Saturday, August 23, 2008
Arbella - September 2008 Newsletter
The Arbella
Newsletter of the First Parish of Watertown, MA
For calendar dates, please see www.fpwatertown.org
September 2008
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m.
Water Service - Mark W. Harris
The annual water service depends upon everyone bringing a small container of water you collected during your summer activities. This can be from a place of distant travel, or your backyard pool. As part of the service, we ask you to tell us in a few words where the water is from, and what new meaning you gleaned from your physical or spiritual travels. Intergenerational service. Story for all Ages
Greeters: Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Social Hour: Missy and Bob Shay
Sunday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m.
“Beliefs that Bond” Mark W. Harris
Sophia Lyon Fahs, the great UU Religious Educator wrote that “It Matters What We Believe.” One could feel this in the wake of the tragic shootings at the UU Church in Knoxville, TN. Our beliefs are much more than an intellectual exercise. How we live our faith in the world can provoke acts of intolerance and violence. Saying, “I am a Unitarian Universalist” can be a powerful statement that inspires us to live with courage and love.
Greeters: Anna and Mike Anctil
Social Hour:
Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Sunday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m.
“Cupboard Dry” Andrea Greenwood
A source of amusement, puzzlement, and a kind of annoyance, the dryers in England had a setting called “Cupboard Dry.” In this summer of constant rain, I have thought more than once of the distinctions amongst dryness, and how learning to live with new definitions might bring about peace.
Greeters:
Meryl Libbey and Susan Lind-Sinanian
Social Hour: Holly Cachimuel, Marianne and Michael Collins
Sunday, September 28 at 11:00 a.m.
“Walk in Beauty” Mark W. Harris
Protestant faiths are historically associated with the “Word” rather than with “Images.” Our Puritan ancestors believed images of God were idolatrous. Yet how do we express our longing for beauty in our lives – in our artistic creations, in the clothes we wear, in the decorating of our houses. How do you walk in beauty?
.
Greeters:
Valy McDonald and Jane Knuttunen
Social Hour:
Lee Pierce and Dede Dussault
Captain’s Log – Rev. Mark W. Harris
Welcome back! I hope summer was kind to you. The weather was not particularly so. Our world seemed to be the recipient of constant showers as July rolled into August. When I was staying in Maine, I would talk to Andrea on the phone daily, and she would say, we walked to the pool, and it was raining by the time we got there. We got wet, again and again. In between the showers, I spent some enjoyable time reading, swimming, hiking, etc. There were other responsibilities as well, including teaching a class in UU History at Ferry Beach. I like the pace of summer, and always panic at this time of year when I know I must get into the rhythm of writing sermons. I will adapt, as the church now must to all of our personnel changes.
Here we are with a new DRE, and an Interim Music Director. Talk about confronting change. Our music program has had the same director for 35 years, about 10% of our long history. Stay tuned for more on music plans in the coming weeks. Yet in the midst of showers and changing weather we adapt, and so it will be as we prepare for the new look at First Parish. We will miss Patty and Roberta, as they had become so much a part of the fabric of our community.
What is ahead is somewhat unknown to us. In both our RE and Music Programs you can be sure we will respond to many of your wishes and dreams for what you would like to see, hear and participate in. And so while it is time for new directions, much of the inspiration for that will come from you.
Change is also the theme for the Democratic candidate for US President. It will make for an exciting fall all around. One highlight of my summer was making a special trip to New York to attend a game at Yankee Stadium. This does not mean I have forsaken the local team in favor of the dreaded Yankees. The reason I made this pilgrimage is that Yankee Stadium is closing, and they have constructed a new ballpark, which will open next year. I wanted to have a chance to see the old Yankee Stadium before they tear it down, as I had never been there before.
It’s hard to give up what you have grown to love and appreciate, and so many fans there were outraged that “The House That Ruth Built” was going to be leveled. What is interesting is that the new stadium looks very much like the old, but it apparently will have better facilities. Perhaps it addresses the age old problem of how much of the past do you preserve, as you adapt to changing needs and desires. You want to respect and honor what has gone before, but also build for a growing and vital future. I am sure we can do that here this fall.
It should be an exciting time, as we celebrate what we have had, and prepare to create the new.
We have 75 new paperback hymnals ready for us to lift our voices in song. We have youth programs that we want to keep growing. We have a liberal message of love and understanding that the world needs to hear. Stay tuned. And see you in church!
Mark
Among Us
Our deepest Sympathy to Ken and Jerusha Vogel and their family members at the death of Ken’s mother in June.
Our deepest Sympathy to Michael McCarthy and his family at the death of Michael’s father in July.
Our congratulations to at least two college grads we are aware of, and one high school student:
Rachel Benson from Oberlin
Laura Knuttunen from Occidental.
Cody Urban from Watertown High
Congratulations to FPW member Johanna Erickson and her husband Roger as their daughter Sandra was married to Sal Pinzone at FPW on August 23 by Mark Harris
Last spring Brian Hebeisen and Elizabeth Strekalovsky’s “Green House” was featured on a TV spot on Fox News.
