Friday, June 02, 2006
The Arbella - Newsletter for JUne 2006
First Parish of Watertwon
Arbella
June 2006
See calendar online at www.fpwatertown.org
Sermons and Topics
Sunday June 4, 2006 at 11:00am
What, Me Worry? Mark W. Harris
My wife Andrea tells me that I am a worrier. As a youngster I was a great devotee of Mad Magazine. The mantra of Alfred E. Newman, the Mad Magazine symbol was, “What, Me Worry?” How was he able to let all of life’s stresses slide off his back? Did he not care? Did he know there were more important things? How could we all not worry so much?
Greeters:
Carole Berney and Karen Allendoerfer
Social Hour:
Elizabeth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Sunday June 11, 2006 at 11:00am
Youth Sunday
Led by Youth (with Roberta Altamari, DRE)
Join us for a few quick but very meaningful recognition ceremonies as some of our children mark significant milestones in our lives. And then be prepared to be inspired and fascinated as our youth lead us in worship. (There is no "coming-of-age" this year, so we promise we will finish on time.)
Greeters: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Social Hour: Sue and Will Twombly
Sunday June 18, 2006 at 11:00am
Flower Communion and Picnic
Mark W. Harris
Our final service of the church year always features that great UU tradition of Flower Communion, which comes to us from the Czech Unitarian martyr, Norbert Capek. Please bring a cut flower to church. The service will also include some thoughts on Father’s Day, and will feature our adult choir. This day also marks our annual all church picnic. Please bring a dish to share for the feast that follows the service.
Greeters: Brigitte Bender and Jeanne Cleary
Social Hour: Church Picnic, Fellowship Committee
Summer Services
No Services in July.
We will have summer services during the month of August. These services begin at 9:30 a.m. and are lay led. We are looking for people who are willing to conduct these services.
So far, Jeanne Cleary and Chris Johnson have volunteered.
The dates are August 6, 13, 20 and 27.
A detailed notice about these services will be sent out in late July.
Captain’s Log
Can it be summer already? This is our last regular newsletter until fall. The Greenwood/ Harris family summer will follow a typical pattern from most previous summers. We will be on vacation during July and on call during August. If you need to contact me during the summer, please leave a message at church, and, if I am in Maine, the phone number will be posted in the church office. We have no big trips planned for this year, but I will be the theme speaker at a conference at Ferry Beach in Maine on Unitarian Universalism and Class in late August.
The fall will bring signs of change as it always does. Three church members are getting married between now and mid-September (two to each other). My son Levi will be starting at a new school in Sudbury. We will also have a new student minister in place. As I write this we are in the midst of interviews for the position. There are more and more people
studying for the UU ministry. Now we need more and more jobs! I was struck by the emotion of our farewell to Darrick. Saying goodbye to our students so frequently gets us in the practice of connecting and then having to say farewell. Separating is not easy, perhaps because its reminds us of how much separation occurs in our lives.
Change is ever present. Two members have lost parents in the past month. Many of our members are at an age where this is a common occurrence. We see first hand a period of decline and difficulty. Sibling relationships become complicated and emotional, and then there is this separation that we are never really ready for, but we somehow must acclimate ourselves to. What will family mean to us now, and how will it be formed in the days and years ahead?
These rites of passage and change mean birth as well as marriage and death. Soon we will all have the chance to say hello to Haley, as we did to Gates Lenore just a few months back. It is always wonderful for me to be able to
celebrate a child dedication with you. There is a connection for me with these children, and it is hard to hold back the tears of hope and happiness for them as they grow and develop their young lives. On Mother’s Day, we
all declared our church affirmation of dedication to the lives of all children who are part of our community, which in this instance was Gates Lenore, and her big brother Roane.
I had a phone call a couple of weeks ago that put this all in perspective. Above my desk I keep a record book called “Pastoral Record.” This holds a list of all the weddings, memorials and child dedications I have conducted.
Scanning back to 1982 (page 97), I can find a couple named Pete and Marge who were married by me in the church in Palmer. A year later their daughter Amber was born, and she was dedicated in the Palmer church in 1984 (page 8). The phone call I received recently was from Marge asking me if I would conduct a wedding for Amber next year back in Palmer. This little baby I held 22 years ago is now ready to make a life long commitment of love to someone. I was moved by this call, and excitedly said yes. Will I see her parents as a young couple in love? Will I see her as a baby in my arms? Will I look ahead to what her life will bring?
It is a great privilege in ministry to bear witness to such life transitions as this. We only hope that the natural course of birth, growth and death can occur without tragedy taking a life before it reaches its full fruition.
Sometimes we must bear witness to those events, too. The pain is great, and if we are exempt, we feel a bit more lucky today, and hug our loved ones that much tighter. So when Amber stands before me, I will see my own
maturation from black haired kid to white haired oldster, but in that span of years it would be hard to say that I am anything less than grateful for what life has given me. From babies to college kids to old ones in decline,
we bear witness to the ever present changes in our lives. Summer gives us a chance to reflect on those changes. It gives us time to savor life. So please climb a mountain with those you love. Watch the tide come in and go out. Read a book that will let you visit another world of imagination. Cry a little for what you have lost. Laugh a little for what you have. And dream a little of days to come, or even lifetimes to come.
