carver Gustin graduated from Springfield College in May.
Molly Collins graduated from Stonehill College in May.
Giles Holt will be graduating with an Associate's Degree from Harvard University's Extension School on June 4. He will be attending the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, RI, next year and planning to study architecture and glassblowing.
Our deepest sympathy to Goyo Carvajal and Cornelia Janke and family at the death of Goyo's mother in Spain. The family traveled to Spain for her funeral.
This spring we say farewell to two ministerial students who are members of FPW. Carmen Emerson has left to begin a year long internship in Albuquerque, NM. Raz Mason, who preached during the sabbatical is now in the northwest, and will begin preparations for her calling as a military chaplain.
We are grateful for the presence both these people brought to our congregation.
We are also happy to announce that our last student minister, Mark Caggiano, has been called to the UU Church in Chestnut Hill. We are pleased that Mark is so close by. He and Mark Harris will probably exchange pulpits in the coming year. Best wishes to all these new and aspiring ministers!
Captain’s Log
Here is a June Captain’s Log from somewhere in space. This seems like a culturally appropriate phrase this month with a Star Trek prequel making the rounds in the theaters. Most critics gave the movie four stars, and having seen it, I can say it was an entertaining film. But I am also one of those people who is old enough to have watched the original Star Trek TV episodes when William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy were young. In other words, I was probably going to like it anyways.
My sabbatical away from you has not been in space, but mostly right here in Watertown at my usual place – the minister’s office at 35 Church Street. Yet I feel as though I have had some good time to reflect and write on the book contract that looms over our heads. Andrea and I both finished chapters, and we are plunging ahead with our work I am grateful for the time away from my duties. It seems as though the services have gone fine, and the committees have accomplished a good deal of important work and planning. So my main check in with you is merely to say thank you. A special thanks to Nancy, who has had to carry on most of the office duties alone over these months.
Since this is June, I also wanted to review summer plans so you know where to find me if I am needed. We will be here most of June working on the book. I will be leading a Coming of Age tour of King’s Chapel and Arlington Street Church on May 31, and I will be attending FPW for the Flower Communion and Picnic on June 21. (Don’t forget to bring a cut flower to church). We will also be introducing our
new student minister for 2009-2011 on that day. His name is Duffy Peet. He is an Andover Newton student who has taken a history course with me. He spent many years employed as a therapist living in Montana. His UU faith is informed by a Native American spirituality. I think you will enjoy Duffy’s presence with us over the next couple of years.
My usual schedule is a month vacation and a month on call in the summer. This summer our months are a little reversed. We will be in Watertown most of July, and in Maine most of August. The best place to email during the summer is our home email: themanse@comcast.net. The phone number in Maine is available from the church office. I am also coordinating UU Heritage Week at Ferry Beach this year in August. The theme is on nature in our history. Our own FPW member, Wendell Refior will be participating as a workshop leader and presenter.
Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will see an invitation to join other UUs at the Gay Pride Parade. This is a time for celebration with more states legalizing equal marriage. But it is also a time to be vigilant, and to remain committed. California has upheld its ruling against marriage. There are also local concerns. This week I received a notice from our UU congregation in Wakefield. They have recently become a Welcoming Congregation, and they put out a flag to represent their commitment to be welcoming to all. However, they also said they have had a couple of incidents this spring as well. Then I had an email from Quincy which said, "We're having our own incidents in Quincy - our flag being burned and just last night the flag and pole stolen. But we're persevering!" This is significant, not only for welcoming UU congregations, but also because our FPW flag pole disappeared recently. Since it was the flag and the entire pole, we know it did not blow away. Recently we ordered a new one, but it makes me wonder. What does it mean that our rainbow flag disappeared? When the new one goes up, perhaps we should remain vigilant that it does not disappear again.
I hope you all have wonderful summers that bring rest and relaxation. Please remember our summer services. They offer wonderful personal reflections from our members, and all begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be a special announcement in early July listing all the worship leaders for the summer. We will return on September 13 with our regular fall schedule and water service. Don’t forget to collect some water from wherever your travels take you this summer. Have a glorious time!
Mark
Religious Education
What is well planted cannot be uprooted…
Cultivate virtue in your own person,
And it becomes a genuine part of you.
Cultivate it in the family,
And it will abide.
Cultivate it in the community,
And it will live and grow.
Cultivate it in the state,
And it will flourish abundantly.
Cultivate it in the world,
And it will become universal.
-Tao Te Ching
The seedlings that the children of our religious education program started in April have been planted. Look for radishes, nasturtiums, and sunflowers in our garden. The volunteers and teachers that worked all through the year with our children and youth have completed their lesson plans and are ready to celebrate. We thank them all. The Youth in our Coming of Age program are prepared to share their credo statements. We honor their journey and their courage to share with us. All around the church there are the signs and symbols of a year in which we have shared in worship, work, joy, celebration, sorrow, and fellowship. We have indeed planted the seeds of our loving community!
And I have completed my first year as a Director of Religious Education, here at First Parish Watertown. Planting the roots of my own journey in this new calling. I truly appreciate the gifts of this community, and I have been continually impressed with how spirit and service of the individuals of First Parish. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support and assistance that I have received through the year. The small sprouts of growth and change are indeed everywhere. I look forward to continued personal and professional growth together with you all in the year to come.
Look in your mailboxes and at the registration table during social hour for the religious education registration forms for the 2009-2010 program. Please complete and return your registration forms as soon as possible. It will greatly facilitate the work of the religious education committee and me, the DRE, if we receive these forms quickly and are able to begin the process of evaluating and assigning the class advisory groups.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask for suggestions concerning a new component of the religious education programming for next year. Beginning in January 2010 the children and youth of First Parish participate in a “social action Sunday” one Sunday per month. I would appreciate suggestions and assistance in choosing the themes for these Sundays. Any one who has a project, concern, or group that is close to your heart and that you would hope to have our children and youth learn more about please share this with me.
I plan to tend the gardens both inside and outside of the church during the summer.
I will be working on curriculum planning and helping to facilitate the establishment of the cooperative program at First Parish. I plan to come to church at least once or twice each week to water the garden. I will be attending the Religious Education conference on Star Island in July. I may even be seen some Sunday morning leading a summer worship gathering. And I will read and write and relax! Wishing you all the peace of summer!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski
Musically Speaking
Charlyn Bethell
Watertown Founders Day is on Saturday, June 6th from 1 pm to 4:30 pm at Charles River Road in Watertown Square. The Founders’ Monument has been restored and the rededication will be a reenactment of the monument’s first dedication that occurred in 1630. This is important because the original First Parish choir in 1630 sang at that event and our choir will be singing for the reenactment on June 6th. It is an honor and a privilege for us to be included at this historic time. We will sing “Down to the River to Pray” and “America the Beautiful”. I hope you can be with us, so come if you can and bring a picnic lunch. This is the first time our choir will be singing outside the boundaries of our church! I am excited.
The last time our choir will sing this season is at the June 7th church service. Next season, I will be working to find a day for choir rehearsals that does not conflict with committee meetings. We would be happy to have even more voices in our choir, so please feel warmly invited to join us in September.
Meanwhile, June 14th is Youth Sunday and both our children and youth choirs will sing. The children are singing some multicultural songs and the youth are singing songs that include the John Lennon song, Imagine, and a song from Les Mis called Castle on a Cloud.
Julie Searles and Matthew Allen, who are a voice and guitar duo, will perform some of the music at the June 21st service. They perform jazz and multicultural music. This will be a treat for us at our Flower service. They may include their two daughters as well.
This summer, I will be attending the national conference of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network. I look forward to gathering some new ideas and meeting some fellow music directors.
Be sure to let Guy and me help you if you are doing one of the summer services. We can help you find just the right hymns and help you plan some of the other music for the service.
I hope you take some time this summer to enjoy anything familiar and even something new, musically speaking. Maybe you can attend some concerts that you love or find a way to make some music informally. I hope you find some renewal for yourself from a musical source. And I hope you share your musical adventures in the fall!
Snacks and Cereal for the Watertown Food Pantry
The GIVING BOX for JUNE is the Watertown Food Pantry. There will be only 3 Sundays in June: the 7th, the 14th and the 21st for our final church year GIVING BOX collection.
When the school year is over so are the breakfast and lunch programs for one of our most vulnerable populations--the children. All of us here at FPW are familiar with and have participated generously in the past with the needs of the Watertown Food Pantry.
Snacks suggested by Deb Kaup, the Watertown Food Pantry Director, are:
#1 Choice: Granola Bars (of ALL types and flavors) followed by: Individual Serving Packett of: Dried Fruits, Peanuts, Cookies, Pretzels, Chips, Cheezits, Popcorn, Cheese & Crackers, Fruit Roll-ups, Juice boxes...
Because the breakfast program is not available during the summer months, boxes of cereal of all kinds would be appreciated also.
...So as we look ahead to the summer season let's go "shopping for snacks". What could be easier?? Is there any one of us who doesn't like snacks? (Call us if you are one of those people--we'd like to hear from you!!!)...All kidding aside, please help with snacks (and breakfast cereals, too) for the Watertown Food Pantry.
As always, our offer to shop for you remains...just let us know.
Happy Lead Up to Summer,
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
UUA
This year the UUA has a presidential election between candidates Laurel Hallman and Peter Morales. We have one General Assembly delegate, Seth Carrier, who has been appointed, and the Parish Committee informed him (through Mark) that he was free to vote his conscience. Other absentee delegates who have voted are Isabel Tappan-deFrees and Andrea Greenwood. Mark Harris also receives a ministerial delegate vote. We will announce the new president in the September newsletter.
Relay for Life
Information about the annual Relay For Life of Watertown, the annual cancer society event at Victory Field, has been posted on the bulletin board downstairs.
Weekly Email Announcements
We are trying a new system of sending out announcements from the church office. Rather than receiving announcements throughout the week, we are putting them in one email on Friday. We hope this keeps you from feeling inundated with emails. Please keep this in mind when you send in your announcements. Feedback so far is that this is being well received. If you have any comments, let us know what you think at the church office.
New Members
On Sunday, May 3 we were pleased to welcome eleven new people into membership. Here are their bios:
Connie Wilson came to Watertown in 2008 from Rhode Island. She has been coming to First Parish for about a year. She has had multiple religious experiences including being a lay member of an Episcopal convent. She is currently interested and involved in the Episcopal church; celebrates Jewish holidays and practices Wicca.
Lynn Bratley has lived in Watertown since 1972, and her daughters Joey and Katy grew up here. Now she takes their kids on trips of exploration along the banks of the Charles River.
She is the founder and artistic director of Improbable Players, a touring theater company she started in 1984 to dramatize substance abuse prevention education: all of the members of the troupe are in long-term recovery, and all the plays over the years have been developed
from their experience, strength and hope.
In 1996 she met Chuck while they were both taking a West Coast Swing dance class at St. Johns. He asked for her phone number and she invited him over for tea. They were married in 1998 in Colorado surrounded by their families and the mountains.
Chuck Dickinson has long been searching for a church community in the Boston area ... and has finally found it at First Parish. But that's only one of the transitions he's been through in the past 10-15 years. Others include …
· meeting Lynn at a swing dancing class, marrying her, and following her to Watertown
· beginning a new career in international work
· supporting his son’s transition into early adulthood
· and getting used to being called "Grampa Chuck" by Lynn's own grandkids.
He’s grateful for all these changes, and looks forward to more, including whatever comes with being a member of FPW.
Victoria Grafflin grew up in Chappaqua, New York and has lived in Watertown with her family, Mike, Cecilia, & Jack for the past seven years. She works for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security managing homeland security grant funds and has enjoyed working mostly in the public sector in Massachusetts since arriving here with her husband in 1997.
She is excited to have found a welcoming, slightly wacky, and open-minded spiritual home here at First Parish in Watertown where she has been coming since November, 2007. Her religious background was a mixed bag of a disenchanted Catholic mother, atheist father, Episcopal sister, and Quaker extended family.
Mike Conway was born and raised Roman Catholic in Northeast Philadelphia. He's feeling much better now. His mind was opened by Hampshire College and his heart was opened by the Family Equality Council. Mike reluctantly discovered First Parish through his wife Victoria, but he was eventually won over by the Camus and Taoist readings and free food. When not contemplating the Tao while eating snacks, Mike works part time for Read-MTI a Needham-based non-profit dedicated to children's literacy. Every Saturday night Mike can be heard playing obscure classic rock on 91.5 FM WMFO.
Morgan McLean was born and raised a Unitarian Universalist in Racine, Wisconsin. After pursuing a degree in International Affairs at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY, she worked for Amnesty International in Washington, DC, working specifically on the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
It was this experience, coupled with continued church involvement, young adult organizing, and community service that called Morgan to ministry. She is now in her second year at Andover Newton Theological School and is pursuing ordained UU ministry.
Seth Carrier, a Massachusetts native, grew up UU at the First Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence. After attending Deerfield Academy for high school, he went to Union College in Schenectady, NY for undergrad where he received a B.A. in East Asian Studies. Post-graduation, Seth lived for six months in London, before settling down in Philadelphia to work in telecommunications.
Seth was an active lay-leader at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, receiving the "Young Adult of the Year Award" from the UUA's Joseph Priestley District in 2007. In addition to working in London for six months, Seth has traveled and volunteered internationally, spending his junior year of college studying in Japan, and spending a month in China in the summer of 2006 volunteering as an English teacher for underprivileged high school students.
Seth is currently finishing up his first year at Andover Newton Theological School, where he is studying to become a UU minister. Seth decided to become a member of First Parish Watertown because of the welcoming community, meaningful worship and excellent sermons.
Lani Gerson moved to Watertown with her husband, Joseph Gerson, daughter Hannah and grandson Mateo one year ago. Years ago Lani worked in the Main Library and all of the now closed branches of Watertown’s library system. The move to Watertown was partly due to fond memories and good experiences, as well as because of good friends who live here.
It has taken Lani a good 40 years to be able to even consider such a notion as joining any church given the fact that she is a recovering ex-Mormon! Born in Utah to fourth generation Mormons, Lani as a teenager fled that stifling and narrow religious path. She married Joseph, a “Jewish atheist of Buddhist inclinations” who has spent his entire life working as a peace scholar and organizer – mostly for the Quaker organization, the American Friends Service Committee – forty-two years ago.
In addition to Hannah, Joseph and Lani have a son Leon who lives in Arlington and is a struggling writer who waits tables and bartends. He laughingly calls himself a MorJew – but, like his father, finds an affinity with Buddhism. Mioko is the other member of the family. She came from Japan as a foreign student fifteen years ago and lived with them for 12 years.
Now completing her twentieth year as a library teacher in the Newton schools, Lani is, in the words of Catherine Bateson, “composing the rest of her life”. With retirement just beginning to come into view, she is thinking of how to spend her time and energy, what new areas to explore, and what causes to take on. She is appreciative of the kindness of folks in the First Parish for welcoming her, Hannah and Mateo.
Hannah Gerson with her son Mateo, who is almost two years of age, moved to Watertown with her parents one year ago. She grew up in Cambridge and is currently going to cosmetology school and plans to be a hair stylist. Hannah was born in Natal, Brazil and was adopted by Lani and Joseph when she was two weeks old.
Neil Zarin and Ginger Burns live in Watertown with their puppy, Lily Coco Chanel. Neil volunteers at The Perkins School several hours each week. He belongs to a UU Men's group which has met weekly for over 12 years.
Neil and Ginger transferred to FPW from the Belmont UU Church. Ginger works with at-risk children at the Tufts Dental School. Neil and Ginger are avid travelers and foodies. Grandparenting, however, eclipses travel and food. Neil's two son's and their families live in MA and ME.
Change in Dates For Summer Services
Dates for our summer services have shifted and now will be six weeks in a row from July 12 to August 16:
July 12, 19, 26
August 2, 9, 16
Summer services begin at 9:30am to beat the heat.
Please contact Jeanne Cleary, Co-chair of Worship Committee, with your topic, ideas or any questions you might have about the possibility of leading one of our summer services. Charlyn and Guy are available for music assistance if needed. These are fun, intimate and creative services. If you are not planning on leading one, be sure not to miss these gatherings when you are in town!
The 2009 Boston Pride Parade
Martha Scott and David Morrison invite all to join them in standing up for gay rights and equal marriage. They will attend the Boston Gay Pride Saturday June 13rd. Meet them at First Parish Watertown at 10 AM. They will walk over to the MBTA bus barn on Galen Street to take the # 504 express bus leaving 10:25 AM to Copley Square. The Arlington Street Church Service starts at 11AM and the parade through the South End and along Boylston Streets starts at Noon. David remembers an offering was taken at the Arlington Street Church Service.
From Martha and David:
“Last year we carried small signs saying "First Parish Watertown" and the words "Come Join Us". We plan to walk with other UU Church friends under a Unitarian Universalist Mass Bay District Banner.
May we suggest walking shoes and a hat, possibly sun glasses, a windbreaker, a water bottle and pocket money. We have some extra Charlie cards to help with the travel cost.”
Hope to see you there or send good wishes,
Martha and David
617-924-8075 David's cell
dvm274@rcn.com
Environmental Fair – Green gardening and dead cfl/battery collection on Sunday, June 7 during social hour.
Green Sanctuary members have invited Henrietta Light to lead a question and answer session on green gardening and lawns. We hope to start twenty minutes after Social Hour begins to allow all to attend who wish to join in the forty five minute discussion. Bring your questions.
Henrietta Light is an active member of Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety (WCES). WCES is a local non-profit group many fpw church members already support.
As an introduction for this gathering Henrietta writes:
“I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for thoughtful care of the earth. For those who have never gardened there is an opportunity to start from scratch with earth friendly principals. One is to amend the soil, be it to grow edibles or ornamentals, with clean compost rather than with chemicals which feed the plant and deplete the soil. Another is to clean up the vegetable garden in the fall, but to let most of the spent perennials (some exceptions) stay messy---the snow is pretty on them, beneficial insects have winter nests, and seeds feed birds and make plants in spring. Then for the winter-weary there is garden clean-up work on a warm day in late February or early March. There are, of course, details and refinements to the above. I hope I can answer your questions, and encourage you to find infinite joy in the miracle of a garden.”
See you in church June 7th. Stay to talk with Henrietta about gardening and lawns. And bring your old cfl bulbs and dead batteries for recycling!
David Morrison,
Green Sanctuary Committee
Order of Worship
The Worship Committee is meeting Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm for a 2 hour meeting dedicated to discussing the order of worship. All are invited to attend for the first hour to offer input in person, or to email any worship committee member with thoughts on the sequence and timing of the order of worship. Members are Jeanne Cleary, Chris Johnson, Djalai Babazedah, Chuck Dickinson, and Paul Montesino and Eric Chipman.
Donor Recognition
The Finance Committee wishes to thank all the members and friends of First Parish listed below who have so generously made pledges to support the life of our church in this most difficult financial year. Despite these hard economic times we have received 68 pledges totaling more than $108,000, making this our second most successful canvass in church history. If you would at any time like to make a pledge in any amount during the year to enable First Parish to continue to play its important role in all of our spiritual lives, please
feel free to speak to our minister, Mark Harris or Bob Shay of the Finance Committee.
Karen Allendoerfer
Roberta and Michael Altamari
Mike and Anna Anctil
Brigitte Bender
David Benson and Nancy Dutton
Charlyn Bethell and Guy Urban
Gretchen Brown
Roberta Brown
Gwynne Burkhardt
Ginger Burns and Neil Zarin
Kathy Button
Holly Cachimuel
Matt and Katherine Calabro
John Chamberlin and Sara McSweeney
Eric Chipman
Marianne and Michael Collins
Peter Cudhea
Paul Dansereau and Julie Miller
Paul Day and Norah Mulvaney Day
Sue and Joe Demb
Chuck Dickinson and Lynn Bratley
Diane Dussault
Johanna Erickson
Jim Felty
Judi Fitts
Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Lani and Hannah Gerson
Anna Glover-McDade
Tom Goodwillie and Tesi Kohlenberg
Victoria Grafflin-Conway
Jeanne Cleary and Barry Greess
Barbara Hansberry and David Leon
Anne Harrington
Mark Harris and Andrea Greenwood
Kyle and Johanna Hart
Brian Hebeisen and Elizabeth Strekalovsky
Virginia Howe
Judy and Roger Kamm
Sachie Karmacharya
Carole Katz
Anna Knight
Jane Knuttunen
Sue Kuder
Betty Latner
Meryl Libbey
Susan Lind-Sinanian
Michael McCarthy
Jean Merkl and John Gorman
Paul Montesino
Kyle and Kelly Morton
Lee Pierce
Silke and Andreas Plesch
John Portz and Meredith Montague
Charmian Proskauer
Wendell Refior
Eileen Ryan
Michael Schade
Mary Schlivek
Martha Scott and David Morrison
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Bob and Missy Shay
Elizabeth and Isabel Tappan-deFrees
Nancy Teeven
Patricia Turner
Will and Sue Twombly
Martha Urban
Ken and Jerusha Vogel
Kathy and David Warren
BREAD AND .... roses!
Do you like bread? Do you believe it is a virtue to not waste food? We have an opportunity for you!! For several years now people from First Parish have gone to Panera Bread at the Arsenal on Sunday nights to pick up the unsold products from the day. The bread, rolls, cookies, and bagels are then brought home and packaged up, and delivered to 55 Waverly Street, where it is distributed to residents of public housing. One of our volunteers can no longer continue; we would like a replacement so that each set of volunteers can continue to help out once a month. Is this a job for you? Responsibilities include being at Panera at 7:50 on Sunday night, bringing big bags of food home, packaging it up, and delivering it on Monday morning. They open at 8:30am. Each set of volunteers does this once a month. Benefits, beyond the good feeling, include a few bagels.... or cookies.... or BOTH!
If you can help, please call or email Nancy at the church office 617-924-6143, FPWatertown@comcast.net
Bring Back Water
Please remember to collect some water from the place where your summer travels take you. Near or far please fill a small container with water from the place you visit so that you can share the life flowing spirit of your summer adventure. Our Water Service will be on Sunday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Rummage Sale a Success
Thank you to all who helped with the Rummage Sale on May 2. We had lots of help setting up Friday night and Saturday morning, selling during the day, and then cleaning up! Many hands made light work. And of course there would be no sale without your donations, so many thanks to all who donated items for sale. This is one of the church fundraisers that we rely on, and thanks to all who contributed their time and their goods, we are happy to report that we made $1200.
Hymnals: Setting up for services
Thanks to Charlyn Bethell, we now have a library cart to use for easier distribution and collection of hymnals on Sundays, to say nothing of more orderly storage! We are trying this out for the rest of the church season, so greeters, please take note!
The cart is stored in the hallway between the sanctuary and the meeting room (where there used to be folding chairs stored).
It can be rolled down the center aisle of the chairs so that hymnals may be more comfortably distributed without hauling large piles around the sanctuary. Stored at the back of the church during service, it can then be rolled back down the center aisle to collect the hymnals and stored back in its cubby in the hallway.
Note to service attendees: at the end of service, please pass your hymnals to the chairs on the center aisle and it will ease the collection!
Thank you for your cooperation as we try to make the greeters' job a little simpler and less back-breaking!
Clean Up Day
Thanks to the following people who participated in the Spring Work Day on May 9, 2009: From the Buildings and Grounds Committee: Michael McCarthy, David Benson, Kathy Button, David Morrison, and Nick Haddad. Also, Martha Scott and Randy Rhoda. The weather was great and everyone worked hard.
The group pulled weeds, mulched the bushes on either side of the front steps, trimmed suckers from trees on the front lawn, raked leaves that had accumulated on the grounds during the winter and early spring, and continued the battle against the invading "Tree of Heaven" (Ailanthus Altissima), a gift from central China. (I have no idea. Maybe part of the railroad deal?)
We also launched an experiment: some of the yews have a commercial "weed block" fabric under the mulch and some have a greener recycled newspaper weed block. We'll see how the two approaches compare.
Tour of Armenian Library and Museum of America
Come join FPW member, Susan Lind-Sinanian for a tour of the Armenian Library and Museum of America at 65 Main St. On Sunday June 7, after service about 1:00 we will gather to walk over to the museum. Susan and her husband Gary, Curators at ALMA will be glad to be your guides to see the treasures in our own back yard. The permanent exhibits include, "Who Are the Armenians", a Genocide Memorial, and Musical Instruments. Artists from the Newton Art Association are featured on the third floor art gallery and many other cultural artifacts are on display. For more details there is a flier on the bulletin board or you may contact Susan for more information at slindsinanian@yahoo.com
Fourth of July in Wellfleet
If you have not finalized your summer vacation plans, why not think of getting away for a week from 7/4-7/11. We have a three bedroom house on a salt marsh that sleeps 8 and is close to all that Wellfleet has to offer. Price negotiable. Call Nancy Dutton or David Benson at 617-926-9254 or send an email to njdutton@comcast.net.
Arbella
June 2009
for calendar of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermon and Topics
Sunday, June 7, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“A Place on Earth”
Rev. Wendy Fitting
“A Place on Earth” explores the genius of the fallible community and the transforming contributions of rejected
people.
Wendy Fitting is the pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Gloucester.
Worship Associate: Jeanne Cleary
Music: First Parish choir will sing.
Greeters: Tappan-deFrees family and Betty Taylor
Social Hour: TBA
Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:00 a.m
Youth Sunday - Debra Zagaeski
Please join us for this special service which recognizes the culmination of a year in the life of the youth who have been participating in the First Parish Coming of Age program. Five of our youth will be sharing their credo statements and reflecting on their beliefs that they have come to recognize through a year’s faith and belief journey.
Coming of Age Youth: Mackensia Auth, Thalia Cachimuel, Emily Cudhea-Pierce, Yami Dussault, and Levi Harris. Coming of Age Mentors: Kelly Morton, Lee Pierce, Nancy Teeven, and Sue Twombly. Coming of Age co-facilitators: Carmen Emerson and Debra Zagaeski
This Sunday will also celebrate our First Chalice Children in their first rite of passage. First Chalice Children: Amadi Goodwillie, Marina Hebeisen, M.E. Leon, Roane Morton, and Ruben Sara.
Debra Zagaeski is Director of Religious Education at First Parish.
Music: Children and Youth choirs will sing.
Greeters: Youth Greeters
Social Hour: Sue Kuder, Channing Mendelsohn
Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:00 a.m.
Flower Communion
Rev. Andrea Greenwood
The last "regular" service of the year is our intergenerational flower communion; an event celebrated by UU congregations throughout the world -- although not always on the same day. The service will be a bit shorter than regular Sunday services, so that we can get to our annual end-of year picnic! Please bring a flower to church with you -- one per person -- and bring a food item to share for the picnic. And, since this day is also Father's Day, please remember to take a moment and think about the men who have literally or metaphorically spent their days fathering you, and let them know what they have meant to you any way you can.
Andrea Greenwood is a former minister and DRE of First Parish of Watertown.
Worship Associate: Kathy Warren
Music: Julie Searles and Matthew Allen, voice and guitar duo
Greeters: Nancy Dutton & David Benson
Social Hour: Church Picnic
Among Us
Congratulations to our First Parish recent graduates:
John Carver Gustin graduated from Springfield College in May.
Molly Collins graduated from Stonehill College in May.
Giles Holt will be graduating with an Associate's Degree from Harvard University's Extension School on June 4. He will be attending the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, RI, next year and planning to study architecture and glassblowing.
Our deepest sympathy to Goyo Carvajal and Cornelia Janke and family at the death of Goyo's mother in Spain. The family traveled to Spain for her funeral.
This spring we say farewell to two ministerial students who are members of FPW. Carmen Emerson has left to begin a year long internship in Albuquerque, NM. Raz Mason, who preached during the sabbatical is now in the northwest, and will begin preparations for her calling as a military chaplain.
We are grateful for the presence both these people brought to our congregation.
We are also happy to announce that our last student minister, Mark Caggiano, has been called to the UU Church in Chestnut Hill. We are pleased that Mark is so close by. He and Mark Harris will probably exchange pulpits in the coming year. Best wishes to all these new and aspiring ministers!
Captain’s Log
Here is a June Captain’s Log from somewhere in space. This seems like a culturally appropriate phrase this month with a Star Trek prequel making the rounds in the theaters. Most critics gave the movie four stars, and having seen it, I can say it was an entertaining film. But I am also one of those people who is old enough to have watched the original Star Trek TV episodes when William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy were young. In other words, I was probably going to like it anyways.
My sabbatical away from you has not been in space, but mostly right here in Watertown at my usual place – the minister’s office at 35 Church Street. Yet I feel as though I have had some good time to reflect and write on the book contract that looms over our heads. Andrea and I both finished chapters, and we are plunging ahead with our work I am grateful for the time away from my duties. It seems as though the services have gone fine, and the committees have accomplished a good deal of important work and planning. So my main check in with you is merely to say thank you. A special thanks to Nancy, who has had to carry on most of the office duties alone over these months.
Since this is June, I also wanted to review summer plans so you know where to find me if I am needed. We will be here most of June working on the book. I will be leading a Coming of Age tour of King’s Chapel and Arlington Street Church on May 31, and I will be attending FPW for the Flower Communion and Picnic on June 21. (Don’t forget to bring a cut flower to church). We will also be introducing our
new student minister for 2009-2011 on that day. His name is Duffy Peet. He is an Andover Newton student who has taken a history course with me. He spent many years employed as a therapist living in Montana. His UU faith is informed by a Native American spirituality. I think you will enjoy Duffy’s presence with us over the next couple of years.
My usual schedule is a month vacation and a month on call in the summer. This summer our months are a little reversed. We will be in Watertown most of July, and in Maine most of August. The best place to email during the summer is our home email: themanse@comcast.net. The phone number in Maine is available from the church office. I am also coordinating UU Heritage Week at Ferry Beach this year in August. The theme is on nature in our history. Our own FPW member, Wendell Refior will be participating as a workshop leader and presenter.
Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will see an invitation to join other UUs at the Gay Pride Parade. This is a time for celebration with more states legalizing equal marriage. But it is also a time to be vigilant, and to remain committed. California has upheld its ruling against marriage. There are also local concerns. This week I received a notice from our UU congregation in Wakefield. They have recently become a Welcoming Congregation, and they put out a flag to represent their commitment to be welcoming to all. However, they also said they have had a couple of incidents this spring as well. Then I had an email from Quincy which said, "We're having our own incidents in Quincy - our flag being burned and just last night the flag and pole stolen. But we're persevering!" This is significant, not only for welcoming UU congregations, but also because our FPW flag pole disappeared recently. Since it was the flag and the entire pole, we know it did not blow away. Recently we ordered a new one, but it makes me wonder. What does it mean that our rainbow flag disappeared? When the new one goes up, perhaps we should remain vigilant that it does not disappear again.
I hope you all have wonderful summers that bring rest and relaxation. Please remember our summer services. They offer wonderful personal reflections from our members, and all begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be a special announcement in early July listing all the worship leaders for the summer. We will return on September 13 with our regular fall schedule and water service. Don’t forget to collect some water from wherever your travels take you this summer. Have a glorious time!
Mark
Religious Education
What is well planted cannot be uprooted…
Cultivate virtue in your own person,
And it becomes a genuine part of you.
Cultivate it in the family,
And it will abide.
Cultivate it in the community,
And it will live and grow.
Cultivate it in the state,
And it will flourish abundantly.
Cultivate it in the world,
And it will become universal.
-Tao Te Ching
The seedlings that the children of our religious education program started in April have been planted. Look for radishes, nasturtiums, and sunflowers in our garden. The volunteers and teachers that worked all through the year with our children and youth have completed their lesson plans and are ready to celebrate. We thank them all. The Youth in our Coming of Age program are prepared to share their credo statements. We honor their journey and their courage to share with us. All around the church there are the signs and symbols of a year in which we have shared in worship, work, joy, celebration, sorrow, and fellowship. We have indeed planted the seeds of our loving community!
And I have completed my first year as a Director of Religious Education, here at First Parish Watertown. Planting the roots of my own journey in this new calling. I truly appreciate the gifts of this community, and I have been continually impressed with how spirit and service of the individuals of First Parish. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support and assistance that I have received through the year. The small sprouts of growth and change are indeed everywhere. I look forward to continued personal and professional growth together with you all in the year to come.
Look in your mailboxes and at the registration table during social hour for the religious education registration forms for the 2009-2010 program. Please complete and return your registration forms as soon as possible. It will greatly facilitate the work of the religious education committee and me, the DRE, if we receive these forms quickly and are able to begin the process of evaluating and assigning the class advisory groups.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask for suggestions concerning a new component of the religious education programming for next year. Beginning in January 2010 the children and youth of First Parish participate in a “social action Sunday” one Sunday per month. I would appreciate suggestions and assistance in choosing the themes for these Sundays. Any one who has a project, concern, or group that is close to your heart and that you would hope to have our children and youth learn more about please share this with me.
I plan to tend the gardens both inside and outside of the church during the summer.
I will be working on curriculum planning and helping to facilitate the establishment of the cooperative program at First Parish. I plan to come to church at least once or twice each week to water the garden. I will be attending the Religious Education conference on Star Island in July. I may even be seen some Sunday morning leading a summer worship gathering. And I will read and write and relax! Wishing you all the peace of summer!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski
Musically Speaking
Charlyn Bethell
Watertown Founders Day is on Saturday, June 6th from 1 pm to 4:30 pm at Charles River Road in Watertown Square. The Founders’ Monument has been restored and the rededication will be a reenactment of the monument’s first dedication that occurred in 1630. This is important because the original First Parish choir in 1630 sang at that event and our choir will be singing for the reenactment on June 6th. It is an honor and a privilege for us to be included at this historic time. We will sing “Down to the River to Pray” and “America the Beautiful”. I hope you can be with us, so come if you can and bring a picnic lunch. This is the first time our choir will be singing outside the boundaries of our church! I am excited.
The last time our choir will sing this season is at the June 7th church service. Next season, I will be working to find a day for choir rehearsals that does not conflict with committee meetings. We would be happy to have even more voices in our choir, so please feel warmly invited to join us in September.
Meanwhile, June 14th is Youth Sunday and both our children and youth choirs will sing. The children are singing some multicultural songs and the youth are singing songs that include the John Lennon song, Imagine, and a song from Les Mis called Castle on a Cloud.
Julie Searles and Matthew Allen, who are a voice and guitar duo, will perform some of the music at the June 21st service. They perform jazz and multicultural music. This will be a treat for us at our Flower service. They may include their two daughters as well.
This summer, I will be attending the national conference of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network. I look forward to gathering some new ideas and meeting some fellow music directors.
Be sure to let Guy and me help you if you are doing one of the summer services. We can help you find just the right hymns and help you plan some of the other music for the service.
I hope you take some time this summer to enjoy anything familiar and even something new, musically speaking. Maybe you can attend some concerts that you love or find a way to make some music informally. I hope you find some renewal for yourself from a musical source. And I hope you share your musical adventures in the fall!
Snacks and Cereal for the Watertown Food Pantry
The GIVING BOX for JUNE is the Watertown Food Pantry. There will be only 3 Sundays in June: the 7th, the 14th and the 21st for our final church year GIVING BOX collection.
When the school year is over so are the breakfast and lunch programs for one of our most vulnerable populations--the children. All of us here at FPW are familiar with and have participated generously in the past with the needs of the Watertown Food Pantry.
Snacks suggested by Deb Kaup, the Watertown Food Pantry Director, are:
#1 Choice: Granola Bars (of ALL types and flavors) followed by: Individual Serving Packett of: Dried Fruits, Peanuts, Cookies, Pretzels, Chips, Cheezits, Popcorn, Cheese & Crackers, Fruit Roll-ups, Juice boxes...
Because the breakfast program is not available during the summer months, boxes of cereal of all kinds would be appreciated also.
...So as we look ahead to the summer season let's go "shopping for snacks". What could be easier?? Is there any one of us who doesn't like snacks? (Call us if you are one of those people--we'd like to hear from you!!!)...All kidding aside, please help with snacks (and breakfast cereals, too) for the Watertown Food Pantry.
As always, our offer to shop for you remains...just let us know.
Happy Lead Up to Summer,
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
UUA
This year the UUA has a presidential election between candidates Laurel Hallman and Peter Morales. We have one General Assembly delegate, Seth Carrier, who has been appointed, and the Parish Committee informed him (through Mark) that he was free to vote his conscience. Other absentee delegates who have voted are Isabel Tappan-deFrees and Andrea Greenwood. Mark Harris also receives a ministerial delegate vote. We will announce the new president in the September newsletter.
Relay for Life
Information about the annual Relay For Life of Watertown, the annual cancer society event at Victory Field, has been posted on the bulletin board downstairs.
Weekly Email Announcements
We are trying a new system of sending out announcements from the church office. Rather than receiving announcements throughout the week, we are putting them in one email on Friday. We hope this keeps you from feeling inundated with emails. Please keep this in mind when you send in your announcements. Feedback so far is that this is being well received. If you have any comments, let us know what you think at the church office.
New Members
On Sunday, May 3 we were pleased to welcome eleven new people into membership. Here are their bios:
Connie Wilson came to Watertown in 2008 from Rhode Island. She has been coming to First Parish for about a year. She has had multiple religious experiences including being a lay member of an Episcopal convent. She is currently interested and involved in the Episcopal church; celebrates Jewish holidays and practices Wicca.
Lynn Bratley has lived in Watertown since 1972, and her daughters Joey and Katy grew up here. Now she takes their kids on trips of exploration along the banks of the Charles River.
She is the founder and artistic director of Improbable Players, a touring theater company she started in 1984 to dramatize substance abuse prevention education: all of the members of the troupe are in long-term recovery, and all the plays over the years have been developed
from their experience, strength and hope.
In 1996 she met Chuck while they were both taking a West Coast Swing dance class at St. Johns. He asked for her phone number and she invited him over for tea. They were married in 1998 in Colorado surrounded by their families and the mountains.
Chuck Dickinson has long been searching for a church community in the Boston area ... and has finally found it at First Parish. But that's only one of the transitions he's been through in the past 10-15 years. Others include …
· meeting Lynn at a swing dancing class, marrying her, and following her to Watertown
· beginning a new career in international work
· supporting his son’s transition into early adulthood
· and getting used to being called "Grampa Chuck" by Lynn's own grandkids.
He’s grateful for all these changes, and looks forward to more, including whatever comes with being a member of FPW.
Victoria Grafflin grew up in Chappaqua, New York and has lived in Watertown with her family, Mike, Cecilia, & Jack for the past seven years. She works for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security managing homeland security grant funds and has enjoyed working mostly in the public sector in Massachusetts since arriving here with her husband in 1997.
She is excited to have found a welcoming, slightly wacky, and open-minded spiritual home here at First Parish in Watertown where she has been coming since November, 2007. Her religious background was a mixed bag of a disenchanted Catholic mother, atheist father, Episcopal sister, and Quaker extended family.
Mike Conway was born and raised Roman Catholic in Northeast Philadelphia. He's feeling much better now. His mind was opened by Hampshire College and his heart was opened by the Family Equality Council. Mike reluctantly discovered First Parish through his wife Victoria, but he was eventually won over by the Camus and Taoist readings and free food. When not contemplating the Tao while eating snacks, Mike works part time for Read-MTI a Needham-based non-profit dedicated to children's literacy. Every Saturday night Mike can be heard playing obscure classic rock on 91.5 FM WMFO.
Morgan McLean was born and raised a Unitarian Universalist in Racine, Wisconsin. After pursuing a degree in International Affairs at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY, she worked for Amnesty International in Washington, DC, working specifically on the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
It was this experience, coupled with continued church involvement, young adult organizing, and community service that called Morgan to ministry. She is now in her second year at Andover Newton Theological School and is pursuing ordained UU ministry.
Seth Carrier, a Massachusetts native, grew up UU at the First Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence. After attending Deerfield Academy for high school, he went to Union College in Schenectady, NY for undergrad where he received a B.A. in East Asian Studies. Post-graduation, Seth lived for six months in London, before settling down in Philadelphia to work in telecommunications.
Seth was an active lay-leader at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, receiving the "Young Adult of the Year Award" from the UUA's Joseph Priestley District in 2007. In addition to working in London for six months, Seth has traveled and volunteered internationally, spending his junior year of college studying in Japan, and spending a month in China in the summer of 2006 volunteering as an English teacher for underprivileged high school students.
Seth is currently finishing up his first year at Andover Newton Theological School, where he is studying to become a UU minister. Seth decided to become a member of First Parish Watertown because of the welcoming community, meaningful worship and excellent sermons.
Lani Gerson moved to Watertown with her husband, Joseph Gerson, daughter Hannah and grandson Mateo one year ago. Years ago Lani worked in the Main Library and all of the now closed branches of Watertown’s library system. The move to Watertown was partly due to fond memories and good experiences, as well as because of good friends who live here.
It has taken Lani a good 40 years to be able to even consider such a notion as joining any church given the fact that she is a recovering ex-Mormon! Born in Utah to fourth generation Mormons, Lani as a teenager fled that stifling and narrow religious path. She married Joseph, a “Jewish atheist of Buddhist inclinations” who has spent his entire life working as a peace scholar and organizer – mostly for the Quaker organization, the American Friends Service Committee – forty-two years ago.
In addition to Hannah, Joseph and Lani have a son Leon who lives in Arlington and is a struggling writer who waits tables and bartends. He laughingly calls himself a MorJew – but, like his father, finds an affinity with Buddhism. Mioko is the other member of the family. She came from Japan as a foreign student fifteen years ago and lived with them for 12 years.
Now completing her twentieth year as a library teacher in the Newton schools, Lani is, in the words of Catherine Bateson, “composing the rest of her life”. With retirement just beginning to come into view, she is thinking of how to spend her time and energy, what new areas to explore, and what causes to take on. She is appreciative of the kindness of folks in the First Parish for welcoming her, Hannah and Mateo.
Hannah Gerson with her son Mateo, who is almost two years of age, moved to Watertown with her parents one year ago. She grew up in Cambridge and is currently going to cosmetology school and plans to be a hair stylist. Hannah was born in Natal, Brazil and was adopted by Lani and Joseph when she was two weeks old.
Neil Zarin and Ginger Burns live in Watertown with their puppy, Lily Coco Chanel. Neil volunteers at The Perkins School several hours each week. He belongs to a UU Men's group which has met weekly for over 12 years.
Neil and Ginger transferred to FPW from the Belmont UU Church. Ginger works with at-risk children at the Tufts Dental School. Neil and Ginger are avid travelers and foodies. Grandparenting, however, eclipses travel and food. Neil's two son's and their families live in MA and ME.
Change in Dates For Summer Services
Dates for our summer services have shifted and now will be six weeks in a row from July 12 to August 16:
July 12, 19, 26
August 2, 9, 16
Summer services begin at 9:30am to beat the heat.
Please contact Jeanne Cleary, Co-chair of Worship Committee, with your topic, ideas or any questions you might have about the possibility of leading one of our summer services. Charlyn and Guy are available for music assistance if needed. These are fun, intimate and creative services. If you are not planning on leading one, be sure not to miss these gatherings when you are in town!
The 2009 Boston Pride Parade
Martha Scott and David Morrison invite all to join them in standing up for gay rights and equal marriage. They will attend the Boston Gay Pride Saturday June 13rd. Meet them at First Parish Watertown at 10 AM. They will walk over to the MBTA bus barn on Galen Street to take the # 504 express bus leaving 10:25 AM to Copley Square. The Arlington Street Church Service starts at 11AM and the parade through the South End and along Boylston Streets starts at Noon. David remembers an offering was taken at the Arlington Street Church Service.
From Martha and David:
“Last year we carried small signs saying "First Parish Watertown" and the words "Come Join Us". We plan to walk with other UU Church friends under a Unitarian Universalist Mass Bay District Banner.
May we suggest walking shoes and a hat, possibly sun glasses, a windbreaker, a water bottle and pocket money. We have some extra Charlie cards to help with the travel cost.”
