Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
January 2009 Newsletter-Arbella
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
January 2009
for list of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“The God of Loneliness” Mark W. Harris
“I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him.” I am strangely compelled by this line, which begins a recent book by Julian Barnes about his attempt to address his fear of death. I will address that subject at a later date, but in this sermon want to look at my ongoing wrestling match with God.
Music: Cody Urban (keyboard) and Chris Pham (guitar) will be assisting with music.
Greeters: Jeanne and Barry Greess
Social Hour: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Prayer for Non-believers” Andrea Greenwood
Do you have to believe in supernatural powers in order to believe in prayer? Do you have to believe in prayer to practice it, or experience it unbidden? As the title hints, I am not much of a believer in prayer, at least in any traditional sense, but I find myself being fairly disciplined in certain practices. I am interested in what this means -- not about me! -- but for liberal religious people who are rational, empathic, and human -- and rely on a kind of consistency in order to feel we have integrity. I pray that I will see you in church!
Greeters: Michael McCarthy and Eileen Ryan
Social Hour: Wendell Refior and Sue Demb
Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Race and Family” Mark W. Harris
Barack Obama is about to be inaugurated as the first African American President of the USA. This momentous event moves us all to reflect on how racism has affected our family lives and our culture.
Greeters: Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Social Hour: Julie Miller and Paul Dansereau
Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Walking Through Many Lives” Mark W. Harris
Stanley Kunitz’s poem, “The Layers” begins “I have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and I am not who I was . . . “ In February I will invite interested members to participate in composing their own spiritual autobiography in a four session class. What brings us to points of spiritual transition in our lives?
Music: Chris Joliffe, singer/songwriter
Greeters: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Social Hour: Elizabeth Strekalovsky and Brian Hebeisen
Captain’s Log
The end of the year is often marked by these “Best Of” lists. First we have the best books just in time for holiday purchases. I always scan these books to see if there are any novels to add to my list to give to Andrea, and the nonfiction books to add to the list I give to Andrea to purchase for me. You can see I am not big on surprises! After the books come the CDs about which I am woefully ignorant, and the movies, which I pine to see, but usually do not, except for the computer animated and younger teen type films. I don’t think any parishioners do a best of worship services list, although sometimes the music is especially great, and sometimes the sermon seems better than usual.
While I have some sermons I like better than others, the response I receive is sometimes markedly different than my own. Sometimes I am surprised that a sermon gets a better response than I expected, and other times people are not moved by something I thought was pretty good. It is an interesting challenge trying to meet the different spiritual needs of people who “have walked through many lives.”
There are a couple of things that are true for me that I have found to be good lessons for my life. First, “good, better, best” all seem to dissolve instantly, as I tend to forget a sermon as soon as it is delivered. While I may have thought about a topic literally for months, once it has spilled out onto the page, and been laid on the altar of your ears, minds and hearts, it is gone. In that sense it is not like a permanent piece, even though the printed version stays on our website for years. A sermon is meant to be a momentary reflection and experience of feeling about life that is expressed and gone. There is some message there about living the experience rather than copying it or taking a picture of it. Sermons are really meant to be heard in the moment, and not meant to be read for all time. There is something vital here about having an experience, and then letting it go.
Second, there is often a tension between ritual and newness that I struggle with. In past years I had usually alternated a series of Christmas Eve services that were mostly my own story versions of characters who appear in the birth stories of Jesus - shepherd, inn keeper, Joseph. This year, while trying to keep the Christmas story central, I related a more personal experience that brought in the significance of the animals in the story. One of my sons said it was a good story, but a little long. Long is often a problem of mine, perhaps because I cannot settle between newness and ritual. Sometimes in my own struggle to be good enough in my own mind, I always try to share something new, and yet Christmas Eve is a reminder that even liberals who are always craving what is new, really need our share of ritual, too.
As a boy my family never went to church on Christmas Eve. We had our own traditions at home, and perhaps even believed that it was some Catholic thing that happened at the stroke of midnight. We went to church on Sundays, and certainly not after dark. Yet as an adult I have never missed Christmas Eve. Of course its depth of meaning for me has nothing to do with the newness of what I might create, but rather the entire community standing with lighted candles in a darkened room and singing Silent Night. When I conducted a wedding service for Sandra Erickson (Joanna’s daughter) last summer, she mentioned Christmas Eve as the most significant religious experience she had had, and wanted to replicate a candle lighting in her wedding service. We ended up incorporating such a ritual. I suppose it all comes back to the fact that we are human, and need comfort and sameness jut as much as anybody else. These two things teach us that we simply need to know when to hold on, and when to let go, and both have their place.
The balance I need in my job is a reflection of the balance we need in our lives between sameness and change. I hope amid the usual present buying and visiting relatives that you had some time of comfort and relaxation. I am enjoying the simple pleasure of sleeping in a little, as there is no 6:00 a.m. wake up call for a couple of weeks to get up with children. Thank you all for your holidays wishes to our family. We are all hopeful that there will be signals of change in our world in the months and years ahead. Happy New Year!
Mark
Among Us
Our deepest sympathy to Chuck Dickinson whose mother died recently in California.
A warm welcome to Genia Lenz and Melissa Thompson were welcomed in as new members on December 7. (Bios are below)
A spring date of May 17 was set for our next New Member Welcome. At least four new members could not be here for the December welcome, and three others have signed intent to join forms since, so we should have a substantial group by May (healing thoughts to Ginger Burns for her broken foot!). If you are interested in officially joining the church, please see Mark Harris, or fill out a yellow card found in the pamphlet rack in the front lobby of the church.
New Member Bio’s
Here are the new members we welcomed in December. Be sure to say hello!
Genia Lenz
I was born and raised in New Jersey. I graduated from Providence College in 1979 and started moving North from there. I settled in Watertown over 20 years ago. I have a 10-year old daughter, Melanie, who attends the Lowell School. I am a laboratory manager at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I am joining First Parish because I feel very welcome and appreciate the openness of the congregation. I have found the community for which I have been looking and look forward to serving.
Melissa Thompson
I was born in Manchester CT, the youngest of 4 children and the only girl. . I went to college at the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1993 with a degree in Human Development and Family Relations. I worked for 7 years in special education and then went back to school in 2002 and graduated from Wheelock College with a Master’s in Social Work. I am currently working in the field of Early Intervention in Woburn.
In 2006 my daughter, Josie was born and she is the reason that I am excited about joining First Parish. I was raised a Catholic and while I may not agree with some aspects of Catholicism, I appreciate the sense of community and purpose that attending church provided me. I
have enjoyed the services over the last few months and am excited to become a part of this community and raise Josie as a UU.