I look forward to those new dreams of tomorrow in September - a wedding - a new school - a child dedication - a new student minister. And, of course, a new church year, too. I know why it was hard holding back those tears saying goodbye to Darrick. I loved working with and being around him. Those tears go hand and hand with the connections we make. Would we have it any other way?
Mark
Among Us
Our sympathy to Charlyn Bethell, and her family at the death of Charlyn’s father on April 30, 2006 at age 84.
Our sympathy to Marianne Collins and her family at the death of Marianne’s father on May 19, 2006.
Congratulations to John Chamberlain and Sarah McSweeney and big sister Kate at the birth of Haley Elizabeth Chamberlain on Monday, May 15, 2006.
Congratulations to our college graduates - Jenna Benson: Bates College, Kate Bahn: Hampshire College, Zack Carver-Gustin: University of Hartford, Corey Haddad: Evergreen College
Congratulations also to high school graduates: Julie Haddad who is off to Oberlin College, and Merra Howe who is off to Vassar College.
A warm welcome to our new member, but longtime friend, Barbara Hansberry.
A warm welcome to Roane and Gates Lenore, children of Kyle and Kelly Morton who were dedicated on May 14, 2006.
Midsummer Revels
Charlotte and Giles Holt will be performing in the Midsummer Revels on Sat.. June 24th and Sun. June, 25th at 7:15pm at the Boston Children’s Museum. This is a free, outdoor, multicultural celebration of the summer solstice incorporating music, dance and storytelling. For more information contact Revels at (617) 972- 8400 or www.Revels.org.
Amazon.com Fundraising
This is a reminder that if you go to our website (www.fpwatertown.org), and click on Amazon.com when you plan to buy books or CDs or other products you are helping First Parish raise funds. We need more people to make their purchases through our website. We receive a small percentage of all purchases made in this way. We recently received a check for over $100. It all helps. Please remember this in your purchase planning. Thank you.
Summer Services
The worship committee is beginning to put together the schedule of summer services (yes, it is that time already!). Jeanne Cleary and Chris Johnson from the Worship Committee have already agreed to fill two of the four
slots. This means we have two other Sundays to find a worship leader. If you are interested in conducting a service, please speak to Chris or Mark Harris. Mark is also willing to meet with you about how to conduct a service.
The summer Sundays in August are: 6, 13, 20 and 27.
Water Service in September
Don’t forget to gather some water from wherever your travels take you this summer. We will resume regular services in September with out Water Communion on September 10.
2003 Capital Fund Drive Status Report
In response to the question asked at the 2006 Annual Meeting about the status of our Capital Fund Drive for the 2003 Building Project, the following is the status of the project’s financing.
To fund the Building Project we raised and spent over $380,000 for major improvements to our church building. Most prominent among the improvements was the reinforcement of the roof with steel beams and the renovation of the sanctuary that we enjoy each Sunday morning.
One major source of funding for this project was pledges from members and friends of First Parish. In our 2003 Capital Fund Drive we received 59 pledges for a total amount of $141,696, with the pledges payable through
March 31, 2006. As of that date we had received payments of $136,389, leaving a shortfall of $5,307. In order to complete construction in 2003 we borrowed $87,000 from the endowment at 4.4% as a bridge loan against pledge payments due, and currently owe $8,500 of that amount (i.e. the $5,307 plus the interest), the final payment on which is due December 31, 2008.
We will make a final effort at collecting money to pay off the remainder of this debt between now and the end of 2006. At that point the Canvass/Finance Committee will make a recommendation as to how we should go about paying back the unpaid balance from the church’s operating budget in the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years.
Robert Shay, Chairman
FPW Capital Fund Drive
5/7/2006
Rummage Sale
We had another great effort from all the donors and workers who helped out with the annual Rummage Sale. Our grand total this year was $1,062.75. Special thanks to Jane Knuttunen who has run the Rummage sale for the past
five years. Other workers included: Meredith Montague, Gretchen Brown, Barbara Hansberry, Martha Urban, Eileen Ryan, Guy Holt, Bobbie Brown, Jeff Miller, Izzy and Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees, Sue Demb, Susan Flint, Missy Shay and Mark Harris.
Donor Recognition
The Canvass 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 the 2006-2007 church year. If you would like to join this community of people who through their financial contributions 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, John Portz or Michael Collins of the Canvass Committee about making a pledge to First Parish.