Hope to see you there or send good wishes,
Martha and David
617-924-8075 David's cell
dvm274@rcn.com
Environmental Fair – Green gardening and dead cfl/battery collection on Sunday, June 7 during social hour.
Green Sanctuary members have invited Henrietta Light to lead a question and answer session on green gardening and lawns. We hope to start twenty minutes after Social Hour begins to allow all to attend who wish to join in the forty five minute discussion. Bring your questions.
Henrietta Light is an active member of Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety (WCES). WCES is a local non-profit group many fpw church members already support.
As an introduction for this gathering Henrietta writes:
“I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for thoughtful care of the earth. For those who have never gardened there is an opportunity to start from scratch with earth friendly principals. One is to amend the soil, be it to grow edibles or ornamentals, with clean compost rather than with chemicals which feed the plant and deplete the soil. Another is to clean up the vegetable garden in the fall, but to let most of the spent perennials (some exceptions) stay messy---the snow is pretty on them, beneficial insects have winter nests, and seeds feed birds and make plants in spring. Then for the winter-weary there is garden clean-up work on a warm day in late February or early March. There are, of course, details and refinements to the above. I hope I can answer your questions, and encourage you to find infinite joy in the miracle of a garden.”
See you in church June 7th. Stay to talk with Henrietta about gardening and lawns. And bring your old cfl bulbs and dead batteries for recycling!
David Morrison,
Green Sanctuary Committee
Order of Worship
The Worship Committee is meeting Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm for a 2 hour meeting dedicated to discussing the order of worship. All are invited to attend for the first hour to offer input in person, or to email any worship committee member with thoughts on the sequence and timing of the order of worship. Members are Jeanne Cleary, Chris Johnson, Djalai Babazedah, Chuck Dickinson, and Paul Montesino and Eric Chipman.
Donor Recognition
The Finance Committee wishes to thank all the members and friends of First Parish listed below who have so generously made pledges to support the life of our church in this most difficult financial year. Despite these hard economic times we have received 68 pledges totaling more than $108,000, making this our second most successful canvass in church history. If you would at any time like to make a pledge in any amount during the year to enable First Parish to continue to play its important role in all of our spiritual lives, please
feel free to speak to our minister, Mark Harris or Bob Shay of the Finance Committee.
Karen Allendoerfer
Roberta and Michael Altamari
Mike and Anna Anctil
Brigitte Bender
David Benson and Nancy Dutton
Charlyn Bethell and Guy Urban
Gretchen Brown
Roberta Brown
Gwynne Burkhardt
Ginger Burns and Neil Zarin
Kathy Button
Holly Cachimuel
Matt and Katherine Calabro
John Chamberlin and Sara McSweeney
Eric Chipman
Marianne and Michael Collins
Peter Cudhea
Paul Dansereau and Julie Miller
Paul Day and Norah Mulvaney Day
Sue and Joe Demb
Chuck Dickinson and Lynn Bratley
Diane Dussault
Johanna Erickson
Jim Felty
Judi Fitts
Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Lani and Hannah Gerson
Anna Glover-McDade
Tom Goodwillie and Tesi Kohlenberg
Victoria Grafflin-Conway
Jeanne Cleary and Barry Greess
Barbara Hansberry and David Leon
Anne Harrington
Mark Harris and Andrea Greenwood
Kyle and Johanna Hart
Brian Hebeisen and Elizabeth Strekalovsky
Virginia Howe
Judy and Roger Kamm
Sachie Karmacharya
Carole Katz
Anna Knight
Jane Knuttunen
Sue Kuder
Betty Latner
Meryl Libbey
Susan Lind-Sinanian
Michael McCarthy
Jean Merkl and John Gorman
Paul Montesino
Kyle and Kelly Morton
Lee Pierce
Silke and Andreas Plesch
John Portz and Meredith Montague
Charmian Proskauer
Wendell Refior
Eileen Ryan
Michael Schade
Mary Schlivek
Martha Scott and David Morrison
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Bob and Missy Shay
Elizabeth and Isabel Tappan-deFrees
Nancy Teeven
Patricia Turner
Will and Sue Twombly
Martha Urban
Ken and Jerusha Vogel
Kathy and David Warren
BREAD AND .... roses!
Do you like bread? Do you believe it is a virtue to not waste food? We have an opportunity for you!! For several years now people from First Parish have gone to Panera Bread at the Arsenal on Sunday nights to pick up the unsold products from the day. The bread, rolls, cookies, and bagels are then brought home and packaged up, and delivered to 55 Waverly Street, where it is distributed to residents of public housing. One of our volunteers can no longer continue; we would like a replacement so that each set of volunteers can continue to help out once a month. Is this a job for you? Responsibilities include being at Panera at 7:50 on Sunday night, bringing big bags of food home, packaging it up, and delivering it on Monday morning. They open at 8:30am. Each set of volunteers does this once a month. Benefits, beyond the good feeling, include a few bagels.... or cookies.... or BOTH!
If you can help, please call or email Nancy at the church office 617-924-6143, FPWatertown@comcast.net
Bring Back Water
Please remember to collect some water from the place where your summer travels take you. Near or far please fill a small container with water from the place you visit so that you can share the life flowing spirit of your summer adventure. Our Water Service will be on Sunday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Rummage Sale a Success
Thank you to all who helped with the Rummage Sale on May 2. We had lots of help setting up Friday night and Saturday morning, selling during the day, and then cleaning up! Many hands made light work. And of course there would be no sale without your donations, so many thanks to all who donated items for sale. This is one of the church fundraisers that we rely on, and thanks to all who contributed their time and their goods, we are happy to report that we made $1200.
Hymnals: Setting up for services
Thanks to Charlyn Bethell, we now have a library cart to use for easier distribution and collection of hymnals on Sundays, to say nothing of more orderly storage! We are trying this out for the rest of the church season, so greeters, please take note!
The cart is stored in the hallway between the sanctuary and the meeting room (where there used to be folding chairs stored).
It can be rolled down the center aisle of the chairs so that hymnals may be more comfortably distributed without hauling large piles around the sanctuary. Stored at the back of the church during service, it can then be rolled back down the center aisle to collect the hymnals and stored back in its cubby in the hallway.
Note to service attendees: at the end of service, please pass your hymnals to the chairs on the center aisle and it will ease the collection!
Thank you for your cooperation as we try to make the greeters' job a little simpler and less back-breaking!
Clean Up Day
Thanks to the following people who participated in the Spring Work Day on May 9, 2009: From the Buildings and Grounds Committee: Michael McCarthy, David Benson, Kathy Button, David Morrison, and Nick Haddad. Also, Martha Scott and Randy Rhoda. The weather was great and everyone worked hard.
The group pulled weeds, mulched the bushes on either side of the front steps, trimmed suckers from trees on the front lawn, raked leaves that had accumulated on the grounds during the winter and early spring, and continued the battle against the invading "Tree of Heaven" (Ailanthus Altissima), a gift from central China. (I have no idea. Maybe part of the railroad deal?)
We also launched an experiment: some of the yews have a commercial "weed block" fabric under the mulch and some have a greener recycled newspaper weed block. We'll see how the two approaches compare.
Tour of Armenian Library and Museum of America
Come join FPW member, Susan Lind-Sinanian for a tour of the Armenian Library and Museum of America at 65 Main St. On Sunday June 7, after service about 1:00 we will gather to walk over to the museum. Susan and her husband Gary, Curators at ALMA will be glad to be your guides to see the treasures in our own back yard. The permanent exhibits include, "Who Are the Armenians", a Genocide Memorial, and Musical Instruments. Artists from the Newton Art Association are featured on the third floor art gallery and many other cultural artifacts are on display. For more details there is a flier on the bulletin board or you may contact Susan for more information at slindsinanian@yahoo.com
Fourth of July in Wellfleet
If you have not finalized your summer vacation plans, why not think of getting away for a week from 7/4-7/11. We have a three bedroom house on a salt marsh that sleeps 8 and is close to all that Wellfleet has to offer. Price negotiable. Call Nancy Dutton or David Benson at 617-926-9254 or send an email to njdutton@comcast.net.
Arbella - May Newsletter 2009
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
May 2009
For calendar of events please go to our member page.
Sermons and Topics
Sunday, May 3, 2009 11:00 a.m
“Walking Together”
Rev. Andrea Greenwood
This is the title of a book about how our congregations are organized, and it came to mind when I heard from Marianne Collins about the friends with whom she literally walks. We say that you don't have to think alike to love alike, but what happens when your beliefs really do conflict with those whom you care about? This is an auction sermon.
Andrea Greenwood is a former minister and DRE of First Parish.
Music: First Parish Choir is singing.
Social Hour: Roger & Judy Kamm
Greeters: Lee Pierce and Dede Dussault
Sunday, May 10, 2009 11:00 a.m.
"Unexpected Blessings"
Rev. Susan Criscione
Renewal House, a program of the UU Urban Ministry, is a domestic violence shelter in Roxbury that primarily serves women fleeing violent living situations. In the past year our staff went through extensive training so that our shelter would become GLBT inclusive. This process has taught all of our staff about the unexpected blessings of truly serving all people. And in the midst of this we have been aware of the limitless bounds of transformative love and healing - in a context of care and respect. As we celebrate Mother's Day - let us remember and honor those women who have gone before us and continue to walk beside us even today - to show us the possibility of true grace, true humility, true power.
Susan Criscione is the director of Renewal House.
Social Hour: Lani Gerson and Chris Kjellson
Greeters: Charlyn Bethell, Guy and Martha Urban
Sunday, May 17, 2009 11:00 a.m.
"Manifesting Our Heart's Desire"
Rev. Rali Weaver
Many of the new wave belief systems talk about the abundance of the universe and manifesting our heart's desire. Rev. Weaver will explore abundance theologies from Norman Vincent Peale to "The Secret" and try to find out what if any insight they might offer us.
The Rev. Rali M. Weaver is the Parish Minister at the First Church and Parish in Dedham.
Social Hour: Jeanne Cleary & Barry Greess
Greeters: Carole Katz and Sachie Karmacharya
Sunday, May 24, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Come Sing a Song with Me”
Charlyn Bethell
This service will be a “hymn-along”, a service to sing some of your favorite hymns. I will be asking you to tell me some of your favorite ones, along with some protest-era songs that you might enjoy singing. Then along with Guy, me, and some of my favorite folk band musicians, we will play traditional and creative accompaniments. This should be a blast!
Charlyn Bethell is Music Director of First Parish of Watertown.
Social Hour: TBA
Greeters: Julie Miller & Paul Dansereau
Sunday, May 31, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Vision” Christopher Johnson
What are the various elements to seeing? How do we view our world, others, and ourselves. When we don't like what we see, is it what we're looking at, or how we're looking at it?
Christopher Johnson is a member of First Parish. Chris currently works at Brandeis University at its International Business School.
Music: Folk Song Society
Social Hour: Susan Lind-Sinanian and Anne Harrington
Greeters: Judy & Roger Kamm
Captains Log
by Andrea Greenwood
This year I have had an opportunity to visit more UU churches on Sunday mornings than is usually the case. I have been a modern day circuit rider, preaching in local congregations; and also was in Atlanta one weekend. My normal life is fairly circumscribed -- though I prefer to think of it as environmentally friendly: I walk to church, and the library, and the post office; I see the same people and live locally. I bloom where I am planted; all that. And I am a closet writer, literally. When I work, I go into my closet, where there is a computer, a space heater, a clay mask of the Greenwoman I made one summer at Ferry Beach (a UU camp), and a carved wooden plate which was given to me at my installation here in Watertown back in 1992. So it has been interesting to be out and about, on the road, and out of the closet. There has been a reclaiming of my identity, which I imagine happens to many women of a certain age who have shifted professional gears in response to family situations, health concerns, and other pressing needs. It has been nice to have a chance to dabble in preaching again; and in some cases to see former members of this congregation now chairing committees in suburban churches.
At church in Atlanta, though, I was jealous. It was such a vibrant organization: walking in there were greeters, staffed tables, printed literature, directions for R.E. families, photographs of recent activities, multiple social action and social service opportunities, and classes, retreats, workshops being offered. There were two different musical groups assisting with the service, and lots of hi-tech devices which let different leaders participate easily from various spots in the room. Lights dimmed during meditation time, and came up during the sermon -- all by magic. I felt bad; reminded of how nice it would be to have the kind of space and energy and funding that was present in their congregation; to feel carried by something so active. And it did not have any negative “big church” feel: people were friendly and warm, the service had all the components of lay participation and collaboration throughout. Of course I counted, and there were 270 people there; the second service on a very stormy Sunday. But 270 people in that space (UUCA, a concrete building with a sanctuary built as an ampitheatre, with the pulpit down in the pit area, and circular seating rising up in about 30 tiers) felt about the same as 65 in ours -- comfortably attended, but not full.
As the service went on, my jealousy receded. They seemed just like us. Instead of noticing what they did better or had more of, I noticed how they had some of the same problems. Announcements. Parts of the service that went on too long. References to things a new person might not know about. Not everyone knowing the hymns. It felt like home! I had gone to church wanting to experience this congregation, and I hadn’t realized that I would immediately compare it to my own. That just happened, spontaneously, and I felt inadequate, jealous and frustrated; wanting some of what they had for myself. But as I sat through it, I felt that really, they were not any better; that we are the same in many ways, and that in fact Watertown does some things exceptionally well.
It is good to bloom where we are planted; to be happy and engaged in the places where we live. But it is also wonderful to get out and have a chance to see how others do it; to learn and think about new possibilities -- not because we believe that someone else has a better thing going on, but because we are all the same. As I have been working on this book that Mark and I are writing, introducing Unitarian and Universalist traditions, our identity as religious liberals is very much on my mind. Articulating what makes us who we are; how pulpit centered white steepled churches with organs in New England embrace the same values as poured concrete kivas with no pulpit and music by electric guitars (seriously, the offertory was Bruce Springsteen! -- or, rather, someone playing Bruce Springsteen) -- this is an opportunity to think more deeply; and richly; about who we are as a people, and why; what we hold dear.
And it is also an opportunity to change; to bring the things we learn back home; to keep improving upon what we do here. Getting out can challenge our assumptions, and free us in new ways. It wasn’t true that the systematic organization of so many activities made the Atlanta church better than this one; within 20 minutes, they felt pretty similar. And it isn’t true that a big church feels less intimate or more formal. About 600 people attended services that morning, and it felt about the same as it does here. Who we are is not about numbers in this way; it is about how we live in this world. And I would like to see a whole lot more of us. Maybe we can think about our space, our seating, our parking, the timing of our services, how we balance the need for talk among us with formal readings, etc. -- these little details -- and look at how they impact who we are, and what we really want to define us. I think we are more than we know we are.
See you in church!
Andrea, filling in for Mark
Religious Education
Planting seeds…
May-may be my favorite time of year, filled with growth and unfolding beauty. I especially love the unexpected small wonders that burst forth from the earth at this time of year, bulbs and seeds long forgotten under the winter snows are shouting out for joy and reminding me to smile. They also remind me that we are all given the opportunity to share in the wonders of the Earth and to honor the Earth through our stewardship of the environment. There are these moments in each day, moments in which we each can express our love of the Earth and of each other by planting small seeds of kindness -a smile, a touch, a moment of connection, these are the seeds we plant. We plant seeds and wait. We all have the opportunity plant the seeds of our Unitarian Universalist faith and of our caring community in our children and youth whenever we are with them. Our actions and words are the seeds we plant-seeds that may remain hidden for a long time and burst forth in joy in the most unexpected moments. We plant seeds and wait.
We will be planting many seeds during this month of May. During the early weeks of May the children and youth in our Religious Education programs are learning about the Earth and Indigenous cultures, while at the same time exploring old and new ways to conserve, sustain and protect the Earth. One way in which we will honor the Earth is to dig in and plant seeds for the future, literally. We are planting radishes, pumpkins, sunflowers and nasturtiums. We hope to harvest our radishes by June, watch for sunflowers and nasturtiums through the summer and return to the possibility of pumpkins in the fall.
The Religious Education Committee has been hard at work this spring discussing next year and the programs we will offer. We have determined that we are ready for some more change! This fall we will begin our new church year as a co-operative program. On May 24th during social hour we will begin 2009-2010 registration for returning families in the RE program. We will continue to register families through the end of the church year in June. On the registration forms please note the section where you may choose your preference of volunteer position. Each family with a child(ren) registered in the RE program is asked to volunteer during the year. There are twenty-nine “teaching” Sundays during the year, each Sunday there are four classrooms in which we need two adult teacher/volunteers. In addition there are 5 Sundays in which all the children/youth are together in activity groups. There are also teaching opportunities in programs that require additional teacher training such as Our Whole Lives. There are opportunities to volunteer as “on call” substitute teachers, pageant assistants, and one-time special event volunteers. To distribute the responsibility equally among the registered families each family should plan to sign up for a minimum of eight teaching/volunteer slots during the year. Please
take some time to consider where your talents might best be shared as you complete your registration information. Once we have received the registration forms the RE committee and myself will try our best to honor requests and assign individuals to classroom groups. The individuals in each classroom group will work together to determine when they are available to teach and rotate in the classroom(s) through the year. You may choose to divide your volunteer time in more than one classroom. We will try to honor these requests as well.
The Religious Education Committee has also determined that we will offer the 4-5 grade Our Whole Lives program for our youth this fall from September through December. The 8th grade Our Whole Lives program will be offered beginning in March 2010 in collaboration with First Parish Needham. Families with youth who may participate in these programs will be receiving letters with additional information later this spring. Based upon projected numbers of youth in this age group the RE committee has decided that the Coming of Age program will not be offered during the 2009-2010 year.
As we move quickly toward the end of our church year there is still much work to be done. We will complete our Green web/Indigenous cultures mini term and plan for our Youth Sunday worship service honoring many of our children and youth. The RE committee and I will be reviewing curricula and planning for next year, planting the seeds for our coming year together. I hope that you too will plant some seeds this spring!
I wish you all the warmth of the sun and bursts of unexpected joy!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski (Director of Religious Education)
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
It is surprising to me that we only have eight more services until summer comes! Let me give you a heads-up on some of the music that is to come in those weeks.
As we embark on the month of May, get ready for the First Parish Choir singing two songs of the season on May 3rd. One is by Thomas Morley, a fine Renaissance composer from England; this light-hearted piece is called "Now is the Month of Maying". The second piece has us look ahead a bit to Memorial Day with a piece called Flanders Fields. This uses the moving, poetic text of Dr. John McCrae, as he remembered World War I soldiers.
Later in the month, on May 24th to be exact, will be a service that I am calling a "Hymn-along". We will be singing some of our favorite songs, either hymns from our hymnals or some of our favorite protest-era songs. I have asked some people from the Talent Show band to join us for some special accompaniments. Please jot down your favorite hymns and/or songs so I can plan this service. I can't do this without your help!!! I promise it will be lively. Since it is Memorial Day weekend, many people will be away, so if you are in town, be sure to come to church to help us fill out the songs.
On May 31st, we will have the talents of the Folk Song Society with us. They will be doing the prelude, offertory and meditation while Guy plays the hymns on piano.
Both the children and youth choirs will sing on Youth Sunday, June 14th. The children will be singing some multicultural songs and the youth will be doing something to surprise you.
Julie Searles and Matthew Allen, a voice/guitar duo, will sing Brazilian jazz for us at the Flower service, June 21st. They may include their two daughters as well!
The First Parish Choir is planning some community service in June. We will sing at Brigham House and possibly something by the river in early June. Our last time to sing at a church service will be June 7th.
Lastly, if you are planning to host a summer service, please let me help you plan the music. I can help you get connected to the music you need to further your message.
Enjoy spring, and I look forward to seeing you in church.
Green Up Your Electricity!
Electricity seems clean in your house, but in reality it is quite dirty to produce. Most of the electricity in Massachusetts comes from burning coal, oil, and natural gas. These all pollute the air, water and land and are major contributors to global warming. In addition, coal burning is the main contributor to toxic levels of mercury in many fish.
As some of you may know we have solar panels on our home’s roof that generate about half of our electricity. For many people (most?) this is not practical due to financial constraints, limitations of the site such as shading from trees, or other reasons such as people renting rather than owning a house. You care about the environment and are concerned about where your electricity comes from – what are you to do?
Now you have a choice! NSTAR is offering NSTAR Green to customers in Watertown. NSTAR Green is electric power generated from wind turbines at Maple Ridge Wind Farm in upstate New York, which then flows into the New England power grid. It only costs a little bit extra to get this clean green electricity. An average customer with a monthly bill of $100 a month would see their bill increase about $7 per month to get 100% wind energy.
To enroll in NSTAR Green or get more info go to:
http://www.nstar.com/residential/customer_information/nstar_green/nstar_green.asp
NSTAR Green has been certified by Green-e Energy, a respected independent certifier of green energy so you can feel confident that it is for real (for those who don’t trust utilities).
National Grid electric customers have similar choices. Visit National Grid’s website or www.massenergy.com for more info. Mass Energy also has an option for towns like Belmont that have municipal electric utilities. This is the same product that Watertown residents purchased to get solar panels for the High School.
We are using NSTAR Green for the electricity that doesn’t come from our solar panels and love knowing that all our electricity comes from clean green sources. First Parish is also in the process of signing up for NSTAR Green so you can feel good about the electricity used to light our services.
So what are you waiting for? Do something today! It only takes a minute to enroll.
Brian Hebeisen
Newsletter by Email
Do you have email? Do you get the newsletter in snail mail?
Save a tree!
Save a stamp or two! (rates are about to go up again!)
Get your newsletter faster!
Email fpwatertown@comcast.net if you could start getting your newsletter on email rather than paper.
Walking Dish Towels
I know that when I do the laundry, one sock gets lost and sometimes reappears some time later. A similar phenomenon is happening with the dishtowels at FPW, except that they never seem to reappear!! Where do they go?? If anyone has our towels, marked with a large FPW, please return them to the social hour cabinet in the kitchen.
That being said, if anyone can donate some towels marked with FPW- 4 of 5 new ones disappeared within a month- we would appreciate it as it is another way to increase our “green-ness” and not use disposable towels.
Many thanks from all who use the kitchen and from the Fellowship Committee in particular.
Summer Services
GREETINGS ALL. It’s that time of year again to consider leading one of our Lay-led Summer Services.
As many of you already know, UUs kind of take the summer “off” from regular services – but, as many of you also know, we UUs are a rebellious sort, and so we at First Parish decided a few years ago to use SIX weeks of the summer for Lay-led (“Lay” meaning congregants as opposed to clergy) services. These services can look similar to a regular service, with hymns and a talk and joys and sorrows, etc, OR (more often than not) it can take a different form – group singing, a circle meditating on nature images, a meditation - whatever you think as the leader might be inspiring, connecting, fun or a potentially meaningful shared experience.
Here are a few of the past titles, just to give you an idea, (but not to limit your thinking!):
“Favorite Sources” – Roberta Altamari
“Slowing Down” – Kyle Hart
“Nature’s Restorative Powers: A
Participatory Service - Carole Berney
“On Prayer” – Jeanne Cleary
“Theme and Variation” – Charlyn Bethel
“Messages from Thoreau” – Wendell Refior
“Pilgrimage” – Chris Johnson
A Worship Committee member will be present for each service to assist with set up. We have a handy dandy guide sheet with tips for making it all work smoothly including info on help with arranging music. And it’s fun, it’s easy and you are among beloved friends, so please consider signing up for this wonderful opportunity to lead a summer service!
Here are the dates:
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
Aug 2
Summer services begin at 9:30 (to beat the heat of the day).
If you are interested, please email Jeanne Cleary (jecleary@comcast.net) with any questions or with your preferred date and topic.
Spring Work Day
Saturday, May 9 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Bring a rake or pruners. We'll clean and groom the grounds, do some planting, possibly some carpentry. Coffee and bagels provided. No need to spend 4 hours; just the amount of time that works for you. Please send an e-mail to Nick Haddad (nickhaddad1@gmail.com) if you can join us, and indicate the time frame you have available.
We will work in sun, cloudy weather, or in a light rain. If it's pouring, we may reschedule for the following Saturday.
Thanks,
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Finance Committee News
Thanks to all who attended the April 26 Annual Meeting, asked great questions and voted. The support of the congregation is particularly gratifying to the Finance Committee as we head into the most economically challenging time any of us has ever experienced. It is a testimony to the dedication of everyone in the First Parish community to the church and one another that members and friends have pledged all they can financially to maintain the church and its programs despite the difficult economic times. And that, of course, is in addition to all the personal time and effort everyone contributes to the church.
This dedication to our community was particularly evident in this year’s canvass, starting with the unprecedented turnout at the canvass suppers, continuing with a pledge drive that despite the economic hard times has resulted in 63 pledges totaling more than $106,000, and culminating in a tasty and talent laden Annual Dinner masterfully MC’d by Jill and Barbara. While this year’s canvass did not raise quite as much as last year’s, it was nonetheless the second most successful canvass in church history.
Because pledging was as strong as it was, and because we have a $10,000 surplus to carry over from last year’s budget, we were able to develop a budget for 2009-2010 that enables us to maintain our staff and offer them a 3% salary increase, bring on a new student minister, continue to offer a vibrant RE program and maintain our buildings without making significant reductions in program spending. Our major budget reduction was in the Building Fund, which we funded with $5,000 based on Building & Grounds’ request for capital projects next year. The Building Fund is normally budgeted for $12,000, but we decided to fund it at this lower level because there is already $15,000 accumulated in the fund from prior years.
While we know that this coming year will be challenging, if everyone continues to show the same dedication to keeping First Parish the vibrant, supportive and welcoming community we all want it to be, we will succeed.
Rummage Sale Saturday, May 2: Remember to drop off your donations to the Rummage Sale Friday evening, May 1 from 6 – 9 p.m., or Saturday morning May 2 from 8 – 10 a.m. If you can help with the sale, see Jane Knuttunen or Sue Kuder. And, be sure to stop by on Saturday for some outstanding bargains!
Benefit Concert a Huge Success: The Benefit Concert on Saturday, April 18 with Jacqueline Schwab on piano and Reinmar Seidler on cello, was a great success! The music, featuring neo-traditional tunes and tales from Scotland and the Shetland Islands, was lively, melodic and heartfelt! Between the concert and the raffle, we made over $1800 for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Treatment Support Project in rural China. That will support two children for a year. Thank you to all who helped with the concert. A special thanks to Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw for their tireless work on coordinating and running the raffle.
Social Action Planning Meeting: All are invited and encouraged to attend a meeting after church on Sunday, May 31 to plan social action activities for next year. We will be discussing recipients of the Giving Boxes and the monthly Charitable offerings as well as other activities we could participate in. Look for a survey that will help identify those organizations which you might want the church to support. The results of the survey will be available at the May 31 meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!
May Giving Box
School supplies are needed at The Matenwa Community Learning Center in Haiti. One of our FPW members, Holly Cachimuel, is associated with this facility and she will be telling us more about the school and its students during the month of May.
The May Giving Box will turn our efforts to helping this learning center with supplies. Their wish list is certainly " do-able" and given the outpouring of your support of the monthly Giving Boxes, we have no doubt that this collection can be accomplished. So--please—
"Think September" as you shop in May and remember to bring in some of the following: pencils, colored pencils, hand-held "metal" pencil sharpeners, (plastic ones break easily and are hard to recycle) pencil sharpeners with a handle that bolts into a bookcase (STAPLES--about $16---perhaps 2 families could combine their resources here!)
"Think Spring" and bring in SEEDS for community garden: carrot, tomato, onion, eggplant, cabbage, spinach and lettuce.
"Think Shirts" and select button-down white shirts for boys for school (sizes xs-med/lrg)--preferably short sleeve but long sleeve accepted, too.
Several people may want to combine donations and purchase : Rosetta Stone English Computer Program AND Rosetta Stone Spanish Computer Program (for high school foreign language requirement).
Eliza Petrow took us to China in April and now Holly Cachimuel is taking us to Haiti in May!!
“It made me gladsome to be getting some education, it being like a big window opening...”
Mary Webb, 1924
As always, we thank you for your continued generous support of The Giving Box efforts. **On to Haiti**!!!
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Annual Dinner and Talent Show
A Big Success!
On Saturday evening, April 4th we celebrated the successful conclusion of our annual canvass with a family potluck dinner and talent show. FPW cooks and bakers provided a delicious variety of culinary choices. Who would have guessed that we would be entertained by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by the “Outsiders”, a six piece band, plus vocalist, and by many other talented members of FPW that evening? Emcees Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw provided many laughs, and kept the show rolling along. Special thanks to Izzy and Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees for organizing the show, and to the Fellowship Committee for providing setup and cleanup for the dinner. Special recognition also goes to our master sound technician, Michael McCarthy, and his crew, Michael Collins and Michael Altamari. A good time was had by all.
Vacation in Maine this Summer
Mark and Andrea STILL have several weeks available for anyone interested in renting their 3 bedroom seaside cottage in Owls Head Maine. Contact Andrea at themanse@comcast.net for more info.
Two July Weeks Available in Wellfleet
If you haven’t made your summer plans, consider renting a week on the cape in Wellfleet. We have a fully equipped 3 bedroom house that overlooks a salt marsh. Pictures are available online. The weeks are July 4-11 and July 18-25. Fall weekends are also available. Contact Nancy Dutton at njdutton@comcast.net. or 617-926-9254.
Spring Into Your Career Choice
Wednesday Evenings in May; May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2009 , Time 7-9pm at First Parish
Four 2 hour career focus sessions to help you understand yourself and target your next job. Each session will focus on a specific topics and include assessments, handouts, group exercises, and feedback. We will begin with "Understanding Yourself", and move to "Marketing Materials", "Job Search" and finish with "Interviewing Techniques". 12 slots available @ $10 a session or $35 for all 4 sessions. Fee includes cost of handout materials, and assessments. This program is offered by Anna Whitcomb, a member of the First Parish, with 20 years of experience in career counseling and coaching.
www.YourCareerChoices.com Please sign up by calling 617-489-6609 or e-mail awcareer@ix.netcom.com
“Freedom to Marry” Ice Cream Social
Sunday, May 17th from 4- 6 p.m.
On the fifth anniversary of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, the community invites you to join together for free ice cream served up by Brigham's, wedding cakes, and music by local musicians. Nima Eshghi, a member of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)’s legal staff, will speak. At Wellington Station Town Green next to The First Church in Belmont Unitarian-Universalists at 404 Concord Ave. Belmont, MA . (In case of rain, event will be held at the church in the Parish Hall.)
Co-sponsored by Belmont Gay Straight Alliance Committee, Belmont High School Gay Straight Alliance, Human Rights Commission, and The First Church in Belmont UU. For more information, call 617-372-2789. All are welcome!
Creating Partnerships to Improve and Enhance Women’s Lives
Start Date: May 9, 2009
End Date: May 9, 2009
Location: First Parish in Waltham
A Conference for Unitarian Universalist Women
8:45 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration including lunch is $25, with discounts for ministerial students and multiple participants from a congregation or organization.
The program features reflections and inspirations from the International Convocation of U*U Women, held recently in Houston, presentations from New England women about area projects that respond to the major initiatives that emerged from ICUUW—education, ending violence against women, and health care, and an appearance by EMMA’S REVOLUTION!
Come and share worship, singing, laughing, eating, and networking. Consider forming a new network of New England UU Women (Ballou Channing, Northern New England, Clara Barton, and Mass Bay Districts).
To register: contact Pat Manley (patmanley@verizon.net, 508-429-4117)
Arbella
May 2009
For calendar of events please go to our member page.
Sermons and Topics
Sunday, May 3, 2009 11:00 a.m
“Walking Together”
Rev. Andrea Greenwood
This is the title of a book about how our congregations are organized, and it came to mind when I heard from Marianne Collins about the friends with whom she literally walks. We say that you don't have to think alike to love alike, but what happens when your beliefs really do conflict with those whom you care about? This is an auction sermon.
Andrea Greenwood is a former minister and DRE of First Parish.
Music: First Parish Choir is singing.
Social Hour: Roger & Judy Kamm
Greeters: Lee Pierce and Dede Dussault
Sunday, May 10, 2009 11:00 a.m.
"Unexpected Blessings"
Rev. Susan Criscione
Renewal House, a program of the UU Urban Ministry, is a domestic violence shelter in Roxbury that primarily serves women fleeing violent living situations. In the past year our staff went through extensive training so that our shelter would become GLBT inclusive. This process has taught all of our staff about the unexpected blessings of truly serving all people. And in the midst of this we have been aware of the limitless bounds of transformative love and healing - in a context of care and respect. As we celebrate Mother's Day - let us remember and honor those women who have gone before us and continue to walk beside us even today - to show us the possibility of true grace, true humility, true power.
Susan Criscione is the director of Renewal House.
Social Hour: Lani Gerson and Chris Kjellson
Greeters: Charlyn Bethell, Guy and Martha Urban
Sunday, May 17, 2009 11:00 a.m.
"Manifesting Our Heart's Desire"
Rev. Rali Weaver
Many of the new wave belief systems talk about the abundance of the universe and manifesting our heart's desire. Rev. Weaver will explore abundance theologies from Norman Vincent Peale to "The Secret" and try to find out what if any insight they might offer us.
The Rev. Rali M. Weaver is the Parish Minister at the First Church and Parish in Dedham.
Social Hour: Jeanne Cleary & Barry Greess
Greeters: Carole Katz and Sachie Karmacharya
Sunday, May 24, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Come Sing a Song with Me”
Charlyn Bethell
This service will be a “hymn-along”, a service to sing some of your favorite hymns. I will be asking you to tell me some of your favorite ones, along with some protest-era songs that you might enjoy singing. Then along with Guy, me, and some of my favorite folk band musicians, we will play traditional and creative accompaniments. This should be a blast!
Charlyn Bethell is Music Director of First Parish of Watertown.
Social Hour: TBA
Greeters: Julie Miller & Paul Dansereau
Sunday, May 31, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Vision” Christopher Johnson
What are the various elements to seeing? How do we view our world, others, and ourselves. When we don't like what we see, is it what we're looking at, or how we're looking at it?
Christopher Johnson is a member of First Parish. Chris currently works at Brandeis University at its International Business School.
Music: Folk Song Society
Social Hour: Susan Lind-Sinanian and Anne Harrington
Greeters: Judy & Roger Kamm
Captains Log
by Andrea Greenwood
This year I have had an opportunity to visit more UU churches on Sunday mornings than is usually the case. I have been a modern day circuit rider, preaching in local congregations; and also was in Atlanta one weekend. My normal life is fairly circumscribed -- though I prefer to think of it as environmentally friendly: I walk to church, and the library, and the post office; I see the same people and live locally. I bloom where I am planted; all that. And I am a closet writer, literally. When I work, I go into my closet, where there is a computer, a space heater, a clay mask of the Greenwoman I made one summer at Ferry Beach (a UU camp), and a carved wooden plate which was given to me at my installation here in Watertown back in 1992. So it has been interesting to be out and about, on the road, and out of the closet. There has been a reclaiming of my identity, which I imagine happens to many women of a certain age who have shifted professional gears in response to family situations, health concerns, and other pressing needs. It has been nice to have a chance to dabble in preaching again; and in some cases to see former members of this congregation now chairing committees in suburban churches.
At church in Atlanta, though, I was jealous. It was such a vibrant organization: walking in there were greeters, staffed tables, printed literature, directions for R.E. families, photographs of recent activities, multiple social action and social service opportunities, and classes, retreats, workshops being offered. There were two different musical groups assisting with the service, and lots of hi-tech devices which let different leaders participate easily from various spots in the room. Lights dimmed during meditation time, and came up during the sermon -- all by magic. I felt bad; reminded of how nice it would be to have the kind of space and energy and funding that was present in their congregation; to feel carried by something so active. And it did not have any negative “big church” feel: people were friendly and warm, the service had all the components of lay participation and collaboration throughout. Of course I counted, and there were 270 people there; the second service on a very stormy Sunday. But 270 people in that space (UUCA, a concrete building with a sanctuary built as an ampitheatre, with the pulpit down in the pit area, and circular seating rising up in about 30 tiers) felt about the same as 65 in ours -- comfortably attended, but not full.
As the service went on, my jealousy receded. They seemed just like us. Instead of noticing what they did better or had more of, I noticed how they had some of the same problems. Announcements. Parts of the service that went on too long. References to things a new person might not know about. Not everyone knowing the hymns. It felt like home! I had gone to church wanting to experience this congregation, and I hadn’t realized that I would immediately compare it to my own. That just happened, spontaneously, and I felt inadequate, jealous and frustrated; wanting some of what they had for myself. But as I sat through it, I felt that really, they were not any better; that we are the same in many ways, and that in fact Watertown does some things exceptionally well.
It is good to bloom where we are planted; to be happy and engaged in the places where we live. But it is also wonderful to get out and have a chance to see how others do it; to learn and think about new possibilities -- not because we believe that someone else has a better thing going on, but because we are all the same. As I have been working on this book that Mark and I are writing, introducing Unitarian and Universalist traditions, our identity as religious liberals is very much on my mind. Articulating what makes us who we are; how pulpit centered white steepled churches with organs in New England embrace the same values as poured concrete kivas with no pulpit and music by electric guitars (seriously, the offertory was Bruce Springsteen! -- or, rather, someone playing Bruce Springsteen) -- this is an opportunity to think more deeply; and richly; about who we are as a people, and why; what we hold dear.
And it is also an opportunity to change; to bring the things we learn back home; to keep improving upon what we do here. Getting out can challenge our assumptions, and free us in new ways. It wasn’t true that the systematic organization of so many activities made the Atlanta church better than this one; within 20 minutes, they felt pretty similar. And it isn’t true that a big church feels less intimate or more formal. About 600 people attended services that morning, and it felt about the same as it does here. Who we are is not about numbers in this way; it is about how we live in this world. And I would like to see a whole lot more of us. Maybe we can think about our space, our seating, our parking, the timing of our services, how we balance the need for talk among us with formal readings, etc. -- these little details -- and look at how they impact who we are, and what we really want to define us. I think we are more than we know we are.
See you in church!
Andrea, filling in for Mark
Religious Education
Planting seeds…
May-may be my favorite time of year, filled with growth and unfolding beauty. I especially love the unexpected small wonders that burst forth from the earth at this time of year, bulbs and seeds long forgotten under the winter snows are shouting out for joy and reminding me to smile. They also remind me that we are all given the opportunity to share in the wonders of the Earth and to honor the Earth through our stewardship of the environment. There are these moments in each day, moments in which we each can express our love of the Earth and of each other by planting small seeds of kindness -a smile, a touch, a moment of connection, these are the seeds we plant. We plant seeds and wait. We all have the opportunity plant the seeds of our Unitarian Universalist faith and of our caring community in our children and youth whenever we are with them. Our actions and words are the seeds we plant-seeds that may remain hidden for a long time and burst forth in joy in the most unexpected moments. We plant seeds and wait.
We will be planting many seeds during this month of May. During the early weeks of May the children and youth in our Religious Education programs are learning about the Earth and Indigenous cultures, while at the same time exploring old and new ways to conserve, sustain and protect the Earth. One way in which we will honor the Earth is to dig in and plant seeds for the future, literally. We are planting radishes, pumpkins, sunflowers and nasturtiums. We hope to harvest our radishes by June, watch for sunflowers and nasturtiums through the summer and return to the possibility of pumpkins in the fall.
The Religious Education Committee has been hard at work this spring discussing next year and the programs we will offer. We have determined that we are ready for some more change! This fall we will begin our new church year as a co-operative program. On May 24th during social hour we will begin 2009-2010 registration for returning families in the RE program. We will continue to register families through the end of the church year in June. On the registration forms please note the section where you may choose your preference of volunteer position. Each family with a child(ren) registered in the RE program is asked to volunteer during the year. There are twenty-nine “teaching” Sundays during the year, each Sunday there are four classrooms in which we need two adult teacher/volunteers. In addition there are 5 Sundays in which all the children/youth are together in activity groups. There are also teaching opportunities in programs that require additional teacher training such as Our Whole Lives. There are opportunities to volunteer as “on call” substitute teachers, pageant assistants, and one-time special event volunteers. To distribute the responsibility equally among the registered families each family should plan to sign up for a minimum of eight teaching/volunteer slots during the year. Please
take some time to consider where your talents might best be shared as you complete your registration information. Once we have received the registration forms the RE committee and myself will try our best to honor requests and assign individuals to classroom groups. The individuals in each classroom group will work together to determine when they are available to teach and rotate in the classroom(s) through the year. You may choose to divide your volunteer time in more than one classroom. We will try to honor these requests as well.
The Religious Education Committee has also determined that we will offer the 4-5 grade Our Whole Lives program for our youth this fall from September through December. The 8th grade Our Whole Lives program will be offered beginning in March 2010 in collaboration with First Parish Needham. Families with youth who may participate in these programs will be receiving letters with additional information later this spring. Based upon projected numbers of youth in this age group the RE committee has decided that the Coming of Age program will not be offered during the 2009-2010 year.
As we move quickly toward the end of our church year there is still much work to be done. We will complete our Green web/Indigenous cultures mini term and plan for our Youth Sunday worship service honoring many of our children and youth. The RE committee and I will be reviewing curricula and planning for next year, planting the seeds for our coming year together. I hope that you too will plant some seeds this spring!
I wish you all the warmth of the sun and bursts of unexpected joy!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski (Director of Religious Education)
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
It is surprising to me that we only have eight more services until summer comes! Let me give you a heads-up on some of the music that is to come in those weeks.
As we embark on the month of May, get ready for the First Parish Choir singing two songs of the season on May 3rd. One is by Thomas Morley, a fine Renaissance composer from England; this light-hearted piece is called "Now is the Month of Maying". The second piece has us look ahead a bit to Memorial Day with a piece called Flanders Fields. This uses the moving, poetic text of Dr. John McCrae, as he remembered World War I soldiers.
Later in the month, on May 24th to be exact, will be a service that I am calling a "Hymn-along". We will be singing some of our favorite songs, either hymns from our hymnals or some of our favorite protest-era songs. I have asked some people from the Talent Show band to join us for some special accompaniments. Please jot down your favorite hymns and/or songs so I can plan this service. I can't do this without your help!!! I promise it will be lively. Since it is Memorial Day weekend, many people will be away, so if you are in town, be sure to come to church to help us fill out the songs.
On May 31st, we will have the talents of the Folk Song Society with us. They will be doing the prelude, offertory and meditation while Guy plays the hymns on piano.
Both the children and youth choirs will sing on Youth Sunday, June 14th. The children will be singing some multicultural songs and the youth will be doing something to surprise you.
Julie Searles and Matthew Allen, a voice/guitar duo, will sing Brazilian jazz for us at the Flower service, June 21st. They may include their two daughters as well!
The First Parish Choir is planning some community service in June. We will sing at Brigham House and possibly something by the river in early June. Our last time to sing at a church service will be June 7th.
Lastly, if you are planning to host a summer service, please let me help you plan the music. I can help you get connected to the music you need to further your message.
Enjoy spring, and I look forward to seeing you in church.
Green Up Your Electricity!
Electricity seems clean in your house, but in reality it is quite dirty to produce. Most of the electricity in Massachusetts comes from burning coal, oil, and natural gas. These all pollute the air, water and land and are major contributors to global warming. In addition, coal burning is the main contributor to toxic levels of mercury in many fish.
As some of you may know we have solar panels on our home’s roof that generate about half of our electricity. For many people (most?) this is not practical due to financial constraints, limitations of the site such as shading from trees, or other reasons such as people renting rather than owning a house. You care about the environment and are concerned about where your electricity comes from – what are you to do?
Now you have a choice! NSTAR is offering NSTAR Green to customers in Watertown. NSTAR Green is electric power generated from wind turbines at Maple Ridge Wind Farm in upstate New York, which then flows into the New England power grid. It only costs a little bit extra to get this clean green electricity. An average customer with a monthly bill of $100 a month would see their bill increase about $7 per month to get 100% wind energy.