Music at First Parish
Musically speaking, this fall will be a change for all of us at First Parish. Since our music director, Patty DeVore, has resigned, we need to carry on in a way that honors her years of service to our church. We are lucky to have pianists Guy Urban and Rita Moerschel to fill in for us. We are planning a music service this fall that will reflect our past musical traditions as we begin to create new ones. Pending approval from the Parish Committee, I will be the Interim Music Director while we search for a permanent one.
I am hoping that we will have an adult choir that will include many singers from previous years with lots of new voices as well. We will be preparing to sing music for Music Sunday (final date TBA) and rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Rehearsals will start in later September. Please join us! I know that we will have fun together.
Please direct questions and comments to me about music at First Parish at my home email: urbeth@rcn.com.
I am excited to start the new church season!
Charlyn Bethell
Simplicity Circle
Do you want to rush less, increase your free time and strengthen your relationship with the earth and the natural world? Many of us desire such things but are not clear how to forge a path towards greater simplicity. As part of the Green Sanctuary initiative at First Parish, we are starting the process of organizing our first simplicity circle. Simplicity circles are small groups that meet to engage in a learning process by which the members practice rejecting consumerism and commercialism in favor of harmony and community. Members come together to discuss voluntary simplicity, and through discussions of their own experiences help make more informed choices about consumer behavior, work choices, slowing down and enjoying life.
We are planning the first simplicity circle on Sunday, Sept 28 at 9:30 am before church in the conference room. Our plan would be to meet the last Sunday of each month thereafter except December, ending in June.
If you are interested in being a part of this group please email back to the church. We will contact you in early September to start planning the details. At present we are trying to determine the interest level in participating in the group as a member, helping with overall organization, and/or being willing to facilitate one of the first few meetings. Please let us know what you are interested in doing and we will be in touch.
Green Sanctuary Committee
Town to Get Solar Panels for a School
Watertown has reached its goal in the Watertown Solar Challenge! We exceeded the 150 required contributors needed. In total we raised over $17,000. This money will go directly towards wind energy projects in Massachusetts and New England. There are already plans to install wind turbines in Princeton MA. In addition, the donations will be matched dollar for dollar towards renewable energy projects for low-income housing.
With matching funds from the state Watertown will have over $30,000 to spend on a solar electric (PV) system for a Watertown school. Included with that solar system will be educational software that can be incorporated into the school’s science curriculum.
This was truly a community effort. Environmentalists, parents, educators, local businesses, environmental and other organizations, churches, political leaders and average citizens all pitched in for this cause. Members of First Parish Watertown were among the largest group of donors. Some enterprising children even held a lemonade sale and donated their earnings!
The State pays for 10 hours of consulting time from an expert in the field to assist Watertown in the process of choosing a site, designing a system, hiring a solar contractor, and installing the system. Hopefully within a year, a solar system will be operating on a Watertown school creating electricity, saving the town money, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions (that cause global warming) and educating our children about the benefits and feasibility of clean renewable energy.
Our deepest gratitude to all those FPW members who contributed toward the Solar Challenge. We did it! Our own Brian Hebeisen and Mike Anctil were part of the Committee. This means our Action Item # 9 under Sustainable Living is accomplished as part of our Green Sanctuary Accreditation Process.
Chair Campaign
After much discussion over which fabric to choose the Parish is moving ahead with a campaign to purchase new chairs for the sanctuary. Coming soon will be two samples of our final chair choice (one with arms, and one without). You will be invited to purchase one or more chairs so that our sanctuary might become more beautiful. And we will finally have chairs that match! Look for those new chairs soon!
What might be in our Giving Box?
And Why?
The Giving Box will be open again throughout the church year. It will be a collection point of many things needed by various organizations so that they can continue programs, which aid particular members of the community. Your individual or family interest in participation in the monthly giving to a particular group adds up to an expression of the UU principle of active caring.
We will alert you regarding the specific monthly needs as discussed and planned with the designated community program. We will describe that program’s purposes and goals so that you can be aware how the Giving Box is directly related to the people being served. We hope to coordinate the adult donations to some of the children’s programs. We also hope to engage two children from our Church School each month to assist in delivering the Giving Box contents to the community programs for that month.
The September Giving Box will be (hopefully) filled with gently used books for a program in Waltham called “More Than Words.” Their motto is: The key to getting involved in your community is “more than words.” This organization’s main goal is to motivate and empower youth from Watertown and surrounding areas who are currently in the foster care system, in the court system, homeless, or who have dropped out of school. With mentorship, the teens manage the retail bookshop including: organizing inventory on the computer, shipping books to internet customers, organizing community events and interviewing prospective participants. Selling used books is their business priority. The program is a training and transitional model. Alumni have gone on to work, GED programs and/or college. Americorps has a full-time volunteer in place at More Than Words. Her name is Chandra, and her enthusiasm can only be described as boundless.