Allendoerfer, Karen
Altamari, Michael and Roberta
Beck, Barbara
Benson, David & Dutton, Nancy
Berney, Carole & Chuck
Bethell, Charlyn & Urban, Guy
Bloom, Ann
Boenau, Marilyn
Brown, Gretchen
Brown, Roberta
Burkhardt, Gwynne
Button, Kathy
Cachimuel, Holly
Carnese, Paula
Carver, Denise
Celeste, Oliva & Garland, Joe
Chamberlain, John & McSweeney, Sara
Chipman, Eric
Collins, Marianne & Michael
Cudhea, Peter
Dansereau, Paul & Miller, Julie
Day, Paul & Mulvaney Day, Norah
Demb, Sue & Joe
Erickson, Johanna
Felty, Jim
Fitts, Judi
Flint, Susan & Haddad, Nick
Fox, Patricia & Letourneau, Linda
Greene, Ruth
Guidrey, Susan & McDonald, Valy
Gustin, Stephen
Hansberry, Barbara & Leon, David
Harrington, Anne
Harris, Mark & Greenwood, Andrea
Hart, Kyle & Johanna
Howe, Virginia
Johnson, Christopher & Repp, Ken
Kamm, Roger & Judy
Klein, Jan
Knight, Anna
Knuttunen, Jane
Kuder, Sue
Latner, Betty
McCarthy, Michael
Merkl, Jean & Gorman, John
Morrison, David
Morton, Kelly and Kyle
Mountain, Joani
Parsons, Beth
Portz, John & Montague, Meredith
Proskauer, Charmian
Rhoda, Randy
Ryan, Eileen
Schlivek, Mary
Scott, Martha
Shay, Missy & Bob
Sheehan, Rebecca
Shepard, Diane & Thom
Sherman, Aurora & Miller, Jeff
Strekalovsky, Elizabeth
Tappan-deFrees, Elizabeth & Isabel
Tawa, Nicholas & Michelina
Turner, Patricia
Twombly, Will & Sue
Urban, Martha
Vogel, Jerusha and Ken
Warren, Kathy & David
Peace Abbey Trip
FPW member Eileen Ryan has arranged a church visit to the Peace Abbey in Sherborn. The date is Sunday, June the 4th at 2:30 p.m. All members and friends of all ages are invited to go on this tour. Please bring a picnic lunch if you wish. We will leave the church after social hour at approximately 1:30 p.m. It takes about 1/2 hour to get there..
Contact Information
The Peace Abbey
Two North Main Street
Sherborn, MA 01770
Abbey Office: (508) 650-3659
info@peaceabbey.org
The Peace Abbey is dedicated to creating innovative models for society that empower individuals on the paths of nonviolence, peacemaking, and cruelty-free living, We offer a variety of programs and resources that teach, inspire and encourage one to speak out and act on issues of peace and social justice. Faith in action is the cornerstone our fellowship and activist pacifism is our creed. Go to www.peaceabbey.org for more info.
Visiting Hours:
Monday through Friday - 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday - 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Office Telephone: (508) 650-3659
Directions From Boston
Mass Turnpike 90 West to Route 95 South. Exit on Route 16 West. Follow 16 to Sherborn. At T intersection, turn left onto Route 27 South (still 16 West). The Peace Abbey is 1/4 mile down on 27 on the left before fork in road.
R.E.flections by a chaliceD.R.E.amer
by Roberta Altamari
We had our Youth Conversations meeting last month (on May 21st) thanks to Darrick, Cody, Giles, and everyone who attended. We had a fascinating conversation about how to welcome and empower the youth in our community. While we wrapped up by creating three goals, I walked away with much more. I affirmed a strategy that we must practice with all youth (and our children and adults for that matter). Here it is.
1. Welcome. When someone visits, they must be personally welcomed. Do not wait for someone else to do it. Even if you are shy, remember that visitors are always more shy than you. Ideally, that welcome will come from someone they connect with. If you are the person welcoming someone and you know someone else that you think they would enjoy meeting, please introduce them. Whether someone will continue to come to First Parish largely depends if they have made any connections here. And teens have shown us that just because their family comes does not mean they will. So let's be genuinely welcoming!
2. Publicize. We need to be organized enough with our programming to be able to advertise and publicize ALL events happening at First Parish. You never know when there might be a friend or member of our community who would want to join the activity. It is easy to take for granted that everyone already knows what is going on, but I have real examples of (children, youth, and adult) situations when someone else would have participated if they had known. So if you are planning something, make sure all of the details get in the Arbella. And if you have the time, take it one step further and send a personal invite to all people the group could welcome ... especially those folks you don't know well.
3. Engage. It is vital that we continue to offer engaging programming at First Parish. We are never done creating new and interesting activities, groups, and events. It is an ongoing process that involves all of us being resourceful and creative. We must know each other's needs and interests so all programming stays vibrant and relevant to our lives.
4. Acceptance. We must remember that each individual that comes to First Parish is unique and might use our ministry in different ways. Just like adults, youth will tap into different aspects of our programming to find their groove. So while some youth might get active in our youth group and the UU youth conferences, others might be happy to come here only for worship services or might deeply connect by working with our young children or might only want to serve on our Social Action committee. It is not our role to judge if our youth (or anyone for that matter) is sufficiently engaged in our ministry. However, that does not take away our responsibility to care and help others find their path at First Parish. Our role can be to ask individuals if they are feeling connected and if there is anything we can do to support them in participating in our community in ways that truly enrich their lives. While a small congregation like ours can't be all things to all people, we certainly can do more to make sure each member, friend, and visitor is welcomed and engaged.
R.E. Calendar
Principle Activators, youth ages 12 to 14
June 4: Plan Youth Sunday
June 11: Lead intergenerational Youth Sunday Service
June 18: Intergenerational Flower Communion Service
All other groups (UU Travelers, youth ages 9 to 12; UU Explorers, kids ages 8 to 10; Rainbow Seekers, kids ages 5 to 8; Treasure Hunters, kids ages 3 to 5; and Friendship Finders, kids ages 1 1/2 to 3)
June 4: End of the year celebration
June 11: Intergenerational Youth Sunday Service
June 18: Intergenerational Flower Communion Service
Community Service Wrap-up
We've had another excellent year of helping others! Thank you so much to each one of you that assisted and supported in any way!! Just last month, I had the pleasure of delivering our collected animal supplies, the homemade dog biscuits by our Rainbow Seekers, and the $75 raised by our UU Explorers to Buddy Dog (an animal shelter in Sudbury). They were so grateful, especially when they heard children did all the work! And then I delivered the flowers that our young Treasure Hunters and Rainbow Seekers planted in the beautiful pots they decorated to some elderly folks who are pretty much homebound at Brigham House (the assisted living facility in Watertown). I wish each one of you could have seen the smiles on the faces of the residents as they received their special gifts. It reminded me that you should have had that opportunity and we will try to plan a few "community service" or "social action" field trips next year. If you have any ideas about where you'd like to go to help others, please let me know.