New Music Directors
It is with great joy that we announce the appointment of Charlyn Bethel as Music Director, and Guy Urban as accompanist for First Parish. For some years we have benefited from their active and generous participation in the life of First Parish, and more recently they have worked in these positions in an interim capacity, after our long term music director, Patty DeVore resigned. Now we are pleased to say that Charlyn and Guy will be the permanent holders of these positions giving us a wonderful music ministry for many years to come. We are excited to have them with us.
Lay Service
A special thanks to those members of FPW who shared their own spiritual journeys on December 7 - Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva and Johanna Swift Hart. Thanks also to Djalai Babazadeh for leading the service.
Christmas Events
Thanks to Guy and Charlyn for hosting us for a post caroling get together on December 20. We had fun singing at Brigham House, and being together afterwards. Thanks to all who helped make for a successful pageant on a very snowy day, December 21. We had lots of good singing, clear and loud readers, and a very special sword dance. Great costumes and decorations from Debra, too. On Christmas Eve we had a full house for the first service, and a good number at the second service, too. Special thanks to our choir members - Guy and Charlyn, Michael and Marianne and Eric, who were willing to sing for both services. Thanks to all our choir members for your efforts.
Musically Speaking
By Charlyn Bethell
I begin the New Year as Director of Music at First Parish, with my husband Guy Urban as resident pianist/accompanist. I am excited and honored to serve in this position, and I would like to share with you some of my thoughts about the importance of music in my life, and about my vision of music at First Parish.
As a child I danced and sang almost every day. Because my family was not musical, I did so alone. I studied piano, clarinet, and then oboe in school, and I played in band from middle school all the way through five years of college. Playing music was not just a hobby; it has become over time a central focus of my life.
Acknowledging the importance of music in my life does not mean that I view my music as a “finished product,” but rather as a process that is always evolving. Music is not about being perfect. We should always strive to sing or play better, but setting a standard of perfection distracts us from what really matters: sharing the experience with others, growing in self-confidence, feeling that we have done our best "in the moment". Public performance is exciting and fulfilling, but is not an end unto itself. Music-making as a broader activity and process enriches our lives in many other ways: it leads us to be our personal best selves; it brings us together as a community; it helps us feel renewed spiritually in an inward sense, and at the same time can show us our communal potential so as to become a driving force politically.
In January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. This reminds me of the inspirational work done by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, both pioneers in the jazz movement in this country. Although African-American musicians are honored and acknowledged today, it is important to remember that Louis Armstrong's genius as a performer was instrumental in making that happen. Similarly, Duke Ellington overcame low expectations of African-American composers by working to compose an ever more polished and sophisticated repertoire of music; at the same time he benefited from his "outsider" status to combine musical sounds in a way that no one had conceived of before. Our culture has gained immeasurably from these artists, both because they showed the unique characteristics that African-Americans could bring to the table, and because they demonstrated that in the end each individual person has something to offer, regardless of their race or background. (It is worth noting that Duke Ellington preferred the term "American music" to "jazz" in describing his music.) These truths continue to resonate up to the present day, a day in which Americans have elected their first black president. The choir plans to sing some music by African-American composers, including Ellington, in the coming months.
This month, Guy and I are working to create an FPW music website so we can all share in the music around us here at First Parish. We will provide information about choir rehearsals and performances, and publicize important musical events. We eventually hope to post audio files and practice aids. We will let you know when we are up and running on this.
Remember that each of you makes a positive difference in our musical world at church.
Happy New Year!
Guest at Your Table Totals/ January Charitable Offering
Our Guest at Your Table collections were a wonderful all time high of $1,777. This includes contributions made to the boxes, and the Christmas Eve offering. Thank you for your great generosity in these difficult economic times. Our charitable offering on January 18th will be for the Watertown Family Network, an organization that sponsors wonderful programs for children, but has experienced severe budget cuts this year.
The Story of Your Life
Mark Harris will be leading a Spiritual Autobiography course in February and March, two nights each month for a total of four nights. This course will be based on Dan Wakefield’s “The Story of Your Life: Writing a Spiritual Autobiography.” There will be an organizational meeting for this class on Sunday, January 25 after church to determine interest. Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of my life? Taking time to answer these questions, which often linger unexamined at the back of our minds, can be the first step to new growth, healing and maturity. Mark prefers to meet on Sunday nights, but is open to other options.
2nd Annual Comedy Night
Mark your calendars for the Second Annual FPW Comedy Night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. This will be a great night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul Day says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Refreshments will be available. This is a benefit for the FPW Chair Fund.
Religious Education Debra Zagaeski, DRE
Season of Indulgence…the word Indulgence comes to us from the Latin indulgentia, to be kind or tender. It came to express the kindness and mercy of God, and the full or partial remission of sin, granted for good works and prayer. Indulgence may also bring to mind the act of indulging one-self, fulfilling a desire, instant gratification, and satisfaction. We have just completed the season of indulgence in both senses: a time defined by the expression of kindness, tenderness and mercy as well as a time replete with the fulfillment of material desire. The New Years ritual of looking back and looking forward affords us all the opportunity to reflect and to change. We “resolve” to learn from our mistakes to become better people and to do good works in the year to come. On that note of resolve I suggest that we all have the opportunity to help our children and youth at First Parish explore what good work we can accomplish together in the New Year. VOLUNTEERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED FOR ALL OF THE RE CLASSES! The religious education at First Parish is dependent upon members of the congregation for its volunteer teachers. If you are considering volunteering in an RE classroom and would like more information contact me:
Debra Zagaeski, DRE.
JANUARY RE TRAINING AND WORKSHOP: The RE program is offering a workshop on Saturday, January 10th from 10-12. The workshop will focus on the “spirit play” curriculum, classroom management and welcoming children and working with children with special needs. Everyone is welcome to attend, PLEASE JOIN US!
In February the RE program will begin a Social Action mini term focusing on world hunger. We will be focusing on the work of Heifer Project International, with the “Fill the Ark” project.
Since 1944 Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in more than 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture. The impact of each initial gift is multiplied as recipients agree to pass on the gift by giving one or more of their animal’s offspring, or the equivalent, to another in need.
The Heifer mini term will consist of one introductory week, two weeks of mixed age project oriented groups, and one week in which the children may present the Heifer project to the congregation. The children and youth will choose which workshop station in which they would like to participate. *Our youngest children (The Rainbow Seekers) will continue to meet in the regular classroom space, and share Heifer Project related projects and stories.