Forty percent of their operating budget is from retail sales of gently used, donated books. The types of gently read or never read books which are needed most are: Texts (college or high school)
Coffee table/pictorials, New novels (hard cover), Selected paperbacks (larger size, quality binding), Children’s books (in great condition). Please scan your library for any books you might contribute to assist this unique program in connecting adolescents to the community and to themselves.
If you are searching for a new (to you) book or reading respite, go to their storefront: More Than Words, Moody Street, Waltham.
Hours: Tues-Thurs 11:30am-10:00pm
Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:00pm
Sun 11:30am-8:00pm
You may also take in and enjoy displays of work in various modalities for sale by Artists for Humanity, a group of talented adolescents. There is also a café in the evenings with an “open mic”
opportunity! We welcome your suggestions for the Giving Box throughout the year. We would like to create a meaningful connection of the Giving Box to the church community and community at large. Anne Frank wrote: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
We look forward to 10 months of FPW keeping the Giving Box giving. . .
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
From our new
Director of Religious Education:
“In Preparation”
I was packing away the beach toys the other day, wiping away the sand which coats each toy, a remembrance from all of the beaches, which we had visited over the summer. I found myself wiping away a few tears as well. It was caught off-center, the transition from summer to fall once again. I treasure the days of summer spent at a different pace, when there is time to linger over meals and visit with all of my children, home from college and camps. As the evenings are long and warm a kind of magic happens as we sit together, and stories unfold and laughter is shared. It is this gift of summer I hold dear as I pack boxes and make plane reservations in preparation for the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
This year I prepare myself for yet another transition. I am honored, excited and yes, a bit scared as I step up to the position as your new director of religious education. I am following in the footsteps of the much beloved Roberta Altamari. Not an easy act to follow! I am ready; and I intend to honor the path which Roberta and the DRE’s which preceded her have left for me and I look forward to exploring new and exciting paths together with all of you. I have been fortunate to meet with Roberta several times during the summer. I am so grateful to her for the wonderful programs, which she has established at First Parish Watertown, and for her gracious and thoughtful assistance in this transition.
When I think about it I realize that I have been preparing myself for this position for a long time. I have been a Unitarian Universalist since the mid nineteen -eighties when I walked into The First Church in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts and felt “at home”. After my family and I moved to Lexington we joined The First Parish in Lexington. I have been involved in the religious education program at First Parish as well as working in various church offices and programs for the past 14 years. I have learned a great deal in this time, and of course the journey is just beginning!
A few additional things about me: I have lived in Lexington with my family for the past 15 years. I have five children. Brendan is 24 and is a graduate student, Keira is 22 and is a junior in college, Adrian is 19 and is a freshman in college, Julian is 16 and Linnea is 9 years old. We have a dog and three cats. My interests include: knitting, gardening, writing “morning pages” and I am a beginning student of meditation (aren’t we all!). I have been a member of a small group ministry (covenant group) at First Parish in Lexington for the past several years. I have also been participant/facilitator of a writing group, and I have co-facilitated women’s retreats. I hope to facilitate a group at First Parish Watertown during the coming year.
Religious Education
Parent Orientation Meetings
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Parent Orientation Meetings scheduled for September 14th and 21 st at 9:30 a.m.. childcare will be provided and refreshments will be served.
During these orientations parents may review their individual child’s registration and confirm information we have on file. We will review what is happening this year in the RE programs, classes and social action activities. I will have the opportunity to introduce myself and answer questions. I will have a teacher volunteer sign up sheet available. We need volunteers/teachers in the church school. Please consider volunteering some time even if you have never done so before, you may be surprised at what happens when you stretch in another direction! Please plan to attend one or both of these meetings. I will look forward to meeting with all of you!
I have updated the RE webpage with current information. It is a work in progress. Keep checking it for upcoming events and information regarding the church school. The web address is: www.dreaminwatertown.com
My regular office hours are Wednesdays from 8:30-2:30 p.m. I will be in church on Sundays from 8:00-2:00 p.m. and again in the evening with the Youth Group. Please stop by and introduce yourself!
If you would like to contact me at another time call me at (781) 863-1319 or email me at drewatertown@yahoo.com
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski
Charitable Collection:
The first charitable collection of the church year will be on Sunday, September 14 to benefit Solutions at Work. Founded in 1989, Solutions at Work helps people transition out of homelessness. It is led and run by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Its goal is to to empower people to become self-reliant by developing the skills necessary to have productive and fulfilling lives. Their programs bridge the gap between being homeless and living again as stable members of the broader community. First Parish has had connections with Solutions at Work over the years. On several occasions they have come at the end of our rummage sale to take away items that may be useful to them. They have in the past been recipients of grants from the Helen Robinson Wright Fund. Since 1989, they have helped thousands of people establish themselves on firm footing. They work to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, one person at a time.
Charitable offerings
Last spring we raised a total of $559 for a collection to a joint UUA/UUSC Burma (Myanmar) relief fund.
We also had a showing of a film about Medical Support for Pediatric HIV/AIDS Treatment in Central China. Eliza Petrow, who grew up in our church school is working with this support project. She wrote: Thanks so much for organizing last night (June 1) . It was great to be able to share the work with everyone. We raised about $500 so that was a huge success! I really appreciate your efforts.