Calling all young singers!!
Announcing rehearsals for Children's and Youth Choirs:
All are welcome (ages 6 to 10 in the Children's Choir and ages 11 to 14 in the Youth Choir)
June 3rd (Saturday) at Charlyn's house (1034 Belmont St.) at 4:30 to 5:00 for the children and 5:30 for Youth. She has great snacks, by the way!
June 4th (Sunday) at 12:30--1 for children and 1:30 for Youth at church, right after the service
June 10, (Saturday) at 1 pm at my house--again, a half hour for children and an hour for Youth.
June 11 (Youth Sunday!), at 10 am at the church, we sing at that service.
The songs we will sing for the children are: Yonder Come Day (by themselves) and with the Youth choir: Good News. Youth choir will sing: When I Close My Eyes (with a cellist!), Al Shlosha, Amazing Grace, Good News (with the children), and Seasons of Love from "Rent"
Other announcements
Need UU curricula
Do you have any First Parish curricula from when you were teaching years ago? We really need all curricula back (by June 18th). Please check your shelves for us!
We've got a new Youth Advisor! But your help is still needed ...
We are thrilled to announce that Kyle Morton has signed on to be our next Youth Advisor. Kyle will the primary organizer for our Youth programming, but there are ample opportunities for volunteers to do projects with them (and since they don't meet on Sunday mornings, you don't have to miss the worship service to work with our youth). Please let Kyle or Roberta know if you have an idea for a fun project to do with the youth OR if you'd be happy to simply assist with a project that is already planned. Also, very dedicated folks who are willing to give up an entire weekend (Friday PM to Sunday AM) to attend a district Youth Conference with our teens are also needed. We've heard that it makes for a fascinating weekend but without much sleep. Please let us know if any of these helping opportunities interest you.
Planning Ahead for September:
Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful summer vacation! Kids and youth, please remember to collect something from nature that will help tell a story from your summer adventures to share with us on Sunday, September 17th when all children and youth will gather together for a special event to welcome each other back to First Parish. (And don't forget to collect water from your travels too as your family will be invited to share your vacation story the Sunday before at our annual Water Service). I look forward to seeing you again and hearing about your summer.
Building and Grounds Spring Clean-up
Special thanks to all those who came for clean-up day in the pouring rain. Workers included: Nick Haddad, David Benson, Bob Shay, Michael McCarthy, Susan Flint, Kyle Hart, Valy Mc Donald, and Mark Harris
Women & Work
At the June Women & Work Meeting, Carole Berney will lead us in a nature walk along the Charles River path in Newton and Watertown, pointing out wildflowers, trees, birds, waterfowl, and any other animal life we happen upon. It should be a low-key and relaxing visit and a good introduction to those of you who have not yet discovered this wonderful treasure of a resource right in Watertown. We will meet Tuesday, June 27 at 6:30. The exact location of rendezvous TBA.
Lost and Found
Please take the time to look in the lost and found that has collected over the year, currently in the church office. We will have it out at the Church Picnic, June 18.
Open Choir Sing
Please sing with us for the Flower Communion on June 18. Our songs will be simple and we will have only 2 rehearsals:
June 12 at 6:45 pm
June 18 at 9:45 am
Social Action - Giving Boxes
We only have three weeks in June for our Giving Box collection - Watch for an email this week for what to donate to the UU Urban Ministry’s Renewal House.
Benefit Concert
Our postponed Benefit concert was a great success on May 20. We will be able to send $1,300 to the Girls Scouts Beyond Bars Program. Thanks to everyone who helped out.
Worship Survey
We had a wonderful response to our worship survey with 39 respondents. Chris Johnson is preparing a final report, which we hope to hand out at church, and will include in the September newsletter.
Celebrate Boston & UU Pride - 06
It is that time of year again when our minds turn towards warmer weather and the Boston Pride Parade. For over 35 years Boston Pride has organized a week of Pride events, including the week-topping Parade and Festival. And the Boston community has plenty to be proud of! Not only does Boston host the largest Pride celebration in New England (over 400,000 participants), but our community celebrates in the only state that allows same-sex couples the legal right to marry!
If you were there last year and want to march as part of the large UU contingent again please join us this year. If you weren’t there last year but heard about how great it was please join us and invite everyone that you know.
Saturday, June 10th at 11:00am at Arlington Street Church
The festivities will begin with a banner parade and Worship at Arlington Street Church (located at the corner of Boylston and Arlington Streets). The gathered will then proceed to the parade route and march as a group with their respective congregational banners. For more information or to confirm your participation please contact Marjorie
Matty, Ministerial Intern The UU Society of Wellesley Hills (mmatty@comcast.net) Information on the FPW participation will be emailed soon.
Say Goodbye for the Summer!
Flower Communion and Picnic on June 16 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate a great UU tradition.
Please bring a cut flower to the service.
Hear our wonderful choir for the last time this church year.
Please bring a dish to share at the annual All Church Picnic.