To enroll in NSTAR Green or get more info go to:
http://www.nstar.com/residential/customer_information/nstar_green/nstar_green.asp
NSTAR Green has been certified by Green-e Energy, a respected independent certifier of green energy so you can feel confident that it is for real (for those who don’t trust utilities).
National Grid electric customers have similar choices. Visit National Grid’s website or www.massenergy.com for more info. Mass Energy also has an option for towns like Belmont that have municipal electric utilities. This is the same product that Watertown residents purchased to get solar panels for the High School.
We are using NSTAR Green for the electricity that doesn’t come from our solar panels and love knowing that all our electricity comes from clean green sources. First Parish is also in the process of signing up for NSTAR Green so you can feel good about the electricity used to light our services.
So what are you waiting for? Do something today! It only takes a minute to enroll.
Brian Hebeisen
Newsletter by Email
Do you have email? Do you get the newsletter in snail mail?
Save a tree!
Save a stamp or two! (rates are about to go up again!)
Get your newsletter faster!
Email fpwatertown@comcast.net if you could start getting your newsletter on email rather than paper.
Walking Dish Towels
I know that when I do the laundry, one sock gets lost and sometimes reappears some time later. A similar phenomenon is happening with the dishtowels at FPW, except that they never seem to reappear!! Where do they go?? If anyone has our towels, marked with a large FPW, please return them to the social hour cabinet in the kitchen.
That being said, if anyone can donate some towels marked with FPW- 4 of 5 new ones disappeared within a month- we would appreciate it as it is another way to increase our “green-ness” and not use disposable towels.
Many thanks from all who use the kitchen and from the Fellowship Committee in particular.
Summer Services
GREETINGS ALL. It’s that time of year again to consider leading one of our Lay-led Summer Services.
As many of you already know, UUs kind of take the summer “off” from regular services – but, as many of you also know, we UUs are a rebellious sort, and so we at First Parish decided a few years ago to use SIX weeks of the summer for Lay-led (“Lay” meaning congregants as opposed to clergy) services. These services can look similar to a regular service, with hymns and a talk and joys and sorrows, etc, OR (more often than not) it can take a different form – group singing, a circle meditating on nature images, a meditation - whatever you think as the leader might be inspiring, connecting, fun or a potentially meaningful shared experience.
Here are a few of the past titles, just to give you an idea, (but not to limit your thinking!):
“Favorite Sources” – Roberta Altamari
“Slowing Down” – Kyle Hart
“Nature’s Restorative Powers: A
Participatory Service - Carole Berney
“On Prayer” – Jeanne Cleary
“Theme and Variation” – Charlyn Bethel
“Messages from Thoreau” – Wendell Refior
“Pilgrimage” – Chris Johnson
A Worship Committee member will be present for each service to assist with set up. We have a handy dandy guide sheet with tips for making it all work smoothly including info on help with arranging music. And it’s fun, it’s easy and you are among beloved friends, so please consider signing up for this wonderful opportunity to lead a summer service!
Here are the dates:
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
Aug 2
Summer services begin at 9:30 (to beat the heat of the day).
If you are interested, please email Jeanne Cleary (jecleary@comcast.net) with any questions or with your preferred date and topic.
Spring Work Day
Saturday, May 9 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Bring a rake or pruners. We'll clean and groom the grounds, do some planting, possibly some carpentry. Coffee and bagels provided. No need to spend 4 hours; just the amount of time that works for you. Please send an e-mail to Nick Haddad (nickhaddad1@gmail.com) if you can join us, and indicate the time frame you have available.
We will work in sun, cloudy weather, or in a light rain. If it's pouring, we may reschedule for the following Saturday.
Thanks,
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Finance Committee News
Thanks to all who attended the April 26 Annual Meeting, asked great questions and voted. The support of the congregation is particularly gratifying to the Finance Committee as we head into the most economically challenging time any of us has ever experienced. It is a testimony to the dedication of everyone in the First Parish community to the church and one another that members and friends have pledged all they can financially to maintain the church and its programs despite the difficult economic times. And that, of course, is in addition to all the personal time and effort everyone contributes to the church.
This dedication to our community was particularly evident in this year’s canvass, starting with the unprecedented turnout at the canvass suppers, continuing with a pledge drive that despite the economic hard times has resulted in 63 pledges totaling more than $106,000, and culminating in a tasty and talent laden Annual Dinner masterfully MC’d by Jill and Barbara. While this year’s canvass did not raise quite as much as last year’s, it was nonetheless the second most successful canvass in church history.
Because pledging was as strong as it was, and because we have a $10,000 surplus to carry over from last year’s budget, we were able to develop a budget for 2009-2010 that enables us to maintain our staff and offer them a 3% salary increase, bring on a new student minister, continue to offer a vibrant RE program and maintain our buildings without making significant reductions in program spending. Our major budget reduction was in the Building Fund, which we funded with $5,000 based on Building & Grounds’ request for capital projects next year. The Building Fund is normally budgeted for $12,000, but we decided to fund it at this lower level because there is already $15,000 accumulated in the fund from prior years.
While we know that this coming year will be challenging, if everyone continues to show the same dedication to keeping First Parish the vibrant, supportive and welcoming community we all want it to be, we will succeed.
Rummage Sale Saturday, May 2: Remember to drop off your donations to the Rummage Sale Friday evening, May 1 from 6 – 9 p.m., or Saturday morning May 2 from 8 – 10 a.m. If you can help with the sale, see Jane Knuttunen or Sue Kuder. And, be sure to stop by on Saturday for some outstanding bargains!
Benefit Concert a Huge Success: The Benefit Concert on Saturday, April 18 with Jacqueline Schwab on piano and Reinmar Seidler on cello, was a great success! The music, featuring neo-traditional tunes and tales from Scotland and the Shetland Islands, was lively, melodic and heartfelt! Between the concert and the raffle, we made over $1800 for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Treatment Support Project in rural China. That will support two children for a year. Thank you to all who helped with the concert. A special thanks to Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw for their tireless work on coordinating and running the raffle.
Social Action Planning Meeting: All are invited and encouraged to attend a meeting after church on Sunday, May 31 to plan social action activities for next year. We will be discussing recipients of the Giving Boxes and the monthly Charitable offerings as well as other activities we could participate in. Look for a survey that will help identify those organizations which you might want the church to support. The results of the survey will be available at the May 31 meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!
May Giving Box
School supplies are needed at The Matenwa Community Learning Center in Haiti. One of our FPW members, Holly Cachimuel, is associated with this facility and she will be telling us more about the school and its students during the month of May.
The May Giving Box will turn our efforts to helping this learning center with supplies. Their wish list is certainly " do-able" and given the outpouring of your support of the monthly Giving Boxes, we have no doubt that this collection can be accomplished. So--please—
"Think September" as you shop in May and remember to bring in some of the following: pencils, colored pencils, hand-held "metal" pencil sharpeners, (plastic ones break easily and are hard to recycle) pencil sharpeners with a handle that bolts into a bookcase (STAPLES--about $16---perhaps 2 families could combine their resources here!)
"Think Spring" and bring in SEEDS for community garden: carrot, tomato, onion, eggplant, cabbage, spinach and lettuce.
"Think Shirts" and select button-down white shirts for boys for school (sizes xs-med/lrg)--preferably short sleeve but long sleeve accepted, too.
Several people may want to combine donations and purchase : Rosetta Stone English Computer Program AND Rosetta Stone Spanish Computer Program (for high school foreign language requirement).
Eliza Petrow took us to China in April and now Holly Cachimuel is taking us to Haiti in May!!
“It made me gladsome to be getting some education, it being like a big window opening...”
Mary Webb, 1924
As always, we thank you for your continued generous support of The Giving Box efforts. **On to Haiti**!!!
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Annual Dinner and Talent Show
A Big Success!
On Saturday evening, April 4th we celebrated the successful conclusion of our annual canvass with a family potluck dinner and talent show. FPW cooks and bakers provided a delicious variety of culinary choices. Who would have guessed that we would be entertained by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by the “Outsiders”, a six piece band, plus vocalist, and by many other talented members of FPW that evening? Emcees Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw provided many laughs, and kept the show rolling along. Special thanks to Izzy and Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees for organizing the show, and to the Fellowship Committee for providing setup and cleanup for the dinner. Special recognition also goes to our master sound technician, Michael McCarthy, and his crew, Michael Collins and Michael Altamari. A good time was had by all.
Vacation in Maine this Summer
Mark and Andrea STILL have several weeks available for anyone interested in renting their 3 bedroom seaside cottage in Owls Head Maine. Contact Andrea at themanse@comcast.net for more info.
Two July Weeks Available in Wellfleet
If you haven’t made your summer plans, consider renting a week on the cape in Wellfleet. We have a fully equipped 3 bedroom house that overlooks a salt marsh. Pictures are available online. The weeks are July 4-11 and July 18-25. Fall weekends are also available. Contact Nancy Dutton at njdutton@comcast.net. or 617-926-9254.
Spring Into Your Career Choice
Wednesday Evenings in May; May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2009 , Time 7-9pm at First Parish
Four 2 hour career focus sessions to help you understand yourself and target your next job. Each session will focus on a specific topics and include assessments, handouts, group exercises, and feedback. We will begin with "Understanding Yourself", and move to "Marketing Materials", "Job Search" and finish with "Interviewing Techniques". 12 slots available @ $10 a session or $35 for all 4 sessions. Fee includes cost of handout materials, and assessments. This program is offered by Anna Whitcomb, a member of the First Parish, with 20 years of experience in career counseling and coaching.
www.YourCareerChoices.com Please sign up by calling 617-489-6609 or e-mail awcareer@ix.netcom.com
“Freedom to Marry” Ice Cream Social
Sunday, May 17th from 4- 6 p.m.
On the fifth anniversary of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, the community invites you to join together for free ice cream served up by Brigham's, wedding cakes, and music by local musicians. Nima Eshghi, a member of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)’s legal staff, will speak. At Wellington Station Town Green next to The First Church in Belmont Unitarian-Universalists at 404 Concord Ave. Belmont, MA . (In case of rain, event will be held at the church in the Parish Hall.)
Co-sponsored by Belmont Gay Straight Alliance Committee, Belmont High School Gay Straight Alliance, Human Rights Commission, and The First Church in Belmont UU. For more information, call 617-372-2789. All are welcome!
Creating Partnerships to Improve and Enhance Women’s Lives
Start Date: May 9, 2009
End Date: May 9, 2009
Location: First Parish in Waltham
A Conference for Unitarian Universalist Women
8:45 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration including lunch is $25, with discounts for ministerial students and multiple participants from a congregation or organization.
The program features reflections and inspirations from the International Convocation of U*U Women, held recently in Houston, presentations from New England women about area projects that respond to the major initiatives that emerged from ICUUW—education, ending violence against women, and health care, and an appearance by EMMA’S REVOLUTION!
Come and share worship, singing, laughing, eating, and networking. Consider forming a new network of New England UU Women (Ballou Channing, Northern New England, Clara Barton, and Mass Bay Districts).
To register: contact Pat Manley (patmanley@verizon.net, 508-429-4117)
Arbella - April 2009 Newsletter
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
April 2009
for calendar of events please go the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Topics
Sunday, April 5, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Empathy for the “Other”...Even the Other In Uniform” Raz Mason
Through our long tradition of social justice, UU’s have a dignified history of welcoming the “other.” But how can and ought we relate to the “other” serving in the US military? This sermon will highlight some principles underlying possible congregational responses to veterans, service members, and their families. We will also touch on the ministry of UU military chaplains and progressive military initiatives.
Raz Mason is a third-year M.Div. student at Harvard Divinity School.
Social Hour: Charlyn Bethell, Guy Urban and Martha Urban
Greeters: Holly Cachimuel and family
Sunday, April 12, 2009 11:00 a.m
“Moving Stones” Andrea Greenwood
As a holiday which is the hallmark of Christian faith, Easter can be a challenge for UUs. I am interested in exploring the story of the stone
being moved from the mouth of Jesus's burial tomb, and what that might mean to us. Many parts of the service will be from Unitarians (e e cummings, Beatrix Potter) who show us a faith that makes sense, and includes us all. Nature and reason can illuminate and open us to life’s mysteries. Perhaps we can even experience the resurrection in our own hearts....
Andrea Greenwood is a former minister and DRE of this congregation!
Social Hour: Judy and Roger Kamm
Greeters: Meredith Montague and John Portz
Sunday, April 19 2009 11:00 a.m.
Earth Day Celebration - Intergenerational
led by Debra Zagaeski, DRE
If you close your eyes and pause for a moment I believe that each of us can elicit an image of a place, a place which represents a personal connection to the sacred "Blue Boat Home" which we call the Earth. We will honor and celebrate our Earth through communion and pledges on Earth Day Sunday. Please bring a small object which represents your special place on Earth. We will share our Earth icons and images during this worship. We will also consider our stewardship of the Earth and write a personal pledge in support of the Earth and it's environment.
Social Hour: Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Greeters: Fatima Hussein and Habis Obyat
Sunday, April 26, 2009 11:00 a.m.
"How Much Do We Deserve? - A Sermon on Economic Justice" John A. Buehrens
In the midst of a crisis brought on by greed and excessive inequality, the question, for each of us, is "What now?"
John Buehrens is Minister of First Parish in Needham. He was UUA President, 1993-2001.
Social Hour: Gretchen Brown and Johanna Erickson
Greeters: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Captain’s Log
Well, it seems strange not to write up a list of sermons for the month, but my sabbatical has arrived. I expect this column will be filled by Andrea in May. I think I am ready. First, let me tell you how grateful I am to receive this special time for study and writing. Andrea and I are working on a book called An Introduction to the Unitarian and Universalist Traditions with Cambridge University Press. We have three months this year and three months next year to finish the project, and if we can each write a chapter a month, we can almost finish on time. Stay tuned! So we have no elaborate trips planned either year. We will be in residence in Watertown. I expect to see you at some major events like Annual Dinner and Annual Meeting. I will also be around church some, too. For example, I am teaching the Coming of Age class on April 5. Please let me know if you need anything. I will miss seeing you each week, but please know that your lives and concerns always hold an important place in my heart.
What will the next three months be like? We have planned all of the worship services. I think you will be pleased with the mixture of visiting guests and special services. I trust you will hear some good preaching, and the continuing great music with Charlyn and Guy. Wasn’t that youth choir amazing? I encourage you to attend church this spring. In addition to enjoying the services, I would also like you to have your antennae out. I have become concerned about the length of our services. While we may not tinker with the various elements until fall, I am hoping we can cut down on the number of verbal announcements, joys and sorrows that sound like announcements, readings, and even the length of sermons. This joys and sorrows issue was voiced to me, but compared to other congregations, I think we are pretty good about staying with personal issues. It is good that we have such a community building mechanism in the service, but I do worry about length. Space is also an issue, and I think we need to think about how often the children are in the sanctuary, and even if we might have some kind of service at a different time so that young families are more comfortable. Please reflect on this in the coming months, and let me know if you agree that the worship service feels a little unwieldy at times.
This has been a difficult year on most financial fronts, and we do not know the results of our canvass yet. Still you have been enormously generous time and time again. I especially see this with the monthly charitable offerings, which always seem to have a wonderful total. You have a remarkable ability to help others that is reflected in your financial generosity and personal caring. This month we have the benefit concert and the raffle to support PATS. We have had more social action projects this year than we have ever had. It has been fun working with FPW members, not only on the usual projects, but the volunteering at the Food Bank in the Fall, and the Friday Supper Program in the winter. I especially appreciate what Jill Shaw, Barbara Farrell and Sue Kuder have done this year. Also, on the financial front, don’t forget our chair project. See the website for details. We have surged beyond fifty chairs and are closing in on sixty!
Looking ahead to the rest of the church year, there are some wonderful activities. We have volunteers working hard on all our major projects. We will have a second annual Easter Pancake Breakfast, the Benefit Concert, and the Rummage Sale. Please help out where you can. We will have a large number of people who will be welcomed on May 3 as new members. If you are new to the church and would consider joining, please fill out a yellow card. Finally, if you would like more information about the sabbatical, there will be a sabbatical brochure on the information table in the lobby. Thanks again for making it possible. I expect to come back with an ever-increasing understanding of our Unitarian Universalist tradition, and hopefully I can share some of that with you. Until next time . . . May you have a warm, healthy, enjoyable spring, and even a little economic renewal!
Faithfully,
Mark
Among Us
A Memorial Service for Helen Wait was held on February 28, 2009 in the sanctuary. Helen was a long time member of the church, and had been on the search committee that chose Patty Devore to be music director in the 1970’s.
Mark conducted a funeral service for Janice Wilson on March 11. Janice was a UU from Arlington, the mother of Heather Hoiseth,who attended FPW some years ago.
New Members:
Welcome to Morgan McLean and Seth Carrier, two Andover Newton students who joined recently
A warm welcome to Josephine Dion Thompson, or Josie, daughter of Melissa and Brooks Thompson. Josie was dedicated on March 15 in a ceremony in church.
Thank You
Thanks to those who helped serve dinner at Arlington Street Church on Friday, February 27. We had 12 adults and four coming of age youth – Thalia Cachimuel, Emily Cudhea-Pierce, Yami Dussault, and Levi Harris. We had sixteen people altogether - Others were: Will and Sue Twombly, David Morrison and Martha Scott, Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell, Sue Kuder, Debra Zagaeski, Mark Harris, Bobbie Brown, Carole Katz, and Anna Knight.
Thanks to those who made refreshments for the benefit concert: Bobbie Brown, Nancy Dutton, Sue Kuder. David Morrison, Martha Scott and Ginger Burns. Brett Hinkel, the music director at the UU Church in Andover put together a nice show, but attendance was a little low. We split the profit with the Andover church, and netted $345.00 for our chair fund.
Religious Education
Re-cycle, Re-pair, Re-joice!”
My Special Place: “As the sun hits the sea my place comes alive. I begin to imagine that the world won’t survive. Wars, pollution, the amount of trees dying, the suffering of animals leaves me crying. How can I sit here not helping at all, when the world is sending an SOS call? I leap to my feet.. I must act fast. If I don’t act now, my place will not last. I can pick up litter and plant native trees, be kind to others, and love them with ease. If I lead by example for others to follow, the world will have a better tomorrow.” - This poem was written by, Noelle S. (11 years of age) from Australia.
A poignant plea! - A passionate response! It is this spirit of awareness, insight and activism that we seek to teach and support in our children and youth here at First Parish. It is spring! The earth is budding once again, new life and new growth are appearing all around us, no wonder our ancestors sang, Alleluia! Alleluia! In this time of renewal, and possibility we are reminded of the awesome power of spirit. We too can exhibit our awesome power of our spirit by directing our energies to the stewardship of our “Blue Boat Home”- the Earth.
Beginning on Sunday, April 26th the children and youth in the First Parish religious education program will begin a four -week workshop intensive (Green Web). We will invite them to learn and to grow in their awareness of the Earth and it’s environment. We will explore some of the current information regarding the state of our planet, (global warming, de-forestation, loss of species…). While some of this information may feel a bit intense and even overwhelming, it is important to have all of our children and youth increase their awareness of the issues currently facing our world. We will strive to balance awareness with action; we can show our children and youth that their actions do make a difference. We need ambassadors of every age to work toward the solutions for healing our Earth. In Judaism there is an expression for the work of “repairing the world” It is called “Tikkun Olam”. “Tikkun Olam” helps to connect us to the divine spark in each individual through the practice of doing good work, and making it the spiritual task of each person to help to repair and protect the world. One person can make a difference! “You are not required to complete the work, yet you are not allowed to desist from it. –“ Pirkei Avot, 2:21
We need many individuals to help us teach during these workshop weeks. Please look at the bulletin board during fellowship hour and sign up to help!
During April and May the eleven year old youth of First Parish will be asking individuals if they are willing to serve as their mentors for the First Mentor rite of passage. Please consider stepping up to help in this meaningful and important First Parish tradition.
The religious education program will be working closely with the First Parish Green Sanctuary Committee during the next several weeks to co-ordinate some “green” projects around our church community. I would love to start a compost project and a small drought resistant garden with the children and youth of First Parish during the spring and early summer.
I am pleased to announce that First Parish has been approved as a collection site for Nike Corporation athletic shoe re-cycling campaign. For the four weeks of our “green web” workshops we will collect worn-out athletic shoes to be recycled into playground surfaces for needy communities. (Additional information will be posted at church.)
On Sunday, April 26th join our “swop meet” (bring one item- take one item)- please plan to bring an item (any item: household, clothing, toy, whatever…but it must be in good condition) we will then trade in the wonderful albeit unwanted item and choose a new item. This is the ultimate in re-cycle, re-use, re-purpose, re-new!
The religious education program will participate in the charitable donation for the month of April (Pediatric AIDS support in China) by collecting pennies. We tend to discard or ignore our pennies. We want these pennies! Look for the “Pennies with Purpose” jar in the fellowship hall. I hereby charge you all to hunt for pennies: -on sidewalks, under rugs, in chairs, behind the couch, in your backpack, pennies everywhere! Prepare to discover the power of pennies! One penny can make a difference! Bring in your pennies and add them to the “Pennies with Purpose” Jar. We will collect pennies until we fill the jar and send them on to help the children in China.
There will be many additional activities associated with our “green web” curriculum. I will post and announce more information in the coming weeks. I look forward to our work together as we re-cycle, and re-joice in our beautiful “Blue Boat Home.
Blessed be the Earth!, Namaste
Debra Zagaeski (Director of Religious Education)
Notes From A Reluctant Teacher
by Beth Tappan-deFrees
Many years ago when RE students, who are now working, studying, or graduated from college, were very young… maybe 9 years old, I was asked by the DRE, Dan Harper, to teach with Michael Collins. I had no children, didn’t know Michael, and stubbornly liked services. After all, that’s why I had joined the church, right?: to find an in/outlet for my spirituality? Isn’t that what I got to do after arduous weeks at work, “rest for an hour”? Why couldn’t someone else do it? Weren’t there other volunteers in church? And besides, the curriculum was one on spirituality that Dan had written! Wasn’t that awkward? Wouldn’t he have too high expectations of what we could do? I wasn’t a teacher! And I certainly knew nothing about pre-teens…
Fast forward 12 or so years… Today, 3/29, found me in my son’s RE class, teaching with my wife about Children’s Day in Japan… relating it back to the importance of peace, an end to sex-role stereotyping, and a high-level conversation about imperialism with seven 9 year-olds. OK. So, I am changed.
What began as a small step into my “yikes” zone, has been a fantastically fulfilling relationship with the RE program at FPW. I do not feel confident that I could create a curriculum on my own, but I have taught some excellent ones (created, borrowed, copied, owned). They are fairly easy to follow. I choose to always team teach and I have worked with people I might not have gotten to know so well – Michael Collins, David Benson, Adam Jonath, Darrick Jackson – and some, like Isabel, whom I know very well; it adds a new dimension to our life together. I taught for years before having my own child; I don’t always choose to teach Elijah’s class. I have taught Spirituality, Holidays and Holy Days, Our Whole Lives, Neighboring Faiths and assorted other classes – sometimes for an extended time, sometimes for a few clustered weeks. With the exception of OWL, none of them required a moment of specialized training. ALL of them deepened my spirituality, my connectedness to the First Parish community and my understanding of the ministry we provide one another. I have learned much from the children in our church – lessons in directness and teamwork and fun that could not ever be learned from a standard church service. As an offshoot of my RE involvement, I have been graced with being trusted to mentor students (Kate Bahn, Charlotte Fitts-Sprague, Doug Leon) at different times as they advance their own journey to the world of being UU. And, yes, sometimes it is difficult to miss services.
What am I saying? Our church is a growing and changing church, not just FPW, but the religion as a whole. The adults who have chosen to be here come for the community ministry, find it, and stay. For the words of our affirmation and doxology to be realized, all our talents are needed as we work together. Next time you say “… to help one another…”, listen to your heart: could you enter your “yikes” zone to find some Sundays to work with our RE classes? I have been here with 7 DREs. None of them can magically make teachers appear out of thin air. Nor are all parents the best classroom teachers. The RE program gives you a lot of curriculum guidance. Many of us who have taught will offer support and ideas if asked. Try it! It’s really fun. You may, like me, be able to look back and say you were reluctant, but now you feel eager for the next RE challenge!
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
It is time for me to write the Music Director’s summary of the year for the Annual Report. This gives me a chance to look back over the year and reflect on what has been accomplished and what is still in process. It has been a year of self-discovery and growth for me. It has been a year of transition for our church.
Sometimes when we begin something new in our lives, we look to our past as a model. But as I do that, I note that the only church I have ever meaningfully been part of with a music program is First Parish in Watertown. While growing up, my family occasionally attended Air Force base chapels with chaplains of varied Protestant denominations. The only thing I remember about those church services is the hymn singing, and at First Parish, we sing none of those old Christian hymns. This makes being the Music Director at First Parish an adventure. I applaud the efforts of our previous music director, as she fulfilled the vision of music at our church as she saw it. I feel fortunate to be working closely with Guy Urban as accompanist because he is one of the best and most complete musicians I have ever known. I am also lucky to be working with Mark Harris. He is enthusiastic in general and he is open-minded about trying new things at church. He has a way of treating me as an equal colleague in spite of my limited experience as a Music Director. I find his attitude encouraging and accepting and I feel lucky to be here.
From my experiences this year, I have learned that the Music Director’s job is to direct and oversee all the music at First Parish. This includes directing the Children’s, Youth, and Adult choirs. I also assist with hymns and songs for church services. I select soloists for services and try to find as much variety as possible. I am working on having a website for music so that we all know what to expect musically at church. The Music Director needs to be aware of goals of the church and find ways for music to support those goals. For example, recently, the RE program focused on the Heifer Project and the children’s choir sang songs about animals.
I am working on the goals I have set up for 2008--2009:
Communicating with church community about the musical life of the church.
Finding a variety of music styles in choosing soloists for services.
Organizing existing choral music into a new space.
Connecting with a larger UU community of musicians as a resource (Unitarian Universalist Muscians’ Network, a national professional organization of UU music directors).
Integrating music with worship services around church goals (ie: green sanctuary) and sermon topics with the minister.
Beginning to plan a concert series for Benefit concerts.
Involving the congregation in music during services for more active hymn singing.
I want to learn more about being a Music Director. Early in March, I attended a one-day conference done by the UU Musicians’ Network (UUMN) in Attleboro. It was wonderful to spend a day with area music directors. Now I am excited about plans to attend a 5-day national UUMN conference this summer in Portland, Oregon.
While I am still working on my goals, I am finding that that being the Music Director at First Parish is manageable, enjoyable, and a source of growth for me. The best part of this is building community around music. I love creating a circle of people that love to work with music. I can only imagine the wonders that I will be writing about this time next year.
Easter Pancake Breakfast
Everyone is invited to a pancake feast on Easter Sunday Morning. The breakfast begins at 9:00 a.m., and includes pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee (maybe even a few waffles, too). Jeanne Cleary and David Morrison are working on organizing volunteers to help cook, set-up and clean up. If you would like to volunteer, please speak to one of them, or contact the church office. No RSVP required, and cost is your donation! Come greet the Easter bunny!
The Annual Meeting is coming!
On Sunday April 26th around 12:45, we will have our Annual Meeting. You will get a warrant in the mail or in your email. Social Hour will be a little more substantial to hold you over until 2pm when the meeting is over!
All members and friends are invited, but only members are able to vote. The basic agenda is to approve the annual budget and review other business as comes before the congregation at the time. This is a really cool part of what we get to do as part of this church! Run our own show! But it takes a critical mass of us to review the financial needs and plans for church to make it work. We need to have a quorum so please plan on attending if you can.
Thank you! Parish Committee and Finance Committee
Easter Offering
Twice a year, we request Special Offerings from the First Parish community that are in addition to pledges. In 2009, the Easter offering begins our fiscal year (which runs April to March). Through the next couple of weeks, you will find envelopes in your Orders of Service. If you choose to make an extra contribution to the church in this time of the awakening earth, please enclose it in the envelope and put it in the offertory box or on the office door. Thank you!
Canvass
THANK YOU one and all for all your fantastic food and feedback during the “Yes! We Can!” Canvass Suppers in March. While the suppers are over, the pledges are not all in. If you have not yet turned in your pledge form for 2009 – 2010, please drop it off at the church office or email John Portz (jportz@rcn.com). Budget planning for 2009 – 2010 happens at the Finance Committee meeting before Easter. Pledges comprise ~ 40% of the church’s income and it would be great to have 100% pledging! Remember these are full-year pledges: consider how you can help sustain the life and programs of the church and know that you have a full year to help. If you have questions about your pledge, please contact John as well.
Sunday Morning Hymn Sings
Charlyn and Guy have been helping us practice for the hymns that will be sung during the service at 10 minutes to 11 a.m. If you want to be familiar with the hymns before we sing during the service (even try-out a new harmony!) grab a hymnal and come up to the piano before the service begins!
All-Church Potluck Dinner and Talent / Art Show!
Coming Saturday, April 4th at 5:30! (Talent Show starts at 7) Special appearance by Guest MCs: PB & J!
Come one, come all! This is an all-church event to show your talent, be it cooking, quilting, photographing, eating, singing, instrument-playing, acting, reading, appreciating… It’s a big party!!! Please bring a main dish, salad, dessert, bread etc. Beverages will be provided by the Fellowship Committee. If you have any questions, want to volunteer, or want to display, please email Beth Tappan-deFrees (edefrees@aol.com).
Need a Vacation?
Paradise available July 5-12, July 12-19, July 19-26 and August 23-30. Mark and Andrea's place on the ocean in Owls Head, Maine is proven to restore your soul.(Well, it works for them; we assume it will for you, too.) Details, etc. from Andrea (themanse@comcast.net) or
617-923-3922.
Spring Into Your Career Choice
Wednesday Evenings in May; May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2009 , Time 7-9pm at First Parish
Four 2 hour career focus sessions to help you understand yourself and target your next job. Each session will focus on a specific topics and include assessments, handouts, group exercises, and feedback. We will begin with "Understanding Yourself", and move to "Marketing Materials", "Job Search" and finish with "Interviewing Techniques". 12 slots available @ $10 a session or $35 for all 4 sessions. Fee includes cost of handout materials, and assessments. This program is offered by Anna Whitcomb, a member of the First Parish, with 20 years of experience in career counseling and coaching.
www.YourCareerChoices.com Please sign up by calling 617-489-6609 or e-mail awcareer@ix.netcom.com
Rummage Sale - May 2
The Annual First Parish Rummage Sale will be Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. We are once again looking for quality donations! We like books, records, audio and video tapes, DVD’s, children’s clothes, linens and white goods, kitchen and household items, small electronics and appliances (in working order), arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, sporting goods, toys and games, small furniture, etc. etc. We don’t accept adult clothing, and we can’t take computers, electronic components or TV’s because of disposal problems. Otherwise, whatever you want to recycle that you think someone else would like is what we want! Drop off times are at the church Friday evening, May 1 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday morning, May 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. We will need lots of help setting up Friday night and Saturday morning, selling on Saturday and cleaning up Saturday afternoon. Please see Jane Knuttunen (617 923-0243) or knuttun@rcn.com) or Sue Kuder (617 926-7814) or skuder@cmlaw.net) if you can help, or with questions.
(N.B. Each year we worry about disposing of items that do not sell. Last year several people took home 2 – 3 large garbage bags of “leftovers” for the Vietnam Vets to pick up. That was successful, so we are looking for volunteers this year to do the same thing. Again, please let Jane or Sue know if you could help out in this way.)
April Giving Box and Benefit Concert
The April Giving Box will remain empty, BUT we will be filling envelopes with money to support PATS ---The Pediatric Aids/HIV Treatment Support Project (PATS) started by and directed by Eliza Petrow--former FPW church school student and daughter of our FPW member Beth Parsons. Please go to the PATS website for more information
SO... April's Giving Box is going GREEN!!!! Green as in “Greenbacks. ” We will NOT be collecting 'items' for our church Giving Boxes in the vestibules. Rather we'll be having a RAFFLE with a series of 'prizes' generously donated by our Asian community businesses and other businesses, which were impressed with the PATS mission in China. To date the Raffle items include several 5 Restaurant Gift Certificates: Asian Fusion, Watertown, MA, $25// Mifune, Arlington, MA. $25// Shanghai Village, Arlington,MA, $25// Sichuan's Gardens, Waltham,MA, (Dinner Buffet for 2)// AND the ChangoSho, Cambridge,MA. $100// In addition the DAHN Yoga Studio in Arlington,MA has donated 5 classes. There will also be museum tickets donated by Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA)--2 Admissions per drawing (2 drawings) which includes general admission AND admission to the Chinese House Exhibit (from the same province as Eliza's Project!!!) The chances will sell for : 1 chance:$5 and 3 chances: $10. We'll need your help to buy and sell the Raffle tickets--so we can color the Giving Boxes---GREEN.
Please be sure and see the poster explanation atop both Giving Boxes...upstairs and downstairs in the church vestibules. As always--we thank you for your support of the Giving Box efforts.and we ask you to do what you can in the next 3 weeks to help make this effort successful. (Prize drawings will be held the evening of April 18th during the intermission of the Benefit Concert--winners need not be present)
Helen Keller wrote: Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. By our sponsoring a benefit concert and running a raffle both which will direct all proceeds to a pediatric aids project in rural China, FPW is part of that overcoming suffering Thank you again for extending some New England springtime expansive spirit to Eliza's project in China.
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
**Raffle tickets will be available at the April 4th Talent Show evening and after the church services of April 5th and April 12th AND on the evening of the April 18th Benefit Concert. **
PATS is also the recipient of our proceeds from this year’s benefit concert. This year the annual concert will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at church. We are delighted that pianist Jacqueline Schwab is returning, with Reinmar Seidler on cello: New Rigged Ship—Neo-traditional Scottish and Shetland tunes and tales. (See the flyer in this newsletter) Tickets are $20, and can be bought ahead of time from David Morrison during social hour, or by calling the church office. We also need donations of refreshments, so if you can contribute baked goods for sale at intermission, please see Barbara Farrell, Jill Shaw or Sue Kuder. Please support PATS with our exciting raffle, and by attending the concert. Spread the word, and hope to see you there!
Thank you for your generous donations of toiletries to Renewal House in March (and the last minute $50 towards a vacuum). Our charitable offering in March generated a collection of $513. 00 for Renewal House
Green Sanctuary Corner
My Personal Green Experience
Saving the planet and missing the bus.
I have been changing the light bulbs to more efficient cfl' bulbs for years. First at my old apartment shared with others on Belmont Street. CFL Bulbs and dimmer switches I was noted for. I did, however, hesitate for six months before suggesting new bulbs at Green Street that Martha and I now call home. In a new relationship I did not want my head handed to me for being too forward.Well, Martha let me change the bulbs...most all of them.At first there was the question of waiting until the old ones burned out. Later, we agreed that the old ones were too expensive to burn. They used four times the amount of electricity as the new cfl ones. Then we discovered LED nightlights! But, while I continued to think of bulbs Martha had our two old oil tanks, boilers and hot water heaters replaced with a single high rated gas boiler and indirect hot water heater. I put a yellow bug light on the outside back stairs and Martha had most all of the worn out windows replaced with double paned ones that open easily and most have argon gas in the middle. We are taking a breather for the moment.
Next on my list are the refrigerators upstairs and down, a front loading washer if I can prove it will save enough water to be worth the extra cost and is reliable enough and not flood our basement, and a gas dryer to replace the electric one. Martha wants a outside clothesline and to support a community garden.
So whats the problem?
I save everything. My dresser drawers are full of pens out of ink, flashlights that no longer work, magnifiers that once did work except for this one thing...and pieces of whatnots waiting for the next coming to be fulfilled again. Boxes of momentos clog our basement.Paper is my real downfall. I have difficulty reading it and even more trouble filing it so I can find it again.
So when I talk green I try to be a little humble becauseI know I have a long way to go. By the way have you tried Martha's home baked bread or our push handmower?
Living a simple life.
What is your story?
David Morrison
FPW, Green Sanctuary Committee
Green Service April 19
On Sunday, April 19, we will be having an Earth Day Intergenerational Green Service and we ask that all of the congregation consider walking, biking, or carpooling to church that day.
Mass Bay District Annual Meeting and Spring Conference
Call to the Mass Bay District Annual Meeting.
The Mass Bay District Board invites you to participate in our Annual Meeting from 8:30 to 10:00 AM immediately prior to our Spring Conference on April 25, 2009 at the Bentley Conference Center
We ask each member congregation of the Mass Bay District to identify three delegates - lay members and/or settled ministers - who can join us in conversation about the purpose of the District, receive the reports about
District activities, learn about the use of your District dues, and elect District leadership. Ideally your delegates would include people who are active leaders in your congregation interested in the broader impact of
Unitarian Universalism in our area. You may access the Delegate Registration form at www.mbduua.org. Would you like to join Kyle Hart as a FPW delegate?
Please fill it out and return it to us at the address on the form. We are pleased to offer delegates breakfast at this event and encourage them to stay for the remainder of the day for our Spring Conference on the theme
"Seeking Wholeness in a Fragmented World."
Individuals who are not delegates may attend the Annual Meeting, though they
will not be permitted to vote on district business.
Please call the MBD office at 617-393-4216 or email us at mbd@mbduua.org
with any questions you may have.
We look forward to meeting with your delegates!
CONFERENCE THEME: Seeking Wholeness in a Fragmented World
Cost: $50
April 25, 2009 - 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
So much that we have grown to depend upon in our world seems to be crumbling, or at least realigning. We may be asking ourselves how we can respond as religious people. What can we do as individuals to help sustain ourselves spiritually? What can we do as committed Unitarian Universalists to help sustain our spiritual communities?
Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, our District Executive, will lead us in a day-long interactive process of exploring key elements in our spiritual lives as
individuals, as communities, and as people concerned about our wider world.
Mass Bay District's Annual Meeting immediately preceeds the Spring Conference. Consider attending this breakfast meeting as your congregational delegate to hear and act on matters affecting the 55 congregations within
your district of the UUA.
Spring Conference 2009 will be held at the Bentley College Conference Center, Waltham, MA.
“Responding to Hurtful Speech” Forum to be Held at the Library
“I can’t believe you just said that..,” Responding to Hurtful Speech is the title of a public forum to be held on Thursday, April 16, at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM. The forum is free and open to the public. It is designed for adults, middle school, and high school students.
Hurtful remarks may be intentional or unintentional. They can be about race, gender, ethnic background, age, ability, or almost anything else that makes each one of us unique. Very often they leave scars that may be slow to heal.
Have you ever been the recipient of a hurtful remark or overheard a comment about someone else at work, in school, or even at home? If you weren’t sure how to respond, come to this forum and learn how to speak up for yourself and for others, and by doing so, create a more respectful and inclusive community.
The forum will be facilitated by Paula Parnagian, President of Worldview Services and a diversity and conflict specialist. It will include a dramatic presentation by the Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders, with time for audience participation and discussion. Refreshments will be served.
This program is sponsored by the World in Watertown, Watertown Youth Coalition, Wayside Multi-Service Center, and Watertown Police Department. For more information, contact: Will Twombly (617) 926-8130 or email: wtsd@rcn.com or
becket_rhodes@waysideyouth.org.
Charles River Clean Up
The Annual Charles River Earth Day cleanup sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association is schedulked for Satruday, April 25, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Volunteerrs are invited to pick up trash along the river.
All volunteers will be provided with supplies and instructions, and are also invited to attend a post-cleanup thank you picnic. If you would like to sign up to organize a group of volunteers, volunteer yourself, or get more information, please contact the regional coordinator - 781-788-0007 x303 or charles@crwa.org. Sign up is required to take part in the Cleanup (except drop-in sites) and many areas fill up fast, so contact them soon!
Project Bread’s Annual Walk for Hunger, Sunday, May 3
Starts on the Boston Common, 7:00 – 9:00am
With poverty and unemployment rising at unprecedented rates and 522,000 people across the state struggling to put food on the table, this year’s Walk for Hunger is more important than ever. Since 1969, The Walk for Hunger has relied on support from religious organizations. Over the years, that support has grown from one to more than 1,000 religious and community organizations that come out to protest the social injustice of hunger in our midst. Now is the time to step up and join us for Project Bread’s Annual Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 3.
Celebrate the spirit of giving along with over 40,000 other concerned citizens by participating in this Massachusetts family tradition. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org/walk or call 617-723-5000. We have brochures in the pamphlet rack.
Massachusetts Bay District of UU Congregations @ Work
Congregational What?
by Rev. Sue Phillips, Director of Program Development
Most of us sitting in the pews on Sunday morning take pride in the autonomy of our Unitarian Universalist congregation, which calls its own minister, creates its own annual budget, and decides which symbols adorn its sanctuary. All those important decisions are ours and ours alone.
This same sense of congregational independence was equally prized by our Puritan forebears – indeed they were its authors. But those wise people also knew that unchecked autonomy is no healthier for individual churches than it is for individual people. They knew that autonomous congregations – like people – are stronger when they band together. And so the churches joined in a covenant, promising each other “care, consultation, admonition, participation, recommendation and relief.” This is congregational polity.
And this is why the Massachusetts Bay District of UU Congregations and the Unitarian Universalist Association exist: to help congregations help each other. The 55 UU congregations in the Mass Bay District band together to offer one another leadership development, technical training on everything from worship to stewardship, assistance during the search for professional leadership, grant funds for growth projects, and District staff to turn to when they need support.
Sometimes people use the principle of congregational polity to focus on the autonomy of individual congregations. We might recognize this focus in a mild distrust of the UUA or a reluctance to pay District dues. And yet congregational polity is so much more than a justification for independence. It is the vehicle of interdependence.
Ours is a living theological tradition, but our polity has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. In a religious movement without a shared theological center, our polity is what holds us together – it’s the covenant out of which our connective web is woven.
Niagra Falls
Join UUs from around the country in Niagara Falls, July 19-22, 2009. Come experience the wonder of Niagara Falls including some great educational opportunities while being taken care of like royalty. The UU Church of Niagara is conducting a four day UU Niagara Experience which is a lifetime opportunity to encounter the Falls up close from every perspective. Spend four days with us exploring the rich history and natural beauty around the Falls. For information visit our web site : http://www.uunex.net/
Strengths and Talents Survey – What Talent / Gift would you like to share at FPW?
If you haven't done so please fill out this survey and return to the church office. There are also copies available at church!
Dear friends,
This year in anticipation of soliciting help with our Committee work at First Parish for next year and beyond, we are trying to establish a “Talent Bank.” This bank will help our church leadership determine what personal contribution of skill or talent you would like to make to the church to make church life more meaningful for you and others. Please check off those areas that appeal to you. We will use this information to let you know about volunteer opportunities at First Parish. This does not commit you to being a member of any committee.
Using Talents on Your Own: Doing Specific Tasks
___Hands On - I like working with tools and fixing things. I like to maintain buildings
___Public Relations - I like to write press releases, and facilitate communication
___Tech Support - I know computers, and people ask me for help with them
___Graphic Arts - I am good at computer software to create graphics or posters
___Finance – I am good with numbers, and understand money
___Cooking - I like cooking for a church function or for someone in need
___Appreciation – I am good at writing thank you notes
Using Talents With Others / People Skills
___Advocacy – Advocating and organizing justice issues
___Coordination – I like organizing people to get a job done
___Recruitment - I like to find out people’s talents and passions
___Vision - I am comfortable with change, and enjoy taking on new challenges
___Hospitality – I like meeting new people and talking to them or making phone calls
___Compassion - I am interested in reaching out to others who need a friend or support
___Direct Service - I like working with people behind the scenes. Call on me to help out
Using Talents in Public:
___Teaching - I like working with others, especially children, either developing
materials or finding resources, and presenting them
___Musician - I have musical abilities and like to perform and / or teach others
___Visual Arts - I have skills in visual arts – sculpture, photography, drawing, or
special building projects
___Public speaking - I am a good speaker and like reading in public
___Worship - I want to lead meditations, etc.
Name /Email or Phone:_______________
Arbella
April 2009
for calendar of events please go the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Topics
Sunday, April 5, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Empathy for the “Other”...Even the Other In Uniform” Raz Mason
Through our long tradition of social justice, UU’s have a dignified history of welcoming the “other.” But how can and ought we relate to the “other” serving in the US military? This sermon will highlight some principles underlying possible congregational responses to veterans, service members, and their families. We will also touch on the ministry of UU military chaplains and progressive military initiatives.