I would especially like to encourage members of First Parish who have not had the opportunity to work with our children and youth to consider helping with one of these project groups, all others are welcome as well! Come and share your talents, we will need many helping hands and hearts! The ongoing groups will be divided as follow:
1. A cooking group. The children and youth will be making granola, soup and a sweet treat. (They will sell these items during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
2. A woodworking group. The children and youth will design and create backyard birdfeeders. (They will sell raffle tickets for these during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
3. A fiber arts group. The children and youth will learn about spinning wool into yarn and learn to knit/finger - knit.
4. Heifer Project presentation performance. The children and youth will create a simple theatre performance to inform the congregation about Heifer Project.
5. Each week there will also be a simple craft workshop with paper, markers, crayons, and pictures to color.
Wishing you all the promise of a New Year, may it unfold before you in beauty and peace!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
The Giving Box
Happiness is to take up the struggle in the midst of the raging storm and not to pluck the lute in the moonlight or recite poetry among
the blossoms. Ding Ling 1942
....to all of us who are a part of the FPW community: Happy 2009!
Your holiday efforts to bring gifts to the children and families being assisted by the Growth and Development Clinic of the Boston Medical Center were VERY SUCCESSFUL!! 126 gifts were delivered to a VERY GRATEFUL staff the week before Christmas. While your gift tags decorated our sanctuary tree, your caring generosity brought some light into the lives of children who suffer. You were part of the sparkle of Santa...for children who live in a drearier world than the politicians in Washington care to acknowledge. The staff, including Deborah Frank, MD who began the Growth Clinic; thank you sincerely and by extension the children do, too.
The Giving Box in January will continue its focus on the Growth and Development Clinic. This month, we will be collecting food and related products for undernourished children and their families. ( A guide list is appended to this article)
The number of families forced to make wrenching decisions about whether to pay for fuel or food (known as "heat or eat syndrome") has increased significantly this year. The Boston Medical Center Preventive Food Pantry supports families with groceries and utility assistance. We have decided to direct our January's congregational efforts to collecting food for this specialized Food Pantry. All families using the Preventive Food Pantry are referred by social agencies, schools, or the medical community.
Please remember that the Pantry is not supported by insurances or any government programs. The average referral age is much younger than in the past. The children are more acutely ill than ever. The waiting time has been reduced from 3-4 months to 1-2 weeks because of increased donations to the Pantry. That reduction in wait time was before the current devastation to our national economy. The at risk children are increasing in number--and have an increasing need for food as families become more stressed--just as the donations of food are decreasing. This is an unfair balance in unfair times which we here at FPW can influence----together: a pound//a can//a package combined will make a significant difference.
Preventive Food Pantry Needs
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Baby Food (Stage 1 & 2)
Infant Cereal (rice, oatmeal, barley, mixed)
Small boxes of Cheerios (individual serving size)
Flintstones Complete (chewable vitamins)
Poly Vi Sol with iron liquid vitamins
Graham Crackers
Rice
Enriched Pastas
Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
Vegetable Oil // Corn Oil
Mayonnaise (not Lite)
Salad Dressing (not Lite)
Thick Canned Stews
Canned Ravioli
Canned Spaghetti
Canned Beans (NOT green beans)
Canned Corn
Tuna Fish in Oil
Canned Fruits in heavy syrup
Dried Fruit
Raisins
*************************************
Non-food but related NEW items needed for Pantry to distribute to families--(these are called "priority supplies")
Baby Bottles with nipples
16-32 oz calibrated plastic bottles with cap
Sippy Cups (non-spill) for all ages
Cups with straws attached
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spoons for babies
Spoons and forks for toddlers
Unisex diapers for ages 6 months - 3 years (sizes 3 & 4 are very needed)
************************************************************
Should you not be able to shop but are interested in participating in the Heat or Eat collection for the Growth and Development Clinic, please let one of us (Barbara or Jill) know and we would be pleased to shop for you.
We have learned so much from contacting the various agencies with which FPW has worked this church year in planning for The Giving Box. Community agencies are hurting in this economy, yet their staffs remain dedicated to purpose and hopeful in outcome. FPW's efforts are so welcomed. The fact that we know theses programs are out there is in itself a boost to the staffs.
Learning about hunger--hunger which is wide and deeply spread just several miles away from us, and thus making families choose between Heating or Eating -- has made us more convinced than ever that FPW can act locally to change the world.
"The feeding of those that are hungry is a form of contemplation."
Ding Ling 1942
In sure and certain hope for 2009!
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and
door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. Please call him for more information at 617-924-4638.
The Honorable Frederick L. Brown to Speak at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast
The Hon. Frederick L. Brown, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, will be this year’s keynote speaker at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast. Judge Brown was the first African American to serve as a justice on the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in 1976. He is regarded as a maverick, and has dedicated his life to public service and civil rights.
Judge Brown began his legal career in private practice, specializing in criminal, constitutional and civil rights law. Before joining the Court of Appeals, he was Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he has taught at Northeastern University School of Law and Boston University School of Law. He is well published in legal journals, and serves on numerous boards.
The Unity Breakfast, sponsored by the World in Watertown with the assistance of the Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety and the Watertown Ministerial Association, will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown. The event includes a variety of music, an award presentation for outstanding community service, and the reading of essays by middle school and high school students. On the eve of the inauguration of the first African American president, the students will talk about how the principles of tolerance, freedom and equality espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. have affected our nation and inspired them. Child care will be provided for pre-schoolers. The Hellenic Cultural Center is handicap accessible. Tickets are $10.00 (children 12 and under free). For reservations call 617 924-6143 or e-mail fpwatertown@comcast.net by January 11.
Benefit Performance for Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit performance by Giles The Jester. His performance will consist of juggling, wire walking and magic and will be held at First Parish on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 10 AM and again at 11:30 AM . Tickets are $8 per person or $25 for a family of 4 or more. This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more information about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu.
Eighteen-year-old Giles Holt is a member of First Parish Watertown and a professional performer. He performs at birthday parties, public and private events. He is a street performer at Faneuil Hall in Boston
Social Action Planning
This church year social action activities have gone forward spearheaded by interested individuals in the absence of a formal committee. It has worked. Giving Boxes have been wonderfully successful, monthly offerings have happened, bread has been picked up at Panera Bread and taken to the Watertown Housing Authority every week, a group of volunteers sorted food at the Boston Food Bank in October, and plans are in place for volunteering at a soup kitchen in February and holding the annual spring concert in April. On Sunday, January 11, anyone interested in social action is encouraged to come to a meeting after the service to plan the rest of year. We will discuss the future recipients of the Giving Boxes and the special offerings, and any other ideas people have.