Join us for a wonderful way to close out the year.
Arbella
June 2006
See calendar online at www.fpwatertown.org
Sermons and Topics
Sunday June 4, 2006 at 11:00am
What, Me Worry? Mark W. Harris
My wife Andrea tells me that I am a worrier. As a youngster I was a great devotee of Mad Magazine. The mantra of Alfred E. Newman, the Mad Magazine symbol was, “What, Me Worry?” How was he able to let all of life’s stresses slide off his back? Did he not care? Did he know there were more important things? How could we all not worry so much?
Greeters:
Carole Berney and Karen Allendoerfer
Social Hour:
Elizabeth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Sunday June 11, 2006 at 11:00am
Youth Sunday
Led by Youth (with Roberta Altamari, DRE)
Join us for a few quick but very meaningful recognition ceremonies as some of our children mark significant milestones in our lives. And then be prepared to be inspired and fascinated as our youth lead us in worship. (There is no "coming-of-age" this year, so we promise we will finish on time.)
Greeters: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Social Hour: Sue and Will Twombly
Sunday June 18, 2006 at 11:00am
Flower Communion and Picnic
Mark W. Harris
Our final service of the church year always features that great UU tradition of Flower Communion, which comes to us from the Czech Unitarian martyr, Norbert Capek. Please bring a cut flower to church. The service will also include some thoughts on Father’s Day, and will feature our adult choir. This day also marks our annual all church picnic. Please bring a dish to share for the feast that follows the service.
Greeters: Brigitte Bender and Jeanne Cleary
Social Hour: Church Picnic, Fellowship Committee
Summer Services
No Services in July.
We will have summer services during the month of August. These services begin at 9:30 a.m. and are lay led. We are looking for people who are willing to conduct these services.
So far, Jeanne Cleary and Chris Johnson have volunteered.
The dates are August 6, 13, 20 and 27.
A detailed notice about these services will be sent out in late July.
Captain’s Log
Can it be summer already? This is our last regular newsletter until fall. The Greenwood/ Harris family summer will follow a typical pattern from most previous summers. We will be on vacation during July and on call during August. If you need to contact me during the summer, please leave a message at church, and, if I am in Maine, the phone number will be posted in the church office. We have no big trips planned for this year, but I will be the theme speaker at a conference at Ferry Beach in Maine on Unitarian Universalism and Class in late August.
The fall will bring signs of change as it always does. Three church members are getting married between now and mid-September (two to each other). My son Levi will be starting at a new school in Sudbury. We will also have a new student minister in place. As I write this we are in the midst of interviews for the position. There are more and more people
studying for the UU ministry. Now we need more and more jobs! I was struck by the emotion of our farewell to Darrick. Saying goodbye to our students so frequently gets us in the practice of connecting and then having to say farewell. Separating is not easy, perhaps because its reminds us of how much separation occurs in our lives.
Change is ever present. Two members have lost parents in the past month. Many of our members are at an age where this is a common occurrence. We see first hand a period of decline and difficulty. Sibling relationships become complicated and emotional, and then there is this separation that we are never really ready for, but we somehow must acclimate ourselves to. What will family mean to us now, and how will it be formed in the days and years ahead?
These rites of passage and change mean birth as well as marriage and death. Soon we will all have the chance to say hello to Haley, as we did to Gates Lenore just a few months back. It is always wonderful for me to be able to
celebrate a child dedication with you. There is a connection for me with these children, and it is hard to hold back the tears of hope and happiness for them as they grow and develop their young lives. On Mother’s Day, we
all declared our church affirmation of dedication to the lives of all children who are part of our community, which in this instance was Gates Lenore, and her big brother Roane.
I had a phone call a couple of weeks ago that put this all in perspective. Above my desk I keep a record book called “Pastoral Record.” This holds a list of all the weddings, memorials and child dedications I have conducted.
Scanning back to 1982 (page 97), I can find a couple named Pete and Marge who were married by me in the church in Palmer. A year later their daughter Amber was born, and she was dedicated in the Palmer church in 1984 (page 8). The phone call I received recently was from Marge asking me if I would conduct a wedding for Amber next year back in Palmer. This little baby I held 22 years ago is now ready to make a life long commitment of love to someone. I was moved by this call, and excitedly said yes. Will I see her parents as a young couple in love? Will I see her as a baby in my arms? Will I look ahead to what her life will bring?
It is a great privilege in ministry to bear witness to such life transitions as this. We only hope that the natural course of birth, growth and death can occur without tragedy taking a life before it reaches its full fruition.
Sometimes we must bear witness to those events, too. The pain is great, and if we are exempt, we feel a bit more lucky today, and hug our loved ones that much tighter. So when Amber stands before me, I will see my own
maturation from black haired kid to white haired oldster, but in that span of years it would be hard to say that I am anything less than grateful for what life has given me. From babies to college kids to old ones in decline,
we bear witness to the ever present changes in our lives. Summer gives us a chance to reflect on those changes. It gives us time to savor life. So please climb a mountain with those you love. Watch the tide come in and go out. Read a book that will let you visit another world of imagination. Cry a little for what you have lost. Laugh a little for what you have. And dream a little of days to come, or even lifetimes to come.
I look forward to those new dreams of tomorrow in September - a wedding - a new school - a child dedication - a new student minister. And, of course, a new church year, too. I know why it was hard holding back those tears saying goodbye to Darrick. I loved working with and being around him. Those tears go hand and hand with the connections we make. Would we have it any other way?