It has been our practice the last two years to have monthly charitable offerings to benefit local organizations. We have a schedule for the early months of the church year after Solutions at Work in September:
Bikes Not Bombs – October 26
Ferry Beach – November 16
UUSC Guest at Your Table – December – offering and boxes collected at Christmas Eve Services
Boston Food Bank.
Please mark your calendar for Saturday, October 18 from 8:45 – noon. We will need about 20 volunteers to work at the Boston Food Bank sorting food. More on this later. Please RSVP to the Church office if you would like to go.
Faire on the Square
For the past several years we have had a First Parish table at Watertown’s Faire on the Square. Once again we will be in the environmental section of the Faire. During the month of September we will be seeking sign-ups of volunteers who will staff the table for an hour or more. We usually set up at 9:00 a.m. or so, and then the Faire usually operates from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Watch for sign-up sheets and announcements this month.
Chalice Lighting / Flowers
Once again we will be seeking individuals to sign up for lighting the chalice on Sunday, and sharing a reading, and also providing flowers to help beautify our sanctuary. Please sign up downstairs on the bulletin board.
Thank you.
Mt. Auburn Cemetery Tour
It has been a few years since Mark or Andrea has led a tour of Mt. Auburn Cemetery featuring a vast array of graves and monuments for Famous Unitarian Universalists. People include Dorothea Dix, Julia Ward Howe and Samuel G.Howe, Margaret Fuller, Robert Gould Shaw, Fannie Farmer, Henry W. Longfellow, and early religious leaders Hosea Ballou and William Ellery Channing. Mark will lead a tour on Saturday October 4 at 10:00 a.m. We will meet at the cemetery entrance. Please RSVP to Mark. It is a walking tour of about 1-11/2 hours.
Project Literacy
As part of our Voter and Citizenship Education Project, Project Literacy is offering a free course for immigrants who plan to become U.S. citizens in the near future. The first of the 8 classes will meet on Wednesday, October 15, 6:30-8:30, at Watertown H.S. Advance registration is required. Please call the Project Literacy office (617-924-8797) if you have any questions.
One Book, One Watertown
The Watertown Library has created it’s first ever community reading program. For this program, the library is focusing on the book The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, and has purchased enough copies of the book to lend to the entire community. In addition, the library will be hosting many events focused on the book and the rich, traditional Indian culture that it features. For more information, please check the library website at www.watertownlib.org or call the library at 617-972-6431 for more information.
Events:
SEPTEMBER 18 AT 7 PM: A lecture and book discussion with Swarthmore College Professor, Bakirathi Mani.
SEPTEMBER 24 AT 10 AM: Senior Center Book Discussion,
SEPTEMBER 25 AT 6:30 PM: Teen Book Discussion
SEPTEMBER 27 AT 11:30 AM: Taal Tales Dancing
SEPTEMBER 27 AT 2 PM: Henna Tattoos and Drop In Crafts
OCTOBER 1 AT 7 PM: Adult Book Discussion
OCTOBER 5 AT 1 PM: Film Screening and Discussion with Anne Benaquist
OCTOBER 7 AT 12 PM: Brown Bag Lunch Book Discussion
OCTOBER 9 AT 7 PM: Food tasting and lecture provided by Tamarind Bay
Columbus Day Weekend on Martha's Vineyard
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard invites you to join us over Columbus Day Weekend, October 11-13, 2008. Fall is the best season of all on the Vineyard. Just ask any year-rounder. The crowds are gone, the air is crisp, the water is still plenty warm for a swim. Birdlife is on the move along with the striped bass and the blues. There's no better time to hike and bike our unspoiled trails and backroads. So come on over. We'll put you up with host UU families, treat you to a seafood supper and entertainment, offer an Island tour and welcome you to Sunday service at historic Stevens Chapel. For complete information, see our website at www.uusmv.info (B&B Weekend link) or e-mail us at cdevito@comcast.net. We'd love to see you on the Island.
Knoxville Tragedy
Most FPW members realize that there was a tragic shooting at the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville a few weeks ago. Two fund were established –one for pastoral ministry, and one for a newspaper ad. If you wish to know more, please look at www.UUA.org. David Morrison and Martha Scott, and Roberta Altamari attended a vigil on Boston Common following the shootings. Martha reported that there were 50 - 70 people there. “The service was led by the young adults. David read the opening words, we sang, lit candles, and wrote notes to members of TV UU church, then we sang some more and finally blew out the candles. “ At FPW We expect to devote some time to card writing during a service at FPW in September.
There is also the following event:
Knoxville Benefit
On Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Ave., will host a benefit concert featuring the Rev. John Buehrens, former President of the UUA as guest speaker. Professional and amateur musicians from the area gather to raise money for the UUA's Knoxville Relief Fund. For more information, contact the Director of Music for First Parish Arlington at laura @ prichard.net. She is Laura Prichard, 231 Bingham Road Carlisle, MA 01741 – 978.369.7329. She is also interested in having musicians from our church participate. She can make room in the program for them.