Raz Mason is a third-year M.Div. student at Harvard Divinity School.
Social Hour: Charlyn Bethell, Guy Urban and Martha Urban
Greeters: Holly Cachimuel and family
Sunday, April 12, 2009 11:00 a.m
“Moving Stones” Andrea Greenwood
As a holiday which is the hallmark of Christian faith, Easter can be a challenge for UUs. I am interested in exploring the story of the stone
being moved from the mouth of Jesus's burial tomb, and what that might mean to us. Many parts of the service will be from Unitarians (e e cummings, Beatrix Potter) who show us a faith that makes sense, and includes us all. Nature and reason can illuminate and open us to life’s mysteries. Perhaps we can even experience the resurrection in our own hearts....
Andrea Greenwood is a former minister and DRE of this congregation!
Social Hour: Judy and Roger Kamm
Greeters: Meredith Montague and John Portz
Sunday, April 19 2009 11:00 a.m.
Earth Day Celebration - Intergenerational
led by Debra Zagaeski, DRE
If you close your eyes and pause for a moment I believe that each of us can elicit an image of a place, a place which represents a personal connection to the sacred "Blue Boat Home" which we call the Earth. We will honor and celebrate our Earth through communion and pledges on Earth Day Sunday. Please bring a small object which represents your special place on Earth. We will share our Earth icons and images during this worship. We will also consider our stewardship of the Earth and write a personal pledge in support of the Earth and it's environment.
Social Hour: Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Greeters: Fatima Hussein and Habis Obyat
Sunday, April 26, 2009 11:00 a.m.
"How Much Do We Deserve? - A Sermon on Economic Justice" John A. Buehrens
In the midst of a crisis brought on by greed and excessive inequality, the question, for each of us, is "What now?"
John Buehrens is Minister of First Parish in Needham. He was UUA President, 1993-2001.
Social Hour: Gretchen Brown and Johanna Erickson
Greeters: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Captain’s Log
Well, it seems strange not to write up a list of sermons for the month, but my sabbatical has arrived. I expect this column will be filled by Andrea in May. I think I am ready. First, let me tell you how grateful I am to receive this special time for study and writing. Andrea and I are working on a book called An Introduction to the Unitarian and Universalist Traditions with Cambridge University Press. We have three months this year and three months next year to finish the project, and if we can each write a chapter a month, we can almost finish on time. Stay tuned! So we have no elaborate trips planned either year. We will be in residence in Watertown. I expect to see you at some major events like Annual Dinner and Annual Meeting. I will also be around church some, too. For example, I am teaching the Coming of Age class on April 5. Please let me know if you need anything. I will miss seeing you each week, but please know that your lives and concerns always hold an important place in my heart.
What will the next three months be like? We have planned all of the worship services. I think you will be pleased with the mixture of visiting guests and special services. I trust you will hear some good preaching, and the continuing great music with Charlyn and Guy. Wasn’t that youth choir amazing? I encourage you to attend church this spring. In addition to enjoying the services, I would also like you to have your antennae out. I have become concerned about the length of our services. While we may not tinker with the various elements until fall, I am hoping we can cut down on the number of verbal announcements, joys and sorrows that sound like announcements, readings, and even the length of sermons. This joys and sorrows issue was voiced to me, but compared to other congregations, I think we are pretty good about staying with personal issues. It is good that we have such a community building mechanism in the service, but I do worry about length. Space is also an issue, and I think we need to think about how often the children are in the sanctuary, and even if we might have some kind of service at a different time so that young families are more comfortable. Please reflect on this in the coming months, and let me know if you agree that the worship service feels a little unwieldy at times.
This has been a difficult year on most financial fronts, and we do not know the results of our canvass yet. Still you have been enormously generous time and time again. I especially see this with the monthly charitable offerings, which always seem to have a wonderful total. You have a remarkable ability to help others that is reflected in your financial generosity and personal caring. This month we have the benefit concert and the raffle to support PATS. We have had more social action projects this year than we have ever had. It has been fun working with FPW members, not only on the usual projects, but the volunteering at the Food Bank in the Fall, and the Friday Supper Program in the winter. I especially appreciate what Jill Shaw, Barbara Farrell and Sue Kuder have done this year. Also, on the financial front, don’t forget our chair project. See the website for details. We have surged beyond fifty chairs and are closing in on sixty!
Looking ahead to the rest of the church year, there are some wonderful activities. We have volunteers working hard on all our major projects. We will have a second annual Easter Pancake Breakfast, the Benefit Concert, and the Rummage Sale. Please help out where you can. We will have a large number of people who will be welcomed on May 3 as new members. If you are new to the church and would consider joining, please fill out a yellow card. Finally, if you would like more information about the sabbatical, there will be a sabbatical brochure on the information table in the lobby. Thanks again for making it possible. I expect to come back with an ever-increasing understanding of our Unitarian Universalist tradition, and hopefully I can share some of that with you. Until next time . . . May you have a warm, healthy, enjoyable spring, and even a little economic renewal!
Faithfully,
Mark
Among Us
A Memorial Service for Helen Wait was held on February 28, 2009 in the sanctuary. Helen was a long time member of the church, and had been on the search committee that chose Patty Devore to be music director in the 1970’s.
Mark conducted a funeral service for Janice Wilson on March 11. Janice was a UU from Arlington, the mother of Heather Hoiseth,who attended FPW some years ago.
New Members:
Welcome to Morgan McLean and Seth Carrier, two Andover Newton students who joined recently
A warm welcome to Josephine Dion Thompson, or Josie, daughter of Melissa and Brooks Thompson. Josie was dedicated on March 15 in a ceremony in church.
Thank You
Thanks to those who helped serve dinner at Arlington Street Church on Friday, February 27. We had 12 adults and four coming of age youth – Thalia Cachimuel, Emily Cudhea-Pierce, Yami Dussault, and Levi Harris. We had sixteen people altogether - Others were: Will and Sue Twombly, David Morrison and Martha Scott, Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell, Sue Kuder, Debra Zagaeski, Mark Harris, Bobbie Brown, Carole Katz, and Anna Knight.
Thanks to those who made refreshments for the benefit concert: Bobbie Brown, Nancy Dutton, Sue Kuder. David Morrison, Martha Scott and Ginger Burns. Brett Hinkel, the music director at the UU Church in Andover put together a nice show, but attendance was a little low. We split the profit with the Andover church, and netted $345.00 for our chair fund.
Religious Education
Re-cycle, Re-pair, Re-joice!”
My Special Place: “As the sun hits the sea my place comes alive. I begin to imagine that the world won’t survive. Wars, pollution, the amount of trees dying, the suffering of animals leaves me crying. How can I sit here not helping at all, when the world is sending an SOS call? I leap to my feet.. I must act fast. If I don’t act now, my place will not last. I can pick up litter and plant native trees, be kind to others, and love them with ease. If I lead by example for others to follow, the world will have a better tomorrow.” - This poem was written by, Noelle S. (11 years of age) from Australia.
A poignant plea! - A passionate response! It is this spirit of awareness, insight and activism that we seek to teach and support in our children and youth here at First Parish. It is spring! The earth is budding once again, new life and new growth are appearing all around us, no wonder our ancestors sang, Alleluia! Alleluia! In this time of renewal, and possibility we are reminded of the awesome power of spirit. We too can exhibit our awesome power of our spirit by directing our energies to the stewardship of our “Blue Boat Home”- the Earth.
Beginning on Sunday, April 26th the children and youth in the First Parish religious education program will begin a four -week workshop intensive (Green Web). We will invite them to learn and to grow in their awareness of the Earth and it’s environment. We will explore some of the current information regarding the state of our planet, (global warming, de-forestation, loss of species…). While some of this information may feel a bit intense and even overwhelming, it is important to have all of our children and youth increase their awareness of the issues currently facing our world. We will strive to balance awareness with action; we can show our children and youth that their actions do make a difference. We need ambassadors of every age to work toward the solutions for healing our Earth. In Judaism there is an expression for the work of “repairing the world” It is called “Tikkun Olam”. “Tikkun Olam” helps to connect us to the divine spark in each individual through the practice of doing good work, and making it the spiritual task of each person to help to repair and protect the world. One person can make a difference! “You are not required to complete the work, yet you are not allowed to desist from it. –“ Pirkei Avot, 2:21
We need many individuals to help us teach during these workshop weeks. Please look at the bulletin board during fellowship hour and sign up to help!
During April and May the eleven year old youth of First Parish will be asking individuals if they are willing to serve as their mentors for the First Mentor rite of passage. Please consider stepping up to help in this meaningful and important First Parish tradition.
The religious education program will be working closely with the First Parish Green Sanctuary Committee during the next several weeks to co-ordinate some “green” projects around our church community. I would love to start a compost project and a small drought resistant garden with the children and youth of First Parish during the spring and early summer.
I am pleased to announce that First Parish has been approved as a collection site for Nike Corporation athletic shoe re-cycling campaign. For the four weeks of our “green web” workshops we will collect worn-out athletic shoes to be recycled into playground surfaces for needy communities. (Additional information will be posted at church.)
On Sunday, April 26th join our “swop meet” (bring one item- take one item)- please plan to bring an item (any item: household, clothing, toy, whatever…but it must be in good condition) we will then trade in the wonderful albeit unwanted item and choose a new item. This is the ultimate in re-cycle, re-use, re-purpose, re-new!
The religious education program will participate in the charitable donation for the month of April (Pediatric AIDS support in China) by collecting pennies. We tend to discard or ignore our pennies. We want these pennies! Look for the “Pennies with Purpose” jar in the fellowship hall. I hereby charge you all to hunt for pennies: -on sidewalks, under rugs, in chairs, behind the couch, in your backpack, pennies everywhere! Prepare to discover the power of pennies! One penny can make a difference! Bring in your pennies and add them to the “Pennies with Purpose” Jar. We will collect pennies until we fill the jar and send them on to help the children in China.
There will be many additional activities associated with our “green web” curriculum. I will post and announce more information in the coming weeks. I look forward to our work together as we re-cycle, and re-joice in our beautiful “Blue Boat Home.
Blessed be the Earth!, Namaste
Debra Zagaeski (Director of Religious Education)
Notes From A Reluctant Teacher
by Beth Tappan-deFrees
Many years ago when RE students, who are now working, studying, or graduated from college, were very young… maybe 9 years old, I was asked by the DRE, Dan Harper, to teach with Michael Collins. I had no children, didn’t know Michael, and stubbornly liked services. After all, that’s why I had joined the church, right?: to find an in/outlet for my spirituality? Isn’t that what I got to do after arduous weeks at work, “rest for an hour”? Why couldn’t someone else do it? Weren’t there other volunteers in church? And besides, the curriculum was one on spirituality that Dan had written! Wasn’t that awkward? Wouldn’t he have too high expectations of what we could do? I wasn’t a teacher! And I certainly knew nothing about pre-teens…
Fast forward 12 or so years… Today, 3/29, found me in my son’s RE class, teaching with my wife about Children’s Day in Japan… relating it back to the importance of peace, an end to sex-role stereotyping, and a high-level conversation about imperialism with seven 9 year-olds. OK. So, I am changed.
What began as a small step into my “yikes” zone, has been a fantastically fulfilling relationship with the RE program at FPW. I do not feel confident that I could create a curriculum on my own, but I have taught some excellent ones (created, borrowed, copied, owned). They are fairly easy to follow. I choose to always team teach and I have worked with people I might not have gotten to know so well – Michael Collins, David Benson, Adam Jonath, Darrick Jackson – and some, like Isabel, whom I know very well; it adds a new dimension to our life together. I taught for years before having my own child; I don’t always choose to teach Elijah’s class. I have taught Spirituality, Holidays and Holy Days, Our Whole Lives, Neighboring Faiths and assorted other classes – sometimes for an extended time, sometimes for a few clustered weeks. With the exception of OWL, none of them required a moment of specialized training. ALL of them deepened my spirituality, my connectedness to the First Parish community and my understanding of the ministry we provide one another. I have learned much from the children in our church – lessons in directness and teamwork and fun that could not ever be learned from a standard church service. As an offshoot of my RE involvement, I have been graced with being trusted to mentor students (Kate Bahn, Charlotte Fitts-Sprague, Doug Leon) at different times as they advance their own journey to the world of being UU. And, yes, sometimes it is difficult to miss services.
What am I saying? Our church is a growing and changing church, not just FPW, but the religion as a whole. The adults who have chosen to be here come for the community ministry, find it, and stay. For the words of our affirmation and doxology to be realized, all our talents are needed as we work together. Next time you say “… to help one another…”, listen to your heart: could you enter your “yikes” zone to find some Sundays to work with our RE classes? I have been here with 7 DREs. None of them can magically make teachers appear out of thin air. Nor are all parents the best classroom teachers. The RE program gives you a lot of curriculum guidance. Many of us who have taught will offer support and ideas if asked. Try it! It’s really fun. You may, like me, be able to look back and say you were reluctant, but now you feel eager for the next RE challenge!
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
It is time for me to write the Music Director’s summary of the year for the Annual Report. This gives me a chance to look back over the year and reflect on what has been accomplished and what is still in process. It has been a year of self-discovery and growth for me. It has been a year of transition for our church.
Sometimes when we begin something new in our lives, we look to our past as a model. But as I do that, I note that the only church I have ever meaningfully been part of with a music program is First Parish in Watertown. While growing up, my family occasionally attended Air Force base chapels with chaplains of varied Protestant denominations. The only thing I remember about those church services is the hymn singing, and at First Parish, we sing none of those old Christian hymns. This makes being the Music Director at First Parish an adventure. I applaud the efforts of our previous music director, as she fulfilled the vision of music at our church as she saw it. I feel fortunate to be working closely with Guy Urban as accompanist because he is one of the best and most complete musicians I have ever known. I am also lucky to be working with Mark Harris. He is enthusiastic in general and he is open-minded about trying new things at church. He has a way of treating me as an equal colleague in spite of my limited experience as a Music Director. I find his attitude encouraging and accepting and I feel lucky to be here.
From my experiences this year, I have learned that the Music Director’s job is to direct and oversee all the music at First Parish. This includes directing the Children’s, Youth, and Adult choirs. I also assist with hymns and songs for church services. I select soloists for services and try to find as much variety as possible. I am working on having a website for music so that we all know what to expect musically at church. The Music Director needs to be aware of goals of the church and find ways for music to support those goals. For example, recently, the RE program focused on the Heifer Project and the children’s choir sang songs about animals.
I am working on the goals I have set up for 2008--2009:
Communicating with church community about the musical life of the church.
Finding a variety of music styles in choosing soloists for services.
Organizing existing choral music into a new space.
Connecting with a larger UU community of musicians as a resource (Unitarian Universalist Muscians’ Network, a national professional organization of UU music directors).
Integrating music with worship services around church goals (ie: green sanctuary) and sermon topics with the minister.
Beginning to plan a concert series for Benefit concerts.
Involving the congregation in music during services for more active hymn singing.
I want to learn more about being a Music Director. Early in March, I attended a one-day conference done by the UU Musicians’ Network (UUMN) in Attleboro. It was wonderful to spend a day with area music directors. Now I am excited about plans to attend a 5-day national UUMN conference this summer in Portland, Oregon.
While I am still working on my goals, I am finding that that being the Music Director at First Parish is manageable, enjoyable, and a source of growth for me. The best part of this is building community around music. I love creating a circle of people that love to work with music. I can only imagine the wonders that I will be writing about this time next year.
Easter Pancake Breakfast
Everyone is invited to a pancake feast on Easter Sunday Morning. The breakfast begins at 9:00 a.m., and includes pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee (maybe even a few waffles, too). Jeanne Cleary and David Morrison are working on organizing volunteers to help cook, set-up and clean up. If you would like to volunteer, please speak to one of them, or contact the church office. No RSVP required, and cost is your donation! Come greet the Easter bunny!
The Annual Meeting is coming!
On Sunday April 26th around 12:45, we will have our Annual Meeting. You will get a warrant in the mail or in your email. Social Hour will be a little more substantial to hold you over until 2pm when the meeting is over!
All members and friends are invited, but only members are able to vote. The basic agenda is to approve the annual budget and review other business as comes before the congregation at the time. This is a really cool part of what we get to do as part of this church! Run our own show! But it takes a critical mass of us to review the financial needs and plans for church to make it work. We need to have a quorum so please plan on attending if you can.
Thank you! Parish Committee and Finance Committee
Easter Offering
Twice a year, we request Special Offerings from the First Parish community that are in addition to pledges. In 2009, the Easter offering begins our fiscal year (which runs April to March). Through the next couple of weeks, you will find envelopes in your Orders of Service. If you choose to make an extra contribution to the church in this time of the awakening earth, please enclose it in the envelope and put it in the offertory box or on the office door. Thank you!
Canvass
THANK YOU one and all for all your fantastic food and feedback during the “Yes! We Can!” Canvass Suppers in March. While the suppers are over, the pledges are not all in. If you have not yet turned in your pledge form for 2009 – 2010, please drop it off at the church office or email John Portz (jportz@rcn.com). Budget planning for 2009 – 2010 happens at the Finance Committee meeting before Easter. Pledges comprise ~ 40% of the church’s income and it would be great to have 100% pledging! Remember these are full-year pledges: consider how you can help sustain the life and programs of the church and know that you have a full year to help. If you have questions about your pledge, please contact John as well.
Sunday Morning Hymn Sings
Charlyn and Guy have been helping us practice for the hymns that will be sung during the service at 10 minutes to 11 a.m. If you want to be familiar with the hymns before we sing during the service (even try-out a new harmony!) grab a hymnal and come up to the piano before the service begins!
All-Church Potluck Dinner and Talent / Art Show!
Coming Saturday, April 4th at 5:30! (Talent Show starts at 7) Special appearance by Guest MCs: PB & J!
Come one, come all! This is an all-church event to show your talent, be it cooking, quilting, photographing, eating, singing, instrument-playing, acting, reading, appreciating… It’s a big party!!! Please bring a main dish, salad, dessert, bread etc. Beverages will be provided by the Fellowship Committee. If you have any questions, want to volunteer, or want to display, please email Beth Tappan-deFrees (edefrees@aol.com).
Need a Vacation?
Paradise available July 5-12, July 12-19, July 19-26 and August 23-30. Mark and Andrea's place on the ocean in Owls Head, Maine is proven to restore your soul.(Well, it works for them; we assume it will for you, too.) Details, etc. from Andrea (themanse@comcast.net) or
617-923-3922.
Spring Into Your Career Choice
Wednesday Evenings in May; May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2009 , Time 7-9pm at First Parish
Four 2 hour career focus sessions to help you understand yourself and target your next job. Each session will focus on a specific topics and include assessments, handouts, group exercises, and feedback. We will begin with "Understanding Yourself", and move to "Marketing Materials", "Job Search" and finish with "Interviewing Techniques". 12 slots available @ $10 a session or $35 for all 4 sessions. Fee includes cost of handout materials, and assessments. This program is offered by Anna Whitcomb, a member of the First Parish, with 20 years of experience in career counseling and coaching.
www.YourCareerChoices.com Please sign up by calling 617-489-6609 or e-mail awcareer@ix.netcom.com
Rummage Sale - May 2
The Annual First Parish Rummage Sale will be Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. We are once again looking for quality donations! We like books, records, audio and video tapes, DVD’s, children’s clothes, linens and white goods, kitchen and household items, small electronics and appliances (in working order), arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, sporting goods, toys and games, small furniture, etc. etc. We don’t accept adult clothing, and we can’t take computers, electronic components or TV’s because of disposal problems. Otherwise, whatever you want to recycle that you think someone else would like is what we want! Drop off times are at the church Friday evening, May 1 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday morning, May 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. We will need lots of help setting up Friday night and Saturday morning, selling on Saturday and cleaning up Saturday afternoon. Please see Jane Knuttunen (617 923-0243) or knuttun@rcn.com) or Sue Kuder (617 926-7814) or skuder@cmlaw.net) if you can help, or with questions.
(N.B. Each year we worry about disposing of items that do not sell. Last year several people took home 2 – 3 large garbage bags of “leftovers” for the Vietnam Vets to pick up. That was successful, so we are looking for volunteers this year to do the same thing. Again, please let Jane or Sue know if you could help out in this way.)
April Giving Box and Benefit Concert
The April Giving Box will remain empty, BUT we will be filling envelopes with money to support PATS ---The Pediatric Aids/HIV Treatment Support Project (PATS) started by and directed by Eliza Petrow--former FPW church school student and daughter of our FPW member Beth Parsons. Please go to the PATS website for more information
SO... April's Giving Box is going GREEN!!!! Green as in “Greenbacks. ” We will NOT be collecting 'items' for our church Giving Boxes in the vestibules. Rather we'll be having a RAFFLE with a series of 'prizes' generously donated by our Asian community businesses and other businesses, which were impressed with the PATS mission in China. To date the Raffle items include several 5 Restaurant Gift Certificates: Asian Fusion, Watertown, MA, $25// Mifune, Arlington, MA. $25// Shanghai Village, Arlington,MA, $25// Sichuan's Gardens, Waltham,MA, (Dinner Buffet for 2)// AND the ChangoSho, Cambridge,MA. $100// In addition the DAHN Yoga Studio in Arlington,MA has donated 5 classes. There will also be museum tickets donated by Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA)--2 Admissions per drawing (2 drawings) which includes general admission AND admission to the Chinese House Exhibit (from the same province as Eliza's Project!!!) The chances will sell for : 1 chance:$5 and 3 chances: $10. We'll need your help to buy and sell the Raffle tickets--so we can color the Giving Boxes---GREEN.
Please be sure and see the poster explanation atop both Giving Boxes...upstairs and downstairs in the church vestibules. As always--we thank you for your support of the Giving Box efforts.and we ask you to do what you can in the next 3 weeks to help make this effort successful. (Prize drawings will be held the evening of April 18th during the intermission of the Benefit Concert--winners need not be present)
Helen Keller wrote: Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. By our sponsoring a benefit concert and running a raffle both which will direct all proceeds to a pediatric aids project in rural China, FPW is part of that overcoming suffering Thank you again for extending some New England springtime expansive spirit to Eliza's project in China.
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
**Raffle tickets will be available at the April 4th Talent Show evening and after the church services of April 5th and April 12th AND on the evening of the April 18th Benefit Concert. **
PATS is also the recipient of our proceeds from this year’s benefit concert. This year the annual concert will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at church. We are delighted that pianist Jacqueline Schwab is returning, with Reinmar Seidler on cello: New Rigged Ship—Neo-traditional Scottish and Shetland tunes and tales. (See the flyer in this newsletter) Tickets are $20, and can be bought ahead of time from David Morrison during social hour, or by calling the church office. We also need donations of refreshments, so if you can contribute baked goods for sale at intermission, please see Barbara Farrell, Jill Shaw or Sue Kuder. Please support PATS with our exciting raffle, and by attending the concert. Spread the word, and hope to see you there!
Thank you for your generous donations of toiletries to Renewal House in March (and the last minute $50 towards a vacuum). Our charitable offering in March generated a collection of $513. 00 for Renewal House
Green Sanctuary Corner
My Personal Green Experience
Saving the planet and missing the bus.
I have been changing the light bulbs to more efficient cfl' bulbs for years. First at my old apartment shared with others on Belmont Street. CFL Bulbs and dimmer switches I was noted for. I did, however, hesitate for six months before suggesting new bulbs at Green Street that Martha and I now call home. In a new relationship I did not want my head handed to me for being too forward.Well, Martha let me change the bulbs...most all of them.At first there was the question of waiting until the old ones burned out. Later, we agreed that the old ones were too expensive to burn. They used four times the amount of electricity as the new cfl ones. Then we discovered LED nightlights! But, while I continued to think of bulbs Martha had our two old oil tanks, boilers and hot water heaters replaced with a single high rated gas boiler and indirect hot water heater. I put a yellow bug light on the outside back stairs and Martha had most all of the worn out windows replaced with double paned ones that open easily and most have argon gas in the middle. We are taking a breather for the moment.
Next on my list are the refrigerators upstairs and down, a front loading washer if I can prove it will save enough water to be worth the extra cost and is reliable enough and not flood our basement, and a gas dryer to replace the electric one. Martha wants a outside clothesline and to support a community garden.
So whats the problem?
I save everything. My dresser drawers are full of pens out of ink, flashlights that no longer work, magnifiers that once did work except for this one thing...and pieces of whatnots waiting for the next coming to be fulfilled again. Boxes of momentos clog our basement.Paper is my real downfall. I have difficulty reading it and even more trouble filing it so I can find it again.
So when I talk green I try to be a little humble becauseI know I have a long way to go. By the way have you tried Martha's home baked bread or our push handmower?
Living a simple life.
What is your story?
David Morrison
FPW, Green Sanctuary Committee
Green Service April 19
On Sunday, April 19, we will be having an Earth Day Intergenerational Green Service and we ask that all of the congregation consider walking, biking, or carpooling to church that day.
Mass Bay District Annual Meeting and Spring Conference
Call to the Mass Bay District Annual Meeting.
The Mass Bay District Board invites you to participate in our Annual Meeting from 8:30 to 10:00 AM immediately prior to our Spring Conference on April 25, 2009 at the Bentley Conference Center
We ask each member congregation of the Mass Bay District to identify three delegates - lay members and/or settled ministers - who can join us in conversation about the purpose of the District, receive the reports about
District activities, learn about the use of your District dues, and elect District leadership. Ideally your delegates would include people who are active leaders in your congregation interested in the broader impact of
Unitarian Universalism in our area. You may access the Delegate Registration form at www.mbduua.org. Would you like to join Kyle Hart as a FPW delegate?
Please fill it out and return it to us at the address on the form. We are pleased to offer delegates breakfast at this event and encourage them to stay for the remainder of the day for our Spring Conference on the theme
"Seeking Wholeness in a Fragmented World."
Individuals who are not delegates may attend the Annual Meeting, though they
will not be permitted to vote on district business.
Please call the MBD office at 617-393-4216 or email us at mbd@mbduua.org
with any questions you may have.
We look forward to meeting with your delegates!
CONFERENCE THEME: Seeking Wholeness in a Fragmented World
Cost: $50
April 25, 2009 - 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
So much that we have grown to depend upon in our world seems to be crumbling, or at least realigning. We may be asking ourselves how we can respond as religious people. What can we do as individuals to help sustain ourselves spiritually? What can we do as committed Unitarian Universalists to help sustain our spiritual communities?
Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, our District Executive, will lead us in a day-long interactive process of exploring key elements in our spiritual lives as
individuals, as communities, and as people concerned about our wider world.
Mass Bay District's Annual Meeting immediately preceeds the Spring Conference. Consider attending this breakfast meeting as your congregational delegate to hear and act on matters affecting the 55 congregations within
your district of the UUA.
Spring Conference 2009 will be held at the Bentley College Conference Center, Waltham, MA.
“Responding to Hurtful Speech” Forum to be Held at the Library
“I can’t believe you just said that..,” Responding to Hurtful Speech is the title of a public forum to be held on Thursday, April 16, at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM. The forum is free and open to the public. It is designed for adults, middle school, and high school students.
Hurtful remarks may be intentional or unintentional. They can be about race, gender, ethnic background, age, ability, or almost anything else that makes each one of us unique. Very often they leave scars that may be slow to heal.
Have you ever been the recipient of a hurtful remark or overheard a comment about someone else at work, in school, or even at home? If you weren’t sure how to respond, come to this forum and learn how to speak up for yourself and for others, and by doing so, create a more respectful and inclusive community.
The forum will be facilitated by Paula Parnagian, President of Worldview Services and a diversity and conflict specialist. It will include a dramatic presentation by the Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders, with time for audience participation and discussion. Refreshments will be served.
This program is sponsored by the World in Watertown, Watertown Youth Coalition, Wayside Multi-Service Center, and Watertown Police Department. For more information, contact: Will Twombly (617) 926-8130 or email: wtsd@rcn.com or
becket_rhodes@waysideyouth.org.
Charles River Clean Up
The Annual Charles River Earth Day cleanup sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association is schedulked for Satruday, April 25, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Volunteerrs are invited to pick up trash along the river.
All volunteers will be provided with supplies and instructions, and are also invited to attend a post-cleanup thank you picnic. If you would like to sign up to organize a group of volunteers, volunteer yourself, or get more information, please contact the regional coordinator - 781-788-0007 x303 or charles@crwa.org. Sign up is required to take part in the Cleanup (except drop-in sites) and many areas fill up fast, so contact them soon!
Project Bread’s Annual Walk for Hunger, Sunday, May 3
Starts on the Boston Common, 7:00 – 9:00am
With poverty and unemployment rising at unprecedented rates and 522,000 people across the state struggling to put food on the table, this year’s Walk for Hunger is more important than ever. Since 1969, The Walk for Hunger has relied on support from religious organizations. Over the years, that support has grown from one to more than 1,000 religious and community organizations that come out to protest the social injustice of hunger in our midst. Now is the time to step up and join us for Project Bread’s Annual Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 3.
Celebrate the spirit of giving along with over 40,000 other concerned citizens by participating in this Massachusetts family tradition. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org/walk or call 617-723-5000. We have brochures in the pamphlet rack.
Massachusetts Bay District of UU Congregations @ Work
Congregational What?
by Rev. Sue Phillips, Director of Program Development
Most of us sitting in the pews on Sunday morning take pride in the autonomy of our Unitarian Universalist congregation, which calls its own minister, creates its own annual budget, and decides which symbols adorn its sanctuary. All those important decisions are ours and ours alone.
This same sense of congregational independence was equally prized by our Puritan forebears – indeed they were its authors. But those wise people also knew that unchecked autonomy is no healthier for individual churches than it is for individual people. They knew that autonomous congregations – like people – are stronger when they band together. And so the churches joined in a covenant, promising each other “care, consultation, admonition, participation, recommendation and relief.” This is congregational polity.
And this is why the Massachusetts Bay District of UU Congregations and the Unitarian Universalist Association exist: to help congregations help each other. The 55 UU congregations in the Mass Bay District band together to offer one another leadership development, technical training on everything from worship to stewardship, assistance during the search for professional leadership, grant funds for growth projects, and District staff to turn to when they need support.
Sometimes people use the principle of congregational polity to focus on the autonomy of individual congregations. We might recognize this focus in a mild distrust of the UUA or a reluctance to pay District dues. And yet congregational polity is so much more than a justification for independence. It is the vehicle of interdependence.
Ours is a living theological tradition, but our polity has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. In a religious movement without a shared theological center, our polity is what holds us together – it’s the covenant out of which our connective web is woven.
Niagra Falls
Join UUs from around the country in Niagara Falls, July 19-22, 2009. Come experience the wonder of Niagara Falls including some great educational opportunities while being taken care of like royalty. The UU Church of Niagara is conducting a four day UU Niagara Experience which is a lifetime opportunity to encounter the Falls up close from every perspective. Spend four days with us exploring the rich history and natural beauty around the Falls. For information visit our web site : http://www.uunex.net/
Strengths and Talents Survey – What Talent / Gift would you like to share at FPW?
If you haven't done so please fill out this survey and return to the church office. There are also copies available at church!
Dear friends,
This year in anticipation of soliciting help with our Committee work at First Parish for next year and beyond, we are trying to establish a “Talent Bank.” This bank will help our church leadership determine what personal contribution of skill or talent you would like to make to the church to make church life more meaningful for you and others. Please check off those areas that appeal to you. We will use this information to let you know about volunteer opportunities at First Parish. This does not commit you to being a member of any committee.
Using Talents on Your Own: Doing Specific Tasks
___Hands On - I like working with tools and fixing things. I like to maintain buildings
___Public Relations - I like to write press releases, and facilitate communication
___Tech Support - I know computers, and people ask me for help with them
___Graphic Arts - I am good at computer software to create graphics or posters
___Finance – I am good with numbers, and understand money
___Cooking - I like cooking for a church function or for someone in need
___Appreciation – I am good at writing thank you notes
Using Talents With Others / People Skills
___Advocacy – Advocating and organizing justice issues
___Coordination – I like organizing people to get a job done
___Recruitment - I like to find out people’s talents and passions
___Vision - I am comfortable with change, and enjoy taking on new challenges
___Hospitality – I like meeting new people and talking to them or making phone calls
___Compassion - I am interested in reaching out to others who need a friend or support
___Direct Service - I like working with people behind the scenes. Call on me to help out
Using Talents in Public:
___Teaching - I like working with others, especially children, either developing
materials or finding resources, and presenting them
___Musician - I have musical abilities and like to perform and / or teach others
___Visual Arts - I have skills in visual arts – sculpture, photography, drawing, or
special building projects
___Public speaking - I am a good speaker and like reading in public
___Worship - I want to lead meditations, etc.
Name /Email or Phone:_______________
Arbella- March 2009 Newsletter
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
March 2009
for calendar of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Services
Sunday, March 1 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Putting in Everything” Mark W. Harris
I recently saw a quotation from my colleague Tom Schade who spoke about those churches which will survive and prosper in hard economic times: “It will not depend upon the size of the endowment, nor the wealth of the community that determines which will survive and which won’t, but whether the members of the church see their faith as a discretionary faith, one financed out of their discretionary cash, or an essential faith for which they are willing to sacrifice.”
Guest musician: Frank Grimes, viola
Greeters: Virginia Howe and Genia Lenz
Social Hour: Jean Merkl & John Gorman
Sunday, March 8, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Wishful Thinking” Mark W. Harris
What if you had one big wish . . . what would it be, and how would you see it fulfilled? What if you had one wish about what First Parish could be or could offer, and how would you help fulfill that wish? Let’s think about
how we could live out our wish in our lives and at church.
Greeters: Elizabeth Strekalovsky & Brian Hebeisen
Social Hour: Karen Allendoerfer, Cornelia Janke
Sunday, March 15, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“What Goes Up, Must Come Down” Mark W. Harris
We sometimes think that life works in balances- up and down. Every good thing that happens to us is balanced by something bad. Elevators go up and down. Where do we find an equilibrium in our lives that keeps the elevator of life moving?
Greeters: Gretchen Brown and Paul Montesino
Social Hour: Anna and Michael Anctil
Guest musicians: Jill Dreeben, flute and Sandi-Jo Malmon, cello and FPW Choir
Sunday, March 22, 2009 11:00 a.m
“Spring Awakening” Lay Service
Our Green Sanctuary Committee invites you to come celebrate the long awaited return of spring. Four members of the congregation will speak about some part of their life where they have made a commitment to decrease their
carbon footprint and make their lives embrace a vision of environmental wholeness. This will also be a way for you to connect with one of the 12 action items that the Green Sanctuary program is committed to.
Greeters: Marianne and Michael Collins
Social Hour: Sarah & John Chamberlain
Sunday, March 29, 2009 11:00 a. m.
“Life Up From Death” Mark W. Harris
This sermon is in response to, Nothing To Be Frightened Of,” a book on death by Julian
Barnes. Spring invites us to think about the resurrection of life from death.
Greeters: Peter Cudhea and Wendell Refior
Social Hour: Teo Ellsworth and Randy Rhoda
Captain’s Log
Everyone I talk to is downright tired of winter. We have had snow and more snow, and so as March inches closer we are all starting to feel a little more hopeful that spring is on the way. As you know, March is also canvass month. It is time to make a financial commitment to ensure the church has another season of life and growth. Many of us are concerned that the economy may affect the budget of the church. Some have suffered from a loss of job in their families. Others have suffered from a loss of income or dreams of a steady retirement income. We are all a little uncertain about the future, but we also know from experience that the storms will pass. Our church survived the depression, and we survived the tearing down of the church next door, when membership was about 12 people. Look where we are now! It is easy to give power to the fear, but we also have to remember the commitments and strengths we already possess and can offer to our beloved community.
A few weeks ago I shared a meditation on patience. That is something we all need right now. Can we be patient to see if our own circumstances change? Can we be patient with the stimulus package? Can we be patient with our desires? I recently heard an ad where one of the stores was advertising for a lay-a-way plan. I thought these had gone out of style, because people were once told to wait until they could afford something, and then after
they had paid for it by installment, then they could have it. In recent years we haven’t encouraged anyone to have patience with their desires. We have been encouraged to act like the character Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She is always insisting to her father that he buy her whatever she wants in that instant.
Right now I am wishing that the media would practice a little patience. I got discouraged when the media was already predicting failure even before the stimulus package was signed into law. I felt like saying, Can’t you just give it a chance? It also reminded me of how often I react negatively at home when Andrea suggests a new project or a change. There is Eeyore again with, “That won’t work.” I have tried stretching this part of my personality in recent years. My wife will tell you that I sometimes have a negative thing or two to say about my perceptions of her schemes to move furniture around, or build a stairway here and a deck there. I have often been the first to say, “that’s crazy” , or “that is too much work.” Over the years I have slowly come to appreciate that these wild schemes have usually laid the ground work for beautiful and enduring projects. We have a deck at the parsonage that we have enjoyed for years. We built a beautiful fireplace at our old house in Maine. I was usually the first to say, “we can’t do that,” but then once the project was completed, I realized that it was a great idea that I resisted because I did not want to be patient enough to see it through, and did not want to do all this work or pay all the money. It is always easier to do nothing.
While worry about the economy is prevalent, we should not let it color the achievements we can celebrate. Over the past ten years our pledge income has grown from 43,000 to $112,000. Isn't this a sign of commitment on the part of all of you? This year our trustees have led us as a congregation to place our entire endowment with a socially responsible investor. We now know that all of our invested funds reflect the kind of justice seeking world our principles embody. We must pay to ensure our values are acted upon in the world, but what greater investment could we make? These kinds of commitment say that you the members of First Parish have confidence that your gifts support an important liberal institution that you and the world need. But it more than affirms our values. Your commitment means that your children will be encouraged to embrace these liberal principles, too. Your commitment means that one of the oldest religious institutions in the country will continue its long history, a history that has seen it survive one or two economic downturns before. Your commitment means that you know that a larger community of love is ready to stand by you if you call on it to support you, help you, or encourage you along the rocky pathway of life. Your commitment helps us all reflect on the worshipping, living community of faith we all embody. I am thankful for all this shared history, values, community life and love. These are tough times, but I know we have the strong church that will be supported by its members through these tough times. In difficult times, it is one thing to be grateful for.
Mark
Spring Awakening -
We Need Lay Speakers
On March 22, we need four First Parish members or friends who would be willing to speak for approximately five minutes on their commitment to making their lives embrace a “greener” way. Do you drive a hybrid? Have you insulated? Are you a recycler? We need you to speak for just a few minutes about what you do and why you do it? We have one volunteer so far, and needed three more. Contact Mark Harris if you can participate.
Worship Associates for Sabbatical
Mark Harris’ sabbatical begins on April 1. We have most of the worship services planned for the three months he will be absent this spring. We would like to have a lay person responsible for helping to set up (microphones, candles, etc.), greet and help orient any visiting speakers, and also lead the announcements on Sunday morning. Mark would like to conduct a training for this before he goes on leave. Beginning March 1, there will be a sign-up for the position of worship associate during the sabbatical. Please help out. Anyone is eligible. There will be more information on the sabbatical in the April newsletter. Mark will be in residence working on his book. He will also be able to respond to any pastoral emergencies during that time. Watch for final details this month!
Social Action
Nancy Banks from UU Mass Action, a special advocacy group for Social Action will be visiting with us on March 15. She will be available after church to discuss how we could be more active in making legislative change happen here in Massachusetts.
Renewal House
Our charitable offering for March will be on the 22nd, and will benefit the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. We hope to have a staff member from the Urban Ministry present that day. The Urban ministry began as a ministry to the poor in Boston in the 1820’s. Now it is involved in many youth programs in Roxbury, an Asian food pantry, and Renewal House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Our Giving Box this month is for Renewal House.
The Giving Box
What can our congregation accomplish in the area of Social Concerns in six months? This is a question which can be answered by your realizing that you have contributed food and "things" to support local agencies through The Giving Box consistently for half of a calendar year. The agencies which you have helped service communities which are becoming more and more vulnerable as all levels of our national and local economies become more unstable by the day. Our sharing puts into action a basic UU philosophical principle: working to improve the world by local effort to change. At this point, we need to recognize what we have already accomplished this year as we move into the last four months of our church year----"JOB WELL DONE"
The Giving Box for March will be collecting items for Renewal House in Roxbury, a shelter-based program which works with victims of all ages of domestic violence. Services range from hot line responses through shelter living with empowerment and healing offered to residents. There is a concomitant component of promoting social justice through individuals who interact with community systems such as the courts or school systems. Renewal House also advocates for general societal change. We will be detailing more specifics in the future of the multilevel service delivery process that this well established agency offers to an increasing number of women and their children dealing with the residuals of domestic violence.
FPW has had a long history of awareness and support of intervention programs dealing with domestic violence. Our congregation began to donate articles to the Waltham Shelter for Battered Women at its inception two decades ago. Back then, two women from FPW were trained as volunteers to work at/with the shelter programs. The instructor is a current and active FPW member who has moved on to other areas of professional interests. The acknowledgement of the issues of domestic violence has been part of the FPW conscience long before the issue was understood as a social, legal and moral problem for all levels of society. Although it was never common knowledge, domestic violence has been an issue amongst us. A small core of FPW people responded to the victim(s) and worked successfully to empower the individual(s) to move safely out of the abusive violence and to safe haven(s). We will continue our longstanding efforts to assist a non-profit in its work to help directly people in a pattern of violence and in its work to address the systemic problems which allow abuse to continue in our society.
The Director of Renewal House has asked that we focus on collecting toiletries and cleaning supplies. The toiletries can include anything which a woman who has fled her home to shelter with nothing at all (except perhaps her children) might need to get through the day and night. Please use your imagination in processing what that might be like.
Some suggestions:
Soap//Hand Lotion//Tooth brushes//tooth paste//Deodorant//Hair care products//Razors//Shaving cream, Kotex Tampax//Toiletpaper/Lipstick//Colognes//etc.
Cleaning supplies help within the shelter itself on a daily basis and also help women start up housekeeping again as they transition to safe apartment living.
Some suggestions:Liquid Dish-washing soap//Papertowels/ Sponges/Mops/Bleach// Clothes washing detergents//etc.
The Director asked us to consider one more possible item that the shelter needs. Renewal House needs a vacuum cleaner. Should anyone here are FPW have a vacuum cleaner that is in excellent working order but needs a new purposeful home; please let us know.
Mary McCarthy in 1961 wrote:..In violence, we forget who we are. In March of 2009, we here are FPW will demonstrate to a deserving population at Renewal House that we know and we care who they are. They are NOT products of violence but ARE people about whom we have concern...and are pleased to extend our open and Helping Hands.
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Heifer International
Religious Education
and Charitable Offering
The Heifer Project Mini Term was a great success! I want to thank all of the amazing volunteers who worked with the children and youth. It was wonderful to see different faces working with the children and youth in the various workshop groups. On Sunday, February 22nd the projects the children and youth created during the workshops were sold during fellowship hour at 'The Global Village Marketplace'. The marketplace was a huge success and we raised $410 for Heifer International. The charitable offering for the month of February was dedicated to Heifer International as well, we passed on the gift of $445 from the First Parish offering for an excellent total of $855. Thank you!!!!!
Religious Education
Sanctuary – A Place of Safety:
Several weeks ago I began a discussion with members of the RE committee and other church staff regarding expectations of what is considered safe and appropriate behavior of the children and youth when they are at First Parish. I have recently observed near accidents during social hour. I have heard that some of our older members feel physically unsafe due to the commotion and fear of being knocked off balance or of spilling a cup of hot tea or coffee on themselves or on someone else. It makes me sad to think that some individuals do not feel safe while at church. How should we each behave to make church the physically and emotionally safe place that we want it to be? What is appropriate and realistic behavior to expect of children, youth and adults?