Mark
Among Us
Our sympathy to Charlyn Bethell, and her family at the death of Charlyn’s father on April 30, 2006 at age 84.
Our sympathy to Marianne Collins and her family at the death of Marianne’s father on May 19, 2006.
Congratulations to John Chamberlain and Sarah McSweeney and big sister Kate at the birth of Haley Elizabeth Chamberlain on Monday, May 15, 2006.
Congratulations to our college graduates - Jenna Benson: Bates College, Kate Bahn: Hampshire College, Zack Carver-Gustin: University of Hartford, Corey Haddad: Evergreen College
Congratulations also to high school graduates: Julie Haddad who is off to Oberlin College, and Merra Howe who is off to Vassar College.
A warm welcome to our new member, but longtime friend, Barbara Hansberry.
A warm welcome to Roane and Gates Lenore, children of Kyle and Kelly Morton who were dedicated on May 14, 2006.
Midsummer Revels
Charlotte and Giles Holt will be performing in the Midsummer Revels on Sat.. June 24th and Sun. June, 25th at 7:15pm at the Boston Children’s Museum. This is a free, outdoor, multicultural celebration of the summer solstice incorporating music, dance and storytelling. For more information contact Revels at (617) 972- 8400 or www.Revels.org.
Amazon.com Fundraising
This is a reminder that if you go to our website (www.fpwatertown.org), and click on Amazon.com when you plan to buy books or CDs or other products you are helping First Parish raise funds. We need more people to make their purchases through our website. We receive a small percentage of all purchases made in this way. We recently received a check for over $100. It all helps. Please remember this in your purchase planning. Thank you.
Summer Services
The worship committee is beginning to put together the schedule of summer services (yes, it is that time already!). Jeanne Cleary and Chris Johnson from the Worship Committee have already agreed to fill two of the four
slots. This means we have two other Sundays to find a worship leader. If you are interested in conducting a service, please speak to Chris or Mark Harris. Mark is also willing to meet with you about how to conduct a service.
The summer Sundays in August are: 6, 13, 20 and 27.
Water Service in September
Don’t forget to gather some water from wherever your travels take you this summer. We will resume regular services in September with out Water Communion on September 10.
2003 Capital Fund Drive Status Report
In response to the question asked at the 2006 Annual Meeting about the status of our Capital Fund Drive for the 2003 Building Project, the following is the status of the project’s financing.
To fund the Building Project we raised and spent over $380,000 for major improvements to our church building. Most prominent among the improvements was the reinforcement of the roof with steel beams and the renovation of the sanctuary that we enjoy each Sunday morning.
One major source of funding for this project was pledges from members and friends of First Parish. In our 2003 Capital Fund Drive we received 59 pledges for a total amount of $141,696, with the pledges payable through
March 31, 2006. As of that date we had received payments of $136,389, leaving a shortfall of $5,307. In order to complete construction in 2003 we borrowed $87,000 from the endowment at 4.4% as a bridge loan against pledge payments due, and currently owe $8,500 of that amount (i.e. the $5,307 plus the interest), the final payment on which is due December 31, 2008.
We will make a final effort at collecting money to pay off the remainder of this debt between now and the end of 2006. At that point the Canvass/Finance Committee will make a recommendation as to how we should go about paying back the unpaid balance from the church’s operating budget in the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years.
Robert Shay, Chairman
FPW Capital Fund Drive
5/7/2006
Rummage Sale
We had another great effort from all the donors and workers who helped out with the annual Rummage Sale. Our grand total this year was $1,062.75. Special thanks to Jane Knuttunen who has run the Rummage sale for the past
five years. Other workers included: Meredith Montague, Gretchen Brown, Barbara Hansberry, Martha Urban, Eileen Ryan, Guy Holt, Bobbie Brown, Jeff Miller, Izzy and Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees, Sue Demb, Susan Flint, Missy Shay and Mark Harris.
Donor Recognition
The Canvass 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 the 2006-2007 church year. If you would like to join this community of people who through their financial contributions 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, John Portz or Michael Collins of the Canvass Committee about making a pledge to First Parish.
Allendoerfer, Karen
Altamari, Michael and Roberta
Beck, Barbara
Benson, David & Dutton, Nancy
Berney, Carole & Chuck
Bethell, Charlyn & Urban, Guy
Bloom, Ann
Boenau, Marilyn
Brown, Gretchen
Brown, Roberta
Burkhardt, Gwynne
Button, Kathy
Cachimuel, Holly
Carnese, Paula
Carver, Denise
Celeste, Oliva & Garland, Joe
Chamberlain, John & McSweeney, Sara
Chipman, Eric
Collins, Marianne & Michael
Cudhea, Peter
Dansereau, Paul & Miller, Julie
Day, Paul & Mulvaney Day, Norah
Demb, Sue & Joe
Erickson, Johanna
Felty, Jim
Fitts, Judi
Flint, Susan & Haddad, Nick
Fox, Patricia & Letourneau, Linda
Greene, Ruth
Guidrey, Susan & McDonald, Valy
Gustin, Stephen
Hansberry, Barbara & Leon, David
Harrington, Anne
Harris, Mark & Greenwood, Andrea
Hart, Kyle & Johanna
Howe, Virginia
Johnson, Christopher & Repp, Ken
Kamm, Roger & Judy
Klein, Jan
Knight, Anna
Knuttunen, Jane
Kuder, Sue
Latner, Betty
McCarthy, Michael
Merkl, Jean & Gorman, John
Morrison, David
Morton, Kelly and Kyle
Mountain, Joani
Parsons, Beth
Portz, John & Montague, Meredith
Proskauer, Charmian
Rhoda, Randy
Ryan, Eileen
Schlivek, Mary
Scott, Martha
Shay, Missy & Bob
Sheehan, Rebecca
Shepard, Diane & Thom
Sherman, Aurora & Miller, Jeff
Strekalovsky, Elizabeth
Tappan-deFrees, Elizabeth & Isabel
Tawa, Nicholas & Michelina
Turner, Patricia
Twombly, Will & Sue
Urban, Martha
Vogel, Jerusha and Ken
Warren, Kathy & David
Peace Abbey Trip
FPW member Eileen Ryan has arranged a church visit to the Peace Abbey in Sherborn. The date is Sunday, June the 4th at 2:30 p.m. All members and friends of all ages are invited to go on this tour. Please bring a picnic lunch if you wish. We will leave the church after social hour at approximately 1:30 p.m. It takes about 1/2 hour to get there..