Newsletter of the First Parish of Watertown, MA
For calendar dates, please see www.fpwatertown.org
September 2008
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m.
Water Service - Mark W. Harris
The annual water service depends upon everyone bringing a small container of water you collected during your summer activities. This can be from a place of distant travel, or your backyard pool. As part of the service, we ask you to tell us in a few words where the water is from, and what new meaning you gleaned from your physical or spiritual travels. Intergenerational service. Story for all Ages
Greeters: Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Social Hour: Missy and Bob Shay
Sunday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m.
“Beliefs that Bond” Mark W. Harris
Sophia Lyon Fahs, the great UU Religious Educator wrote that “It Matters What We Believe.” One could feel this in the wake of the tragic shootings at the UU Church in Knoxville, TN. Our beliefs are much more than an intellectual exercise. How we live our faith in the world can provoke acts of intolerance and violence. Saying, “I am a Unitarian Universalist” can be a powerful statement that inspires us to live with courage and love.
Greeters: Anna and Mike Anctil
Social Hour:
Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Sunday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m.
“Cupboard Dry” Andrea Greenwood
A source of amusement, puzzlement, and a kind of annoyance, the dryers in England had a setting called “Cupboard Dry.” In this summer of constant rain, I have thought more than once of the distinctions amongst dryness, and how learning to live with new definitions might bring about peace.
Greeters:
Meryl Libbey and Susan Lind-Sinanian
Social Hour: Holly Cachimuel, Marianne and Michael Collins
Sunday, September 28 at 11:00 a.m.
“Walk in Beauty” Mark W. Harris
Protestant faiths are historically associated with the “Word” rather than with “Images.” Our Puritan ancestors believed images of God were idolatrous. Yet how do we express our longing for beauty in our lives – in our artistic creations, in the clothes we wear, in the decorating of our houses. How do you walk in beauty?
.
Greeters:
Valy McDonald and Jane Knuttunen
Social Hour:
Lee Pierce and Dede Dussault
Captain’s Log – Rev. Mark W. Harris
Welcome back! I hope summer was kind to you. The weather was not particularly so. Our world seemed to be the recipient of constant showers as July rolled into August. When I was staying in Maine, I would talk to Andrea on the phone daily, and she would say, we walked to the pool, and it was raining by the time we got there. We got wet, again and again. In between the showers, I spent some enjoyable time reading, swimming, hiking, etc. There were other responsibilities as well, including teaching a class in UU History at Ferry Beach. I like the pace of summer, and always panic at this time of year when I know I must get into the rhythm of writing sermons. I will adapt, as the church now must to all of our personnel changes.
Here we are with a new DRE, and an Interim Music Director. Talk about confronting change. Our music program has had the same director for 35 years, about 10% of our long history. Stay tuned for more on music plans in the coming weeks. Yet in the midst of showers and changing weather we adapt, and so it will be as we prepare for the new look at First Parish. We will miss Patty and Roberta, as they had become so much a part of the fabric of our community.
What is ahead is somewhat unknown to us. In both our RE and Music Programs you can be sure we will respond to many of your wishes and dreams for what you would like to see, hear and participate in. And so while it is time for new directions, much of the inspiration for that will come from you.
Change is also the theme for the Democratic candidate for US President. It will make for an exciting fall all around. One highlight of my summer was making a special trip to New York to attend a game at Yankee Stadium. This does not mean I have forsaken the local team in favor of the dreaded Yankees. The reason I made this pilgrimage is that Yankee Stadium is closing, and they have constructed a new ballpark, which will open next year. I wanted to have a chance to see the old Yankee Stadium before they tear it down, as I had never been there before.
It’s hard to give up what you have grown to love and appreciate, and so many fans there were outraged that “The House That Ruth Built” was going to be leveled. What is interesting is that the new stadium looks very much like the old, but it apparently will have better facilities. Perhaps it addresses the age old problem of how much of the past do you preserve, as you adapt to changing needs and desires. You want to respect and honor what has gone before, but also build for a growing and vital future. I am sure we can do that here this fall.
It should be an exciting time, as we celebrate what we have had, and prepare to create the new.
We have 75 new paperback hymnals ready for us to lift our voices in song. We have youth programs that we want to keep growing. We have a liberal message of love and understanding that the world needs to hear. Stay tuned. And see you in church!
Mark
Among Us
Our deepest Sympathy to Ken and Jerusha Vogel and their family members at the death of Ken’s mother in June.
Our deepest Sympathy to Michael McCarthy and his family at the death of Michael’s father in July.
Our congratulations to at least two college grads we are aware of, and one high school student:
Rachel Benson from Oberlin
Laura Knuttunen from Occidental.
Cody Urban from Watertown High
Congratulations to FPW member Johanna Erickson and her husband Roger as their daughter Sandra was married to Sal Pinzone at FPW on August 23 by Mark Harris
Last spring Brian Hebeisen and Elizabeth Strekalovsky’s “Green House” was featured on a TV spot on Fox News.