Remind Me of Your Name
We have all been in this common predicament and often are too embarrassed to ask someone their name, especially if yours has been remembered. That is why we encourage everyone to wear a name tag during church. To this end, the Fellowship Committee of FP provides tags for adults. We will even
replace one lost or misplaced tag. However, after 2 tags, the committee asks that the member or friend make their own tag. There now will be 2 places to leave your tag after social hour, one in the wood cabinet to the
right of the sanctuary doors, and in the basket on the social hour table. On January 18, supplies will be available to decorate or even to make your name tag. If you are in need of a tag, please email the church or me
(missy@rpshay.com) to request one.
Perkins 28 , Film with Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit screening of PERKINS 28 on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at 8pm at First Parish. PERKINS 28 is about a secret court held at Harvard College in 1920 to interview students suspected of being homosexual. Several current Harvard students are in the film including eighteen-year-old homeschooler and Harvard Extension School student Giles Holt. This 75 minute film was produced and directed by local filmmaker Michael Van Devere of Fabular Films. Michael will be available to answer questions following the film. For more information about the film visitwww.people.fas.harvard.edu/~devere/
filmography_Perkins28.htm Tickets are $12.
This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu. The evening will include music by the Ficus Tree String Quartet, including Emma Day, Isabelle Holt, Diana and Kim Vermilya. There will be refreshments and a silent auction. Doors open at 7pm, silent auction closes at 10pm. Due to sexual language, Perkins 28 is not recommended for children. Childcare is available for children ages 4 -12. Please RSVP for childcare to Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597. In the event of a snow blizzard the benefit will be held January 25th, 7-10pm
UU Bed and Breakfast Directory
Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and like to provide advice for their area?
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 29 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends.
You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Contact us at info@uurehome.com, or at 828-281-3253, and we will gladly send you information about listing your accommodations. Host listings on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added.
The paper edition is published once a year in April. For a copy of the 2009 directory and a year’s access to the website listings, please click on “become a member” to pay by credit card or send a check for $25 and your e-mail address to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
Arbella
January 2009
for list of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“The God of Loneliness” Mark W. Harris
“I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him.” I am strangely compelled by this line, which begins a recent book by Julian Barnes about his attempt to address his fear of death. I will address that subject at a later date, but in this sermon want to look at my ongoing wrestling match with God.
Music: Cody Urban (keyboard) and Chris Pham (guitar) will be assisting with music.
Greeters: Jeanne and Barry Greess
Social Hour: Djalai Babazadeh and Steve Gustin
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Prayer for Non-believers” Andrea Greenwood
Do you have to believe in supernatural powers in order to believe in prayer? Do you have to believe in prayer to practice it, or experience it unbidden? As the title hints, I am not much of a believer in prayer, at least in any traditional sense, but I find myself being fairly disciplined in certain practices. I am interested in what this means -- not about me! -- but for liberal religious people who are rational, empathic, and human -- and rely on a kind of consistency in order to feel we have integrity. I pray that I will see you in church!
Greeters: Michael McCarthy and Eileen Ryan
Social Hour: Wendell Refior and Sue Demb
Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Race and Family” Mark W. Harris
Barack Obama is about to be inaugurated as the first African American President of the USA. This momentous event moves us all to reflect on how racism has affected our family lives and our culture.
Greeters: Susan Flint and Nick Haddad
Social Hour: Julie Miller and Paul Dansereau
Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
“Walking Through Many Lives” Mark W. Harris
Stanley Kunitz’s poem, “The Layers” begins “I have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and I am not who I was . . . “ In February I will invite interested members to participate in composing their own spiritual autobiography in a four session class. What brings us to points of spiritual transition in our lives?
Music: Chris Joliffe, singer/songwriter
Greeters: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Social Hour: Elizabeth Strekalovsky and Brian Hebeisen
Captain’s Log
The end of the year is often marked by these “Best Of” lists. First we have the best books just in time for holiday purchases. I always scan these books to see if there are any novels to add to my list to give to Andrea, and the nonfiction books to add to the list I give to Andrea to purchase for me. You can see I am not big on surprises! After the books come the CDs about which I am woefully ignorant, and the movies, which I pine to see, but usually do not, except for the computer animated and younger teen type films. I don’t think any parishioners do a best of worship services list, although sometimes the music is especially great, and sometimes the sermon seems better than usual.
While I have some sermons I like better than others, the response I receive is sometimes markedly different than my own. Sometimes I am surprised that a sermon gets a better response than I expected, and other times people are not moved by something I thought was pretty good. It is an interesting challenge trying to meet the different spiritual needs of people who “have walked through many lives.”
There are a couple of things that are true for me that I have found to be good lessons for my life. First, “good, better, best” all seem to dissolve instantly, as I tend to forget a sermon as soon as it is delivered. While I may have thought about a topic literally for months, once it has spilled out onto the page, and been laid on the altar of your ears, minds and hearts, it is gone. In that sense it is not like a permanent piece, even though the printed version stays on our website for years. A sermon is meant to be a momentary reflection and experience of feeling about life that is expressed and gone. There is some message there about living the experience rather than copying it or taking a picture of it. Sermons are really meant to be heard in the moment, and not meant to be read for all time. There is something vital here about having an experience, and then letting it go.
Second, there is often a tension between ritual and newness that I struggle with. In past years I had usually alternated a series of Christmas Eve services that were mostly my own story versions of characters who appear in the birth stories of Jesus - shepherd, inn keeper, Joseph. This year, while trying to keep the Christmas story central, I related a more personal experience that brought in the significance of the animals in the story. One of my sons said it was a good story, but a little long. Long is often a problem of mine, perhaps because I cannot settle between newness and ritual. Sometimes in my own struggle to be good enough in my own mind, I always try to share something new, and yet Christmas Eve is a reminder that even liberals who are always craving what is new, really need our share of ritual, too.
As a boy my family never went to church on Christmas Eve. We had our own traditions at home, and perhaps even believed that it was some Catholic thing that happened at the stroke of midnight. We went to church on Sundays, and certainly not after dark. Yet as an adult I have never missed Christmas Eve. Of course its depth of meaning for me has nothing to do with the newness of what I might create, but rather the entire community standing with lighted candles in a darkened room and singing Silent Night. When I conducted a wedding service for Sandra Erickson (Joanna’s daughter) last summer, she mentioned Christmas Eve as the most significant religious experience she had had, and wanted to replicate a candle lighting in her wedding service. We ended up incorporating such a ritual. I suppose it all comes back to the fact that we are human, and need comfort and sameness jut as much as anybody else. These two things teach us that we simply need to know when to hold on, and when to let go, and both have their place.