Contact Information
The Peace Abbey
Two North Main Street
Sherborn, MA 01770
Abbey Office: (508) 650-3659
info@peaceabbey.org
The Peace Abbey is dedicated to creating innovative models for society that empower individuals on the paths of nonviolence, peacemaking, and cruelty-free living, We offer a variety of programs and resources that teach, inspire and encourage one to speak out and act on issues of peace and social justice. Faith in action is the cornerstone our fellowship and activist pacifism is our creed. Go to www.peaceabbey.org for more info.
Visiting Hours:
Monday through Friday - 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday - 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Office Telephone: (508) 650-3659
Directions From Boston
Mass Turnpike 90 West to Route 95 South. Exit on Route 16 West. Follow 16 to Sherborn. At T intersection, turn left onto Route 27 South (still 16 West). The Peace Abbey is 1/4 mile down on 27 on the left before fork in road.
R.E.flections by a chaliceD.R.E.amer
by Roberta Altamari
We had our Youth Conversations meeting last month (on May 21st) thanks to Darrick, Cody, Giles, and everyone who attended. We had a fascinating conversation about how to welcome and empower the youth in our community. While we wrapped up by creating three goals, I walked away with much more. I affirmed a strategy that we must practice with all youth (and our children and adults for that matter). Here it is.
1. Welcome. When someone visits, they must be personally welcomed. Do not wait for someone else to do it. Even if you are shy, remember that visitors are always more shy than you. Ideally, that welcome will come from someone they connect with. If you are the person welcoming someone and you know someone else that you think they would enjoy meeting, please introduce them. Whether someone will continue to come to First Parish largely depends if they have made any connections here. And teens have shown us that just because their family comes does not mean they will. So let's be genuinely welcoming!
2. Publicize. We need to be organized enough with our programming to be able to advertise and publicize ALL events happening at First Parish. You never know when there might be a friend or member of our community who would want to join the activity. It is easy to take for granted that everyone already knows what is going on, but I have real examples of (children, youth, and adult) situations when someone else would have participated if they had known. So if you are planning something, make sure all of the details get in the Arbella. And if you have the time, take it one step further and send a personal invite to all people the group could welcome ... especially those folks you don't know well.
3. Engage. It is vital that we continue to offer engaging programming at First Parish. We are never done creating new and interesting activities, groups, and events. It is an ongoing process that involves all of us being resourceful and creative. We must know each other's needs and interests so all programming stays vibrant and relevant to our lives.
4. Acceptance. We must remember that each individual that comes to First Parish is unique and might use our ministry in different ways. Just like adults, youth will tap into different aspects of our programming to find their groove. So while some youth might get active in our youth group and the UU youth conferences, others might be happy to come here only for worship services or might deeply connect by working with our young children or might only want to serve on our Social Action committee. It is not our role to judge if our youth (or anyone for that matter) is sufficiently engaged in our ministry. However, that does not take away our responsibility to care and help others find their path at First Parish. Our role can be to ask individuals if they are feeling connected and if there is anything we can do to support them in participating in our community in ways that truly enrich their lives. While a small congregation like ours can't be all things to all people, we certainly can do more to make sure each member, friend, and visitor is welcomed and engaged.
R.E. Calendar
Principle Activators, youth ages 12 to 14
June 4: Plan Youth Sunday
June 11: Lead intergenerational Youth Sunday Service
June 18: Intergenerational Flower Communion Service
All other groups (UU Travelers, youth ages 9 to 12; UU Explorers, kids ages 8 to 10; Rainbow Seekers, kids ages 5 to 8; Treasure Hunters, kids ages 3 to 5; and Friendship Finders, kids ages 1 1/2 to 3)
June 4: End of the year celebration
June 11: Intergenerational Youth Sunday Service
June 18: Intergenerational Flower Communion Service
Community Service Wrap-up
We've had another excellent year of helping others! Thank you so much to each one of you that assisted and supported in any way!! Just last month, I had the pleasure of delivering our collected animal supplies, the homemade dog biscuits by our Rainbow Seekers, and the $75 raised by our UU Explorers to Buddy Dog (an animal shelter in Sudbury). They were so grateful, especially when they heard children did all the work! And then I delivered the flowers that our young Treasure Hunters and Rainbow Seekers planted in the beautiful pots they decorated to some elderly folks who are pretty much homebound at Brigham House (the assisted living facility in Watertown). I wish each one of you could have seen the smiles on the faces of the residents as they received their special gifts. It reminded me that you should have had that opportunity and we will try to plan a few "community service" or "social action" field trips next year. If you have any ideas about where you'd like to go to help others, please let me know.