Music at First Parish
Musically speaking, this fall will be a change for all of us at First Parish. Since our music director, Patty DeVore, has resigned, we need to carry on in a way that honors her years of service to our church. We are lucky to have pianists Guy Urban and Rita Moerschel to fill in for us. We are planning a music service this fall that will reflect our past musical traditions as we begin to create new ones. Pending approval from the Parish Committee, I will be the Interim Music Director while we search for a permanent one.
I am hoping that we will have an adult choir that will include many singers from previous years with lots of new voices as well. We will be preparing to sing music for Music Sunday (final date TBA) and rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Rehearsals will start in later September. Please join us! I know that we will have fun together.
Please direct questions and comments to me about music at First Parish at my home email: urbeth@rcn.com.
I am excited to start the new church season!
Charlyn Bethell
Simplicity Circle
Do you want to rush less, increase your free time and strengthen your relationship with the earth and the natural world? Many of us desire such things but are not clear how to forge a path towards greater simplicity. As part of the Green Sanctuary initiative at First Parish, we are starting the process of organizing our first simplicity circle. Simplicity circles are small groups that meet to engage in a learning process by which the members practice rejecting consumerism and commercialism in favor of harmony and community. Members come together to discuss voluntary simplicity, and through discussions of their own experiences help make more informed choices about consumer behavior, work choices, slowing down and enjoying life.
We are planning the first simplicity circle on Sunday, Sept 28 at 9:30 am before church in the conference room. Our plan would be to meet the last Sunday of each month thereafter except December, ending in June.
If you are interested in being a part of this group please email back to the church. We will contact you in early September to start planning the details. At present we are trying to determine the interest level in participating in the group as a member, helping with overall organization, and/or being willing to facilitate one of the first few meetings. Please let us know what you are interested in doing and we will be in touch.
Green Sanctuary Committee
Town to Get Solar Panels for a School
Watertown has reached its goal in the Watertown Solar Challenge! We exceeded the 150 required contributors needed. In total we raised over $17,000. This money will go directly towards wind energy projects in Massachusetts and New England. There are already plans to install wind turbines in Princeton MA. In addition, the donations will be matched dollar for dollar towards renewable energy projects for low-income housing.
With matching funds from the state Watertown will have over $30,000 to spend on a solar electric (PV) system for a Watertown school. Included with that solar system will be educational software that can be incorporated into the school’s science curriculum.
This was truly a community effort. Environmentalists, parents, educators, local businesses, environmental and other organizations, churches, political leaders and average citizens all pitched in for this cause. Members of First Parish Watertown were among the largest group of donors. Some enterprising children even held a lemonade sale and donated their earnings!
The State pays for 10 hours of consulting time from an expert in the field to assist Watertown in the process of choosing a site, designing a system, hiring a solar contractor, and installing the system. Hopefully within a year, a solar system will be operating on a Watertown school creating electricity, saving the town money, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions (that cause global warming) and educating our children about the benefits and feasibility of clean renewable energy.
Our deepest gratitude to all those FPW members who contributed toward the Solar Challenge. We did it! Our own Brian Hebeisen and Mike Anctil were part of the Committee. This means our Action Item # 9 under Sustainable Living is accomplished as part of our Green Sanctuary Accreditation Process.
Chair Campaign
After much discussion over which fabric to choose the Parish is moving ahead with a campaign to purchase new chairs for the sanctuary. Coming soon will be two samples of our final chair choice (one with arms, and one without). You will be invited to purchase one or more chairs so that our sanctuary might become more beautiful. And we will finally have chairs that match! Look for those new chairs soon!
What might be in our Giving Box?
And Why?
The Giving Box will be open again throughout the church year. It will be a collection point of many things needed by various organizations so that they can continue programs, which aid particular members of the community. Your individual or family interest in participation in the monthly giving to a particular group adds up to an expression of the UU principle of active caring.
We will alert you regarding the specific monthly needs as discussed and planned with the designated community program. We will describe that program’s purposes and goals so that you can be aware how the Giving Box is directly related to the people being served. We hope to coordinate the adult donations to some of the children’s programs. We also hope to engage two children from our Church School each month to assist in delivering the Giving Box contents to the community programs for that month.
The September Giving Box will be (hopefully) filled with gently used books for a program in Waltham called “More Than Words.” Their motto is: The key to getting involved in your community is “more than words.” This organization’s main goal is to motivate and empower youth from Watertown and surrounding areas who are currently in the foster care system, in the court system, homeless, or who have dropped out of school. With mentorship, the teens manage the retail bookshop including: organizing inventory on the computer, shipping books to internet customers, organizing community events and interviewing prospective participants. Selling used books is their business priority. The program is a training and transitional model. Alumni have gone on to work, GED programs and/or college. Americorps has a full-time volunteer in place at More Than Words. Her name is Chandra, and her enthusiasm can only be described as boundless.
Forty percent of their operating budget is from retail sales of gently used, donated books. The types of gently read or never read books which are needed most are: Texts (college or high school)
Coffee table/pictorials, New novels (hard cover), Selected paperbacks (larger size, quality binding), Children’s books (in great condition). Please scan your library for any books you might contribute to assist this unique program in connecting adolescents to the community and to themselves.