The balance I need in my job is a reflection of the balance we need in our lives between sameness and change. I hope amid the usual present buying and visiting relatives that you had some time of comfort and relaxation. I am enjoying the simple pleasure of sleeping in a little, as there is no 6:00 a.m. wake up call for a couple of weeks to get up with children. Thank you all for your holidays wishes to our family. We are all hopeful that there will be signals of change in our world in the months and years ahead. Happy New Year!
Mark
Among Us
Our deepest sympathy to Chuck Dickinson whose mother died recently in California.
A warm welcome to Genia Lenz and Melissa Thompson were welcomed in as new members on December 7. (Bios are below)
A spring date of May 17 was set for our next New Member Welcome. At least four new members could not be here for the December welcome, and three others have signed intent to join forms since, so we should have a substantial group by May (healing thoughts to Ginger Burns for her broken foot!). If you are interested in officially joining the church, please see Mark Harris, or fill out a yellow card found in the pamphlet rack in the front lobby of the church.
New Member Bio’s
Here are the new members we welcomed in December. Be sure to say hello!
Genia Lenz
I was born and raised in New Jersey. I graduated from Providence College in 1979 and started moving North from there. I settled in Watertown over 20 years ago. I have a 10-year old daughter, Melanie, who attends the Lowell School. I am a laboratory manager at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I am joining First Parish because I feel very welcome and appreciate the openness of the congregation. I have found the community for which I have been looking and look forward to serving.
Melissa Thompson
I was born in Manchester CT, the youngest of 4 children and the only girl. . I went to college at the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1993 with a degree in Human Development and Family Relations. I worked for 7 years in special education and then went back to school in 2002 and graduated from Wheelock College with a Master’s in Social Work. I am currently working in the field of Early Intervention in Woburn.
In 2006 my daughter, Josie was born and she is the reason that I am excited about joining First Parish. I was raised a Catholic and while I may not agree with some aspects of Catholicism, I appreciate the sense of community and purpose that attending church provided me. I
have enjoyed the services over the last few months and am excited to become a part of this community and raise Josie as a UU.
New Music Directors
It is with great joy that we announce the appointment of Charlyn Bethel as Music Director, and Guy Urban as accompanist for First Parish. For some years we have benefited from their active and generous participation in the life of First Parish, and more recently they have worked in these positions in an interim capacity, after our long term music director, Patty DeVore resigned. Now we are pleased to say that Charlyn and Guy will be the permanent holders of these positions giving us a wonderful music ministry for many years to come. We are excited to have them with us.
Lay Service
A special thanks to those members of FPW who shared their own spiritual journeys on December 7 - Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva and Johanna Swift Hart. Thanks also to Djalai Babazadeh for leading the service.
Christmas Events
Thanks to Guy and Charlyn for hosting us for a post caroling get together on December 20. We had fun singing at Brigham House, and being together afterwards. Thanks to all who helped make for a successful pageant on a very snowy day, December 21. We had lots of good singing, clear and loud readers, and a very special sword dance. Great costumes and decorations from Debra, too. On Christmas Eve we had a full house for the first service, and a good number at the second service, too. Special thanks to our choir members - Guy and Charlyn, Michael and Marianne and Eric, who were willing to sing for both services. Thanks to all our choir members for your efforts.
Musically Speaking
By Charlyn Bethell
I begin the New Year as Director of Music at First Parish, with my husband Guy Urban as resident pianist/accompanist. I am excited and honored to serve in this position, and I would like to share with you some of my thoughts about the importance of music in my life, and about my vision of music at First Parish.
As a child I danced and sang almost every day. Because my family was not musical, I did so alone. I studied piano, clarinet, and then oboe in school, and I played in band from middle school all the way through five years of college. Playing music was not just a hobby; it has become over time a central focus of my life.
Acknowledging the importance of music in my life does not mean that I view my music as a “finished product,” but rather as a process that is always evolving. Music is not about being perfect. We should always strive to sing or play better, but setting a standard of perfection distracts us from what really matters: sharing the experience with others, growing in self-confidence, feeling that we have done our best "in the moment". Public performance is exciting and fulfilling, but is not an end unto itself. Music-making as a broader activity and process enriches our lives in many other ways: it leads us to be our personal best selves; it brings us together as a community; it helps us feel renewed spiritually in an inward sense, and at the same time can show us our communal potential so as to become a driving force politically.
In January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. This reminds me of the inspirational work done by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, both pioneers in the jazz movement in this country. Although African-American musicians are honored and acknowledged today, it is important to remember that Louis Armstrong's genius as a performer was instrumental in making that happen. Similarly, Duke Ellington overcame low expectations of African-American composers by working to compose an ever more polished and sophisticated repertoire of music; at the same time he benefited from his "outsider" status to combine musical sounds in a way that no one had conceived of before. Our culture has gained immeasurably from these artists, both because they showed the unique characteristics that African-Americans could bring to the table, and because they demonstrated that in the end each individual person has something to offer, regardless of their race or background. (It is worth noting that Duke Ellington preferred the term "American music" to "jazz" in describing his music.) These truths continue to resonate up to the present day, a day in which Americans have elected their first black president. The choir plans to sing some music by African-American composers, including Ellington, in the coming months.
This month, Guy and I are working to create an FPW music website so we can all share in the music around us here at First Parish. We will provide information about choir rehearsals and performances, and publicize important musical events. We eventually hope to post audio files and practice aids. We will let you know when we are up and running on this.
Remember that each of you makes a positive difference in our musical world at church.
Happy New Year!
Guest at Your Table Totals/ January Charitable Offering
Our Guest at Your Table collections were a wonderful all time high of $1,777. This includes contributions made to the boxes, and the Christmas Eve offering. Thank you for your great generosity in these difficult economic times. Our charitable offering on January 18th will be for the Watertown Family Network, an organization that sponsors wonderful programs for children, but has experienced severe budget cuts this year.
The Story of Your Life
Mark Harris will be leading a Spiritual Autobiography course in February and March, two nights each month for a total of four nights. This course will be based on Dan Wakefield’s “The Story of Your Life: Writing a Spiritual Autobiography.” There will be an organizational meeting for this class on Sunday, January 25 after church to determine interest. Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of my life? Taking time to answer these questions, which often linger unexamined at the back of our minds, can be the first step to new growth, healing and maturity. Mark prefers to meet on Sunday nights, but is open to other options.
2nd Annual Comedy Night
Mark your calendars for the Second Annual FPW Comedy Night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. This will be a great night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul Day says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Refreshments will be available. This is a benefit for the FPW Chair Fund.