My intention - to present a simple and clear set of “rules” which would help all individuals who enter into our church home to support and respect the special nature of this building and what that in turn represents to a diverse group of people. This includes those who visit our church as renters and visitors.
It is challenging to find language and “rules” which are representative of many expectations. After much reflection of my own and some back and forth with church staff and RE members by e-mail, I have a proposal for some basic guidelines to create the sanctuary that we all want First Parish to be:
• Running is not appropriate inside the church. Running is for outside the building.
• Climbing on the poles in the social hall is not permitted at any time.
• Food and Drink should remain in the social hall.
• All adults, not just parents, should feel deputized to stop inappropriate behavior, such as running, when they witness it. This is not intended as an open invitation to correct any and all behavior of individual children or youth. It is unrealistic to expect parents to be with their children at all times while at church. We encourage this but it is not always possible, especially for parents of several children. This is the “it takes a village” concept! Our children and youth need our gentle guidance.
Volunteers:
Thank you to all of the individuals who have already shared their time and talent with our children and youth throughout this year. We need more volunteers in all of our religious education classes. Please look for the sign up sheet in the social hall and sign up for a class. I guarantee that you will get more out of volunteering than you might anticipate!
Upcoming Events at First Parish:
First Parish Pals
First Parish Pals are folks of any age who wish to secretly share some good wishes with someone this season (and receive good wishes from another Pal). This involves sending two cards in the mail during March and then bringing a small gift (homemade is great!) to your pal during social hour on the first Sunday in Spring - March 22. To build intergenerational connections, we try to match Pals of different ages.
Sign up by contacting : Kelly Morton (kyskel@gmail.com) by Sunday, March 1.
Youth Group Dinner-
A benefit on behalf of Heifer International: Please plan to join us for fun and fellowship on Friday evening March 27th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at First Parish. The Youth group will be sharing delicious and delectable offerings from the global village menu. We will have a speaker from Heifer International to share information about Heifer and answer questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Namaste, Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
Musically Speaking
By Charlyn Bethell
“ Is there anything more demonstrative of social solidarity than a choir? Many people unite to do something that cannot be done by a single person alone however talented he or she may be: there the work of everyone is equally important….”
--Zoltan Kodaly
We have three amazing choirs at First Parish. Our children’s choir has mostly elementary school-aged children. Youth choir is for Middle/high School aged girls (we would welcome boys, too). The adult choir is for anyone who would like to sing. Each choir is filled with dedicated singers who enjoy sharing their collective efforts at church services. Nowhere is it truer than in a choir: we celebrate the inherent worth of the individual. Each person who sings adds a special sound to the group. That being said, it is also true that any choir works to create a blended sound. More singers always enhance our choir sound. The blend of our sound shifts a bit depending on the voices in the group, so our choral sound is dynamic and exciting. I think that each person who sings comes to enjoy the great benefits of singing and we all grow together in learning the chosen music.
Children’s choir rehearses on Sunday mornings before church at 10:15 downstairs by the piano. We sing seasonal music to fit into church services and we do some musical games as well. The songs we sing often have a refrain with verses, which makes them easier to remember the words. Lately, Michael Altamari has been playing his mandolin with us, which has been wonderful.
Youth choir meets after church services on Sundays at 12:45 upstairs by the piano. We will be singing City Songs by Bob Chilcott and some other fun music for a service in late March or early April.
The adult choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 6:30 to approximately 8 pm in the sanctuary at First Parish. We have set up the dates that we will sing for church services: March 15th, April 12th (Easter), May 10th, and June 7th. These feel to me like choir segments, but I say that because we sing different music for each time period. Also, it may be that singers can come to one more easily than another. Since we all have busy times in our work and family lives, it might fit into your life to sing at one of these choir segments rather than all of them. Please know that no matter when you can come, we welcome you!
Any adult choir rehearsal includes a warm-up, including a community back/shoulder-rub. We work on the notes and the expression in the music. I am certain that whether or not you can read notes, you can still learn to sing the music. Singing in the choir would give you some facility with reading music, but you do not need to read notes in order to sing in the choir. We work on singing the vowels so that they all sound the same. One thing that I love about choir rehearsals is that we help each other and that Guy and I work closely together in creating this music. I believe that fun is essential. All singers are empowered to share their thoughts on making the group sound better. For example, one of our esteemed members suggested that we stand facing the congregation instead of facing the piano. This worked so nicely that I am sure we will keep doing it. I like to embrace all the ideas of the people singing.
Nothing is more important than choosing music that fits us at church. This year, I am planning to do some literature from the classical repertory, possibly a movement from the Schubert Mass. I expect to do a madrigal in the spring. In choosing a piece, I look at the words, the range of the singing parts, and I keep variety (in accompaniments and in styles) in mind as well. I choose music that I love. For March 15th, we will be singing at least two of three songs: Alleluia, Alleluia (which is a cappela with FPW member Matt Calabro playing percussion with us), Loch Lomond, that good old Scottish song, with piano, cello, and flute accompaniment, and Down to the River to Pray from the movie, ‘Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?’ with piano accompaniment.
If you would like to sing with us, please come to a rehearsal! If you are not sure that you would like to sing with us, please come to a rehearsal! I appreciate our current and steadfast members who sing regularly, and I encourage new voices to join us. You may find that after singing with the choir, you wake up with one of our songs in your head. I predict that you will feel great while singing: music and singing feed both the body and the spirit!
Canvass
Happy March First Parish members and friends!!! We are in the throes of Canvass dinners and pledge season. It begins with the 3/1 service and goes through the Annual Dinner and Talent Show. If you have not yet signed up for a canvass dinner (for good food and conversation!), please email John Portz (jportz@rcn.com) or talk to a member of the Finance Committee (Paul Dansereau, Carole Katz, Bob Shay, Beth Tappan-deFrees, John Portz, or Michael Collins). Dinners are Wednesday through Saturday beginning 3/4 and ending 3/14. Childcare will be available at the 3/7 and 3/14 dinners at First Parish.
If you’ve been to a canvass dinner in the past, you know what a good time these dinners are. If you’ve never been to one - it’s an opportunity to get together and socialize with First Parish as the main topic of conversation. Hosts coordinate the food contributions. Everyone brings either a main dish, salad, dessert or hors d'oeuvres, so you know the food will be good. At a canvass dinner you have the opportunity to share dinner in a comfortable setting with church members you may not have had the pleasure of spending time with in the past. You will be asked to make a financial pledge that evening. You can make the pledge, or you may want to think about it for a while.
Thank you all for your support in the past fiscal year! Stay tuned for the rest of the events too - Annual Dinner and Talent Show and Annual Meeting!
Annual Dinner and Talent Show
The fantastic end-of-year Annual Dinner and Talent Show is upon us! On Saturday evening, April 4 we'll celebrate together with food and fun!!! Do you enjoy music? poetry reading? creating/ performing skits? Please take a moment to think about your gift of talent that you'd like to share with us... then, email or call Isabel Tappan-deFrees to sign-up: izzyt@rcn.com, 781-893-1695.
The Annual Dinner is a massive potluck supper. Please bring hors d’oevres, main dish, salad, or dessert. The Fellowship committee will provide beverages. The dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. All ages are welcome. YES WE CAN! is the theme of raising our needed pledges, but we know it also means cooking something for an awesome dinner. We can all be part of this fun filled night of great food and great entertainment.
Special Note to Committee chairs:
Annual Meeting is coming the end of April, but we need Annual Reports from Committee Chairs much sooner. Committee and Staff annual reports are due to the First Parish office by 4/1. If you need to see what was written last year, please contact the church office for last years Annual Report. Thank you.
Newcomer Breakfast and New UU
All newcomers are invited to our twice annual warm, friendly, delicious Newcomer Breakfast on Sunday, March 22 at 9:15 a.m. All those newcomers we are aware of will receive a separate invitation. The following Sunday, March 29 Mark Harris will offer a class at 9:15 in the conference room for anyone who wants to know more about Unitarian Universalism
February Appreciation
We had a great turnout (25?) for Mark Caggiano's ordination on Feburary 7. Thanks to all who made salads, pasta dishes or cheesecakes. Andrea and Mark and Martha Scott participated in the service, and Missy presented her absolutely gorgeous stole. What a lovely present. Thank you Missy for all your hard work! Did someone mention doughnuts?
We also want to thank Guy for playing those broadway tunes for the dessert potluck on February 14, and to Izzy Tappan-deFrees for finding and copying the music. Thank you to Parish for setup and clean up.
Website: Special thanks to Kyle Hart for recent updates to the website. Please check out our Green Sanctuary Action Plan and our FPW Chair Campaign
Thanks to all those who served dinner at the Friday Night Supper Program on February 27: Brigitte Bender, David Benson, Bobbie Brown, Barbara Farrell, Mark Harris, Carole Katz, Sue Kuder, David Morrison, Martha Scott, Jill Shaw, Sue and Will Twombly, Debra Zagaeski, and those Coming of Age youth who made it (to be named next month!)
Oceanfront Vacation?
Mark and Andrea are interested in renting out their house in Owls Head, Maine to those of you who might like to get away once the snow is gone! Owls Head is next to Rockland, a spot which is often featured in the Globe's Travel New England section because of the art museum, galleries, and restaurants as well as the ocean-related activities. It is 200 miles from Watertown. There are LOTS of things to do; yet it is also possible to do nothing but stare at the view. The house has 7 rooms; 3 bedrooms; cable, internet, kayaks and a rowboat. Also a treehouse!
Available weeks: July 5-12; July 12-19; July 19-25; July 25 - Aug 2; August 23-30.
These are set up Sunday to Sunday, but we can be flexible. The cottage is also open in May, June, and September for those who are not limited to July or August. Due to the economy, we are rolling back the prices: $1200 per week in summer; less other times. Email Andrea at themanse@comcast.net for more info, etc.
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline
1-800-645-8333 TTY: 1-800-377-1292
With the high cost of living in the Commonwealth and more than 522,000 people across the state struggling to put food on the table, chances are that a friend or neighbor of yours is having difficulty making ends meet this winter. Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline can help. The FoodSource Hotline is the only comprehensive information and referral service for the hungry in Massachusetts. Counselors can provide information and screen callers for food stamp eligibility, connect them to school meal programs, and direct them to emergency food resources right in their neighborhood.
Arts Week on Star Island
Enjoy a full week of workshops, performances, music, good food, and good conversation on one of the Jewels of the Isles of Shoals. It’s just a 30 minute boat ride from Rye, NH But you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world. Join us. June 13-20, 2009. See our own FPW member Carole Katz for more info., or go to www.stararts.org
Arbella
March 2009
for calendar of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Services
Sunday, March 1 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Putting in Everything” Mark W. Harris
I recently saw a quotation from my colleague Tom Schade who spoke about those churches which will survive and prosper in hard economic times: “It will not depend upon the size of the endowment, nor the wealth of the community that determines which will survive and which won’t, but whether the members of the church see their faith as a discretionary faith, one financed out of their discretionary cash, or an essential faith for which they are willing to sacrifice.”
Guest musician: Frank Grimes, viola
Greeters: Virginia Howe and Genia Lenz
Social Hour: Jean Merkl & John Gorman
Sunday, March 8, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Wishful Thinking” Mark W. Harris
What if you had one big wish . . . what would it be, and how would you see it fulfilled? What if you had one wish about what First Parish could be or could offer, and how would you help fulfill that wish? Let’s think about
how we could live out our wish in our lives and at church.
Greeters: Elizabeth Strekalovsky & Brian Hebeisen
Social Hour: Karen Allendoerfer, Cornelia Janke
Sunday, March 15, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“What Goes Up, Must Come Down” Mark W. Harris
We sometimes think that life works in balances- up and down. Every good thing that happens to us is balanced by something bad. Elevators go up and down. Where do we find an equilibrium in our lives that keeps the elevator of life moving?
Greeters: Gretchen Brown and Paul Montesino
Social Hour: Anna and Michael Anctil
Guest musicians: Jill Dreeben, flute and Sandi-Jo Malmon, cello and FPW Choir
Sunday, March 22, 2009 11:00 a.m
“Spring Awakening” Lay Service
Our Green Sanctuary Committee invites you to come celebrate the long awaited return of spring. Four members of the congregation will speak about some part of their life where they have made a commitment to decrease their
carbon footprint and make their lives embrace a vision of environmental wholeness. This will also be a way for you to connect with one of the 12 action items that the Green Sanctuary program is committed to.
Greeters: Marianne and Michael Collins
Social Hour: Sarah & John Chamberlain
Sunday, March 29, 2009 11:00 a. m.
“Life Up From Death” Mark W. Harris
This sermon is in response to, Nothing To Be Frightened Of,” a book on death by Julian
Barnes. Spring invites us to think about the resurrection of life from death.
Greeters: Peter Cudhea and Wendell Refior
Social Hour: Teo Ellsworth and Randy Rhoda
Captain’s Log
Everyone I talk to is downright tired of winter. We have had snow and more snow, and so as March inches closer we are all starting to feel a little more hopeful that spring is on the way. As you know, March is also canvass month. It is time to make a financial commitment to ensure the church has another season of life and growth. Many of us are concerned that the economy may affect the budget of the church. Some have suffered from a loss of job in their families. Others have suffered from a loss of income or dreams of a steady retirement income. We are all a little uncertain about the future, but we also know from experience that the storms will pass. Our church survived the depression, and we survived the tearing down of the church next door, when membership was about 12 people. Look where we are now! It is easy to give power to the fear, but we also have to remember the commitments and strengths we already possess and can offer to our beloved community.
A few weeks ago I shared a meditation on patience. That is something we all need right now. Can we be patient to see if our own circumstances change? Can we be patient with the stimulus package? Can we be patient with our desires? I recently heard an ad where one of the stores was advertising for a lay-a-way plan. I thought these had gone out of style, because people were once told to wait until they could afford something, and then after
they had paid for it by installment, then they could have it. In recent years we haven’t encouraged anyone to have patience with their desires. We have been encouraged to act like the character Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She is always insisting to her father that he buy her whatever she wants in that instant.
Right now I am wishing that the media would practice a little patience. I got discouraged when the media was already predicting failure even before the stimulus package was signed into law. I felt like saying, Can’t you just give it a chance? It also reminded me of how often I react negatively at home when Andrea suggests a new project or a change. There is Eeyore again with, “That won’t work.” I have tried stretching this part of my personality in recent years. My wife will tell you that I sometimes have a negative thing or two to say about my perceptions of her schemes to move furniture around, or build a stairway here and a deck there. I have often been the first to say, “that’s crazy” , or “that is too much work.” Over the years I have slowly come to appreciate that these wild schemes have usually laid the ground work for beautiful and enduring projects. We have a deck at the parsonage that we have enjoyed for years. We built a beautiful fireplace at our old house in Maine. I was usually the first to say, “we can’t do that,” but then once the project was completed, I realized that it was a great idea that I resisted because I did not want to be patient enough to see it through, and did not want to do all this work or pay all the money. It is always easier to do nothing.
While worry about the economy is prevalent, we should not let it color the achievements we can celebrate. Over the past ten years our pledge income has grown from 43,000 to $112,000. Isn't this a sign of commitment on the part of all of you? This year our trustees have led us as a congregation to place our entire endowment with a socially responsible investor. We now know that all of our invested funds reflect the kind of justice seeking world our principles embody. We must pay to ensure our values are acted upon in the world, but what greater investment could we make? These kinds of commitment say that you the members of First Parish have confidence that your gifts support an important liberal institution that you and the world need. But it more than affirms our values. Your commitment means that your children will be encouraged to embrace these liberal principles, too. Your commitment means that one of the oldest religious institutions in the country will continue its long history, a history that has seen it survive one or two economic downturns before. Your commitment means that you know that a larger community of love is ready to stand by you if you call on it to support you, help you, or encourage you along the rocky pathway of life. Your commitment helps us all reflect on the worshipping, living community of faith we all embody. I am thankful for all this shared history, values, community life and love. These are tough times, but I know we have the strong church that will be supported by its members through these tough times. In difficult times, it is one thing to be grateful for.
Mark
Spring Awakening -
We Need Lay Speakers
On March 22, we need four First Parish members or friends who would be willing to speak for approximately five minutes on their commitment to making their lives embrace a “greener” way. Do you drive a hybrid? Have you insulated? Are you a recycler? We need you to speak for just a few minutes about what you do and why you do it? We have one volunteer so far, and needed three more. Contact Mark Harris if you can participate.
Worship Associates for Sabbatical
Mark Harris’ sabbatical begins on April 1. We have most of the worship services planned for the three months he will be absent this spring. We would like to have a lay person responsible for helping to set up (microphones, candles, etc.), greet and help orient any visiting speakers, and also lead the announcements on Sunday morning. Mark would like to conduct a training for this before he goes on leave. Beginning March 1, there will be a sign-up for the position of worship associate during the sabbatical. Please help out. Anyone is eligible. There will be more information on the sabbatical in the April newsletter. Mark will be in residence working on his book. He will also be able to respond to any pastoral emergencies during that time. Watch for final details this month!
Social Action
Nancy Banks from UU Mass Action, a special advocacy group for Social Action will be visiting with us on March 15. She will be available after church to discuss how we could be more active in making legislative change happen here in Massachusetts.
Renewal House
Our charitable offering for March will be on the 22nd, and will benefit the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. We hope to have a staff member from the Urban Ministry present that day. The Urban ministry began as a ministry to the poor in Boston in the 1820’s. Now it is involved in many youth programs in Roxbury, an Asian food pantry, and Renewal House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Our Giving Box this month is for Renewal House.
The Giving Box
What can our congregation accomplish in the area of Social Concerns in six months? This is a question which can be answered by your realizing that you have contributed food and "things" to support local agencies through The Giving Box consistently for half of a calendar year. The agencies which you have helped service communities which are becoming more and more vulnerable as all levels of our national and local economies become more unstable by the day. Our sharing puts into action a basic UU philosophical principle: working to improve the world by local effort to change. At this point, we need to recognize what we have already accomplished this year as we move into the last four months of our church year----"JOB WELL DONE"
The Giving Box for March will be collecting items for Renewal House in Roxbury, a shelter-based program which works with victims of all ages of domestic violence. Services range from hot line responses through shelter living with empowerment and healing offered to residents. There is a concomitant component of promoting social justice through individuals who interact with community systems such as the courts or school systems. Renewal House also advocates for general societal change. We will be detailing more specifics in the future of the multilevel service delivery process that this well established agency offers to an increasing number of women and their children dealing with the residuals of domestic violence.
FPW has had a long history of awareness and support of intervention programs dealing with domestic violence. Our congregation began to donate articles to the Waltham Shelter for Battered Women at its inception two decades ago. Back then, two women from FPW were trained as volunteers to work at/with the shelter programs. The instructor is a current and active FPW member who has moved on to other areas of professional interests. The acknowledgement of the issues of domestic violence has been part of the FPW conscience long before the issue was understood as a social, legal and moral problem for all levels of society. Although it was never common knowledge, domestic violence has been an issue amongst us. A small core of FPW people responded to the victim(s) and worked successfully to empower the individual(s) to move safely out of the abusive violence and to safe haven(s). We will continue our longstanding efforts to assist a non-profit in its work to help directly people in a pattern of violence and in its work to address the systemic problems which allow abuse to continue in our society.
The Director of Renewal House has asked that we focus on collecting toiletries and cleaning supplies. The toiletries can include anything which a woman who has fled her home to shelter with nothing at all (except perhaps her children) might need to get through the day and night. Please use your imagination in processing what that might be like.
Some suggestions:
Soap//Hand Lotion//Tooth brushes//tooth paste//Deodorant//Hair care products//Razors//Shaving cream, Kotex Tampax//Toiletpaper/Lipstick//Colognes//etc.
Cleaning supplies help within the shelter itself on a daily basis and also help women start up housekeeping again as they transition to safe apartment living.
Some suggestions:Liquid Dish-washing soap//Papertowels/ Sponges/Mops/Bleach// Clothes washing detergents//etc.
The Director asked us to consider one more possible item that the shelter needs. Renewal House needs a vacuum cleaner. Should anyone here are FPW have a vacuum cleaner that is in excellent working order but needs a new purposeful home; please let us know.
Mary McCarthy in 1961 wrote:..In violence, we forget who we are. In March of 2009, we here are FPW will demonstrate to a deserving population at Renewal House that we know and we care who they are. They are NOT products of violence but ARE people about whom we have concern...and are pleased to extend our open and Helping Hands.
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Heifer International
Religious Education
and Charitable Offering
The Heifer Project Mini Term was a great success! I want to thank all of the amazing volunteers who worked with the children and youth. It was wonderful to see different faces working with the children and youth in the various workshop groups. On Sunday, February 22nd the projects the children and youth created during the workshops were sold during fellowship hour at 'The Global Village Marketplace'. The marketplace was a huge success and we raised $410 for Heifer International. The charitable offering for the month of February was dedicated to Heifer International as well, we passed on the gift of $445 from the First Parish offering for an excellent total of $855. Thank you!!!!!
Religious Education
Sanctuary – A Place of Safety:
Several weeks ago I began a discussion with members of the RE committee and other church staff regarding expectations of what is considered safe and appropriate behavior of the children and youth when they are at First Parish. I have recently observed near accidents during social hour. I have heard that some of our older members feel physically unsafe due to the commotion and fear of being knocked off balance or of spilling a cup of hot tea or coffee on themselves or on someone else. It makes me sad to think that some individuals do not feel safe while at church. How should we each behave to make church the physically and emotionally safe place that we want it to be? What is appropriate and realistic behavior to expect of children, youth and adults?
My intention - to present a simple and clear set of “rules” which would help all individuals who enter into our church home to support and respect the special nature of this building and what that in turn represents to a diverse group of people. This includes those who visit our church as renters and visitors.
It is challenging to find language and “rules” which are representative of many expectations. After much reflection of my own and some back and forth with church staff and RE members by e-mail, I have a proposal for some basic guidelines to create the sanctuary that we all want First Parish to be:
• Running is not appropriate inside the church. Running is for outside the building.
• Climbing on the poles in the social hall is not permitted at any time.
• Food and Drink should remain in the social hall.
• All adults, not just parents, should feel deputized to stop inappropriate behavior, such as running, when they witness it. This is not intended as an open invitation to correct any and all behavior of individual children or youth. It is unrealistic to expect parents to be with their children at all times while at church. We encourage this but it is not always possible, especially for parents of several children. This is the “it takes a village” concept! Our children and youth need our gentle guidance.
Volunteers:
Thank you to all of the individuals who have already shared their time and talent with our children and youth throughout this year. We need more volunteers in all of our religious education classes. Please look for the sign up sheet in the social hall and sign up for a class. I guarantee that you will get more out of volunteering than you might anticipate!
Upcoming Events at First Parish:
First Parish Pals
First Parish Pals are folks of any age who wish to secretly share some good wishes with someone this season (and receive good wishes from another Pal). This involves sending two cards in the mail during March and then bringing a small gift (homemade is great!) to your pal during social hour on the first Sunday in Spring - March 22. To build intergenerational connections, we try to match Pals of different ages.
Sign up by contacting : Kelly Morton (kyskel@gmail.com) by Sunday, March 1.
Youth Group Dinner-
A benefit on behalf of Heifer International: Please plan to join us for fun and fellowship on Friday evening March 27th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at First Parish. The Youth group will be sharing delicious and delectable offerings from the global village menu. We will have a speaker from Heifer International to share information about Heifer and answer questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Namaste, Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
Musically Speaking
By Charlyn Bethell
“ Is there anything more demonstrative of social solidarity than a choir? Many people unite to do something that cannot be done by a single person alone however talented he or she may be: there the work of everyone is equally important….”
--Zoltan Kodaly
We have three amazing choirs at First Parish. Our children’s choir has mostly elementary school-aged children. Youth choir is for Middle/high School aged girls (we would welcome boys, too). The adult choir is for anyone who would like to sing. Each choir is filled with dedicated singers who enjoy sharing their collective efforts at church services. Nowhere is it truer than in a choir: we celebrate the inherent worth of the individual. Each person who sings adds a special sound to the group. That being said, it is also true that any choir works to create a blended sound. More singers always enhance our choir sound. The blend of our sound shifts a bit depending on the voices in the group, so our choral sound is dynamic and exciting. I think that each person who sings comes to enjoy the great benefits of singing and we all grow together in learning the chosen music.
Children’s choir rehearses on Sunday mornings before church at 10:15 downstairs by the piano. We sing seasonal music to fit into church services and we do some musical games as well. The songs we sing often have a refrain with verses, which makes them easier to remember the words. Lately, Michael Altamari has been playing his mandolin with us, which has been wonderful.
Youth choir meets after church services on Sundays at 12:45 upstairs by the piano. We will be singing City Songs by Bob Chilcott and some other fun music for a service in late March or early April.
The adult choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 6:30 to approximately 8 pm in the sanctuary at First Parish. We have set up the dates that we will sing for church services: March 15th, April 12th (Easter), May 10th, and June 7th. These feel to me like choir segments, but I say that because we sing different music for each time period. Also, it may be that singers can come to one more easily than another. Since we all have busy times in our work and family lives, it might fit into your life to sing at one of these choir segments rather than all of them. Please know that no matter when you can come, we welcome you!
Any adult choir rehearsal includes a warm-up, including a community back/shoulder-rub. We work on the notes and the expression in the music. I am certain that whether or not you can read notes, you can still learn to sing the music. Singing in the choir would give you some facility with reading music, but you do not need to read notes in order to sing in the choir. We work on singing the vowels so that they all sound the same. One thing that I love about choir rehearsals is that we help each other and that Guy and I work closely together in creating this music. I believe that fun is essential. All singers are empowered to share their thoughts on making the group sound better. For example, one of our esteemed members suggested that we stand facing the congregation instead of facing the piano. This worked so nicely that I am sure we will keep doing it. I like to embrace all the ideas of the people singing.
Nothing is more important than choosing music that fits us at church. This year, I am planning to do some literature from the classical repertory, possibly a movement from the Schubert Mass. I expect to do a madrigal in the spring. In choosing a piece, I look at the words, the range of the singing parts, and I keep variety (in accompaniments and in styles) in mind as well. I choose music that I love. For March 15th, we will be singing at least two of three songs: Alleluia, Alleluia (which is a cappela with FPW member Matt Calabro playing percussion with us), Loch Lomond, that good old Scottish song, with piano, cello, and flute accompaniment, and Down to the River to Pray from the movie, ‘Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?’ with piano accompaniment.
If you would like to sing with us, please come to a rehearsal! If you are not sure that you would like to sing with us, please come to a rehearsal! I appreciate our current and steadfast members who sing regularly, and I encourage new voices to join us. You may find that after singing with the choir, you wake up with one of our songs in your head. I predict that you will feel great while singing: music and singing feed both the body and the spirit!
Canvass
Happy March First Parish members and friends!!! We are in the throes of Canvass dinners and pledge season. It begins with the 3/1 service and goes through the Annual Dinner and Talent Show. If you have not yet signed up for a canvass dinner (for good food and conversation!), please email John Portz (jportz@rcn.com) or talk to a member of the Finance Committee (Paul Dansereau, Carole Katz, Bob Shay, Beth Tappan-deFrees, John Portz, or Michael Collins). Dinners are Wednesday through Saturday beginning 3/4 and ending 3/14. Childcare will be available at the 3/7 and 3/14 dinners at First Parish.
If you’ve been to a canvass dinner in the past, you know what a good time these dinners are. If you’ve never been to one - it’s an opportunity to get together and socialize with First Parish as the main topic of conversation. Hosts coordinate the food contributions. Everyone brings either a main dish, salad, dessert or hors d'oeuvres, so you know the food will be good. At a canvass dinner you have the opportunity to share dinner in a comfortable setting with church members you may not have had the pleasure of spending time with in the past. You will be asked to make a financial pledge that evening. You can make the pledge, or you may want to think about it for a while.
Thank you all for your support in the past fiscal year! Stay tuned for the rest of the events too - Annual Dinner and Talent Show and Annual Meeting!
Annual Dinner and Talent Show
The fantastic end-of-year Annual Dinner and Talent Show is upon us! On Saturday evening, April 4 we'll celebrate together with food and fun!!! Do you enjoy music? poetry reading? creating/ performing skits? Please take a moment to think about your gift of talent that you'd like to share with us... then, email or call Isabel Tappan-deFrees to sign-up: izzyt@rcn.com, 781-893-1695.
The Annual Dinner is a massive potluck supper. Please bring hors d’oevres, main dish, salad, or dessert. The Fellowship committee will provide beverages. The dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. All ages are welcome. YES WE CAN! is the theme of raising our needed pledges, but we know it also means cooking something for an awesome dinner. We can all be part of this fun filled night of great food and great entertainment.
Special Note to Committee chairs:
Annual Meeting is coming the end of April, but we need Annual Reports from Committee Chairs much sooner. Committee and Staff annual reports are due to the First Parish office by 4/1. If you need to see what was written last year, please contact the church office for last years Annual Report. Thank you.
Newcomer Breakfast and New UU
All newcomers are invited to our twice annual warm, friendly, delicious Newcomer Breakfast on Sunday, March 22 at 9:15 a.m. All those newcomers we are aware of will receive a separate invitation. The following Sunday, March 29 Mark Harris will offer a class at 9:15 in the conference room for anyone who wants to know more about Unitarian Universalism
February Appreciation
We had a great turnout (25?) for Mark Caggiano's ordination on Feburary 7. Thanks to all who made salads, pasta dishes or cheesecakes. Andrea and Mark and Martha Scott participated in the service, and Missy presented her absolutely gorgeous stole. What a lovely present. Thank you Missy for all your hard work! Did someone mention doughnuts?
We also want to thank Guy for playing those broadway tunes for the dessert potluck on February 14, and to Izzy Tappan-deFrees for finding and copying the music. Thank you to Parish for setup and clean up.
Website: Special thanks to Kyle Hart for recent updates to the website. Please check out our Green Sanctuary Action Plan and our FPW Chair Campaign
Thanks to all those who served dinner at the Friday Night Supper Program on February 27: Brigitte Bender, David Benson, Bobbie Brown, Barbara Farrell, Mark Harris, Carole Katz, Sue Kuder, David Morrison, Martha Scott, Jill Shaw, Sue and Will Twombly, Debra Zagaeski, and those Coming of Age youth who made it (to be named next month!)
Oceanfront Vacation?
Mark and Andrea are interested in renting out their house in Owls Head, Maine to those of you who might like to get away once the snow is gone! Owls Head is next to Rockland, a spot which is often featured in the Globe's Travel New England section because of the art museum, galleries, and restaurants as well as the ocean-related activities. It is 200 miles from Watertown. There are LOTS of things to do; yet it is also possible to do nothing but stare at the view. The house has 7 rooms; 3 bedrooms; cable, internet, kayaks and a rowboat. Also a treehouse!
Available weeks: July 5-12; July 12-19; July 19-25; July 25 - Aug 2; August 23-30.
These are set up Sunday to Sunday, but we can be flexible. The cottage is also open in May, June, and September for those who are not limited to July or August. Due to the economy, we are rolling back the prices: $1200 per week in summer; less other times. Email Andrea at themanse@comcast.net for more info, etc.
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline
1-800-645-8333 TTY: 1-800-377-1292
With the high cost of living in the Commonwealth and more than 522,000 people across the state struggling to put food on the table, chances are that a friend or neighbor of yours is having difficulty making ends meet this winter. Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline can help. The FoodSource Hotline is the only comprehensive information and referral service for the hungry in Massachusetts. Counselors can provide information and screen callers for food stamp eligibility, connect them to school meal programs, and direct them to emergency food resources right in their neighborhood.
Arts Week on Star Island
Enjoy a full week of workshops, performances, music, good food, and good conversation on one of the Jewels of the Isles of Shoals. It’s just a 30 minute boat ride from Rye, NH But you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world. Join us. June 13-20, 2009. See our own FPW member Carole Katz for more info., or go to www.stararts.org
Arbella February Newsletter 2009
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
February 2009
for events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, February 1, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Risk Aversion” Mark W. Harris
A recent Parade Magazine headline story was “How to Survive the Worst.” While Parade hardly reflects my own philosophy, it does give us insight into popular culture. There is a prevalent fear of disasters, and the Miracle on the Hudson will probably exacerbate that. Should we be so scared all the time?
Greeters: Anne Harrington, Mike Schade
Social Hour: Kathy Button, Paul Montesino
Sunday, February 8 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
“If We Come From Apes, How Come Apes Are Still Around? Darwin at 200” Mark W. Harris
I saw this sign at a Building 19 (the kind of place that sells salvaged goods, etc.) the other day. On February 12 both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln celebrate 200th birthdays. How has Darwin influenced liberal religion?
FPW Choir sings; Story for all Ages
Greeters: Nancy Dutton and David Benson
Social Hour: Ken Repp & Chris Johnson
Sunday, February 15 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
Anniversary Sunday - “Rebels With a Cause” Mark W. Harris
In February First Parish marks its anniversary of becoming a Unitarian church (pre merger with the Universalists). This has often been a history Sunday for us. Today we will look at our heritage of going against the grain, even from the beginning in 1630. Are you antiauthority, and why?
Greeters: Jan Klein and Bobbie Brown
Social Hour: Tesi Kohlenberg & Tom Goodwillie
Sunday, February 22 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
Intergenerational Service- Heifer Project
This service will feature a special skit by our church school children. They are devoting the entire month of February to a special unit on the Heifer Project. Our charitable offering in February will also benefit Heifer. There will be a story, and some special fun music with Charlyn and Guy.
Greeters: Charmian Proskauer, Beth Parsons
Social Hour: Norah Mulvaney & Paul Day
Captain’s Log
There are two significant anniversaries this month on the same day. The birth days are February 12, and the individuals are Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln, both born two hundred years ago in 1809. Darwin had Unitarian connections, but was not one of us. His grandfather Erasmus Darwin was a Unitarian and part of the famous Lunar Society, which included Joseph Priestley, who discovered oxygen and was one of the founders of the Unitarian movement in England, and Josiah Wedgwood, the famous potter. Charles’ father and Erasmus son felt as though there was more social and religious clout if he became an Anglican. Not, wanting to be an outcast as a Unitarian, Charles’ father converted, and pressured Charles at one time to become a priest. But it was Charles’ voyage on the ship Beagle that gave us a scientific gift, The Origin of Species, that challenged all religious faiths. Religious groups have wrestled with evolution ever since. Unitarians and Universalists were among the first to embrace Darwin’s views, but it was not immediate, as the ideas revolutionized the way in which humanity conceived of creation and the development of the human species, and of course it challenged the Bible, too. The hierarchy of heaven began to fall thanks to Darwin. Unitarians and Universalist have always embraced scientific approaches to faith in our search for truth. I will preach about Darwin on
February 8.
We have already heard a great deal about Lincoln and his wholesale emulation and admiration by President Obama from words, to philosophy (Team of Rivals) even down to an historic train trip and the inaugural Bible (Judge Roberts better practice a little next time). Lincoln, the great liberator and savior of the union is a tough act to emulate. Lincoln’s religion is also tough to pinpoint. He attended some Universalist services, and he rejected the idea of hell, and also believed in providence and destiny. But he never had any denominational affiliation of any kind. We know his faith was deep, but it did not pass the test of orthodoxy. He objected to ceremonies and forms too much. He was influenced by the Unitarian preacher Theodore Parker who inspired him with a variation on the phrase “ government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Obama has UU connections, too. I had read in the paper that Obama’s grandmother’s memorial service was held in the UU Church in Honolulu, but had not seen any details until our former intern Sue Kingman sent along her church newsletter where she quoted the Honolulu minister Mike Young at length. It seems than many years ago Obama’s grandmother had brought him through the doors of her UU church, and he attended there some. Now in death, he returned there to uphold and declare his family’s gratitude for her life, and what she had given to them. There was much secretiveness about where the service would be held, and high level security at the church in the days prior to the service.
When I was a boy I was always concerned that Washington’s Birthday was a holiday, but Lincoln’s was not. My brother especially lobbied for this at home, since February 12 was his birthday, too, and he wanted a special holiday. Despite my brother, the little historian in me believed our greatest president deserved this celebration as much as the initial holder of the office. With President’s Day we have recognized both, but in other ways have lost the distinctiveness of the two days. In school I learned lots of heroic myths about both of them such as walking miles to return a book, and the infamous cherry tree and the refusal to lie. They were stories that made me patriotic in my own way, even as this love for our country and its history was challenged with the Vietnam War and racial strife. It is exciting and inspiring when it feels like our country is trying to live up to its founding and guiding principles.
Darwin loomed large in my brother’s studies, as he became a biologist. Unfortunately, a family squabble over my father’s will led to his rejection of the entire family, including me. I have tried a couple of times over the years to settle this. One of our members shared a story about reconciliation with his sister in joys and sorrows. It inspired me to think that perhaps it is time for me to try again. Darwin's ideas form the basis for most biological thinking today. But on a human level his ideas also reminds us of how short our time is, and how much we need one another. Anniversaries of famous figures remind us of how important people were in the development of history, and birthdays reminds us of those who we once spoke to every day, and now perhaps, don’t speak to at all. As this birthday approaches, it would be good to end, at least a little, some of this winter of discontent. Happy Birthday to Charles and Abraham, and, to my brother, too, wherever he is.
Mark
Among Us
Our Deepest Sympathy to Chuck Dickinson, at the death of his mother. He and Lynn recently atttended a memorial in California.
Healing thoughts to Paul Day, who fell on the ice and suffered a badly broken leg. This necessitated the postponing of Comedy Night for now.
Helen Wait, a long term member of First Parish, died on January 12, 2009. There will be a memorial service at FPW on Feb. 28. If you wish to send a card, expressions of condolence can go to her daughter who lives in Sudbury. Her daughter is:
Cathy Manwaring
46 Massasoit Ave.
Sudbury, MA 01776
Congratulations to Missy and Bob Shay who became grandparents again. Bella Korinne Shay was born on January 17, 2009. Mother and daughter are home and Keith and Kymani are enjoying having them there.
New members -
A warm welcome to new members who were voted in by the Parish Committee:
Victoria Grafflin-Conway, Michael Conway and Connie Wilson.
Religious Education
Faith, Hope and Clarity…
Can you believe it? Can you believe that it has been six months since I began my journey here with you all at First Parish as your new DRE. Beginning in a position as a first time DRE is a bit like going out on a blind date. It begins with cautious interest, not quite certain what to expect, a bit shy at first then we extend the sweaty palms of fellowship take a deep breath and begin. For me the first few months have been a whirlwind of getting to know the individuals who are First Parish Watertown, a work in progress I might add. I am impressed with those who I have gotten to know and grateful to have so many gracious and dedicated people with whom to collaborate on the work of religious education. I have faith, faith that if I put forth my best efforts that others will do so as well. With faith, together we can continue to grow and to find meaningful ways in which to better understand and connect with our own and with our children’s spiritual lives.
So now, well under way I am bursting with hope. I hope that I will be able to encourage and support those who already give their time and talents to RE as well as to those individuals who are uncertain about where and how they might support the RE work of this community. I for one am riding the current of hope - hope, which has so recently invigorated and charged our entire nation. The call to volunteerism is not just a slogan for the media it is a vaccine for entropy, a cure for ennui. Here at First Parish we are so fortunate for there is an opportunity to volunteer every week! Every week at First Parish we need people willing to try, to take that leap of faith and help out in an RE classroom or program. Ah, that old soapbox of mine!
I have been at First Parish long enough to have made my first mistakes - the pathway of learning and growth! From these first miss-steps I have gained some clarity. I know that communication is vital, and now I am aware that some of the most important work which I can do to support this community is to provide clarity; to communicate in a regular and consistent way. I currently update the RE portion of the First Parish Web Page weekly, this is a good place to begin to look for information.. I check my First Parish email account (drewatertown@yahoo.com) daily, but often do not immediately reply to messages. I will always reply to messages on Monday evening, Wednesday morning, Friday during the day, and Saturday during the day. If you are expecting an email reply these would be the times to look. I can be reached at my home phone number, (781) 863-1319, but I am often not at home. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I am able. I am not available at First Parish during the week.
Important update: Karen Allendoerfer and Kelly Morton have both stepped down as co-chairs of the RE committee. I thank Karen and Kelly for their work during a challenging time of transition. Both Karen and Kelly will continue on the RE committee. Tom Goodwillie has agreed to step up to chair the committee. Thank you Tom for your generosity and compassion.
Coming up in February! The Heifer Project International: February 1 -22nd
I am excited to report that the children and youth of First Parish will begin a four week social action term on Sunday, February 1st. We will be learning about the work of The Heifer Project International. During structured workshop time, the children and youth will be making various items which they will sell at fellowship hour on February 22nd to help to raise funds for the Heifer Project. The offering on February 22nd will be donated to Heifer International as well. Then on Friday, March 27th come join together as the Youth Group presents a dinner to raise funds on behalf of Heifer International. Please come on down and check out what we are doing!
In faith, hope and clarity!
Namaste (The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you)
Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
Musically Speaking……
by Charlyn Bethell
One thing that unites us at First Parish is our singing hymns at a church service. Even people who choose not to sing enjoy and benefit from the singing of hymns. Some churches have organ or electric keyboard accompaniment with or without drums and bass. Some people move to the music by clapping and swaying to the beats.
I have been reading articles about congregational singing. I am learning about the different ways that congregations sing at a church service. Traditionally, we stand and read the words and music together in a song we might remember singing some other time. For some of us, singing hymns in a church service is the only time in the week that we sing. Singing hymns in at church can be an experience that can leave us feeling spiritually whole. Church services would not be complete without hymn singing. We love singing hymns. My father grew up with traditional Baptist hymns that he loved and I often fell asleep to the sound of him playing those treasured tunes by ear on his little chord organ.
Our songs define us. The melodies and words meld together to create moments of beauty that enhance our lives. I have been discovering how much our minister loves our hymns. I did not know that he carefully keeps track of how many times we sing each hymn! Sometimes, as we discuss coming church services, he can’t contain himself and breaks into song! As the great Hungarian composer, Zoltan Kodaly, has said, “Rhythm develops attention, concentration, determination and the ability to condition oneself. Melody opens up the world of emotions. Dynamic variation and tone color sharpen our hearing. Singing, finally, is such a many-sided physical activity that its effect is immeasurable—if there is perhaps anyone to whom the spirit does not matter.”
I notice that some people in our congregation sing harmony in the hymns as we sing them on Sunday. I have heard it said that people who sit close to such singers really enjoy being next to them. Some people start singing some songs spontaneously in canon. Last week, people who were so moved, started clapping with a song. I applaud people who lose themselves in a song and need to move or clap as the spirit moves them. I love the confidence and exuberance they radiate.
I am hoping that we keep reaching out for diversity in our shared singing. Those who know the words to the chorus of a song might try putting their hymnal aside and move or clap to the song. Of course, we will need to know the song very well to do that. Maybe we should have occasional weeks that we sing through the hymns prior to the service. Perhaps we find out which are our favorite hymns and sing them all at a special service. We might need some more services with percussion instruments available to us to use to accompany our common singing. However YOU are comfortable singing, let us continue to do that but also give permission to others to go beyond the usual.
Please let me hear from you about how we can all be involved even more in our singing hymns together at church. We sing for the songs and for the singing and for our spirits, individually and collectively. Let us be ready to let it all hang out as we come together with our songs and our singing.
Serving a Meal to the Needy
On Friday evening, February 27, First Parish has committed to serving dinner to the needy at the Arlington Street Church on Boston. The program is run by the Friday Night Supper Program, and has been in place since 1984. Dinner is from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., and volunteers are needed. The Coming of Age group will be participating, but we need many adult volunteers as well. If you are able to help, contact Mark Harris.