If you are searching for a new (to you) book or reading respite, go to their storefront: More Than Words, Moody Street, Waltham.
Hours: Tues-Thurs 11:30am-10:00pm
Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:00pm
Sun 11:30am-8:00pm
You may also take in and enjoy displays of work in various modalities for sale by Artists for Humanity, a group of talented adolescents. There is also a café in the evenings with an “open mic”
opportunity! We welcome your suggestions for the Giving Box throughout the year. We would like to create a meaningful connection of the Giving Box to the church community and community at large. Anne Frank wrote: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
We look forward to 10 months of FPW keeping the Giving Box giving. . .
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
From our new
Director of Religious Education:
“In Preparation”
I was packing away the beach toys the other day, wiping away the sand which coats each toy, a remembrance from all of the beaches, which we had visited over the summer. I found myself wiping away a few tears as well. It was caught off-center, the transition from summer to fall once again. I treasure the days of summer spent at a different pace, when there is time to linger over meals and visit with all of my children, home from college and camps. As the evenings are long and warm a kind of magic happens as we sit together, and stories unfold and laughter is shared. It is this gift of summer I hold dear as I pack boxes and make plane reservations in preparation for the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
This year I prepare myself for yet another transition. I am honored, excited and yes, a bit scared as I step up to the position as your new director of religious education. I am following in the footsteps of the much beloved Roberta Altamari. Not an easy act to follow! I am ready; and I intend to honor the path which Roberta and the DRE’s which preceded her have left for me and I look forward to exploring new and exciting paths together with all of you. I have been fortunate to meet with Roberta several times during the summer. I am so grateful to her for the wonderful programs, which she has established at First Parish Watertown, and for her gracious and thoughtful assistance in this transition.
When I think about it I realize that I have been preparing myself for this position for a long time. I have been a Unitarian Universalist since the mid nineteen -eighties when I walked into The First Church in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts and felt “at home”. After my family and I moved to Lexington we joined The First Parish in Lexington. I have been involved in the religious education program at First Parish as well as working in various church offices and programs for the past 14 years. I have learned a great deal in this time, and of course the journey is just beginning!
A few additional things about me: I have lived in Lexington with my family for the past 15 years. I have five children. Brendan is 24 and is a graduate student, Keira is 22 and is a junior in college, Adrian is 19 and is a freshman in college, Julian is 16 and Linnea is 9 years old. We have a dog and three cats. My interests include: knitting, gardening, writing “morning pages” and I am a beginning student of meditation (aren’t we all!). I have been a member of a small group ministry (covenant group) at First Parish in Lexington for the past several years. I have also been participant/facilitator of a writing group, and I have co-facilitated women’s retreats. I hope to facilitate a group at First Parish Watertown during the coming year.
Religious Education
Parent Orientation Meetings
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Parent Orientation Meetings scheduled for September 14th and 21 st at 9:30 a.m.. childcare will be provided and refreshments will be served.
During these orientations parents may review their individual child’s registration and confirm information we have on file. We will review what is happening this year in the RE programs, classes and social action activities. I will have the opportunity to introduce myself and answer questions. I will have a teacher volunteer sign up sheet available. We need volunteers/teachers in the church school. Please consider volunteering some time even if you have never done so before, you may be surprised at what happens when you stretch in another direction! Please plan to attend one or both of these meetings. I will look forward to meeting with all of you!
I have updated the RE webpage with current information. It is a work in progress. Keep checking it for upcoming events and information regarding the church school. The web address is: www.dreaminwatertown.com
My regular office hours are Wednesdays from 8:30-2:30 p.m. I will be in church on Sundays from 8:00-2:00 p.m. and again in the evening with the Youth Group. Please stop by and introduce yourself!
If you would like to contact me at another time call me at (781) 863-1319 or email me at drewatertown@yahoo.com
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski
Charitable Collection:
The first charitable collection of the church year will be on Sunday, September 14 to benefit Solutions at Work. Founded in 1989, Solutions at Work helps people transition out of homelessness. It is led and run by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Its goal is to to empower people to become self-reliant by developing the skills necessary to have productive and fulfilling lives. Their programs bridge the gap between being homeless and living again as stable members of the broader community. First Parish has had connections with Solutions at Work over the years. On several occasions they have come at the end of our rummage sale to take away items that may be useful to them. They have in the past been recipients of grants from the Helen Robinson Wright Fund. Since 1989, they have helped thousands of people establish themselves on firm footing. They work to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, one person at a time.
Charitable offerings
Last spring we raised a total of $559 for a collection to a joint UUA/UUSC Burma (Myanmar) relief fund.
We also had a showing of a film about Medical Support for Pediatric HIV/AIDS Treatment in Central China. Eliza Petrow, who grew up in our church school is working with this support project. She wrote: Thanks so much for organizing last night (June 1) . It was great to be able to share the work with everyone. We raised about $500 so that was a huge success! I really appreciate your efforts.