Religious Education Debra Zagaeski, DRE
Season of Indulgence…the word Indulgence comes to us from the Latin indulgentia, to be kind or tender. It came to express the kindness and mercy of God, and the full or partial remission of sin, granted for good works and prayer. Indulgence may also bring to mind the act of indulging one-self, fulfilling a desire, instant gratification, and satisfaction. We have just completed the season of indulgence in both senses: a time defined by the expression of kindness, tenderness and mercy as well as a time replete with the fulfillment of material desire. The New Years ritual of looking back and looking forward affords us all the opportunity to reflect and to change. We “resolve” to learn from our mistakes to become better people and to do good works in the year to come. On that note of resolve I suggest that we all have the opportunity to help our children and youth at First Parish explore what good work we can accomplish together in the New Year. VOLUNTEERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED FOR ALL OF THE RE CLASSES! The religious education at First Parish is dependent upon members of the congregation for its volunteer teachers. If you are considering volunteering in an RE classroom and would like more information contact me:
Debra Zagaeski, DRE.
JANUARY RE TRAINING AND WORKSHOP: The RE program is offering a workshop on Saturday, January 10th from 10-12. The workshop will focus on the “spirit play” curriculum, classroom management and welcoming children and working with children with special needs. Everyone is welcome to attend, PLEASE JOIN US!
In February the RE program will begin a Social Action mini term focusing on world hunger. We will be focusing on the work of Heifer Project International, with the “Fill the Ark” project.
Since 1944 Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in more than 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture. The impact of each initial gift is multiplied as recipients agree to pass on the gift by giving one or more of their animal’s offspring, or the equivalent, to another in need.
The Heifer mini term will consist of one introductory week, two weeks of mixed age project oriented groups, and one week in which the children may present the Heifer project to the congregation. The children and youth will choose which workshop station in which they would like to participate. *Our youngest children (The Rainbow Seekers) will continue to meet in the regular classroom space, and share Heifer Project related projects and stories.
I would especially like to encourage members of First Parish who have not had the opportunity to work with our children and youth to consider helping with one of these project groups, all others are welcome as well! Come and share your talents, we will need many helping hands and hearts! The ongoing groups will be divided as follow:
1. A cooking group. The children and youth will be making granola, soup and a sweet treat. (They will sell these items during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
2. A woodworking group. The children and youth will design and create backyard birdfeeders. (They will sell raffle tickets for these during fellowship hour to raise funds for Heifer).
3. A fiber arts group. The children and youth will learn about spinning wool into yarn and learn to knit/finger - knit.
4. Heifer Project presentation performance. The children and youth will create a simple theatre performance to inform the congregation about Heifer Project.
5. Each week there will also be a simple craft workshop with paper, markers, crayons, and pictures to color.
Wishing you all the promise of a New Year, may it unfold before you in beauty and peace!
Namaste,
Debra Zagaeski (DRE)
The Giving Box
Happiness is to take up the struggle in the midst of the raging storm and not to pluck the lute in the moonlight or recite poetry among
the blossoms. Ding Ling 1942
....to all of us who are a part of the FPW community: Happy 2009!
Your holiday efforts to bring gifts to the children and families being assisted by the Growth and Development Clinic of the Boston Medical Center were VERY SUCCESSFUL!! 126 gifts were delivered to a VERY GRATEFUL staff the week before Christmas. While your gift tags decorated our sanctuary tree, your caring generosity brought some light into the lives of children who suffer. You were part of the sparkle of Santa...for children who live in a drearier world than the politicians in Washington care to acknowledge. The staff, including Deborah Frank, MD who began the Growth Clinic; thank you sincerely and by extension the children do, too.
The Giving Box in January will continue its focus on the Growth and Development Clinic. This month, we will be collecting food and related products for undernourished children and their families. ( A guide list is appended to this article)
The number of families forced to make wrenching decisions about whether to pay for fuel or food (known as "heat or eat syndrome") has increased significantly this year. The Boston Medical Center Preventive Food Pantry supports families with groceries and utility assistance. We have decided to direct our January's congregational efforts to collecting food for this specialized Food Pantry. All families using the Preventive Food Pantry are referred by social agencies, schools, or the medical community.
Please remember that the Pantry is not supported by insurances or any government programs. The average referral age is much younger than in the past. The children are more acutely ill than ever. The waiting time has been reduced from 3-4 months to 1-2 weeks because of increased donations to the Pantry. That reduction in wait time was before the current devastation to our national economy. The at risk children are increasing in number--and have an increasing need for food as families become more stressed--just as the donations of food are decreasing. This is an unfair balance in unfair times which we here at FPW can influence----together: a pound//a can//a package combined will make a significant difference.
Preventive Food Pantry Needs
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Baby Food (Stage 1 & 2)
Infant Cereal (rice, oatmeal, barley, mixed)
Small boxes of Cheerios (individual serving size)
Flintstones Complete (chewable vitamins)
Poly Vi Sol with iron liquid vitamins
Graham Crackers
Rice
Enriched Pastas
Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
Vegetable Oil // Corn Oil
Mayonnaise (not Lite)
Salad Dressing (not Lite)
Thick Canned Stews
Canned Ravioli
Canned Spaghetti
Canned Beans (NOT green beans)
Canned Corn
Tuna Fish in Oil
Canned Fruits in heavy syrup
Dried Fruit
Raisins
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Non-food but related NEW items needed for Pantry to distribute to families--(these are called "priority supplies")
Baby Bottles with nipples
16-32 oz calibrated plastic bottles with cap
Sippy Cups (non-spill) for all ages
Cups with straws attached
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spoons for babies
Spoons and forks for toddlers
Unisex diapers for ages 6 months - 3 years (sizes 3 & 4 are very needed)
************************************************************
Should you not be able to shop but are interested in participating in the Heat or Eat collection for the Growth and Development Clinic, please let one of us (Barbara or Jill) know and we would be pleased to shop for you.
We have learned so much from contacting the various agencies with which FPW has worked this church year in planning for The Giving Box. Community agencies are hurting in this economy, yet their staffs remain dedicated to purpose and hopeful in outcome. FPW's efforts are so welcomed. The fact that we know theses programs are out there is in itself a boost to the staffs.
Learning about hunger--hunger which is wide and deeply spread just several miles away from us, and thus making families choose between Heating or Eating -- has made us more convinced than ever that FPW can act locally to change the world.
"The feeding of those that are hungry is a form of contemplation."
Ding Ling 1942
In sure and certain hope for 2009!