The mission of the Friday Night Supper Program is to provide a warm nutritious meal to anyone in need in a safe and dignified environment every Friday night. Approximately 150 people attend. The guests come from different backgrounds and may include those coping with AIDS, mental illness, or substance abuse; the elderly; the disabled; abused women; homeless individuals; and those who are jobless, minimally employed, or living below the poverty level. All who come are served, no questions asked. The program prides itself on providing not only nourishment for the body thorough food but also nourishment for the soul through dignity and respect. For more information, visit their website at www.fridaynightsupper.org.
Request from Finance Committee
If you made a pledge for the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year, you are probably receiving a letter from First Parish this week thanking you and telling you how much is left on your pledge. This time of year is a bit of a juggling feat for FPW. Our fiscal year ends on 3/31 and we’d like to have an excellent idea of how we are going to end the year by 3/1. If you can complete your pledge payment by 2/28, that is a significant help to us in our budget planning for next year.
2009 Canvass Kick-Off: “Yes! U Can!”
For some, it has seemed this year that each day has brought news of some new down-turn – in the world economy, in the US image abroad, in our citizens’ ability to lead quality lives… Many in our community have been affected by illness and lay-offs. Some days, cheeriness has been in short supply.
But then, we had Sundays with Joys and Sorrows… We have had a church community that has held us up. In December’s sharing of faith, Celeste Oliva described the community of First Parish. She spoke movingly of selflessness and giving in times of others’ stress, of the goodness of others’ hearts that makes her grateful to be a part of this community.
The Canvass for 2009 – 2010 is borrowing an oft-used phrase from the summer and fall. “Yes! U Can!” rejoices in the themes of sustainability, nurturing and hope that we share as a spiritual community. We can give to one another. We can hold each other up. We can keep our church strong and continue to build it through times of strife and gladness so generations to come can experience the same coming together for love, sharing and support. We minister to one another every time we listen… every time we open our hearts. These actions change the world.
The “Yes! U Can” canvass is for all friends and members of First Parish to help in the ongoing life of the church for the fiscal year 2009 – 2010. Stay tuned to the “Arbella”, your email, church announcements, your phone for more information on how you can be involved! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any member of the Finance Committee: Michael Collins, Paul Dansereau, Carole Katz, John Portz, Bob Shay, or Beth Tappan-deFrees.
Let the 2009 Canvass begin !
It is time again to turn our attention to the need to support and sustain First Parish as an active, thriving community through our commitment of financial resources. Canvass also provides an occasion for us all to consider what First Parish means to each of us, what our goals should be going forward, and how best to achieve them.
Here is the basic schedule:
1 February Information
An informal session with Finance Committee members after church (more can be scheduled if needed)
1 March Canvass Sunday
Mark Harris will help U feel optimistic
8 March Canvass Skit Sunday
Paul Day will be back on his feet (!)
4 – 14 March Canvass Dinners
See details below
4 April Annual Dinner & Show
See details below
26 April Annual Meeting 12:30; lunch will be served;
meeting details to follow
Canvass Dinners
Each year during canvass season, we hold a series of Canvass potluck dinners hosted by various members at their homes (and 2 at the church social hall), where you can enjoy each other’s company, share your experiences and ideas, and sample some fine food (true UU communion!). These dinners are pot luck, so you can bring your own favorite dish to share or consult with your host to coordinate as you like.
We hope these dinners will promote your renewed commitment to First Parish and encourage you to make a financial pledge in support of the church for the coming year’s programs and operations At each dinner we will have a fellow church member to facilitate discussions. Towards the end of the dinner event you are asked to fill out a pledge card or make another indication of your interest in support of First Parish. The Canvass Dinners have been quite successful and provided enjoyable occasions for many of our members to refresh and make new connections with First Parish.
We have scheduled Canvass Dinners on a number of different dates with a view to making it possible for you to attend and participate. Here is the current schedule:
Date Time
Place & Host TBD except where noted
Wednesday 4 March 7 - 9
Thursday 5 March 7 - 9
Friday 6 March 7 - 9
Saturday 7 March 6 - 8 FPW Social Hall, child care provided
Wednesday 1 1 March 7 - 9
Thursday 12 March 7 - 9
Friday 13 March 7 - 9
Saturday 14 March 6 – 8 FPW Social Hall, child care provided
We are grateful to those church members who have offered to host a dinner at their homes already and are still looking to fill a few slots. So for the rest of us, all that is left to do is to sign up, show up and participate!
To reserve your dinner spot, contact John Portz at jportz@rcn.com to indicate which dinner you can attend. Please do not contact the hosts directly at this time.
Annual Dinner & Show
We will conclude our pledging season and celebrate by gathering together for The First Parish Annual Dinner & Show on Saturday 4 April at the church. This will be a full-scale pot-luck dinner (no leftovers!) with featured entertainment and skits from many talented and lively members and friends of the First Parish community. Isabel Tappan-deFrees izzyt@rcn.com will be organizing the Talent Show, so start planning your fantastic presentation!
Things to do:
- Check your calendars today and reserve the dates.
- Select a Canvass Dinner that best suits your schedule and contact John Portz
jportz@rcn.com to reserve a spot for yourself.
- Think about your connection and commitment to The First Parish of Watertown and get ready to engage with your fellow members of
the congregation.
February's GIVING BOX
...Consider the animals...
We know the need is overwhelming for "people" food--but--what about the need for "domestic animal" food? We posed this question to several non-profit organizations in our area and much to our surprise the answer was--"Yes, Oh! yes--the need is great--but we have not set up a formal animal food pantry--we do not have the space or people to staff it."
...and so, the Giving Box for February will: "begin at the very beginning." We contacted the Merwin Animal Clinic in Brighton/Allston, MA, a non-profit organization that was begun in 1926 by Peter Simpson who started treating horses when owners could not afford the services of established large animal vets. In the 1930's, Harriet Byrd, a local humanitarian, went about gathering funding to treat household pets, namely cats and dogs, from families who could ill afford to provide care for them and thus the Merwin Animal Clinic began and has been providing services to needy families with the kind and expert donation of time from local veterinarians. The animals are treated without set fees. One gives what one can to pay for the care of their pets.
Once again, we're asking our FPW family, friends and youngsters to 'step up to the plate(s)' and fill them with a variety of canned dog and cat food and boxes/bags of dry food also. Search about at home for old/used towels/blankets and bring these also--household pets need them for warmth and snuggle-time. Debra Z, the DRE, may ask church teens to organize a one day town-wide drive to augment the February Giving Box efforts for domestic pets...asking the Watertown Community at large to bring pet food/towels and blankets to FPW on a designated Saturday. The Giving Box is indeed a church-wide effort and can be an impetus to the town to be aware of basic needs of pets who remain dear to family's hearts even in time of financial stress.
We are also asking our church school youngsters and teens (and adults also) to help us with pictures/drawings of your own cats and dogs so that we can display them during February as 'gentle' Giving Box reminders. (**If you do not have a cat or dog, please make a drawing of ones you particularly like---or have cared about in your past**).
We'll end our Giving Box article with a 'commercial ditty' to help remind you to shop for our four-legged pals..."Meow-Meow-Meow-Meow"--"Woof-Woof-Woof-Woof"--- AND..the ever-popular: "How much is that doggy/kitty in the window?--The one with the waggity tail---We know they'll appreciate your shopping--Their food is always on sale!!!!!"We thank you, as always.
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Personal Green Experience
"The ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet," said President Obama in his inaugural address. His solution: "We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age."
I have heard that an estimated 5 billion people (in some way) heard what our new President of the United States said. There is an estimated 6.7 billion people on the planet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Clearly the planet is interested in what he has to say.
How is this personal to me? Well, Anna and I were invited to visit some friends, who live in the Washington DC area during the time of the inauguration. We accepted and proceeded south early Saturday morning. When we arrived in DC, there was an excitement in the air. Everywhere you looked, there were Obama images and slogans from his campaign. “Yes we can” and “Yes we did” were some of the more prominent ones. Every one was speaking of the history of the moment and how optimistic they were of America’s future under the expected new leadership of this person who inspires and promotes hope.
I feel as I’ve been working (along with many others) against the tide to help make human existence on planet Earth sustainable. As you all know by now, Americans are some of the least efficient users of natural resources around, but perhaps this will all change. When I heard “we will harness the sun and the winds,” I was reassured that we will no longer be working against our government, at least not as much as we had been for the past 8 years. I am invigorated to continue my efforts in the difficult work ahead to help realize the vision of a sustainable existence!
Mike Anctil, Green Sanctuary (GS) committee member dma02155@comcast.net
(617) 744-0454
Look for upcoming announcements in the near future of how you can get involved in the efforts of the Green Sanctuary Committee. Our activities will be featured in an upcoming Sunday Service, citing some successes and hopefully encourage you to get more involved.
Charitable offerings
Our FPW members and friends have been very generous in their gifts to organizations we have chosen to receive charitable offerings. Our UU Service Committee final total was higher than we reported last month. Final total was yet another all time high: $1,837.00. Our January offering for the Watertown Family Network was $470.00. The director, Arlene Smith was in church on January 25 to say a few words about the program of the Network. Our offering in February will benefit the Heifer Project, which is an RE focus for the entire month. As always, all loose cash received that day, and checks made out to the Heifer Project will go to the Heifer Project. Any checks made out to First Parish will count towards pledges.
Pageant Pictures
If you would like to see Solstice/Christmas pageant pictures from December 21, 2008. They have been uploaded to our website to a Picasa album by Kyle Hart. Please visit the members page, and check them out through that link (user:fpwatertown; password:arbella). These are the photos by Isabel Tappan-deFrees. Thanks to Kyle and Izzy.
New RE Classroom!
Please check out what has occurred in the kitchen. Our space needs committee decided to move forward in consultation with the Building and Grounds Committee and contract a new RE classroom in relatively unused space in the kitchen. The preschool seems happy with the change, too. The nice work was done by Paul Nelson.
Benefit Concert for Chairs
The Music Director of the Andover UU Church is going to hold a benefit concert here on Saturday, February 28. Proceeds are going to be split between an Andover project (a new piano?), and our chair fund. We do not have details yet, but will send them out as soon as we can.
Spiritual Autobiography
Nine people have expressed an interest in the Spiritual Autobiography class. If there is further interest in taking this class, please let Mark know right away as we are trying to schedule dates. There will probably be four class sessions, with maybe a fifth to share writing. The content will be something of what he spoke about in his Sunday sermon on January 25 (see website) - Who were the mentors in your life, draw a spiritual road map of your life, what was your favorite childhood room, etc. The ultimate goal will be getting something down on paper, and hopefully sharing it. It should be interesting!
Broadway and Chocolate
Do you love singing great music and/or eating dessert? To fully celebrate Valentine's Day, the Parish Committee invites all to gather with friends on Saturday February 14th at 7:00pm - 8:30pm for an evening of merry-making and camaraderie. Guy Urban will accompany and we will bring along our favorite Broadway tunes to sing and enjoy. Please bring a dessert to share--chocolate or something else (for the non-chocolate eaters)? Parish Committee will provide drinks. This is pure fun and pleasure... and is a great remedy for the winter blues. Please mark your calendars and join us at FPW.
Flowers at First Parish
Beautify the Sunday services! Celebrate a special person or event in your life! There are opportunities to donate flowers for the chalice table on Sunday mornings. Please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Social Hall to sign-up.
Cape Cod Summer Rental (Wellfleet)
A wonderful opportunity for a quiet week or weekend retreat in a fully equipped single level Cape style home in Wellfleet. The house is located on the bayside and has a large deck overlooking the salt marsh. It sleeps 8 in three bedrooms and has 2 bathrooms. You can take advantage of beautiful Wellfleet beaches or the National Seashore with access to fishing, clamming, nature walks, whale watches, art galleries and more.
It is available in season and off season on a weekly or weekend basis Call Nancy Dutton or David Benson at 617-926-9254 or email:njdutton@comcast.net.
Massachusetts Bay District of UU Congregations @ Work
Listening for Strength in Our Congregations
by Rev. Sue Phillips, Acting Director of Program Development
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Appreciative Inquiry or other tools to help your congregation thrive
- see the Appreciative Inquiry Commons at http://appreciative inquiry.case.edu/
- contact Rev. Sue Phillips at sphillips@uua.org or 617-803-1116
When something is not quite working in our congregations (a conflict perhaps, or a troubled church program), we have a tendency to focus on what is going wrong. We attend to the sticking point, throwing resources of time, emotional energy, and sometimes money to address the problem. A quick look at most Board or Parish Committee agendas attest to the fact that Unitarian Universalists tend to be a problem-solving people! No matter how good we are at problem solving, though, we regularly miss opportunities to concentrate on what is going right.
Appreciative Inquiry is a strategy that helps us get out of this problem trap, and invites us to concentrate on our strengths. Instead of trying to fix what isn’t working, we turn our attention to doing more of what is already working well in our community. Appreciative Inquiry questions are always framed positively around affirmative topics. Questions like What do you value most about being part of our congregation? What do you think is making a positive difference in how we’re working together as a committee? When you are being your best self, what qualities do you bring to your church work?
Appreciative Inquiry is a creative way of asking questions that nurtures collaboration and builds community. The process of listening builds dynamic relationships that in turn strengthen the congregation and the people in it.
UPCOMING AT MASS BAY DISTRICT
-The Prophethood of All Believers: Sermon-Writing and Preaching for Lay People: February 21, 2009
-Lay Pastoral Care Teams Training: March 21, 2009
-Seeking Wholeness in a Fragmented World, Spring Conference and Annual Meeting: April 25, 2009
“Once you experience such an event, [you] … get a stronger appreciation for our faith and the community at large.”
(event participant)
www.mbduua.org / 617-393-4216
Arbella
February 2009
for events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, February 1, 2009 11:00 a.m.
“Risk Aversion” Mark W. Harris
A recent Parade Magazine headline story was “How to Survive the Worst.” While Parade hardly reflects my own philosophy, it does give us insight into popular culture. There is a prevalent fear of disasters, and the Miracle on the Hudson will probably exacerbate that. Should we be so scared all the time?
Greeters: Anne Harrington, Mike Schade
Social Hour: Kathy Button, Paul Montesino
Sunday, February 8 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
“If We Come From Apes, How Come Apes Are Still Around? Darwin at 200” Mark W. Harris
I saw this sign at a Building 19 (the kind of place that sells salvaged goods, etc.) the other day. On February 12 both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln celebrate 200th birthdays. How has Darwin influenced liberal religion?
FPW Choir sings; Story for all Ages
Greeters: Nancy Dutton and David Benson
Social Hour: Ken Repp & Chris Johnson
Sunday, February 15 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
Anniversary Sunday - “Rebels With a Cause” Mark W. Harris
In February First Parish marks its anniversary of becoming a Unitarian church (pre merger with the Universalists). This has often been a history Sunday for us. Today we will look at our heritage of going against the grain, even from the beginning in 1630. Are you antiauthority, and why?
Greeters: Jan Klein and Bobbie Brown
Social Hour: Tesi Kohlenberg & Tom Goodwillie
Sunday, February 22 , 2009 11:00 a.m.
Intergenerational Service- Heifer Project
This service will feature a special skit by our church school children. They are devoting the entire month of February to a special unit on the Heifer Project. Our charitable offering in February will also benefit Heifer. There will be a story, and some special fun music with Charlyn and Guy.
Greeters: Charmian Proskauer, Beth Parsons
Social Hour: Norah Mulvaney & Paul Day
Captain’s Log
There are two significant anniversaries this month on the same day. The birth days are February 12, and the individuals are Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln, both born two hundred years ago in 1809. Darwin had Unitarian connections, but was not one of us. His grandfather Erasmus Darwin was a Unitarian and part of the famous Lunar Society, which included Joseph Priestley, who discovered oxygen and was one of the founders of the Unitarian movement in England, and Josiah Wedgwood, the famous potter. Charles’ father and Erasmus son felt as though there was more social and religious clout if he became an Anglican. Not, wanting to be an outcast as a Unitarian, Charles’ father converted, and pressured Charles at one time to become a priest. But it was Charles’ voyage on the ship Beagle that gave us a scientific gift, The Origin of Species, that challenged all religious faiths. Religious groups have wrestled with evolution ever since. Unitarians and Universalists were among the first to embrace Darwin’s views, but it was not immediate, as the ideas revolutionized the way in which humanity conceived of creation and the development of the human species, and of course it challenged the Bible, too. The hierarchy of heaven began to fall thanks to Darwin. Unitarians and Universalist have always embraced scientific approaches to faith in our search for truth. I will preach about Darwin on
February 8.
We have already heard a great deal about Lincoln and his wholesale emulation and admiration by President Obama from words, to philosophy (Team of Rivals) even down to an historic train trip and the inaugural Bible (Judge Roberts better practice a little next time). Lincoln, the great liberator and savior of the union is a tough act to emulate. Lincoln’s religion is also tough to pinpoint. He attended some Universalist services, and he rejected the idea of hell, and also believed in providence and destiny. But he never had any denominational affiliation of any kind. We know his faith was deep, but it did not pass the test of orthodoxy. He objected to ceremonies and forms too much. He was influenced by the Unitarian preacher Theodore Parker who inspired him with a variation on the phrase “ government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Obama has UU connections, too. I had read in the paper that Obama’s grandmother’s memorial service was held in the UU Church in Honolulu, but had not seen any details until our former intern Sue Kingman sent along her church newsletter where she quoted the Honolulu minister Mike Young at length. It seems than many years ago Obama’s grandmother had brought him through the doors of her UU church, and he attended there some. Now in death, he returned there to uphold and declare his family’s gratitude for her life, and what she had given to them. There was much secretiveness about where the service would be held, and high level security at the church in the days prior to the service.
When I was a boy I was always concerned that Washington’s Birthday was a holiday, but Lincoln’s was not. My brother especially lobbied for this at home, since February 12 was his birthday, too, and he wanted a special holiday. Despite my brother, the little historian in me believed our greatest president deserved this celebration as much as the initial holder of the office. With President’s Day we have recognized both, but in other ways have lost the distinctiveness of the two days. In school I learned lots of heroic myths about both of them such as walking miles to return a book, and the infamous cherry tree and the refusal to lie. They were stories that made me patriotic in my own way, even as this love for our country and its history was challenged with the Vietnam War and racial strife. It is exciting and inspiring when it feels like our country is trying to live up to its founding and guiding principles.
Darwin loomed large in my brother’s studies, as he became a biologist. Unfortunately, a family squabble over my father’s will led to his rejection of the entire family, including me. I have tried a couple of times over the years to settle this. One of our members shared a story about reconciliation with his sister in joys and sorrows. It inspired me to think that perhaps it is time for me to try again. Darwin's ideas form the basis for most biological thinking today. But on a human level his ideas also reminds us of how short our time is, and how much we need one another. Anniversaries of famous figures remind us of how important people were in the development of history, and birthdays reminds us of those who we once spoke to every day, and now perhaps, don’t speak to at all. As this birthday approaches, it would be good to end, at least a little, some of this winter of discontent. Happy Birthday to Charles and Abraham, and, to my brother, too, wherever he is.
Mark
Among Us
Our Deepest Sympathy to Chuck Dickinson, at the death of his mother. He and Lynn recently atttended a memorial in California.
Healing thoughts to Paul Day, who fell on the ice and suffered a badly broken leg. This necessitated the postponing of Comedy Night for now.
Helen Wait, a long term member of First Parish, died on January 12, 2009. There will be a memorial service at FPW on Feb. 28. If you wish to send a card, expressions of condolence can go to her daughter who lives in Sudbury. Her daughter is:
Cathy Manwaring
46 Massasoit Ave.
Sudbury, MA 01776
Congratulations to Missy and Bob Shay who became grandparents again. Bella Korinne Shay was born on January 17, 2009. Mother and daughter are home and Keith and Kymani are enjoying having them there.
New members -
A warm welcome to new members who were voted in by the Parish Committee:
Victoria Grafflin-Conway, Michael Conway and Connie Wilson.
Religious Education
Faith, Hope and Clarity…
Can you believe it? Can you believe that it has been six months since I began my journey here with you all at First Parish as your new DRE. Beginning in a position as a first time DRE is a bit like going out on a blind date. It begins with cautious interest, not quite certain what to expect, a bit shy at first then we extend the sweaty palms of fellowship take a deep breath and begin. For me the first few months have been a whirlwind of getting to know the individuals who are First Parish Watertown, a work in progress I might add. I am impressed with those who I have gotten to know and grateful to have so many gracious and dedicated people with whom to collaborate on the work of religious education. I have faith, faith that if I put forth my best efforts that others will do so as well. With faith, together we can continue to grow and to find meaningful ways in which to better understand and connect with our own and with our children’s spiritual lives.
So now, well under way I am bursting with hope. I hope that I will be able to encourage and support those who already give their time and talents to RE as well as to those individuals who are uncertain about where and how they might support the RE work of this community. I for one am riding the current of hope - hope, which has so recently invigorated and charged our entire nation. The call to volunteerism is not just a slogan for the media it is a vaccine for entropy, a cure for ennui. Here at First Parish we are so fortunate for there is an opportunity to volunteer every week! Every week at First Parish we need people willing to try, to take that leap of faith and help out in an RE classroom or program. Ah, that old soapbox of mine!
I have been at First Parish long enough to have made my first mistakes - the pathway of learning and growth! From these first miss-steps I have gained some clarity. I know that communication is vital, and now I am aware that some of the most important work which I can do to support this community is to provide clarity; to communicate in a regular and consistent way. I currently update the RE portion of the First Parish Web Page weekly, this is a good place to begin to look for information.. I check my First Parish email account (drewatertown@yahoo.com) daily, but often do not immediately reply to messages. I will always reply to messages on Monday evening, Wednesday morning, Friday during the day, and Saturday during the day. If you are expecting an email reply these would be the times to look. I can be reached at my home phone number, (781) 863-1319, but I am often not at home. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I am able. I am not available at First Parish during the week.
Important update: Karen Allendoerfer and Kelly Morton have both stepped down as co-chairs of the RE committee. I thank Karen and Kelly for their work during a challenging time of transition. Both Karen and Kelly will continue on the RE committee. Tom Goodwillie has agreed to step up to chair the committee. Thank you Tom for your generosity and compassion.
Coming up in February! The Heifer Project International: February 1 -22nd
I am excited to report that the children and youth of First Parish will begin a four week social action term on Sunday, February 1st. We will be learning about the work of The Heifer Project International. During structured workshop time, the children and youth will be making various items which they will sell at fellowship hour on February 22nd to help to raise funds for the Heifer Project. The offering on February 22nd will be donated to Heifer International as well. Then on Friday, March 27th come join together as the Youth Group presents a dinner to raise funds on behalf of Heifer International. Please come on down and check out what we are doing!
In faith, hope and clarity!
Namaste (The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you)
Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
Musically Speaking……
by Charlyn Bethell
One thing that unites us at First Parish is our singing hymns at a church service. Even people who choose not to sing enjoy and benefit from the singing of hymns. Some churches have organ or electric keyboard accompaniment with or without drums and bass. Some people move to the music by clapping and swaying to the beats.
I have been reading articles about congregational singing. I am learning about the different ways that congregations sing at a church service. Traditionally, we stand and read the words and music together in a song we might remember singing some other time. For some of us, singing hymns in a church service is the only time in the week that we sing. Singing hymns in at church can be an experience that can leave us feeling spiritually whole. Church services would not be complete without hymn singing. We love singing hymns. My father grew up with traditional Baptist hymns that he loved and I often fell asleep to the sound of him playing those treasured tunes by ear on his little chord organ.
Our songs define us. The melodies and words meld together to create moments of beauty that enhance our lives. I have been discovering how much our minister loves our hymns. I did not know that he carefully keeps track of how many times we sing each hymn! Sometimes, as we discuss coming church services, he can’t contain himself and breaks into song! As the great Hungarian composer, Zoltan Kodaly, has said, “Rhythm develops attention, concentration, determination and the ability to condition oneself. Melody opens up the world of emotions. Dynamic variation and tone color sharpen our hearing. Singing, finally, is such a many-sided physical activity that its effect is immeasurable—if there is perhaps anyone to whom the spirit does not matter.”
I notice that some people in our congregation sing harmony in the hymns as we sing them on Sunday. I have heard it said that people who sit close to such singers really enjoy being next to them. Some people start singing some songs spontaneously in canon. Last week, people who were so moved, started clapping with a song. I applaud people who lose themselves in a song and need to move or clap as the spirit moves them. I love the confidence and exuberance they radiate.
I am hoping that we keep reaching out for diversity in our shared singing. Those who know the words to the chorus of a song might try putting their hymnal aside and move or clap to the song. Of course, we will need to know the song very well to do that. Maybe we should have occasional weeks that we sing through the hymns prior to the service. Perhaps we find out which are our favorite hymns and sing them all at a special service. We might need some more services with percussion instruments available to us to use to accompany our common singing. However YOU are comfortable singing, let us continue to do that but also give permission to others to go beyond the usual.
Please let me hear from you about how we can all be involved even more in our singing hymns together at church. We sing for the songs and for the singing and for our spirits, individually and collectively. Let us be ready to let it all hang out as we come together with our songs and our singing.
Serving a Meal to the Needy
On Friday evening, February 27, First Parish has committed to serving dinner to the needy at the Arlington Street Church on Boston. The program is run by the Friday Night Supper Program, and has been in place since 1984. Dinner is from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., and volunteers are needed. The Coming of Age group will be participating, but we need many adult volunteers as well. If you are able to help, contact Mark Harris.
The mission of the Friday Night Supper Program is to provide a warm nutritious meal to anyone in need in a safe and dignified environment every Friday night. Approximately 150 people attend. The guests come from different backgrounds and may include those coping with AIDS, mental illness, or substance abuse; the elderly; the disabled; abused women; homeless individuals; and those who are jobless, minimally employed, or living below the poverty level. All who come are served, no questions asked. The program prides itself on providing not only nourishment for the body thorough food but also nourishment for the soul through dignity and respect. For more information, visit their website at www.fridaynightsupper.org.
Request from Finance Committee
If you made a pledge for the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year, you are probably receiving a letter from First Parish this week thanking you and telling you how much is left on your pledge. This time of year is a bit of a juggling feat for FPW. Our fiscal year ends on 3/31 and we’d like to have an excellent idea of how we are going to end the year by 3/1. If you can complete your pledge payment by 2/28, that is a significant help to us in our budget planning for next year.
2009 Canvass Kick-Off: “Yes! U Can!”
For some, it has seemed this year that each day has brought news of some new down-turn – in the world economy, in the US image abroad, in our citizens’ ability to lead quality lives… Many in our community have been affected by illness and lay-offs. Some days, cheeriness has been in short supply.
But then, we had Sundays with Joys and Sorrows… We have had a church community that has held us up. In December’s sharing of faith, Celeste Oliva described the community of First Parish. She spoke movingly of selflessness and giving in times of others’ stress, of the goodness of others’ hearts that makes her grateful to be a part of this community.
The Canvass for 2009 – 2010 is borrowing an oft-used phrase from the summer and fall. “Yes! U Can!” rejoices in the themes of sustainability, nurturing and hope that we share as a spiritual community. We can give to one another. We can hold each other up. We can keep our church strong and continue to build it through times of strife and gladness so generations to come can experience the same coming together for love, sharing and support. We minister to one another every time we listen… every time we open our hearts. These actions change the world.
The “Yes! U Can” canvass is for all friends and members of First Parish to help in the ongoing life of the church for the fiscal year 2009 – 2010. Stay tuned to the “Arbella”, your email, church announcements, your phone for more information on how you can be involved! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any member of the Finance Committee: Michael Collins, Paul Dansereau, Carole Katz, John Portz, Bob Shay, or Beth Tappan-deFrees.
Let the 2009 Canvass begin !
It is time again to turn our attention to the need to support and sustain First Parish as an active, thriving community through our commitment of financial resources. Canvass also provides an occasion for us all to consider what First Parish means to each of us, what our goals should be going forward, and how best to achieve them.
Here is the basic schedule:
1 February Information
An informal session with Finance Committee members after church (more can be scheduled if needed)
1 March Canvass Sunday
Mark Harris will help U feel optimistic
8 March Canvass Skit Sunday
Paul Day will be back on his feet (!)
4 – 14 March Canvass Dinners
See details below
4 April Annual Dinner & Show
See details below
26 April Annual Meeting 12:30; lunch will be served;
meeting details to follow
Canvass Dinners
Each year during canvass season, we hold a series of Canvass potluck dinners hosted by various members at their homes (and 2 at the church social hall), where you can enjoy each other’s company, share your experiences and ideas, and sample some fine food (true UU communion!). These dinners are pot luck, so you can bring your own favorite dish to share or consult with your host to coordinate as you like.
We hope these dinners will promote your renewed commitment to First Parish and encourage you to make a financial pledge in support of the church for the coming year’s programs and operations At each dinner we will have a fellow church member to facilitate discussions. Towards the end of the dinner event you are asked to fill out a pledge card or make another indication of your interest in support of First Parish. The Canvass Dinners have been quite successful and provided enjoyable occasions for many of our members to refresh and make new connections with First Parish.
We have scheduled Canvass Dinners on a number of different dates with a view to making it possible for you to attend and participate. Here is the current schedule:
Date Time
Place & Host TBD except where noted
Wednesday 4 March 7 - 9
Thursday 5 March 7 - 9
Friday 6 March 7 - 9
Saturday 7 March 6 - 8 FPW Social Hall, child care provided
Wednesday 1 1 March 7 - 9
Thursday 12 March 7 - 9
Friday 13 March 7 - 9
Saturday 14 March 6 – 8 FPW Social Hall, child care provided
We are grateful to those church members who have offered to host a dinner at their homes already and are still looking to fill a few slots. So for the rest of us, all that is left to do is to sign up, show up and participate!
To reserve your dinner spot, contact John Portz at jportz@rcn.com to indicate which dinner you can attend. Please do not contact the hosts directly at this time.
Annual Dinner & Show
We will conclude our pledging season and celebrate by gathering together for The First Parish Annual Dinner & Show on Saturday 4 April at the church. This will be a full-scale pot-luck dinner (no leftovers!) with featured entertainment and skits from many talented and lively members and friends of the First Parish community. Isabel Tappan-deFrees izzyt@rcn.com will be organizing the Talent Show, so start planning your fantastic presentation!
Things to do:
- Check your calendars today and reserve the dates.
- Select a Canvass Dinner that best suits your schedule and contact John Portz
jportz@rcn.com to reserve a spot for yourself.
- Think about your connection and commitment to The First Parish of Watertown and get ready to engage with your fellow members of
the congregation.
February's GIVING BOX
...Consider the animals...
We know the need is overwhelming for "people" food--but--what about the need for "domestic animal" food? We posed this question to several non-profit organizations in our area and much to our surprise the answer was--"Yes, Oh! yes--the need is great--but we have not set up a formal animal food pantry--we do not have the space or people to staff it."
...and so, the Giving Box for February will: "begin at the very beginning." We contacted the Merwin Animal Clinic in Brighton/Allston, MA, a non-profit organization that was begun in 1926 by Peter Simpson who started treating horses when owners could not afford the services of established large animal vets. In the 1930's, Harriet Byrd, a local humanitarian, went about gathering funding to treat household pets, namely cats and dogs, from families who could ill afford to provide care for them and thus the Merwin Animal Clinic began and has been providing services to needy families with the kind and expert donation of time from local veterinarians. The animals are treated without set fees. One gives what one can to pay for the care of their pets.
Once again, we're asking our FPW family, friends and youngsters to 'step up to the plate(s)' and fill them with a variety of canned dog and cat food and boxes/bags of dry food also. Search about at home for old/used towels/blankets and bring these also--household pets need them for warmth and snuggle-time. Debra Z, the DRE, may ask church teens to organize a one day town-wide drive to augment the February Giving Box efforts for domestic pets...asking the Watertown Community at large to bring pet food/towels and blankets to FPW on a designated Saturday. The Giving Box is indeed a church-wide effort and can be an impetus to the town to be aware of basic needs of pets who remain dear to family's hearts even in time of financial stress.
We are also asking our church school youngsters and teens (and adults also) to help us with pictures/drawings of your own cats and dogs so that we can display them during February as 'gentle' Giving Box reminders. (**If you do not have a cat or dog, please make a drawing of ones you particularly like---or have cared about in your past**).
We'll end our Giving Box article with a 'commercial ditty' to help remind you to shop for our four-legged pals..."Meow-Meow-Meow-Meow"--"Woof-Woof-Woof-Woof"--- AND..the ever-popular: "How much is that doggy/kitty in the window?--The one with the waggity tail---We know they'll appreciate your shopping--Their food is always on sale!!!!!"We thank you, as always.
Jill Shaw and Barbara Farrell
Personal Green Experience
"The ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet," said President Obama in his inaugural address. His solution: "We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age."
I have heard that an estimated 5 billion people (in some way) heard what our new President of the United States said. There is an estimated 6.7 billion people on the planet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Clearly the planet is interested in what he has to say.
How is this personal to me? Well, Anna and I were invited to visit some friends, who live in the Washington DC area during the time of the inauguration. We accepted and proceeded south early Saturday morning. When we arrived in DC, there was an excitement in the air. Everywhere you looked, there were Obama images and slogans from his campaign. “Yes we can” and “Yes we did” were some of the more prominent ones. Every one was speaking of the history of the moment and how optimistic they were of America’s future under the expected new leadership of this person who inspires and promotes hope.
I feel as I’ve been working (along with many others) against the tide to help make human existence on planet Earth sustainable. As you all know by now, Americans are some of the least efficient users of natural resources around, but perhaps this will all change. When I heard “we will harness the sun and the winds,” I was reassured that we will no longer be working against our government, at least not as much as we had been for the past 8 years. I am invigorated to continue my efforts in the difficult work ahead to help realize the vision of a sustainable existence!
Mike Anctil, Green Sanctuary (GS) committee member dma02155@comcast.net
(617) 744-0454
Look for upcoming announcements in the near future of how you can get involved in the efforts of the Green Sanctuary Committee. Our activities will be featured in an upcoming Sunday Service, citing some successes and hopefully encourage you to get more involved.
Charitable offerings
Our FPW members and friends have been very generous in their gifts to organizations we have chosen to receive charitable offerings. Our UU Service Committee final total was higher than we reported last month. Final total was yet another all time high: $1,837.00. Our January offering for the Watertown Family Network was $470.00. The director, Arlene Smith was in church on January 25 to say a few words about the program of the Network. Our offering in February will benefit the Heifer Project, which is an RE focus for the entire month. As always, all loose cash received that day, and checks made out to the Heifer Project will go to the Heifer Project. Any checks made out to First Parish will count towards pledges.
Pageant Pictures
If you would like to see Solstice/Christmas pageant pictures from December 21, 2008. They have been uploaded to our website to a Picasa album by Kyle Hart. Please visit the members page, and check them out through that link (user:fpwatertown; password:arbella). These are the photos by Isabel Tappan-deFrees. Thanks to Kyle and Izzy.
New RE Classroom!
Please check out what has occurred in the kitchen. Our space needs committee decided to move forward in consultation with the Building and Grounds Committee and contract a new RE classroom in relatively unused space in the kitchen. The preschool seems happy with the change, too. The nice work was done by Paul Nelson.
Benefit Concert for Chairs
The Music Director of the Andover UU Church is going to hold a benefit concert here on Saturday, February 28. Proceeds are going to be split between an Andover project (a new piano?), and our chair fund. We do not have details yet, but will send them out as soon as we can.
Spiritual Autobiography
Nine people have expressed an interest in the Spiritual Autobiography class. If there is further interest in taking this class, please let Mark know right away as we are trying to schedule dates. There will probably be four class sessions, with maybe a fifth to share writing. The content will be something of what he spoke about in his Sunday sermon on January 25 (see website) - Who were the mentors in your life, draw a spiritual road map of your life, what was your favorite childhood room, etc. The ultimate goal will be getting something down on paper, and hopefully sharing it. It should be interesting!
Broadway and Chocolate
Do you love singing great music and/or eating dessert? To fully celebrate Valentine's Day, the Parish Committee invites all to gather with friends on Saturday February 14th at 7:00pm - 8:30pm for an evening of merry-making and camaraderie. Guy Urban will accompany and we will bring along our favorite Broadway tunes to sing and enjoy. Please bring a dessert to share--chocolate or something else (for the non-chocolate eaters)? Parish Committee will provide drinks. This is pure fun and pleasure... and is a great remedy for the winter blues. Please mark your calendars and join us at FPW.
Flowers at First Parish
Beautify the Sunday services! Celebrate a special person or event in your life! There are opportunities to donate flowers for the chalice table on Sunday mornings. Please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Social Hall to sign-up.
Cape Cod Summer Rental (Wellfleet)
A wonderful opportunity for a quiet week or weekend retreat in a fully equipped single level Cape style home in Wellfleet. The house is located on the bayside and has a large deck overlooking the salt marsh. It sleeps 8 in three bedrooms and has 2 bathrooms. You can take advantage of beautiful Wellfleet beaches or the National Seashore with access to fishing, clamming, nature walks, whale watches, art galleries and more.
It is available in season and off season on a weekly or weekend basis Call Nancy Dutton or David Benson at 617-926-9254 or email:njdutton@comcast.net.
Massachusetts Bay District of UU Congregations @ Work
Listening for Strength in Our Congregations
by Rev. Sue Phillips, Acting Director of Program Development
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Appreciative Inquiry or other tools to help your congregation thrive
- see the Appreciative Inquiry Commons at http://appreciative inquiry.case.edu/
- contact Rev. Sue Phillips at sphillips@uua.org or 617-803-1116
When something is not quite working in our congregations (a conflict perhaps, or a troubled church program), we have a tendency to focus on what is going wrong. We attend to the sticking point, throwing resources of time, emotional energy, and sometimes money to address the problem. A quick look at most Board or Parish Committee agendas attest to the fact that Unitarian Universalists tend to be a problem-solving people! No matter how good we are at problem solving, though, we regularly miss opportunities to concentrate on what is going right.
Appreciative Inquiry is a strategy that helps us get out of this problem trap, and invites us to concentrate on our strengths. Instead of trying to fix what isn’t working, we turn our attention to doing more of what is already working well in our community. Appreciative Inquiry questions are always framed positively around affirmative topics. Questions like What do you value most about being part of our congregation? What do you think is making a positive difference in how we’re working together as a committee? When you are being your best self, what qualities do you bring to your church work?
Appreciative Inquiry is a creative way of asking questions that nurtures collaboration and builds community. The process of listening builds dynamic relationships that in turn strengthen the congregation and the people in it.
UPCOMING AT MASS BAY DISTRICT
-The Prophethood of All Believers: Sermon-Writing and Preaching for Lay People: February 21, 2009
-Lay Pastoral Care Teams Training: March 21, 2009
-Seeking Wholeness in a Fragmented World, Spring Conference and Annual Meeting: April 25, 2009
“Once you experience such an event, [you] … get a stronger appreciation for our faith and the community at large.”
(event participant)
www.mbduua.org / 617-393-4216
January 2009 Newsletter-Arbella
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
January 2009
for list of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“The God of Loneliness” Mark W. Harris
“I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him.” I am strangely compelled by this line, which begins a recent book by Julian Barnes about his attempt to address his fear of death. I will address that subject at a later date, but in this sermon want to look at my ongoing wrestling match with God.
Music: Cody Urban (keyboard) and Chris Pham (guitar) will be assisting with music.
Greeters: Jeanne and Barry Greess
Social Hour: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Prayer for Non-believers” Andrea Greenwood
Do you have to believe in supernatural powers in order to believe in prayer? Do you have to believe in prayer to practice it, or experience it unbidden? As the title hints, I am not much of a believer in prayer, at least in any traditional sense, but I find myself being fairly disciplined in certain practices. I am interested in what this means -- not about me! -- but for liberal religious people who are rational, empathic, and human -- and rely on a kind of consistency in order to feel we have integrity. I pray that I will see you in church!
Greeters: Michael McCarthy and Eileen Ryan
Social Hour: Wendell Refior and Sue Demb
Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Race and Family” Mark W. Harris
Barack Obama is about to be inaugurated as the first African American President of the USA. This momentous event moves us all to reflect on how racism has affected our family lives and our culture.
Greeters: Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Social Hour: Julie Miller and Paul Dansereau
Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Walking Through Many Lives” Mark W. Harris
Stanley Kunitz’s poem, “The Layers” begins “I have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and I am not who I was . . . “ In February I will invite interested members to participate in composing their own spiritual autobiography in a four session class. What brings us to points of spiritual transition in our lives?
Music: Chris Joliffe, singer/songwriter
Greeters: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Social Hour: Elizabeth Strekalovsky and Brian Hebeisen
Captain’s Log
The end of the year is often marked by these “Best Of” lists. First we have the best books just in time for holiday purchases. I always scan these books to see if there are any novels to add to my list to give to Andrea, and the nonfiction books to add to the list I give to Andrea to purchase for me. You can see I am not big on surprises! After the books come the CDs about which I am woefully ignorant, and the movies, which I pine to see, but usually do not, except for the computer animated and younger teen type films. I don’t think any parishioners do a best of worship services list, although sometimes the music is especially great, and sometimes the sermon seems better than usual.
While I have some sermons I like better than others, the response I receive is sometimes markedly different than my own. Sometimes I am surprised that a sermon gets a better response than I expected, and other times people are not moved by something I thought was pretty good. It is an interesting challenge trying to meet the different spiritual needs of people who “have walked through many lives.”
There are a couple of things that are true for me that I have found to be good lessons for my life. First, “good, better, best” all seem to dissolve instantly, as I tend to forget a sermon as soon as it is delivered. While I may have thought about a topic literally for months, once it has spilled out onto the page, and been laid on the altar of your ears, minds and hearts, it is gone. In that sense it is not like a permanent piece, even though the printed version stays on our website for years. A sermon is meant to be a momentary reflection and experience of feeling about life that is expressed and gone. There is some message there about living the experience rather than copying it or taking a picture of it. Sermons are really meant to be heard in the moment, and not meant to be read for all time. There is something vital here about having an experience, and then letting it go.
Second, there is often a tension between ritual and newness that I struggle with. In past years I had usually alternated a series of Christmas Eve services that were mostly my own story versions of characters who appear in the birth stories of Jesus - shepherd, inn keeper, Joseph. This year, while trying to keep the Christmas story central, I related a more personal experience that brought in the significance of the animals in the story. One of my sons said it was a good story, but a little long. Long is often a problem of mine, perhaps because I cannot settle between newness and ritual. Sometimes in my own struggle to be good enough in my own mind, I always try to share something new, and yet Christmas Eve is a reminder that even liberals who are always craving what is new, really need our share of ritual, too.
As a boy my family never went to church on Christmas Eve. We had our own traditions at home, and perhaps even believed that it was some Catholic thing that happened at the stroke of midnight. We went to church on Sundays, and certainly not after dark. Yet as an adult I have never missed Christmas Eve. Of course its depth of meaning for me has nothing to do with the newness of what I might create, but rather the entire community standing with lighted candles in a darkened room and singing Silent Night. When I conducted a wedding service for Sandra Erickson (Joanna’s daughter) last summer, she mentioned Christmas Eve as the most significant religious experience she had had, and wanted to replicate a candle lighting in her wedding service. We ended up incorporating such a ritual. I suppose it all comes back to the fact that we are human, and need comfort and sameness jut as much as anybody else. These two things teach us that we simply need to know when to hold on, and when to let go, and both have their place.
The balance I need in my job is a reflection of the balance we need in our lives between sameness and change. I hope amid the usual present buying and visiting relatives that you had some time of comfort and relaxation. I am enjoying the simple pleasure of sleeping in a little, as there is no 6:00 a.m. wake up call for a couple of weeks to get up with children. Thank you all for your holidays wishes to our family. We are all hopeful that there will be signals of change in our world in the months and years ahead. Happy New Year!
Mark
Among Us
Our deepest sympathy to Chuck Dickinson whose mother died recently in California.