It has been our practice the last two years to have monthly charitable offerings to benefit local organizations. We have a schedule for the early months of the church year after Solutions at Work in September:
Bikes Not Bombs – October 26
Ferry Beach – November 16
UUSC Guest at Your Table – December – offering and boxes collected at Christmas Eve Services
Boston Food Bank.
Please mark your calendar for Saturday, October 18 from 8:45 – noon. We will need about 20 volunteers to work at the Boston Food Bank sorting food. More on this later. Please RSVP to the Church office if you would like to go.
Faire on the Square
For the past several years we have had a First Parish table at Watertown’s Faire on the Square. Once again we will be in the environmental section of the Faire. During the month of September we will be seeking sign-ups of volunteers who will staff the table for an hour or more. We usually set up at 9:00 a.m. or so, and then the Faire usually operates from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Watch for sign-up sheets and announcements this month.
Chalice Lighting / Flowers
Once again we will be seeking individuals to sign up for lighting the chalice on Sunday, and sharing a reading, and also providing flowers to help beautify our sanctuary. Please sign up downstairs on the bulletin board.
Thank you.
Mt. Auburn Cemetery Tour
It has been a few years since Mark or Andrea has led a tour of Mt. Auburn Cemetery featuring a vast array of graves and monuments for Famous Unitarian Universalists. People include Dorothea Dix, Julia Ward Howe and Samuel G.Howe, Margaret Fuller, Robert Gould Shaw, Fannie Farmer, Henry W. Longfellow, and early religious leaders Hosea Ballou and William Ellery Channing. Mark will lead a tour on Saturday October 4 at 10:00 a.m. We will meet at the cemetery entrance. Please RSVP to Mark. It is a walking tour of about 1-11/2 hours.
Project Literacy
As part of our Voter and Citizenship Education Project, Project Literacy is offering a free course for immigrants who plan to become U.S. citizens in the near future. The first of the 8 classes will meet on Wednesday, October 15, 6:30-8:30, at Watertown H.S. Advance registration is required. Please call the Project Literacy office (617-924-8797) if you have any questions.
One Book, One Watertown
The Watertown Library has created it’s first ever community reading program. For this program, the library is focusing on the book The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, and has purchased enough copies of the book to lend to the entire community. In addition, the library will be hosting many events focused on the book and the rich, traditional Indian culture that it features. For more information, please check the library website at www.watertownlib.org or call the library at 617-972-6431 for more information.
Events:
SEPTEMBER 18 AT 7 PM: A lecture and book discussion with Swarthmore College Professor, Bakirathi Mani.
SEPTEMBER 24 AT 10 AM: Senior Center Book Discussion,
SEPTEMBER 25 AT 6:30 PM: Teen Book Discussion
SEPTEMBER 27 AT 11:30 AM: Taal Tales Dancing
SEPTEMBER 27 AT 2 PM: Henna Tattoos and Drop In Crafts
OCTOBER 1 AT 7 PM: Adult Book Discussion
OCTOBER 5 AT 1 PM: Film Screening and Discussion with Anne Benaquist
OCTOBER 7 AT 12 PM: Brown Bag Lunch Book Discussion
OCTOBER 9 AT 7 PM: Food tasting and lecture provided by Tamarind Bay
Columbus Day Weekend on Martha's Vineyard
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard invites you to join us over Columbus Day Weekend, October 11-13, 2008. Fall is the best season of all on the Vineyard. Just ask any year-rounder. The crowds are gone, the air is crisp, the water is still plenty warm for a swim. Birdlife is on the move along with the striped bass and the blues. There's no better time to hike and bike our unspoiled trails and backroads. So come on over. We'll put you up with host UU families, treat you to a seafood supper and entertainment, offer an Island tour and welcome you to Sunday service at historic Stevens Chapel. For complete information, see our website at www.uusmv.info (B&B Weekend link) or e-mail us at cdevito@comcast.net. We'd love to see you on the Island.
Knoxville Tragedy
Most FPW members realize that there was a tragic shooting at the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville a few weeks ago. Two fund were established –one for pastoral ministry, and one for a newspaper ad. If you wish to know more, please look at www.UUA.org. David Morrison and Martha Scott, and Roberta Altamari attended a vigil on Boston Common following the shootings. Martha reported that there were 50 - 70 people there. “The service was led by the young adults. David read the opening words, we sang, lit candles, and wrote notes to members of TV UU church, then we sang some more and finally blew out the candles. “ At FPW We expect to devote some time to card writing during a service at FPW in September.
There is also the following event:
Knoxville Benefit
On Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Ave., will host a benefit concert featuring the Rev. John Buehrens, former President of the UUA as guest speaker. Professional and amateur musicians from the area gather to raise money for the UUA's Knoxville Relief Fund. For more information, contact the Director of Music for First Parish Arlington at laura @ prichard.net. She is Laura Prichard, 231 Bingham Road Carlisle, MA 01741 – 978.369.7329. She is also interested in having musicians from our church participate. She can make room in the program for them.