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and
door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. Please call him for more information at 617-924-4638.
The Honorable Frederick L. Brown to Speak at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast
The Hon. Frederick L. Brown, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, will be this year’s keynote speaker at Watertown’s Unity Breakfast. Judge Brown was the first African American to serve as a justice on the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in 1976. He is regarded as a maverick, and has dedicated his life to public service and civil rights.
Judge Brown began his legal career in private practice, specializing in criminal, constitutional and civil rights law. Before joining the Court of Appeals, he was Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he has taught at Northeastern University School of Law and Boston University School of Law. He is well published in legal journals, and serves on numerous boards.
The Unity Breakfast, sponsored by the World in Watertown with the assistance of the Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety and the Watertown Ministerial Association, will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown. The event includes a variety of music, an award presentation for outstanding community service, and the reading of essays by middle school and high school students. On the eve of the inauguration of the first African American president, the students will talk about how the principles of tolerance, freedom and equality espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. have affected our nation and inspired them. Child care will be provided for pre-schoolers. The Hellenic Cultural Center is handicap accessible. Tickets are $10.00 (children 12 and under free). For reservations call 617 924-6143 or e-mail fpwatertown@comcast.net by January 11.
Benefit Performance for Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit performance by Giles The Jester. His performance will consist of juggling, wire walking and magic and will be held at First Parish on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 10 AM and again at 11:30 AM . Tickets are $8 per person or $25 for a family of 4 or more. This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more information about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu.
Eighteen-year-old Giles Holt is a member of First Parish Watertown and a professional performer. He performs at birthday parties, public and private events. He is a street performer at Faneuil Hall in Boston
Social Action Planning
This church year social action activities have gone forward spearheaded by interested individuals in the absence of a formal committee. It has worked. Giving Boxes have been wonderfully successful, monthly offerings have happened, bread has been picked up at Panera Bread and taken to the Watertown Housing Authority every week, a group of volunteers sorted food at the Boston Food Bank in October, and plans are in place for volunteering at a soup kitchen in February and holding the annual spring concert in April. On Sunday, January 11, anyone interested in social action is encouraged to come to a meeting after the service to plan the rest of year. We will discuss the future recipients of the Giving Boxes and the special offerings, and any other ideas people have.
Remind Me of Your Name
We have all been in this common predicament and often are too embarrassed to ask someone their name, especially if yours has been remembered. That is why we encourage everyone to wear a name tag during church. To this end, the Fellowship Committee of FP provides tags for adults. We will even
replace one lost or misplaced tag. However, after 2 tags, the committee asks that the member or friend make their own tag. There now will be 2 places to leave your tag after social hour, one in the wood cabinet to the
right of the sanctuary doors, and in the basket on the social hour table. On January 18, supplies will be available to decorate or even to make your name tag. If you are in need of a tag, please email the church or me
(missy@rpshay.com) to request one.
Perkins 28 , Film with Giles Holt
You are invited to a benefit screening of PERKINS 28 on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at 8pm at First Parish. PERKINS 28 is about a secret court held at Harvard College in 1920 to interview students suspected of being homosexual. Several current Harvard students are in the film including eighteen-year-old homeschooler and Harvard Extension School student Giles Holt. This 75 minute film was produced and directed by local filmmaker Michael Van Devere of Fabular Films. Michael will be available to answer questions following the film. For more information about the film visitwww.people.fas.harvard.edu/~devere/
filmography_Perkins28.htm Tickets are $12.
This event is being held as a fundraiser to help send Giles to Sea Semester in February. For more about Sea Semester, see: www.SEA.edu. The evening will include music by the Ficus Tree String Quartet, including Emma Day, Isabelle Holt, Diana and Kim Vermilya. There will be refreshments and a silent auction. Doors open at 7pm, silent auction closes at 10pm. Due to sexual language, Perkins 28 is not recommended for children. Childcare is available for children ages 4 -12. Please RSVP for childcare to Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597. In the event of a snow blizzard the benefit will be held January 25th, 7-10pm
UU Bed and Breakfast Directory
Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and like to provide advice for their area?
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 29 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends.
You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Contact us at info@uurehome.com, or at 828-281-3253, and we will gladly send you information about listing your accommodations. Host listings on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added.
The paper edition is published once a year in April. For a copy of the 2009 directory and a year’s access to the website listings, please click on “become a member” to pay by credit card or send a check for $25 and your e-mail address to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
Arbella December Newsletter 2008
First Parish of Watertown
Arbella
December 2008
for schedule of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, December 7, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Unitarian Universalism in My Life”
A lay led service on how UUism manifests itself in our everyday lives. FPW members sharing include Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva, and Johanna Swift Hart. Djalai Babazadeh will lead the service.
Music: Jill Dreeben, flute
Greeters: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Social Hour: Jim Felty and Bobbie Brown
Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“A Season of Miracles”
Mark W. Harris
Liberals are often uncomfortable with the traditional idea of miracles. Emerson once called used the term “monster” to describe the Christian understanding of miracles. Is there such a thing as a UU miracle?
Greeters: Cornelia Janke and Goyo Carvajal
Social Hour: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Season of Light”
Our FPW children will celebrate the solstice with their Christmas Pageant “Season of Light”. Rumor has it there will be a special sword dance!!! A special story, music and lots of fun for all.
Greeters: Gretchen Brown and Brigitte Bender
Social Hour: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Wednesday. December 24, 2008 -
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services-
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Traditional candlelight services. Bring cookies to share for social hour at 6:15 p.m. If you have no preference, we encourage members to attend the second service. Services are exactly the same.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
“Epiphanies This Year”
Mark W. Harris
Have you had an epiphany this year? In addition to a Christian holiday, an Epiphany is
the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something. Come share that realization with us.
Greeters: Lynn Bratley and Chuck Dickinson
Social Hour: Theo Ellswoth and Randy Rhoda
Captain’s Log
Once in a while Andrea and I will be watching the news at 11:00 p.m., and it seems as though the only event of the day has been the proverbial cat stuck up a tree. We say it seems like nothing happened today. Most of the time we cannot say that. We have witnessed a month past where the first African-American President in US history has been elected. While it hardly means the end of racism, the symbolic power of the event is truly amazing. I could feel tears roll down my cheeks as I watched the celebration in Chicago. Often the news is so disturbing or upsetting that an event this hopeful and this historic is cathartic. We all still worry about the economy, and the attack in Mumbai raises the fear factor, but nevertheless there is a shift in our attitude about the future, and that can help signal the dawning of an new era. We are more likely to experience good things, when we expect good things.