Calling all young singers!!
Announcing rehearsals for Children's and Youth Choirs:
All are welcome (ages 6 to 10 in the Children's Choir and ages 11 to 14 in the Youth Choir)
June 3rd (Saturday) at Charlyn's house (1034 Belmont St.) at 4:30 to 5:00 for the children and 5:30 for Youth. She has great snacks, by the way!
June 4th (Sunday) at 12:30--1 for children and 1:30 for Youth at church, right after the service
June 10, (Saturday) at 1 pm at my house--again, a half hour for children and an hour for Youth.
June 11 (Youth Sunday!), at 10 am at the church, we sing at that service.
The songs we will sing for the children are: Yonder Come Day (by themselves) and with the Youth choir: Good News. Youth choir will sing: When I Close My Eyes (with a cellist!), Al Shlosha, Amazing Grace, Good News (with the children), and Seasons of Love from "Rent"
Other announcements
Need UU curricula
Do you have any First Parish curricula from when you were teaching years ago? We really need all curricula back (by June 18th). Please check your shelves for us!
We've got a new Youth Advisor! But your help is still needed ...
We are thrilled to announce that Kyle Morton has signed on to be our next Youth Advisor. Kyle will the primary organizer for our Youth programming, but there are ample opportunities for volunteers to do projects with them (and since they don't meet on Sunday mornings, you don't have to miss the worship service to work with our youth). Please let Kyle or Roberta know if you have an idea for a fun project to do with the youth OR if you'd be happy to simply assist with a project that is already planned. Also, very dedicated folks who are willing to give up an entire weekend (Friday PM to Sunday AM) to attend a district Youth Conference with our teens are also needed. We've heard that it makes for a fascinating weekend but without much sleep. Please let us know if any of these helping opportunities interest you.
Planning Ahead for September:
Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful summer vacation! Kids and youth, please remember to collect something from nature that will help tell a story from your summer adventures to share with us on Sunday, September 17th when all children and youth will gather together for a special event to welcome each other back to First Parish. (And don't forget to collect water from your travels too as your family will be invited to share your vacation story the Sunday before at our annual Water Service). I look forward to seeing you again and hearing about your summer.
Building and Grounds Spring Clean-up
Special thanks to all those who came for clean-up day in the pouring rain. Workers included: Nick Haddad, David Benson, Bob Shay, Michael McCarthy, Susan Flint, Kyle Hart, Valy Mc Donald, and Mark Harris
Women & Work
At the June Women & Work Meeting, Carole Berney will lead us in a nature walk along the Charles River path in Newton and Watertown, pointing out wildflowers, trees, birds, waterfowl, and any other animal life we happen upon. It should be a low-key and relaxing visit and a good introduction to those of you who have not yet discovered this wonderful treasure of a resource right in Watertown. We will meet Tuesday, June 27 at 6:30. The exact location of rendezvous TBA.
Lost and Found
Please take the time to look in the lost and found that has collected over the year, currently in the church office. We will have it out at the Church Picnic, June 18.
Open Choir Sing
Please sing with us for the Flower Communion on June 18. Our songs will be simple and we will have only 2 rehearsals:
June 12 at 6:45 pm
June 18 at 9:45 am
Social Action - Giving Boxes
We only have three weeks in June for our Giving Box collection - Watch for an email this week for what to donate to the UU Urban Ministry’s Renewal House.
Benefit Concert
Our postponed Benefit concert was a great success on May 20. We will be able to send $1,300 to the Girls Scouts Beyond Bars Program. Thanks to everyone who helped out.
Worship Survey
We had a wonderful response to our worship survey with 39 respondents. Chris Johnson is preparing a final report, which we hope to hand out at church, and will include in the September newsletter.
Celebrate Boston & UU Pride - 06
It is that time of year again when our minds turn towards warmer weather and the Boston Pride Parade. For over 35 years Boston Pride has organized a week of Pride events, including the week-topping Parade and Festival. And the Boston community has plenty to be proud of! Not only does Boston host the largest Pride celebration in New England (over 400,000 participants), but our community celebrates in the only state that allows same-sex couples the legal right to marry!
If you were there last year and want to march as part of the large UU contingent again please join us this year. If you weren’t there last year but heard about how great it was please join us and invite everyone that you know.
Saturday, June 10th at 11:00am at Arlington Street Church
The festivities will begin with a banner parade and Worship at Arlington Street Church (located at the corner of Boylston and Arlington Streets). The gathered will then proceed to the parade route and march as a group with their respective congregational banners. For more information or to confirm your participation please contact Marjorie
Matty, Ministerial Intern The UU Society of Wellesley Hills (mmatty@comcast.net) Information on the FPW participation will be emailed soon.
Say Goodbye for the Summer!
Flower Communion and Picnic on June 16 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate a great UU tradition.
Please bring a cut flower to the service.
Hear our wonderful choir for the last time this church year.
Please bring a dish to share at the annual All Church Picnic.
Join us for a wonderful way to close out the year.