A warm welcome to Genia Lenz and Melissa Thompson were welcomed in as new members on December 7. (Bios are below)
A spring date of May 17 was set for our next New Member Welcome. At least four new members could not be here for the December welcome, and three others have signed intent to join forms since, so we should have a substantial group by May (healing thoughts to Ginger Burns for her broken foot!). If you are interested in officially joining the church, please see Mark Harris, or fill out a yellow card found in the pamphlet rack in the front lobby of the church.
New Member Bio’s
Here are the new members we welcomed in December. Be sure to say hello!
Genia Lenz
I was born and raised in New Jersey. I graduated from Providence College in 1979 and started moving North from there. I settled in Watertown over 20 years ago. I have a 10-year old daughter, Melanie, who attends the Lowell School. I am a laboratory manager at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I am joining First Parish because I feel very welcome and appreciate the openness of the congregation. I have found the community for which I have been looking and look forward to serving.
Melissa Thompson
I was born in Manchester CT, the youngest of 4 children and the only girl. . I went to college at the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1993 with a degree in Human Development and Family Relations. I worked for 7 years in special education and then went back to school in 2002 and graduated from Wheelock College with a Master’s in Social Work. I am currently working in the field of Early Intervention in Woburn.
In 2006 my daughter, Josie was born and she is the reason that I am excited about joining First Parish. I was raised a Catholic and while I may not agree with some aspects of Catholicism, I appreciate the sense of community and purpose that attending church provided me. I
have enjoyed the services over the last few months and am excited to become a part of this community and raise Josie as a UU.
New Music Directors
It is with great joy that we announce the appointment of Charlyn Bethel as Music Director, and Guy Urban as accompanist for First Parish. For some years we have benefited from their active and generous participation in the life of First Parish, and more recently they have worked in these positions in an interim capacity, after our long term music director, Patty DeVore resigned. Now we are pleased to say that Charlyn and Guy will be the permanent holders of these positions giving us a wonderful music ministry for many years to come. We are excited to have them with us.
Lay Service
A special thanks to those members of FPW who shared their own spiritual journeys on December 7 - Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva and Johanna Swift Hart. Thanks also to Djalai Babazadeh for leading the service.
Christmas Events
Thanks to Guy and Charlyn for hosting us for a post caroling get together on December 20. We had fun singing at Brigham House, and being together afterwards. Thanks to all who helped make for a successful pageant on a very snowy day, December 21. We had lots of good singing, clear and loud readers, and a very special sword dance. Great costumes and decorations from Debra, too. On Christmas Eve we had a full house for the first service, and a good number at the second service, too. Special thanks to our choir members - Guy and Charlyn, Michael and Marianne and Eric, who were willing to sing for both services. Thanks to all our choir members for your efforts.
Musically Speaking
By Charlyn Bethell
I begin the New Year as Director of Music at First Parish, with my husband Guy Urban as resident pianist/accompanist. I am excited and honored to serve in this position, and I would like to share with you some of my thoughts about the importance of music in my life, and about my vision of music at First Parish.
As a child I danced and sang almost every day. Because my family was not musical, I did so alone. I studied piano, clarinet, and then oboe in school, and I played in band from middle school all the way through five years of college. Playing music was not just a hobby; it has become over time a central focus of my life.
Acknowledging the importance of music in my life does not mean that I view my music as a “finished product,” but rather as a process that is always evolving. Music is not about being perfect. We should always strive to sing or play better, but setting a standard of perfection distracts us from what really matters: sharing the experience with others, growing in self-confidence, feeling that we have done our best "in the moment". Public performance is exciting and fulfilling, but is not an end unto itself. Music-making as a broader activity and process enriches our lives in many other ways: it leads us to be our personal best selves; it brings us together as a community; it helps us feel renewed spiritually in an inward sense, and at the same time can show us our communal potential so as to become a driving force politically.
In January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. This reminds me of the inspirational work done by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, both pioneers in the jazz movement in this country. Although African-American musicians are honored and acknowledged today, it is important to remember that Louis Armstrong's genius as a performer was instrumental in making that happen. Similarly, Duke Ellington overcame low expectations of African-American composers by working to compose an ever more polished and sophisticated repertoire of music; at the same time he benefited from his "outsider" status to combine musical sounds in a way that no one had conceived of before. Our culture has gained immeasurably from these artists, both because they showed the unique characteristics that African-Americans could bring to the table, and because they demonstrated that in the end each individual person has something to offer, regardless of their race or background. (It is worth noting that Duke Ellington preferred the term "American music" to "jazz" in describing his music.) These truths continue to resonate up to the present day, a day in which Americans have elected their first black president. The choir plans to sing some music by African-American composers, including Ellington, in the coming months.
This month, Guy and I are working to create an FPW music website so we can all share in the music around us here at First Parish. We will provide information about choir rehearsals and performances, and publicize important musical events. We eventually hope to post audio files and practice aids. We will let you know when we are up and running on this.
Remember that each of you makes a positive difference in our musical world at church.
Happy New Year!
Guest at Your Table Totals/ January Charitable Offering
Our Guest at Your Table collections were a wonderful all time high of $1,777. This includes contributions made to the boxes, and the Christmas Eve offering. Thank you for your great generosity in these difficult economic times. Our charitable offering on January 18th will be for the Watertown Family Network, an organization that sponsors wonderful programs for children, but has experienced severe budget cuts this year.
The Story of Your Life
Mark Harris will be leading a Spiritual Autobiography course in February and March, two nights each month for a total of four nights. This course will be based on Dan Wakefield’s “The Story of Your Life: Writing a Spiritual Autobiography.” There will be an organizational meeting for this class on Sunday, January 25 after church to determine interest. Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of my life? Taking time to answer these questions, which often linger unexamined at the back of our minds, can be the first step to new growth, healing and maturity. Mark prefers to meet on Sunday nights, but is open to other options.
2nd Annual Comedy Night
Mark your calendars for the Second Annual FPW Comedy Night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. This will be a great night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul Day says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Refreshments will be available. This is a benefit for the FPW Chair Fund.
Religious Education Debra Zagaeski, DRE
Season of Indulgence…the word Indulgence comes to us from the Latin indulgentia, to be kind or tender. It came to express the kindness and mercy of God, and the full or partial remission of sin, granted for good works and prayer. Indulgence may also bring to mind the act of indulging one-self, fulfilling a desire, instant gratification, and satisfaction. We have just completed the season of indulgence in both senses: a time defined by the expression of kindness, tenderness and mercy as well as a time replete with the fulfillment of material desire. The New Years ritual of looking back and looking forward affords us all the opportunity to reflect and to change. We “resolve” to learn from our mistakes to become better people and to do good works in the year to come. On that note of resolve I suggest that we all have the opportunity to help our children and youth at First Parish explore what good work we can accomplish together in the New Year. VOLUNTEERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED FOR ALL OF THE RE CLASSES! The religious education at First Parish is dependent upon members of the congregation for its volunteer teachers. If you are considering volunteering in an RE classroom and would like more information contact me:
Debra Zagaeski, DRE.
JANUARY RE TRAINING AND WORKSHOP: The RE program is offering a workshop on Saturday, January 10th from 10-12. The workshop will focus on the “spirit play” curriculum, classroom management and welcoming children and working with children with special needs. Everyone is welcome to attend, PLEASE JOIN US!
In February the RE program will begin a Social Action mini term focusing on world hunger. We will be focusing on the work of Heifer Project International, with the “Fill the Ark” project.
Since 1944 Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in more than 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture. The impact of each initial gift is multiplied as recipients agree to pass on the gift by giving one or more of their animal’s offspring, or the equivalent, to another in need.
The Heifer mini term will consist of one introductory week, two weeks of mixed age project oriented groups, and one week in which the children may present the Heifer project to the congregation. The children and youth will choose which workshop station in which they would like to participate. *Our youngest children (The Rainbow Seekers) will continue to meet in the regular classroom space, and share Heifer Project related projects and stories.
I would especially like to encourage members of First Parish who have not had the opportunity to work with our children and youth to consider helping with one of these project groups, all others are welcome as well! Come and share your talents, we will need many helping hands and hearts! The ongoing groups will be divided as follow:
1. A cooking group. The children and youth will be making granola, soup and a sweet treat. (They will sell these items during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
2. A woodworking group. The children and youth will design and create backyard birdfeeders. (They will sell raffle tickets for these during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
3. A fiber arts group. The children and youth will learn about spinning wool into yarn and learn to knit/finger - knit.
4. Heifer Project presentation performance. The children and youth will create a simple theatre performance to inform the congregation about Heifer Project.
5. Each week there will also be a simple craft workshop with paper, markers, crayons, and pictures to color.
Wishing you all the promise of a New Year, may it unfold before you in beauty and peace!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
The Giving Box
Happiness is to take up the struggle in the midst of the raging storm and not to pluck the lute in the moonlight or recite poetry among
the blossoms. Ding Ling 1942
....to all of us who are a part of the FPW community: Happy 2009!
Your holiday efforts to bring gifts to the children and families being assisted by the Growth and Development Clinic of the Boston Medical Center were VERY SUCCESSFUL!! 126 gifts were delivered to a VERY GRATEFUL staff the week before Christmas. While your gift tags decorated our sanctuary tree, your caring generosity brought some light into the lives of children who suffer. You were part of the sparkle of Santa...for children who live in a drearier world than the politicians in Washington care to acknowledge. The staff, including Deborah Frank, MD who began the Growth Clinic; thank you sincerely and by extension the children do, too.
The Giving Box in January will continue its focus on the Growth and Development Clinic. This month, we will be collecting food and related products for undernourished children and their families. ( A guide list is appended to this article)
The number of families forced to make wrenching decisions about whether to pay for fuel or food (known as "heat or eat syndrome") has increased significantly this year. The Boston Medical Center Preventive Food Pantry supports families with groceries and utility assistance. We have decided to direct our January's congregational efforts to collecting food for this specialized Food Pantry. All families using the Preventive Food Pantry are referred by social agencies, schools, or the medical community.
Please remember that the Pantry is not supported by insurances or any government programs. The average referral age is much younger than in the past. The children are more acutely ill than ever. The waiting time has been reduced from 3-4 months to 1-2 weeks because of increased donations to the Pantry. That reduction in wait time was before the current devastation to our national economy. The at risk children are increasing in number--and have an increasing need for food as families become more stressed--just as the donations of food are decreasing. This is an unfair balance in unfair times which we here at FPW can influence----together: a pound//a can//a package combined will make a significant difference.
Preventive Food Pantry Needs
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Baby Food (Stage 1 & 2)
Infant Cereal (rice, oatmeal, barley, mixed)
Small boxes of Cheerios (individual serving size)
Flintstones Complete (chewable vitamins)
Poly Vi Sol with iron liquid vitamins
Graham Crackers
Rice
Enriched Pastas
Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
Vegetable Oil // Corn Oil
Mayonnaise (not Lite)
Salad Dressing (not Lite)
Thick Canned Stews
Canned Ravioli
Canned Spaghetti
Canned Beans (NOT green beans)
Canned Corn
Tuna Fish in Oil
Canned Fruits in heavy syrup
Dried Fruit
Raisins
*************************************
Non-food but related NEW items needed for Pantry to distribute to families--(these are called "priority supplies")
Baby Bottles with nipples
16-32 oz calibrated plastic bottles with cap
Sippy Cups (non-spill) for all ages
Cups with straws attached
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spoons for babies
Spoons and forks for toddlers
Unisex diapers for ages 6 months - 3 years (sizes 3 & 4 are very needed)
************************************************************
Should you not be able to shop but are interested in participating in the Heat or Eat collection for the Growth and Development Clinic, please let one of us (Barbara or Jill) know and we would be pleased to shop for you.
We have learned so much from contacting the various agencies with which FPW has worked this church year in planning for The Giving Box. Community agencies are hurting in this economy, yet their staffs remain dedicated to purpose and hopeful in outcome. FPW's efforts are so welcomed. The fact that we know theses programs are out there is in itself a boost to the staffs.
Learning about hunger--hunger which is wide and deeply spread just several miles away from us, and thus making families choose between Heating or Eating -- has made us more convinced than ever that FPW can act locally to change the world.
"The feeding of those that are hungry is a form of contemplation."
Ding Ling 1942
In sure and certain hope for 2009!
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and
door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. Please call him for more information at 617-924-4638.
The Honorable Frederick L. Brown to Speak at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast
The Hon. Frederick L. Brown, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, will be this year’s keynote speaker at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast. Judge Brown was the first African American to serve as a justice on the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in 1976. He is regarded as a maverick, and has dedicated his life to public service and civil rights.
Judge Brown began his legal career in private practice, specializing in criminal, constitutional and civil rights law. Before joining the Court of Appeals, he was Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he has taught at Northeastern University School of Law and Boston University School of Law. He is well published in legal journals, and serves on numerous boards.
The Unity Breakfast, sponsored by the World in Watertown with the assistance of the Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety and the Watertown Ministerial Association, will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown. The event includes a variety of music, an award presentation for outstanding community service, and the reading of essays by middle school and high school students. On the eve of the inauguration of the first African American president, the students will talk about how the principles of tolerance, freedom and equality espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. have affected our nation and inspired them. Child care will be provided for pre-schoolers. The Hellenic Cultural Center is handicap accessible. Tickets are $10.00 (children 12 and under free). For reservations call 617 924-6143 or e-mail fpwatertown@comcast.net by January 11.
Benefit Performance for Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit performance by Giles The Jester. His performance will consist of juggling, wire walking and magic and will be held at First Parish on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 10 AM and again at 11:30 AM . Tickets are $8 per person or $25 for a family of 4 or more. This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more information about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu.
Eighteen-year-old Giles Holt is a member of First Parish Watertown and a professional performer. He performs at birthday parties, public and private events. He is a street performer at Faneuil Hall in Boston
Social Action Planning
This church year social action activities have gone forward spearheaded by interested individuals in the absence of a formal committee. It has worked. Giving Boxes have been wonderfully successful, monthly offerings have happened, bread has been picked up at Panera Bread and taken to the Watertown Housing Authority every week, a group of volunteers sorted food at the Boston Food Bank in October, and plans are in place for volunteering at a soup kitchen in February and holding the annual spring concert in April. On Sunday, January 11, anyone interested in social action is encouraged to come to a meeting after the service to plan the rest of year. We will discuss the future recipients of the Giving Boxes and the special offerings, and any other ideas people have.
Remind Me of Your Name
We have all been in this common predicament and often are too embarrassed to ask someone their name, especially if yours has been remembered. That is why we encourage everyone to wear a name tag during church. To this end, the Fellowship Committee of FP provides tags for adults. We will even
replace one lost or misplaced tag. However, after 2 tags, the committee asks that the member or friend make their own tag. There now will be 2 places to leave your tag after social hour, one in the wood cabinet to the
right of the sanctuary doors, and in the basket on the social hour table. On January 18, supplies will be available to decorate or even to make your name tag. If you are in need of a tag, please email the church or me
(missy@rpshay.com) to request one.
Perkins 28 , Film with Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit screening of PERKINS 28 on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at 8pm at First Parish. PERKINS 28 is about a secret court held at Harvard College in 1920 to interview students suspected of being homosexual. Several current Harvard students are in the film including eighteen-year-old homeschooler and Harvard Extension School student Giles Holt. This 75 minute film was produced and directed by local filmmaker Michael Van Devere of Fabular Films. Michael will be available to answer questions following the film. For more information about the film visitwww.people.fas.harvard.edu/~devere/
filmography_Perkins28.htm Tickets are $12.
This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu. The evening will include music by the Ficus Tree String Quartet, including Emma Day, Isabelle Holt, Diana and Kim Vermilya. There will be refreshments and a silent auction. Doors open at 7pm, silent auction closes at 10pm. Due to sexual language, Perkins 28 is not recommended for children. Childcare is available for children ages 4 -12. Please RSVP for childcare to Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597. In the event of a snow blizzard the benefit will be held January 25th, 7-10pm
UU Bed and Breakfast Directory
Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and like to provide advice for their area?
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 29 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends.
You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Contact us at info@uurehome.com, or at 828-281-3253, and we will gladly send you information about listing your accommodations. Host listings on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added.
The paper edition is published once a year in April. For a copy of the 2009 directory and a year’s access to the website listings, please click on “become a member” to pay by credit card or send a check for $25 and your e-mail address to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
Arbella
January 2009
for list of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“The God of Loneliness” Mark W. Harris
“I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him.” I am strangely compelled by this line, which begins a recent book by Julian Barnes about his attempt to address his fear of death. I will address that subject at a later date, but in this sermon want to look at my ongoing wrestling match with God.
Music: Cody Urban (keyboard) and Chris Pham (guitar) will be assisting with music.
Greeters: Jeanne and Barry Greess
Social Hour: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Prayer for Non-believers” Andrea Greenwood
Do you have to believe in supernatural powers in order to believe in prayer? Do you have to believe in prayer to practice it, or experience it unbidden? As the title hints, I am not much of a believer in prayer, at least in any traditional sense, but I find myself being fairly disciplined in certain practices. I am interested in what this means -- not about me! -- but for liberal religious people who are rational, empathic, and human -- and rely on a kind of consistency in order to feel we have integrity. I pray that I will see you in church!
Greeters: Michael McCarthy and Eileen Ryan
Social Hour: Wendell Refior and Sue Demb
Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Race and Family” Mark W. Harris
Barack Obama is about to be inaugurated as the first African American President of the USA. This momentous event moves us all to reflect on how racism has affected our family lives and our culture.
Greeters: Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Social Hour: Julie Miller and Paul Dansereau
Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Walking Through Many Lives” Mark W. Harris
Stanley Kunitz’s poem, “The Layers” begins “I have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and I am not who I was . . . “ In February I will invite interested members to participate in composing their own spiritual autobiography in a four session class. What brings us to points of spiritual transition in our lives?
Music: Chris Joliffe, singer/songwriter
Greeters: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Social Hour: Elizabeth Strekalovsky and Brian Hebeisen
Captain’s Log
The end of the year is often marked by these “Best Of” lists. First we have the best books just in time for holiday purchases. I always scan these books to see if there are any novels to add to my list to give to Andrea, and the nonfiction books to add to the list I give to Andrea to purchase for me. You can see I am not big on surprises! After the books come the CDs about which I am woefully ignorant, and the movies, which I pine to see, but usually do not, except for the computer animated and younger teen type films. I don’t think any parishioners do a best of worship services list, although sometimes the music is especially great, and sometimes the sermon seems better than usual.
While I have some sermons I like better than others, the response I receive is sometimes markedly different than my own. Sometimes I am surprised that a sermon gets a better response than I expected, and other times people are not moved by something I thought was pretty good. It is an interesting challenge trying to meet the different spiritual needs of people who “have walked through many lives.”
There are a couple of things that are true for me that I have found to be good lessons for my life. First, “good, better, best” all seem to dissolve instantly, as I tend to forget a sermon as soon as it is delivered. While I may have thought about a topic literally for months, once it has spilled out onto the page, and been laid on the altar of your ears, minds and hearts, it is gone. In that sense it is not like a permanent piece, even though the printed version stays on our website for years. A sermon is meant to be a momentary reflection and experience of feeling about life that is expressed and gone. There is some message there about living the experience rather than copying it or taking a picture of it. Sermons are really meant to be heard in the moment, and not meant to be read for all time. There is something vital here about having an experience, and then letting it go.
Second, there is often a tension between ritual and newness that I struggle with. In past years I had usually alternated a series of Christmas Eve services that were mostly my own story versions of characters who appear in the birth stories of Jesus - shepherd, inn keeper, Joseph. This year, while trying to keep the Christmas story central, I related a more personal experience that brought in the significance of the animals in the story. One of my sons said it was a good story, but a little long. Long is often a problem of mine, perhaps because I cannot settle between newness and ritual. Sometimes in my own struggle to be good enough in my own mind, I always try to share something new, and yet Christmas Eve is a reminder that even liberals who are always craving what is new, really need our share of ritual, too.
As a boy my family never went to church on Christmas Eve. We had our own traditions at home, and perhaps even believed that it was some Catholic thing that happened at the stroke of midnight. We went to church on Sundays, and certainly not after dark. Yet as an adult I have never missed Christmas Eve. Of course its depth of meaning for me has nothing to do with the newness of what I might create, but rather the entire community standing with lighted candles in a darkened room and singing Silent Night. When I conducted a wedding service for Sandra Erickson (Joanna’s daughter) last summer, she mentioned Christmas Eve as the most significant religious experience she had had, and wanted to replicate a candle lighting in her wedding service. We ended up incorporating such a ritual. I suppose it all comes back to the fact that we are human, and need comfort and sameness jut as much as anybody else. These two things teach us that we simply need to know when to hold on, and when to let go, and both have their place.
The balance I need in my job is a reflection of the balance we need in our lives between sameness and change. I hope amid the usual present buying and visiting relatives that you had some time of comfort and relaxation. I am enjoying the simple pleasure of sleeping in a little, as there is no 6:00 a.m. wake up call for a couple of weeks to get up with children. Thank you all for your holidays wishes to our family. We are all hopeful that there will be signals of change in our world in the months and years ahead. Happy New Year!
Mark
Among Us
Our deepest sympathy to Chuck Dickinson whose mother died recently in California.
A warm welcome to Genia Lenz and Melissa Thompson were welcomed in as new members on December 7. (Bios are below)
A spring date of May 17 was set for our next New Member Welcome. At least four new members could not be here for the December welcome, and three others have signed intent to join forms since, so we should have a substantial group by May (healing thoughts to Ginger Burns for her broken foot!). If you are interested in officially joining the church, please see Mark Harris, or fill out a yellow card found in the pamphlet rack in the front lobby of the church.
New Member Bio’s
Here are the new members we welcomed in December. Be sure to say hello!
Genia Lenz
I was born and raised in New Jersey. I graduated from Providence College in 1979 and started moving North from there. I settled in Watertown over 20 years ago. I have a 10-year old daughter, Melanie, who attends the Lowell School. I am a laboratory manager at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I am joining First Parish because I feel very welcome and appreciate the openness of the congregation. I have found the community for which I have been looking and look forward to serving.
Melissa Thompson
I was born in Manchester CT, the youngest of 4 children and the only girl. . I went to college at the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1993 with a degree in Human Development and Family Relations. I worked for 7 years in special education and then went back to school in 2002 and graduated from Wheelock College with a Master’s in Social Work. I am currently working in the field of Early Intervention in Woburn.
In 2006 my daughter, Josie was born and she is the reason that I am excited about joining First Parish. I was raised a Catholic and while I may not agree with some aspects of Catholicism, I appreciate the sense of community and purpose that attending church provided me. I
have enjoyed the services over the last few months and am excited to become a part of this community and raise Josie as a UU.
New Music Directors
It is with great joy that we announce the appointment of Charlyn Bethel as Music Director, and Guy Urban as accompanist for First Parish. For some years we have benefited from their active and generous participation in the life of First Parish, and more recently they have worked in these positions in an interim capacity, after our long term music director, Patty DeVore resigned. Now we are pleased to say that Charlyn and Guy will be the permanent holders of these positions giving us a wonderful music ministry for many years to come. We are excited to have them with us.
Lay Service
A special thanks to those members of FPW who shared their own spiritual journeys on December 7 - Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva and Johanna Swift Hart. Thanks also to Djalai Babazadeh for leading the service.
Christmas Events
Thanks to Guy and Charlyn for hosting us for a post caroling get together on December 20. We had fun singing at Brigham House, and being together afterwards. Thanks to all who helped make for a successful pageant on a very snowy day, December 21. We had lots of good singing, clear and loud readers, and a very special sword dance. Great costumes and decorations from Debra, too. On Christmas Eve we had a full house for the first service, and a good number at the second service, too. Special thanks to our choir members - Guy and Charlyn, Michael and Marianne and Eric, who were willing to sing for both services. Thanks to all our choir members for your efforts.
Musically Speaking
By Charlyn Bethell
I begin the New Year as Director of Music at First Parish, with my husband Guy Urban as resident pianist/accompanist. I am excited and honored to serve in this position, and I would like to share with you some of my thoughts about the importance of music in my life, and about my vision of music at First Parish.
As a child I danced and sang almost every day. Because my family was not musical, I did so alone. I studied piano, clarinet, and then oboe in school, and I played in band from middle school all the way through five years of college. Playing music was not just a hobby; it has become over time a central focus of my life.
Acknowledging the importance of music in my life does not mean that I view my music as a “finished product,” but rather as a process that is always evolving. Music is not about being perfect. We should always strive to sing or play better, but setting a standard of perfection distracts us from what really matters: sharing the experience with others, growing in self-confidence, feeling that we have done our best "in the moment". Public performance is exciting and fulfilling, but is not an end unto itself. Music-making as a broader activity and process enriches our lives in many other ways: it leads us to be our personal best selves; it brings us together as a community; it helps us feel renewed spiritually in an inward sense, and at the same time can show us our communal potential so as to become a driving force politically.
In January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. This reminds me of the inspirational work done by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, both pioneers in the jazz movement in this country. Although African-American musicians are honored and acknowledged today, it is important to remember that Louis Armstrong's genius as a performer was instrumental in making that happen. Similarly, Duke Ellington overcame low expectations of African-American composers by working to compose an ever more polished and sophisticated repertoire of music; at the same time he benefited from his "outsider" status to combine musical sounds in a way that no one had conceived of before. Our culture has gained immeasurably from these artists, both because they showed the unique characteristics that African-Americans could bring to the table, and because they demonstrated that in the end each individual person has something to offer, regardless of their race or background. (It is worth noting that Duke Ellington preferred the term "American music" to "jazz" in describing his music.) These truths continue to resonate up to the present day, a day in which Americans have elected their first black president. The choir plans to sing some music by African-American composers, including Ellington, in the coming months.
This month, Guy and I are working to create an FPW music website so we can all share in the music around us here at First Parish. We will provide information about choir rehearsals and performances, and publicize important musical events. We eventually hope to post audio files and practice aids. We will let you know when we are up and running on this.
Remember that each of you makes a positive difference in our musical world at church.
Happy New Year!
Guest at Your Table Totals/ January Charitable Offering
Our Guest at Your Table collections were a wonderful all time high of $1,777. This includes contributions made to the boxes, and the Christmas Eve offering. Thank you for your great generosity in these difficult economic times. Our charitable offering on January 18th will be for the Watertown Family Network, an organization that sponsors wonderful programs for children, but has experienced severe budget cuts this year.
The Story of Your Life
Mark Harris will be leading a Spiritual Autobiography course in February and March, two nights each month for a total of four nights. This course will be based on Dan Wakefield’s “The Story of Your Life: Writing a Spiritual Autobiography.” There will be an organizational meeting for this class on Sunday, January 25 after church to determine interest. Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of my life? Taking time to answer these questions, which often linger unexamined at the back of our minds, can be the first step to new growth, healing and maturity. Mark prefers to meet on Sunday nights, but is open to other options.
2nd Annual Comedy Night
Mark your calendars for the Second Annual FPW Comedy Night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. This will be a great night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul Day says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Refreshments will be available. This is a benefit for the FPW Chair Fund.
Religious Education Debra Zagaeski, DRE
Season of Indulgence…the word Indulgence comes to us from the Latin indulgentia, to be kind or tender. It came to express the kindness and mercy of God, and the full or partial remission of sin, granted for good works and prayer. Indulgence may also bring to mind the act of indulging one-self, fulfilling a desire, instant gratification, and satisfaction. We have just completed the season of indulgence in both senses: a time defined by the expression of kindness, tenderness and mercy as well as a time replete with the fulfillment of material desire. The New Years ritual of looking back and looking forward affords us all the opportunity to reflect and to change. We “resolve” to learn from our mistakes to become better people and to do good works in the year to come. On that note of resolve I suggest that we all have the opportunity to help our children and youth at First Parish explore what good work we can accomplish together in the New Year. VOLUNTEERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED FOR ALL OF THE RE CLASSES! The religious education at First Parish is dependent upon members of the congregation for its volunteer teachers. If you are considering volunteering in an RE classroom and would like more information contact me:
Debra Zagaeski, DRE.
JANUARY RE TRAINING AND WORKSHOP: The RE program is offering a workshop on Saturday, January 10th from 10-12. The workshop will focus on the “spirit play” curriculum, classroom management and welcoming children and working with children with special needs. Everyone is welcome to attend, PLEASE JOIN US!
In February the RE program will begin a Social Action mini term focusing on world hunger. We will be focusing on the work of Heifer Project International, with the “Fill the Ark” project.
Since 1944 Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in more than 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture. The impact of each initial gift is multiplied as recipients agree to pass on the gift by giving one or more of their animal’s offspring, or the equivalent, to another in need.
The Heifer mini term will consist of one introductory week, two weeks of mixed age project oriented groups, and one week in which the children may present the Heifer project to the congregation. The children and youth will choose which workshop station in which they would like to participate. *Our youngest children (The Rainbow Seekers) will continue to meet in the regular classroom space, and share Heifer Project related projects and stories.
I would especially like to encourage members of First Parish who have not had the opportunity to work with our children and youth to consider helping with one of these project groups, all others are welcome as well! Come and share your talents, we will need many helping hands and hearts! The ongoing groups will be divided as follow:
1. A cooking group. The children and youth will be making granola, soup and a sweet treat. (They will sell these items during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
2. A woodworking group. The children and youth will design and create backyard birdfeeders. (They will sell raffle tickets for these during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
3. A fiber arts group. The children and youth will learn about spinning wool into yarn and learn to knit/finger - knit.
4. Heifer Project presentation performance. The children and youth will create a simple theatre performance to inform the congregation about Heifer Project.
5. Each week there will also be a simple craft workshop with paper, markers, crayons, and pictures to color.
Wishing you all the promise of a New Year, may it unfold before you in beauty and peace!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
The Giving Box
Happiness is to take up the struggle in the midst of the raging storm and not to pluck the lute in the moonlight or recite poetry among
the blossoms. Ding Ling 1942
....to all of us who are a part of the FPW community: Happy 2009!
Your holiday efforts to bring gifts to the children and families being assisted by the Growth and Development Clinic of the Boston Medical Center were VERY SUCCESSFUL!! 126 gifts were delivered to a VERY GRATEFUL staff the week before Christmas. While your gift tags decorated our sanctuary tree, your caring generosity brought some light into the lives of children who suffer. You were part of the sparkle of Santa...for children who live in a drearier world than the politicians in Washington care to acknowledge. The staff, including Deborah Frank, MD who began the Growth Clinic; thank you sincerely and by extension the children do, too.
The Giving Box in January will continue its focus on the Growth and Development Clinic. This month, we will be collecting food and related products for undernourished children and their families. ( A guide list is appended to this article)
The number of families forced to make wrenching decisions about whether to pay for fuel or food (known as "heat or eat syndrome") has increased significantly this year. The Boston Medical Center Preventive Food Pantry supports families with groceries and utility assistance. We have decided to direct our January's congregational efforts to collecting food for this specialized Food Pantry. All families using the Preventive Food Pantry are referred by social agencies, schools, or the medical community.
Please remember that the Pantry is not supported by insurances or any government programs. The average referral age is much younger than in the past. The children are more acutely ill than ever. The waiting time has been reduced from 3-4 months to 1-2 weeks because of increased donations to the Pantry. That reduction in wait time was before the current devastation to our national economy. The at risk children are increasing in number--and have an increasing need for food as families become more stressed--just as the donations of food are decreasing. This is an unfair balance in unfair times which we here at FPW can influence----together: a pound//a can//a package combined will make a significant difference.
Preventive Food Pantry Needs
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Baby Food (Stage 1 & 2)
Infant Cereal (rice, oatmeal, barley, mixed)
Small boxes of Cheerios (individual serving size)
Flintstones Complete (chewable vitamins)
Poly Vi Sol with iron liquid vitamins
Graham Crackers
Rice
Enriched Pastas
Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
Vegetable Oil // Corn Oil
Mayonnaise (not Lite)
Salad Dressing (not Lite)
Thick Canned Stews
Canned Ravioli
Canned Spaghetti
Canned Beans (NOT green beans)
Canned Corn
Tuna Fish in Oil
Canned Fruits in heavy syrup
Dried Fruit
Raisins
*************************************
Non-food but related NEW items needed for Pantry to distribute to families--(these are called "priority supplies")
Baby Bottles with nipples
16-32 oz calibrated plastic bottles with cap
Sippy Cups (non-spill) for all ages
Cups with straws attached
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spoons for babies
Spoons and forks for toddlers
Unisex diapers for ages 6 months - 3 years (sizes 3 & 4 are very needed)
************************************************************
Should you not be able to shop but are interested in participating in the Heat or Eat collection for the Growth and Development Clinic, please let one of us (Barbara or Jill) know and we would be pleased to shop for you.
We have learned so much from contacting the various agencies with which FPW has worked this church year in planning for The Giving Box. Community agencies are hurting in this economy, yet their staffs remain dedicated to purpose and hopeful in outcome. FPW's efforts are so welcomed. The fact that we know theses programs are out there is in itself a boost to the staffs.
Learning about hunger--hunger which is wide and deeply spread just several miles away from us, and thus making families choose between Heating or Eating -- has made us more convinced than ever that FPW can act locally to change the world.
"The feeding of those that are hungry is a form of contemplation."
Ding Ling 1942
In sure and certain hope for 2009!
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and
door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. Please call him for more information at 617-924-4638.
The Honorable Frederick L. Brown to Speak at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast
The Hon. Frederick L. Brown, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, will be this year’s keynote speaker at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast. Judge Brown was the first African American to serve as a justice on the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in 1976. He is regarded as a maverick, and has dedicated his life to public service and civil rights.
Judge Brown began his legal career in private practice, specializing in criminal, constitutional and civil rights law. Before joining the Court of Appeals, he was Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he has taught at Northeastern University School of Law and Boston University School of Law. He is well published in legal journals, and serves on numerous boards.
The Unity Breakfast, sponsored by the World in Watertown with the assistance of the Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety and the Watertown Ministerial Association, will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown. The event includes a variety of music, an award presentation for outstanding community service, and the reading of essays by middle school and high school students. On the eve of the inauguration of the first African American president, the students will talk about how the principles of tolerance, freedom and equality espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. have affected our nation and inspired them. Child care will be provided for pre-schoolers. The Hellenic Cultural Center is handicap accessible. Tickets are $10.00 (children 12 and under free). For reservations call 617 924-6143 or e-mail fpwatertown@comcast.net by January 11.
Benefit Performance for Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit performance by Giles The Jester. His performance will consist of juggling, wire walking and magic and will be held at First Parish on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 10 AM and again at 11:30 AM . Tickets are $8 per person or $25 for a family of 4 or more. This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more information about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu.
Eighteen-year-old Giles Holt is a member of First Parish Watertown and a professional performer. He performs at birthday parties, public and private events. He is a street performer at Faneuil Hall in Boston
Social Action Planning
This church year social action activities have gone forward spearheaded by interested individuals in the absence of a formal committee. It has worked. Giving Boxes have been wonderfully successful, monthly offerings have happened, bread has been picked up at Panera Bread and taken to the Watertown Housing Authority every week, a group of volunteers sorted food at the Boston Food Bank in October, and plans are in place for volunteering at a soup kitchen in February and holding the annual spring concert in April. On Sunday, January 11, anyone interested in social action is encouraged to come to a meeting after the service to plan the rest of year. We will discuss the future recipients of the Giving Boxes and the special offerings, and any other ideas people have.
Remind Me of Your Name
We have all been in this common predicament and often are too embarrassed to ask someone their name, especially if yours has been remembered. That is why we encourage everyone to wear a name tag during church. To this end, the Fellowship Committee of FP provides tags for adults. We will even
replace one lost or misplaced tag. However, after 2 tags, the committee asks that the member or friend make their own tag. There now will be 2 places to leave your tag after social hour, one in the wood cabinet to the
right of the sanctuary doors, and in the basket on the social hour table. On January 18, supplies will be available to decorate or even to make your name tag. If you are in need of a tag, please email the church or me
(missy@rpshay.com) to request one.
Perkins 28 , Film with Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit screening of PERKINS 28 on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at 8pm at First Parish. PERKINS 28 is about a secret court held at Harvard College in 1920 to interview students suspected of being homosexual. Several current Harvard students are in the film including eighteen-year-old homeschooler and Harvard Extension School student Giles Holt. This 75 minute film was produced and directed by local filmmaker Michael Van Devere of Fabular Films. Michael will be available to answer questions following the film. For more information about the film visitwww.people.fas.harvard.edu/~devere/
filmography_Perkins28.htm Tickets are $12.
This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu. The evening will include music by the Ficus Tree String Quartet, including Emma Day, Isabelle Holt, Diana and Kim Vermilya. There will be refreshments and a silent auction. Doors open at 7pm, silent auction closes at 10pm. Due to sexual language, Perkins 28 is not recommended for children. Childcare is available for children ages 4 -12. Please RSVP for childcare to Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597. In the event of a snow blizzard the benefit will be held January 25th, 7-10pm
UU Bed and Breakfast Directory
Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and like to provide advice for their area?
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 29 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends.
You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Contact us at info@uurehome.com, or at 828-281-3253, and we will gladly send you information about listing your accommodations. Host listings on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added.
The paper edition is published once a year in April. For a copy of the 2009 directory and a year’s access to the website listings, please click on “become a member” to pay by credit card or send a check for $25 and your e-mail address to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
Arbella December Newsletter 2008
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
December 2008
for schedule of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, December 7, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Unitarian Universalism in My Life”
A lay led service on how UUism manifests itself in our everyday lives. FPW members sharing include Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva, and Johanna Swift Hart. Djalai Babazadeh will lead the service.
Music: Jill Dreeben, flute
Greeters: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Social Hour: Jim Felty and Bobbie Brown
Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“A Season of Miracles”
Mark W. Harris
Liberals are often uncomfortable with the traditional idea of miracles. Emerson once called used the term “monster” to describe the Christian understanding of miracles. Is there such a thing as a UU miracle?
Greeters: Cornelia Janke and Goyo Carvajal
Social Hour: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Season of Light”
Our FPW children will celebrate the solstice with their Christmas Pageant “Season of Light”. Rumor has it there will be a special sword dance!!! A special story, music and lots of fun for all.
Greeters: Gretchen Brown and Brigitte Bender
Social Hour: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Wednesday. December 24, 2008 -
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services-
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Traditional candlelight services. Bring cookies to share for social hour at 6:15 p.m. If you have no preference, we encourage members to attend the second service. Services are exactly the same.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
“Epiphanies This Year”
Mark W. Harris
Have you had an epiphany this year? In addition to a Christian holiday, an Epiphany is
the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something. Come share that realization with us.
Greeters: Lynn Bratley and Chuck Dickinson
Social Hour: Theo Ellswoth and Randy Rhoda
Captain’s Log
Once in a while Andrea and I will be watching the news at 11:00 p.m., and it seems as though the only event of the day has been the proverbial cat stuck up a tree. We say it seems like nothing happened today. Most of the time we cannot say that. We have witnessed a month past where the first African-American President in US history has been elected. While it hardly means the end of racism, the symbolic power of the event is truly amazing. I could feel tears roll down my cheeks as I watched the celebration in Chicago. Often the news is so disturbing or upsetting that an event this hopeful and this historic is cathartic. We all still worry about the economy, and the attack in Mumbai raises the fear factor, but nevertheless there is a shift in our attitude about the future, and that can help signal the dawning of an new era. We are more likely to experience good things, when we expect good things.
The Advent season is traditionally a time of waiting. Children count the days down from 25 to 1, and the anticipation grows as the big day draws near. When I was a child, the local newspaper always had a big ad on the front page indicating how many shopping days until Christmas. Time was running out for parents, but drawing near for kids. The story itself contains images of waiting. The wise men perhaps had to wait for nightfall, so they could see the stars to guide them. Mary must have known she was near to giving birth, and was counting the days until it was over. For college kids, they may have to wait to find out how they did on some big test. Those hunting for jobs, wait for a call back from a potential employer. We wait in line. We wait all the time for things. The Christmas season reminds us that waiting is anxiety producing, because we fear how things will turn out. Did I get the job? Did I pass the test? Will the baby be ok? Will we survive the financial chaos?
What do we do while waiting? They say the English have perfected the ability to stand in line, and even invented a word, que, for being so obedient about waiting for things. It is true that they expect to wait in line for things, while we tend to be a little more impatient on this side of the pond, but neither speaks to what can happen while we wait. While we get anxious, and cause the people around us to be anxious, we also need to remember that sometimes the waiting itself is the best part!
First, notice that the kings and the shepherds travel together. There is no solitary match toward Bethlehem. Waiting involves community. No one wants to wait alone. When I was a student waiting to meet with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, I had no one to support me as I waited for the biggest interview of my life. Who would be there if I didn’t pass? No one. Then someone remembered how hard it is to wait for life changing decisions, and so even though the test is for you, there are now others there to support you, and who know what the experience is like. Don’t wait alone. Or if you feel alone, come to a place where others want to be with you. I’ll bet those kings and shepherds talked and ate all the way to Bethlehem.
Second, a lot can happen while we wait for the big event. Andrea always says that planning a project, and carrying it out are much more satisfying than the final result. Even if it is good, it is kind of anti-climatic. Could it be that the real fun is in the searching, and not the finding? That’s often what UUs says about their theology. Who wants pat answers? Come explore many stories and many answers. We can all imagine the big day is what we are waiting for, but it can also be fun sharing our excitement and hopes and love with each other while we wait.
I hope you all have a joyful holiday season. Happy waiting!
Mark
Workers for work day - November 1, 2008
Although it seems as though it happened a long time ago. We want to say thanks to all those who helped out with the Building and Grounds Fall Cleanup Day. Our workers included: Michael McCarthy, Bob Shay, Kathy Button, David Morrison, Kathy Warren, Mark Harris, David Benson, Nick Haddad, Nancy Dutton, Isabel Tappan-DeFrees, Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees, Elijah Tappan-deFrees, Kit Gunning. This is a random listing of all the
people who came, were seen and labored!
Bikes Not Bombs - November 1
We also had a number of people who participated in the Bikes Not Bombs bike
collection, including Will and Sue Twombly, Barry Greess, Debra Zagaeski, Sue Kuder, Cody Urban, Amy Urban and Charlotte Fitts-Sprague (the last three from our youth group). Thanks for your good work
Thanksgiving
Thanks to the corn muffins makers for a great Succoth - Thanksgiving - Eileen Ryan, Lynn Bratley, Anna Knight, Marianne Collins, and Debra Zagaeski
Auction
We had another successful Service Auction this year. The total was $4,021 which we thought was great in these scary economic times. A very special thanks to Jean Merkl for organizing this event once again. In what was supposed to be a transition year, Jean really did a spectacular job, and we are grateful. We also want to thank our former Student minister Mark Caggiano for being our auctioneer. He did a great job. Finally thanks to all who either contributed or bought. Please send your checks to Nancy in the church office if you have not paid up yet. Thanks to Parish and Fellowship committees for their work setting up the dinner.
Among Us
A warm welcome to New Members, who have filled out intention to join cards.
Genia Lenz and her daughter Melanie
Lani Gerson and Hannah Gerson, who are here with Mateo (a grandmother, mother and son family).
Melissa Thompson, whose daughter Josie will be dedicated after Christmas.
We expect that Genia and Melissa will be welcomed as new members on December
7, and Lani and Hannah will be welcomed in the spring, as they cannot be present at the December 7 service.
Our thoughts are with Ann Bloom, who was hospitalized, and now is living in an assisted living facility in Connecticut, near her daughter. We can provide her address on request.
Film Series at First Parish
The second film in our religious film series will be shown on Sunday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. James Carroll’s “Constantine’s Sword” will be shown in the sanctuary (big screen). Constantine’s Sword explores the dark side of Christianity’s past, especially Anti-Semitism and is based on Carroll’s award winning book of the same name. The movie asks the timely question: Is the fanaticism that threatens the world today fueled by our own deeply held beliefs? The public is welcome to this acclaimed film that has been called both “enthralling” and “magnificent” by reviewers. Entertainment weekly said: Like the Da Vinci Code, it grasps at the enigmatic flux of Christian history. You’ll walk out enriched.”
Former interns
It was wonderful to see Mark Caggiano at our Service auction. Mark is now looking for a church settlement. He also announced that Saturday, February 7 will be his ordination in his home church, North Andover. We are all invited, and will play a significant role in the ordination. More later, but please mark your calendars. You might be curious to know about other former interns. Fayre Stephenson , who spoke here in November is now the full time program director for Ferry Beach. She previously served the Universalist Church in Foxboro, MA. Sue Kingman is now minister in Sanford, Maine. Jim Sherblom is co-minister at First Parish in Brookline. And finally, Darrick Jackson is now Admissions Officer at the Boston University School of Theology and also Youth Minister at First Parish in Brookline. Darrick worked for the UUA in the Youth office for one year. You helped send them on their way!
Charitable offering
While it was nice to have Fayre return to the site of her internship, we also want to share that the charitable offering for Ferry Beach was $337.00 Thank you for your generosity.
Guest at Your Table / December Charitable Offering
On Thanksgiving Sunday we handed out Guest at Your Table boxes. If have not been able to be in church, more boxes are available. The insert about the UU Service Committee and this program recommends reading a story or two from their "Stories of Hope," as you share a meal with your family. These Stories of Hope are available as a download from the UUSC web site (www.uusc.org). By using these stories you will connect to the real people behind the pictures on the box. The idea behind Guest at Your Table is that you would keep the box at your dinner table, and make regular contributions at meal time. Then when we arrive at Christmas Eve (or the nearest Sunday to December 25 when you will be in church), we ask you to convert the bills and change to a check made out to UUSC, and we will collect the boxes at the service. Please be advised that if you give $100 or more, that gift you will be matched by the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY. Thank you.
The December charitable offering is the Christmas Eve offering, and it is taken to benefit the UU Service Committee, and added to our Guest at Your Table program total. Please note that we also give out Special Christmas Envelopes for First Parish. If you would like to give a special gift to the church at Christmas, there is an opportunity to do so.
Religious Education
Debra Zagaeski, DRE
“And so the shortest day came”…
The great wheel of the year has turned and the Winter Solstice is upon us. On December 21st we celebrate the longest night, and the shortest day of the year. It is the return of light that we celebrate. We celebrate the miracle of renewal. The earth will turn and in so doing light and warmth will follow the darkness and cold. The Solstices (it is Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and Summer in the Southern Hemisphere in December) are recognized in nearly all cultures around the world. The Solstice is a time to turn inward, to nurture the seeds of hope and potential and growth within the slumbering earth, as well as within ourselves. It can be a time of special connection to the earth and her inhabitants as a gentle grace settles across the land.
During this season of light there may be times when the din of overly zealous consumerism and holly jolly joyfulness is just a bit too much. I suggest that you take a moment to pause and listen. Listen for the ‘grace notes’. The subtle moments of joy, hope and possibility which fly by at the speed of light. It is the light which resonates for all of the people of the world. The light that will return, the light that is the promise. The same light that shone from a star in the sky over Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago celebrating the birth of a divine spirit continues its journey today, reflecting the divine within us all.
Sometimes it is not an easy task to slow down and listen. It is a common ailment at this time of year to succumb to holiday burnout. To become overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ there is to get done. There are gifts to purchase or make, food to buy and prepare, people to gather together, cards to write, and all the while we are told “do more, do more”. In the midst of all this happy holiday doing it is easy to see why some would prefer a long winter nap to keeping pace with all the ever faster moving spirit of Christmas.
We do have it in our power to grant ourselves a respite. We can gift ourselves a moment of grace, simply remember to pause. In the midst of all the holiday chaos take a moment and pause, and in that moment of calm breathe. It can be as you wait for the traffic light to change, add one extra deep breath …count …one, two, three. It can be as you wait in line to buy the groceries, one extra deep breath, count…one, two, three. It may be as you run from store to store looking for that special something, one extra deep breath…one, two three. Breathe in the grace of and solace of the Solstice.
The nineteenth century Indian mystic, Sri Ramakrishna wrote these words: “The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise the sail.” We all need to remember to slow down and stretch, to “raise our sails” and allow the light and grace of the season to catch in our sails and gently move us through the year.
It can be a time of great sadness and isolation as well. As we light our Christmas candles, our Hanukkah candles, our many candles of light, I encourage you to reach out and hold in your thoughts and prayers those individuals for whom this time of the year is especially challenging and dark. In doing so we can all honor the light and grace of this season.
Upcoming Event:
* The Children and Youth of our Religious Education program will be honoring us with a Celebration of the Solstice during the Sunday Service of Worship on December 21st. This years pageant offering: “Season of Light”.
Given with joy and gratitude, Namaste
Debra
Fantastic Christmas concerts!
FPW member and tenor horn player, Isabel Tappan-deFrees is part of the New England Brass Band, New England's only British-style brass band (think "Brassed Off!"). They have a couple of area Christmas concerts coming up if you're in the mood for the music even if the snow hasn't arrived: 12/7 - 3 p.m. in Wilmington and 12/20 - 7 p.m. in Andover. Details of these and other concerts can be found at www.newenglandbrassband.org.
Canvass
As the calendar year winds down, this is a short reminder from the Finance Committee about annual pledges. While pledges are not due in full until 2/28/09, we know it works better for some folks' tax years to pay the pledge in full by 12/31. If you are unclear how much you have left, contact Jean Merkl (jmerkl55@yahoo.com). To change your pledge, contact John Portz (jportz@rcn.com).
Calling All Singers
Rehearsals for the FPW Adult choir will be starting on Wednesday, Dec.10th at 6:30 at the church. We will be singing a few Christmas carols with the plan that if enough people are available and willing to sing for the services on Christmas eve, we could do that! But even if you cannot be part of Christmas eve services, we will be singing some music for January. Please join us! I promise it will be fun, and the music will be challenging but not too much. Call Charlyn and/or Guy at 617-744-1987.
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
Music is always a part of festive times, and as we approach the holidays, there will lots of music to be shared at First Parish. We are a musical community, and we all participate both as listeners and singers/players.
Plans are in progress for the adult choir this month, with rehearsals on Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, from 6:30 to 8:00. Singers of all levels of experience are welcome. The Youth choir meets from 12:30 to 1:15 on Sundays, right after the service. Our Children’s choir meets on Sundays at 10:15, downstairs. Both the Children and the Youth choirs will be singing for our Holiday Pageant on December 21st.
If you like to go Christmas caroling, please join us for a church caroling party on Saturday, Dec. 20th. We will meet at First Parish at 2:45 pm and drive together over to Brigham House to sing at 3 pm. I will have music and words ready for everyone, and I think Guy can play the piano for us there. Afterwards, we invite you to share some holiday treats at our house, 1034 Belmont St. in Watertown. Save the date, it will be a wonderful time for all!
Looking ahead to January 2009, Guy and I are working on having an up-to-date music website as part of the First Parish Watertown website. We will have musical activities and performers listed there so you will know what is happening and how you can join in. We will also keep an up-to-date calendar of rehearsals and other information.
Music-making is about both honing your talents and being part of a larger community. Come help us celebrate our musical community! If there is something musical you would like to see, please share your thoughts with me, so we can work together to make it happen.
Chair Campaign Update
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to our chair campaign. As of the end of November we have received contributions that will pay for 32 new blue chairs. Since we plan to purchase 136 new chairs, we have a ways to go.
Given the difficult financial situation this year, we realize that many of you are not in a position to donate $150 to purchase a chair at this time, even though you support our effort. Please know that we welcome donations in any amount at any time. Just be sure to designate “Chair Campaign” on your check or envelope containing cash. You can place your contribution in the offering on Sunday or put it in the mail box on the door to the church office.
We’re happy to report that two groups who rent our sanctuary regularly for rehearsals and concerts, the Greater Boston Folk Song Society and the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus have contributed generously to the chair fund. Also, we have scheduled another FPW comedy night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 with proceeds to benefit the chair fund.
Martha Scott,
Parish Committee Chair
Flowers for the Holidays
(note new flower choices)
It’s that time of year again! If you would like to order poinsettia or cyclamen plants to decorate the sanctuary for the holidays, and then bring them home after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the order form below and return it to the church office by December 8. The plants, in 6" pots, are from Wilson Farms in Lexington and are lovely and hardy.
I would like to purchase ______ poinsettias and/or ______ cyclamen plants at $7.00 each. Please choose colors below. Make checks out to First Parish of Watertown. Enclosed is $__________.
Poinsettias
How many of which color(s)?
____ white ___ pink____ red ___ marble
Cyclamen
How many of which color(s)?
____ white____ pink____ red
In loving memory of:
_____________________________________
or Gift of:
______________________________________
Your name(s) as you would like it printed in the order of service:
______________________________________
The Giving Box
November was such a generous month...
A time which returned election results which resonated with a majority of voters--a match which did not need the intervention of the US Supreme Court. We were thankful.
A time when FPW gathered for a service of music to honor Patty DeVore's decades of sustaining this congregation with her expressive gifts of musical interpretation. We as a congregation were thankful.
A time when some of us gathered for the annual Pot Luck and Service Auction. The food was delicious (as always). The auction was a success raising a goodly sum for our church. The wide ranges of services and donated items offered spoke to the talents, ingenuity and generosity of the participants. We participants were thankful.
A time (two and a half weeks) that this congregation addressed an increasing local need for food. You added 284 cans/boxes of food to the Watertown Food Pantry which supplements working families' pantries in this time of escalating financial insecurity. We as a congregation were deeply grateful that we were able to do this at Thanksgiving time.
Your efforts in supporting the GIVING BOX have benefited programs throughout these past three months which work with particular groups of people in need of particular services. These programs focus on defined parameters within a series of larger systemic difficulties. FPW's participation allows us to put into deeds our commitment to act locally for change in the world.
December is a month of waning warmth and deepening darkness moving towards a series of holidays honoring light, hope and renewal of promises. We will gather in church and at home in a bounty of food, warmth, presents and safe connections. This month's GIVING BOX will be for a group of children who live with great needs and are in real need of presents and some hope as well. We will be collecting new toys for children who are being served by the Boston Medical Center's Growth and Development Clinic. This program works with children who have been diagnosed with Failure to Thrive syndrome. Their families are involved with the services as well. This is a program outside of the traditional medical model and is not supported by insurance or government support. It offers medical care, nutritional supplements and supportive outreach services to families who have been identified as having at least one child who is undernourished.
FPW has a long history of supporting the Growth and Development clinic. In the mid-1980’s, Vicki Siska Salkin, the wife of our then minister Marc Salkin, was pregnant with her second child and asked the congregation to consider donating food to a fledgling program for premature and dismature (full term/underweight) babies. The focus then was on undernourished children and on pregnant women who were at risk to deliver malnourished children. Vicki contrasted her life as a pregnant woman to at risk mothers in the greater Boston area and invited Debra Frank,MD, the Director of the new clinic to share her thoughts with FPW at a church service. The response was enthusiastic and we began collecting food throughout that church year. The second year of our involvement, Kay Lundgren, a church member, educated the Board Members of the insurance company where she worked of FPW's involvement with the Growth Clinic. That company donated
$5-10,000 dollars to the clinic to boost start-up monies. Vicki, Marc, Kay and her husband Rick were asked to light the tree at the Prudential Center representing FPW! During that Christmas season our church began to answer another stated need of the clinic: the collection of toys for undernourished kids and their siblings. That is how FPW became part-time partners with the Growth Clinic which now adds "Development" to its title, as nourishment is key to both physical and neurological health.
Here in the winter of 2008 we will try to give as many unwrapped, new gifts to the Growth Clinic's children as possible. These gifts will be distributed by the Clinic to patients and caregivers of Boston and surrounding areas. Many of these people struggle to meet the everyday demands of feeding, raising and caring for their children--giving their children gifts is an "extra" which means it's an impossibility. This year, usual charities which give gifts have cupboards which are bare because of recent economic shifts--making our donations even more welcome!
The collective WE of FPW has just two and a half weeks to bring in the age appropriate,new/unwrapped children's gifts. December 14th is the last day to put these gifts under the FPW Christmas tree! There is a Wish List below broken down into three age groups. Note: these suggested items can be purchased reasonably by today's standards. Perhaps you might think of yourself at a particular childhood age opening the gift you selected---a vicarious smile of the season!
We will be asking you to commit to a gift for a child of a certain age when we approach you at coffee hour. We will give you a gift tag to sign which will then be hung on the tree to remind all of us of what we are accomplishing in a short time. Should you not be at a service or should you not connect with one of us, do bring in an unwrapped new toy by Sunday-December 14th. If you are unable to shop for a toy but would like to participate in our Christmas Giving Box Project, please call us at (781) 289-0073 and we will shop for you. We would also be happy to pick up your gift at your home should you be unable to deliver it to the church by the 14th. We need this due date so that the Clinic can disperse our gifts by Christmas.
May Sarton wrote: I can understand people simply fleeing the mountainous efforts Christmas has become...But there are always a few saving graces and finally they make up for all the bother and distress.
We wish you the many graces of this season and direct your attention below to the Growth and Development Clinic's Holiday Wish List.
With heartfelt thanks and a wish for a special new year ahead ....
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
UNWRAPPED gifts for Growth/Development Clinic needed to be in church by DECEMBER 14th.
***Please do NOT donate: Any war toys, guns or military theme toys//Jewelry made in China// Toys made in China before 2008***
BABIES and TODDLERS (0-4): Educational preschool toys(sing a-longs, numbers, alphabet and shapes)//Wooden puzzles/puzzles marked with appropriate age groups, including educational puzzles dealing with counting, shapes, animals and the alphabet//Building blocks//Push and pull toys//Playskool toys//MegaBloks//Soft, bouncing balls//Tonka Junior trucks//Fisher Price play sets//Toy telephones//Fisher Price toy medical kit.
SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (5-10):Interactive flipbooks that teach phonetics to young children (Leap Frog)// Crayons/Coloring books// Craft materials (paper pads, sketchpads, rainbow paints, finger paints, etc)//Toy cash registers//Train sets//Matchbox cars//Mr.Potato Head//Plastic tea sets//Sturdy trucks (Fisher Price toy trucks, buses and cars)//Baby dolls (multicultural, if possible)//Barbie Dolls (multicultural preferred)//Etch-a-Sketch/Magna Doodle//Board games//Puzzles.
Preteens and Teenagers (11-18):Arts/Crafts materials and activity sets (beads, ceramics, sand art and jewelry making kits)//Clock radios//Sports related items (hats, sweatshirts, footballs and basketballs)//Jewelry//School organizer sets//Watches//Nail polish/lip balm/lip gloss sets//Bath gels/body lotion/body sprays gift sets//Gift Certificates for DVDs & CDs, video games//Diaries//CD player/Discman//Jewelry boxes//Calculators//Board games//Electronic games/handheld games//Cameras//Pre-paid cell phones//Remote control cars//Walkie-talkies.
Photo Board
Have you noticed the Display on the wall by the kitchen in the social hall? This is our members and friends photo board. We are going to update it! It is delightful to see the shining faces of our members. For some it is helpful to put a face to a name, find out whose child that is, or just delight in the people. We are requesting that you join us in making the faces current and have more people represented. So there are a few choices: If you are not up on the board you can bring in a recent photo and we will put it up. If your picture is on the board, but very outdated, you can bring in a new one. If you would like, I can take new pictures on December 14th and 21st. so please find me ! I will be the one with a camera around my neck !!
Lee Pierce, Fellowship Committee.
Green Sanctuary Corner
by Eileen Ryan
Being part of a community that is actively trying to be more ecological is inspirational. I have been making environmentally friendly choices and decisions for years. During the past year I was inspired by my involvement with the Green Sanctuary Committee to see how much our family of five could reduce our energy use. I had an NSTAR representative come to our house in November, 2007, to monitor our refrigerator. We qualified for a one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar rebate toward a new Energy Star refrigerator. While the NSTAR representative was at our house he replaced all of our traditional light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs and installed a low-flow shower- head free of charge. Our electric bill was immediately reduced by a third. Last winter we also lowered the thermostat to 62 degrees when we were home during the day and to 54 degrees at night. Everyone who wants one goes to bed with a hot water bottle for extra warmth. We are all trying to remember to turn out lights when we leave a room. A year later, with our new refrigerator installed, we have reduced electricity usage by 50 percent. I look forward to seeing the electric bill each month, always hoping that we have used even less electricity than the same month a year ago.
The Holidays and How to Simplify
The Simplicity Circle, a group formed as part of our Green Sanctuary efforts met recently. Eileen Ryan facilitated a discussion on “How to Simplify the Holidays”. The group members would like to share thoughts from a source that was found useful. The following was taken from the book “Unplug the Christmas Machine” by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli.
Christmas Pledge: Believing in the true spirit of Christmas I commit myself to:
*Remember those people who truly need my gifts
*Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
*Examine my holiday activities in light of my deepest values
*Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends
*Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth.
Four basic children’s needs for the holidays;
1. A relaxed and loving time with the family
2. Realistic expectations about gifts
3. An evenly passed holiday season
4. Reliable family traditions
FPW Mini Holiday Craft Fair
On Sunday, December 7 and December 14 at Social Hour we will be holding a craft fair for friends and members who wish to sell their crafts. If anyone is interested please contact Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597 or Eileen@Simplycircus.com
We will also be selling Amnesty International calendars during December.
The Christmas Revels
Charlotte Holt is a member of the children's chorus of this year's production of The Christmas Revels. This year's theme is Thomas Hardy's England. The Christmas Revels is performed at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge beginning December 12 and ending December 30. Charlotte will not be in the matinee on December 13 or the evening performance on December 21. Each child in the cast has two performances off. For more information: Revels. org, or 617-972-8300.
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. You can call for more information at 617-924-4638.
Applause and Sunday Worship
Some people have become concerned about applause in our worship services, and expressed this in the recent survey. While not wanting to stifle spontaneous appreciation, we have asked the congregation not to applaud at the end of the postlude. This is to maintain a focus on the music as a spiritual element of the service, rather than as a performance per se.
As a way to make this change more effective, we are now using a short chorale by Bartok as the instrumental postlude every week, creating a ritualistic effect similar to the use of the Doxology earlier in the service (this postlude is not sung, of course). Please give us your feedback Also, please remember to turn off your cell phone when you enter the sanctuary.
Comedy Night Coming in January
Paul Day has arranged a Second Annual FPW Comedy Night. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 31, 2009 for a night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Easy Money
How often does the Finance Committee get to say that!!! This is just a quick note that if you're shopping on amazon.com, you can easily help First Parish at the same time! Just start your shopping at www.fpwatertown.org Members page and then click on the Amazon icon. A portion of the money you spend will come back to us! Please pass this information on to friends and other loved ones~
Arbella
December 2008
for schedule of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, December 7, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Unitarian Universalism in My Life”
A lay led service on how UUism manifests itself in our everyday lives. FPW members sharing include Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva, and Johanna Swift Hart. Djalai Babazadeh will lead the service.
Music: Jill Dreeben, flute
Greeters: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Social Hour: Jim Felty and Bobbie Brown
Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“A Season of Miracles”
Mark W. Harris
Liberals are often uncomfortable with the traditional idea of miracles. Emerson once called used the term “monster” to describe the Christian understanding of miracles. Is there such a thing as a UU miracle?
Greeters: Cornelia Janke and Goyo Carvajal
Social Hour: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Season of Light”
Our FPW children will celebrate the solstice with their Christmas Pageant “Season of Light”. Rumor has it there will be a special sword dance!!! A special story, music and lots of fun for all.
Greeters: Gretchen Brown and Brigitte Bender
Social Hour: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Wednesday. December 24, 2008 -
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services-
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Traditional candlelight services. Bring cookies to share for social hour at 6:15 p.m. If you have no preference, we encourage members to attend the second service. Services are exactly the same.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
“Epiphanies This Year”
Mark W. Harris
Have you had an epiphany this year? In addition to a Christian holiday, an Epiphany is
the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something. Come share that realization with us.
Greeters: Lynn Bratley and Chuck Dickinson
Social Hour: Theo Ellswoth and Randy Rhoda
Captain’s Log
Once in a while Andrea and I will be watching the news at 11:00 p.m., and it seems as though the only event of the day has been the proverbial cat stuck up a tree. We say it seems like nothing happened today. Most of the time we cannot say that. We have witnessed a month past where the first African-American President in US history has been elected. While it hardly means the end of racism, the symbolic power of the event is truly amazing. I could feel tears roll down my cheeks as I watched the celebration in Chicago. Often the news is so disturbing or upsetting that an event this hopeful and this historic is cathartic. We all still worry about the economy, and the attack in Mumbai raises the fear factor, but nevertheless there is a shift in our attitude about the future, and that can help signal the dawning of an new era. We are more likely to experience good things, when we expect good things.
The Advent season is traditionally a time of waiting. Children count the days down from 25 to 1, and the anticipation grows as the big day draws near. When I was a child, the local newspaper always had a big ad on the front page indicating how many shopping days until Christmas. Time was running out for parents, but drawing near for kids. The story itself contains images of waiting. The wise men perhaps had to wait for nightfall, so they could see the stars to guide them. Mary must have known she was near to giving birth, and was counting the days until it was over. For college kids, they may have to wait to find out how they did on some big test. Those hunting for jobs, wait for a call back from a potential employer. We wait in line. We wait all the time for things. The Christmas season reminds us that waiting is anxiety producing, because we fear how things will turn out. Did I get the job? Did I pass the test? Will the baby be ok? Will we survive the financial chaos?
What do we do while waiting? They say the English have perfected the ability to stand in line, and even invented a word, que, for being so obedient about waiting for things. It is true that they expect to wait in line for things, while we tend to be a little more impatient on this side of the pond, but neither speaks to what can happen while we wait. While we get anxious, and cause the people around us to be anxious, we also need to remember that sometimes the waiting itself is the best part!
First, notice that the kings and the shepherds travel together. There is no solitary match toward Bethlehem. Waiting involves community. No one wants to wait alone. When I was a student waiting to meet with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, I had no one to support me as I waited for the biggest interview of my life. Who would be there if I didn’t pass? No one. Then someone remembered how hard it is to wait for life changing decisions, and so even though the test is for you, there are now others there to support you, and who know what the experience is like. Don’t wait alone. Or if you feel alone, come to a place where others want to be with you. I’ll bet those kings and shepherds talked and ate all the way to Bethlehem.
Second, a lot can happen while we wait for the big event. Andrea always says that planning a project, and carrying it out are much more satisfying than the final result. Even if it is good, it is kind of anti-climatic. Could it be that the real fun is in the searching, and not the finding? That’s often what UUs says about their theology. Who wants pat answers? Come explore many stories and many answers. We can all imagine the big day is what we are waiting for, but it can also be fun sharing our excitement and hopes and love with each other while we wait.
I hope you all have a joyful holiday season. Happy waiting!
Mark
Workers for work day - November 1, 2008
Although it seems as though it happened a long time ago. We want to say thanks to all those who helped out with the Building and Grounds Fall Cleanup Day. Our workers included: Michael McCarthy, Bob Shay, Kathy Button, David Morrison, Kathy Warren, Mark Harris, David Benson, Nick Haddad, Nancy Dutton, Isabel Tappan-DeFrees, Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees, Elijah Tappan-deFrees, Kit Gunning. This is a random listing of all the
people who came, were seen and labored!
Bikes Not Bombs - November 1
We also had a number of people who participated in the Bikes Not Bombs bike
collection, including Will and Sue Twombly, Barry Greess, Debra Zagaeski, Sue Kuder, Cody Urban, Amy Urban and Charlotte Fitts-Sprague (the last three from our youth group). Thanks for your good work
Thanksgiving
Thanks to the corn muffins makers for a great Succoth - Thanksgiving - Eileen Ryan, Lynn Bratley, Anna Knight, Marianne Collins, and Debra Zagaeski
Auction
We had another successful Service Auction this year. The total was $4,021 which we thought was great in these scary economic times. A very special thanks to Jean Merkl for organizing this event once again. In what was supposed to be a transition year, Jean really did a spectacular job, and we are grateful. We also want to thank our former Student minister Mark Caggiano for being our auctioneer. He did a great job. Finally thanks to all who either contributed or bought. Please send your checks to Nancy in the church office if you have not paid up yet. Thanks to Parish and Fellowship committees for their work setting up the dinner.
Among Us
A warm welcome to New Members, who have filled out intention to join cards.
Genia Lenz and her daughter Melanie
Lani Gerson and Hannah Gerson, who are here with Mateo (a grandmother, mother and son family).
Melissa Thompson, whose daughter Josie will be dedicated after Christmas.
We expect that Genia and Melissa will be welcomed as new members on December
7, and Lani and Hannah will be welcomed in the spring, as they cannot be present at the December 7 service.
Our thoughts are with Ann Bloom, who was hospitalized, and now is living in an assisted living facility in Connecticut, near her daughter. We can provide her address on request.
Film Series at First Parish
The second film in our religious film series will be shown on Sunday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. James Carroll’s “Constantine’s Sword” will be shown in the sanctuary (big screen). Constantine’s Sword explores the dark side of Christianity’s past, especially Anti-Semitism and is based on Carroll’s award winning book of the same name. The movie asks the timely question: Is the fanaticism that threatens the world today fueled by our own deeply held beliefs? The public is welcome to this acclaimed film that has been called both “enthralling” and “magnificent” by reviewers. Entertainment weekly said: Like the Da Vinci Code, it grasps at the enigmatic flux of Christian history. You’ll walk out enriched.”
Former interns
It was wonderful to see Mark Caggiano at our Service auction. Mark is now looking for a church settlement. He also announced that Saturday, February 7 will be his ordination in his home church, North Andover. We are all invited, and will play a significant role in the ordination. More later, but please mark your calendars. You might be curious to know about other former interns. Fayre Stephenson , who spoke here in November is now the full time program director for Ferry Beach. She previously served the Universalist Church in Foxboro, MA. Sue Kingman is now minister in Sanford, Maine. Jim Sherblom is co-minister at First Parish in Brookline. And finally, Darrick Jackson is now Admissions Officer at the Boston University School of Theology and also Youth Minister at First Parish in Brookline. Darrick worked for the UUA in the Youth office for one year. You helped send them on their way!
Charitable offering
While it was nice to have Fayre return to the site of her internship, we also want to share that the charitable offering for Ferry Beach was $337.00 Thank you for your generosity.
Guest at Your Table / December Charitable Offering
On Thanksgiving Sunday we handed out Guest at Your Table boxes. If have not been able to be in church, more boxes are available. The insert about the UU Service Committee and this program recommends reading a story or two from their "Stories of Hope," as you share a meal with your family. These Stories of Hope are available as a download from the UUSC web site (www.uusc.org). By using these stories you will connect to the real people behind the pictures on the box. The idea behind Guest at Your Table is that you would keep the box at your dinner table, and make regular contributions at meal time. Then when we arrive at Christmas Eve (or the nearest Sunday to December 25 when you will be in church), we ask you to convert the bills and change to a check made out to UUSC, and we will collect the boxes at the service. Please be advised that if you give $100 or more, that gift you will be matched by the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY. Thank you.
The December charitable offering is the Christmas Eve offering, and it is taken to benefit the UU Service Committee, and added to our Guest at Your Table program total. Please note that we also give out Special Christmas Envelopes for First Parish. If you would like to give a special gift to the church at Christmas, there is an opportunity to do so.
Religious Education
Debra Zagaeski, DRE
“And so the shortest day came”…
The great wheel of the year has turned and the Winter Solstice is upon us. On December 21st we celebrate the longest night, and the shortest day of the year. It is the return of light that we celebrate. We celebrate the miracle of renewal. The earth will turn and in so doing light and warmth will follow the darkness and cold. The Solstices (it is Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and Summer in the Southern Hemisphere in December) are recognized in nearly all cultures around the world. The Solstice is a time to turn inward, to nurture the seeds of hope and potential and growth within the slumbering earth, as well as within ourselves. It can be a time of special connection to the earth and her inhabitants as a gentle grace settles across the land.
During this season of light there may be times when the din of overly zealous consumerism and holly jolly joyfulness is just a bit too much. I suggest that you take a moment to pause and listen. Listen for the ‘grace notes’. The subtle moments of joy, hope and possibility which fly by at the speed of light. It is the light which resonates for all of the people of the world. The light that will return, the light that is the promise. The same light that shone from a star in the sky over Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago celebrating the birth of a divine spirit continues its journey today, reflecting the divine within us all.
Sometimes it is not an easy task to slow down and listen. It is a common ailment at this time of year to succumb to holiday burnout. To become overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ there is to get done. There are gifts to purchase or make, food to buy and prepare, people to gather together, cards to write, and all the while we are told “do more, do more”. In the midst of all this happy holiday doing it is easy to see why some would prefer a long winter nap to keeping pace with all the ever faster moving spirit of Christmas.
We do have it in our power to grant ourselves a respite. We can gift ourselves a moment of grace, simply remember to pause. In the midst of all the holiday chaos take a moment and pause, and in that moment of calm breathe. It can be as you wait for the traffic light to change, add one extra deep breath …count …one, two, three. It can be as you wait in line to buy the groceries, one extra deep breath, count…one, two, three. It may be as you run from store to store looking for that special something, one extra deep breath…one, two three. Breathe in the grace of and solace of the Solstice.
The nineteenth century Indian mystic, Sri Ramakrishna wrote these words: “The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise the sail.” We all need to remember to slow down and stretch, to “raise our sails” and allow the light and grace of the season to catch in our sails and gently move us through the year.
It can be a time of great sadness and isolation as well. As we light our Christmas candles, our Hanukkah candles, our many candles of light, I encourage you to reach out and hold in your thoughts and prayers those individuals for whom this time of the year is especially challenging and dark. In doing so we can all honor the light and grace of this season.
Upcoming Event:
* The Children and Youth of our Religious Education program will be honoring us with a Celebration of the Solstice during the Sunday Service of Worship on December 21st. This years pageant offering: “Season of Light”.
Given with joy and gratitude, Namaste
Debra
Fantastic Christmas concerts!
FPW member and tenor horn player, Isabel Tappan-deFrees is part of the New England Brass Band, New England's only British-style brass band (think "Brassed Off!"). They have a couple of area Christmas concerts coming up if you're in the mood for the music even if the snow hasn't arrived: 12/7 - 3 p.m. in Wilmington and 12/20 - 7 p.m. in Andover. Details of these and other concerts can be found at www.newenglandbrassband.org.
Canvass
As the calendar year winds down, this is a short reminder from the Finance Committee about annual pledges. While pledges are not due in full until 2/28/09, we know it works better for some folks' tax years to pay the pledge in full by 12/31. If you are unclear how much you have left, contact Jean Merkl (jmerkl55@yahoo.com). To change your pledge, contact John Portz (jportz@rcn.com).
Calling All Singers
Rehearsals for the FPW Adult choir will be starting on Wednesday, Dec.10th at 6:30 at the church. We will be singing a few Christmas carols with the plan that if enough people are available and willing to sing for the services on Christmas eve, we could do that! But even if you cannot be part of Christmas eve services, we will be singing some music for January. Please join us! I promise it will be fun, and the music will be challenging but not too much. Call Charlyn and/or Guy at 617-744-1987.
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
Music is always a part of festive times, and as we approach the holidays, there will lots of music to be shared at First Parish. We are a musical community, and we all participate both as listeners and singers/players.
Plans are in progress for the adult choir this month, with rehearsals on Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, from 6:30 to 8:00. Singers of all levels of experience are welcome. The Youth choir meets from 12:30 to 1:15 on Sundays, right after the service. Our Children’s choir meets on Sundays at 10:15, downstairs. Both the Children and the Youth choirs will be singing for our Holiday Pageant on December 21st.
If you like to go Christmas caroling, please join us for a church caroling party on Saturday, Dec. 20th. We will meet at First Parish at 2:45 pm and drive together over to Brigham House to sing at 3 pm. I will have music and words ready for everyone, and I think Guy can play the piano for us there. Afterwards, we invite you to share some holiday treats at our house, 1034 Belmont St. in Watertown. Save the date, it will be a wonderful time for all!
Looking ahead to January 2009, Guy and I are working on having an up-to-date music website as part of the First Parish Watertown website. We will have musical activities and performers listed there so you will know what is happening and how you can join in. We will also keep an up-to-date calendar of rehearsals and other information.
Music-making is about both honing your talents and being part of a larger community. Come help us celebrate our musical community! If there is something musical you would like to see, please share your thoughts with me, so we can work together to make it happen.
Chair Campaign Update
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to our chair campaign. As of the end of November we have received contributions that will pay for 32 new blue chairs. Since we plan to purchase 136 new chairs, we have a ways to go.
Given the difficult financial situation this year, we realize that many of you are not in a position to donate $150 to purchase a chair at this time, even though you support our effort. Please know that we welcome donations in any amount at any time. Just be sure to designate “Chair Campaign” on your check or envelope containing cash. You can place your contribution in the offering on Sunday or put it in the mail box on the door to the church office.
We’re happy to report that two groups who rent our sanctuary regularly for rehearsals and concerts, the Greater Boston Folk Song Society and the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus have contributed generously to the chair fund. Also, we have scheduled another FPW comedy night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 with proceeds to benefit the chair fund.
Martha Scott,
Parish Committee Chair
Flowers for the Holidays
(note new flower choices)
It’s that time of year again! If you would like to order poinsettia or cyclamen plants to decorate the sanctuary for the holidays, and then bring them home after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the order form below and return it to the church office by December 8. The plants, in 6" pots, are from Wilson Farms in Lexington and are lovely and hardy.
I would like to purchase ______ poinsettias and/or ______ cyclamen plants at $7.00 each. Please choose colors below. Make checks out to First Parish of Watertown. Enclosed is $__________.
Poinsettias
How many of which color(s)?
____ white ___ pink____ red ___ marble
Cyclamen
How many of which color(s)?
____ white____ pink____ red
In loving memory of:
_____________________________________
or Gift of:
______________________________________
Your name(s) as you would like it printed in the order of service:
______________________________________
The Giving Box
November was such a generous month...
A time which returned election results which resonated with a majority of voters--a match which did not need the intervention of the US Supreme Court. We were thankful.
A time when FPW gathered for a service of music to honor Patty DeVore's decades of sustaining this congregation with her expressive gifts of musical interpretation. We as a congregation were thankful.
A time when some of us gathered for the annual Pot Luck and Service Auction. The food was delicious (as always). The auction was a success raising a goodly sum for our church. The wide ranges of services and donated items offered spoke to the talents, ingenuity and generosity of the participants. We participants were thankful.
A time (two and a half weeks) that this congregation addressed an increasing local need for food. You added 284 cans/boxes of food to the Watertown Food Pantry which supplements working families' pantries in this time of escalating financial insecurity. We as a congregation were deeply grateful that we were able to do this at Thanksgiving time.
Your efforts in supporting the GIVING BOX have benefited programs throughout these past three months which work with particular groups of people in need of particular services. These programs focus on defined parameters within a series of larger systemic difficulties. FPW's participation allows us to put into deeds our commitment to act locally for change in the world.
December is a month of waning warmth and deepening darkness moving towards a series of holidays honoring light, hope and renewal of promises. We will gather in church and at home in a bounty of food, warmth, presents and safe connections. This month's GIVING BOX will be for a group of children who live with great needs and are in real need of presents and some hope as well. We will be collecting new toys for children who are being served by the Boston Medical Center's Growth and Development Clinic. This program works with children who have been diagnosed with Failure to Thrive syndrome. Their families are involved with the services as well. This is a program outside of the traditional medical model and is not supported by insurance or government support. It offers medical care, nutritional supplements and supportive outreach services to families who have been identified as having at least one child who is undernourished.
FPW has a long history of supporting the Growth and Development clinic. In the mid-1980’s, Vicki Siska Salkin, the wife of our then minister Marc Salkin, was pregnant with her second child and asked the congregation to consider donating food to a fledgling program for premature and dismature (full term/underweight) babies. The focus then was on undernourished children and on pregnant women who were at risk to deliver malnourished children. Vicki contrasted her life as a pregnant woman to at risk mothers in the greater Boston area and invited Debra Frank,MD, the Director of the new clinic to share her thoughts with FPW at a church service. The response was enthusiastic and we began collecting food throughout that church year. The second year of our involvement, Kay Lundgren, a church member, educated the Board Members of the insurance company where she worked of FPW's involvement with the Growth Clinic. That company donated
$5-10,000 dollars to the clinic to boost start-up monies. Vicki, Marc, Kay and her husband Rick were asked to light the tree at the Prudential Center representing FPW! During that Christmas season our church began to answer another stated need of the clinic: the collection of toys for undernourished kids and their siblings. That is how FPW became part-time partners with the Growth Clinic which now adds "Development" to its title, as nourishment is key to both physical and neurological health.
Here in the winter of 2008 we will try to give as many unwrapped, new gifts to the Growth Clinic's children as possible. These gifts will be distributed by the Clinic to patients and caregivers of Boston and surrounding areas. Many of these people struggle to meet the everyday demands of feeding, raising and caring for their children--giving their children gifts is an "extra" which means it's an impossibility. This year, usual charities which give gifts have cupboards which are bare because of recent economic shifts--making our donations even more welcome!
The collective WE of FPW has just two and a half weeks to bring in the age appropriate,new/unwrapped children's gifts. December 14th is the last day to put these gifts under the FPW Christmas tree! There is a Wish List below broken down into three age groups. Note: these suggested items can be purchased reasonably by today's standards. Perhaps you might think of yourself at a particular childhood age opening the gift you selected---a vicarious smile of the season!
We will be asking you to commit to a gift for a child of a certain age when we approach you at coffee hour. We will give you a gift tag to sign which will then be hung on the tree to remind all of us of what we are accomplishing in a short time. Should you not be at a service or should you not connect with one of us, do bring in an unwrapped new toy by Sunday-December 14th. If you are unable to shop for a toy but would like to participate in our Christmas Giving Box Project, please call us at (781) 289-0073 and we will shop for you. We would also be happy to pick up your gift at your home should you be unable to deliver it to the church by the 14th. We need this due date so that the Clinic can disperse our gifts by Christmas.
May Sarton wrote: I can understand people simply fleeing the mountainous efforts Christmas has become...But there are always a few saving graces and finally they make up for all the bother and distress.
We wish you the many graces of this season and direct your attention below to the Growth and Development Clinic's Holiday Wish List.
With heartfelt thanks and a wish for a special new year ahead ....
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
UNWRAPPED gifts for Growth/Development Clinic needed to be in church by DECEMBER 14th.
***Please do NOT donate: Any war toys, guns or military theme toys//Jewelry made in China// Toys made in China before 2008***
BABIES and TODDLERS (0-4): Educational preschool toys(sing a-longs, numbers, alphabet and shapes)//Wooden puzzles/puzzles marked with appropriate age groups, including educational puzzles dealing with counting, shapes, animals and the alphabet//Building blocks//Push and pull toys//Playskool toys//MegaBloks//Soft, bouncing balls//Tonka Junior trucks//Fisher Price play sets//Toy telephones//Fisher Price toy medical kit.
SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (5-10):Interactive flipbooks that teach phonetics to young children (Leap Frog)// Crayons/Coloring books// Craft materials (paper pads, sketchpads, rainbow paints, finger paints, etc)//Toy cash registers//Train sets//Matchbox cars//Mr.Potato Head//Plastic tea sets//Sturdy trucks (Fisher Price toy trucks, buses and cars)//Baby dolls (multicultural, if possible)//Barbie Dolls (multicultural preferred)//Etch-a-Sketch/Magna Doodle//Board games//Puzzles.
Preteens and Teenagers (11-18):Arts/Crafts materials and activity sets (beads, ceramics, sand art and jewelry making kits)//Clock radios//Sports related items (hats, sweatshirts, footballs and basketballs)//Jewelry//School organizer sets//Watches//Nail polish/lip balm/lip gloss sets//Bath gels/body lotion/body sprays gift sets//Gift Certificates for DVDs & CDs, video games//Diaries//CD player/Discman//Jewelry boxes//Calculators//Board games//Electronic games/handheld games//Cameras//Pre-paid cell phones//Remote control cars//Walkie-talkies.
Photo Board
Have you noticed the Display on the wall by the kitchen in the social hall? This is our members and friends photo board. We are going to update it! It is delightful to see the shining faces of our members. For some it is helpful to put a face to a name, find out whose child that is, or just delight in the people. We are requesting that you join us in making the faces current and have more people represented. So there are a few choices: If you are not up on the board you can bring in a recent photo and we will put it up. If your picture is on the board, but very outdated, you can bring in a new one. If you would like, I can take new pictures on December 14th and 21st. so please find me ! I will be the one with a camera around my neck !!
Lee Pierce, Fellowship Committee.
Green Sanctuary Corner
by Eileen Ryan
Being part of a community that is actively trying to be more ecological is inspirational. I have been making environmentally friendly choices and decisions for years. During the past year I was inspired by my involvement with the Green Sanctuary Committee to see how much our family of five could reduce our energy use. I had an NSTAR representative come to our house in November, 2007, to monitor our refrigerator. We qualified for a one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar rebate toward a new Energy Star refrigerator. While the NSTAR representative was at our house he replaced all of our traditional light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs and installed a low-flow shower- head free of charge. Our electric bill was immediately reduced by a third. Last winter we also lowered the thermostat to 62 degrees when we were home during the day and to 54 degrees at night. Everyone who wants one goes to bed with a hot water bottle for extra warmth. We are all trying to remember to turn out lights when we leave a room. A year later, with our new refrigerator installed, we have reduced electricity usage by 50 percent. I look forward to seeing the electric bill each month, always hoping that we have used even less electricity than the same month a year ago.
The Holidays and How to Simplify
The Simplicity Circle, a group formed as part of our Green Sanctuary efforts met recently. Eileen Ryan facilitated a discussion on “How to Simplify the Holidays”. The group members would like to share thoughts from a source that was found useful. The following was taken from the book “Unplug the Christmas Machine” by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli.
Christmas Pledge: Believing in the true spirit of Christmas I commit myself to:
*Remember those people who truly need my gifts
*Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
*Examine my holiday activities in light of my deepest values
*Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends
*Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth.
Four basic children’s needs for the holidays;
1. A relaxed and loving time with the family
2. Realistic expectations about gifts
3. An evenly passed holiday season
4. Reliable family traditions
FPW Mini Holiday Craft Fair
On Sunday, December 7 and December 14 at Social Hour we will be holding a craft fair for friends and members who wish to sell their crafts. If anyone is interested please contact Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597 or Eileen@Simplycircus.com
We will also be selling Amnesty International calendars during December.
The Christmas Revels
Charlotte Holt is a member of the children's chorus of this year's production of The Christmas Revels. This year's theme is Thomas Hardy's England. The Christmas Revels is performed at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge beginning December 12 and ending December 30. Charlotte will not be in the matinee on December 13 or the evening performance on December 21. Each child in the cast has two performances off. For more information: Revels. org, or 617-972-8300.
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. You can call for more information at 617-924-4638.
Applause and Sunday Worship
Some people have become concerned about applause in our worship services, and expressed this in the recent survey. While not wanting to stifle spontaneous appreciation, we have asked the congregation not to applaud at the end of the postlude. This is to maintain a focus on the music as a spiritual element of the service, rather than as a performance per se.
As a way to make this change more effective, we are now using a short chorale by Bartok as the instrumental postlude every week, creating a ritualistic effect similar to the use of the Doxology earlier in the service (this postlude is not sung, of course). Please give us your feedback Also, please remember to turn off your cell phone when you enter the sanctuary.
Comedy Night Coming in January
Paul Day has arranged a Second Annual FPW Comedy Night. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 31, 2009 for a night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Easy Money
How often does the Finance Committee get to say that!!! This is just a quick note that if you're shopping on amazon.com, you can easily help First Parish at the same time! Just start your shopping at www.fpwatertown.org Members page and then click on the Amazon icon. A portion of the money you spend will come back to us! Please pass this information on to friends and other loved ones~