The Advent season is traditionally a time of waiting. Children count the days down from 25 to 1, and the anticipation grows as the big day draws near. When I was a child, the local newspaper always had a big ad on the front page indicating how many shopping days until Christmas. Time was running out for parents, but drawing near for kids. The story itself contains images of waiting. The wise men perhaps had to wait for nightfall, so they could see the stars to guide them. Mary must have known she was near to giving birth, and was counting the days until it was over. For college kids, they may have to wait to find out how they did on some big test. Those hunting for jobs, wait for a call back from a potential employer. We wait in line. We wait all the time for things. The Christmas season reminds us that waiting is anxiety producing, because we fear how things will turn out. Did I get the job? Did I pass the test? Will the baby be ok? Will we survive the financial chaos?
What do we do while waiting? They say the English have perfected the ability to stand in line, and even invented a word, que, for being so obedient about waiting for things. It is true that they expect to wait in line for things, while we tend to be a little more impatient on this side of the pond, but neither speaks to what can happen while we wait. While we get anxious, and cause the people around us to be anxious, we also need to remember that sometimes the waiting itself is the best part!
First, notice that the kings and the shepherds travel together. There is no solitary match toward Bethlehem. Waiting involves community. No one wants to wait alone. When I was a student waiting to meet with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, I had no one to support me as I waited for the biggest interview of my life. Who would be there if I didn’t pass? No one. Then someone remembered how hard it is to wait for life changing decisions, and so even though the test is for you, there are now others there to support you, and who know what the experience is like. Don’t wait alone. Or if you feel alone, come to a place where others want to be with you. I’ll bet those kings and shepherds talked and ate all the way to Bethlehem.
Second, a lot can happen while we wait for the big event. Andrea always says that planning a project, and carrying it out are much more satisfying than the final result. Even if it is good, it is kind of anti-climatic. Could it be that the real fun is in the searching, and not the finding? That’s often what UUs says about their theology. Who wants pat answers? Come explore many stories and many answers. We can all imagine the big day is what we are waiting for, but it can also be fun sharing our excitement and hopes and love with each other while we wait.
I hope you all have a joyful holiday season. Happy waiting!
Mark
Workers for work day - November 1, 2008
Although it seems as though it happened a long time ago. We want to say thanks to all those who helped out with the Building and Grounds Fall Cleanup Day. Our workers included: Michael McCarthy, Bob Shay, Kathy Button, David Morrison, Kathy Warren, Mark Harris, David Benson, Nick Haddad, Nancy Dutton, Isabel Tappan-DeFrees, Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees, Elijah Tappan-deFrees, Kit Gunning. This is a random listing of all the
people who came, were seen and labored!
Bikes Not Bombs - November 1
We also had a number of people who participated in the Bikes Not Bombs bike
collection, including Will and Sue Twombly, Barry Greess, Debra Zagaeski, Sue Kuder, Cody Urban, Amy Urban and Charlotte Fitts-Sprague (the last three from our youth group). Thanks for your good work
Thanksgiving
Thanks to the corn muffins makers for a great Succoth - Thanksgiving - Eileen Ryan, Lynn Bratley, Anna Knight, Marianne Collins, and Debra Zagaeski
Auction
We had another successful Service Auction this year. The total was $4,021 which we thought was great in these scary economic times. A very special thanks to Jean Merkl for organizing this event once again. In what was supposed to be a transition year, Jean really did a spectacular job, and we are grateful. We also want to thank our former Student minister Mark Caggiano for being our auctioneer. He did a great job. Finally thanks to all who either contributed or bought. Please send your checks to Nancy in the church office if you have not paid up yet. Thanks to Parish and Fellowship committees for their work setting up the dinner.
Among Us
A warm welcome to New Members, who have filled out intention to join cards.
Genia Lenz and her daughter Melanie
Lani Gerson and Hannah Gerson, who are here with Mateo (a grandmother, mother and son family).
Melissa Thompson, whose daughter Josie will be dedicated after Christmas.
We expect that Genia and Melissa will be welcomed as new members on December
7, and Lani and Hannah will be welcomed in the spring, as they cannot be present at the December 7 service.
Our thoughts are with Ann Bloom, who was hospitalized, and now is living in an assisted living facility in Connecticut, near her daughter. We can provide her address on request.
Film Series at First Parish
The second film in our religious film series will be shown on Sunday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. James Carroll’s “Constantine’s Sword” will be shown in the sanctuary (big screen). Constantine’s Sword explores the dark side of Christianity’s past, especially Anti-Semitism and is based on Carroll’s award winning book of the same name. The movie asks the timely question: Is the fanaticism that threatens the world today fueled by our own deeply held beliefs? The public is welcome to this acclaimed film that has been called both “enthralling” and “magnificent” by reviewers. Entertainment weekly said: Like the Da Vinci Code, it grasps at the enigmatic flux of Christian history. You’ll walk out enriched.”
Former interns
It was wonderful to see Mark Caggiano at our Service auction. Mark is now looking for a church settlement. He also announced that Saturday, February 7 will be his ordination in his home church, North Andover. We are all invited, and will play a significant role in the ordination. More later, but please mark your calendars. You might be curious to know about other former interns. Fayre Stephenson , who spoke here in November is now the full time program director for Ferry Beach. She previously served the Universalist Church in Foxboro, MA. Sue Kingman is now minister in Sanford, Maine. Jim Sherblom is co-minister at First Parish in Brookline. And finally, Darrick Jackson is now Admissions Officer at the Boston University School of Theology and also Youth Minister at First Parish in Brookline. Darrick worked for the UUA in the Youth office for one year. You helped send them on their way!
Charitable offering
While it was nice to have Fayre return to the site of her internship, we also want to share that the charitable offering for Ferry Beach was $337.00 Thank you for your generosity.
Guest at Your Table / December Charitable Offering
On Thanksgiving Sunday we handed out Guest at Your Table boxes. If have not been able to be in church, more boxes are available. The insert about the UU Service Committee and this program recommends reading a story or two from their "Stories of Hope," as you share a meal with your family. These Stories of Hope are available as a download from the UUSC web site (www.uusc.org). By using these stories you will connect to the real people behind the pictures on the box. The idea behind Guest at Your Table is that you would keep the box at your dinner table, and make regular contributions at meal time. Then when we arrive at Christmas Eve (or the nearest Sunday to December 25 when you will be in church), we ask you to convert the bills and change to a check made out to UUSC, and we will collect the boxes at the service. Please be advised that if you give $100 or more, that gift you will be matched by the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY. Thank you.
The December charitable offering is the Christmas Eve offering, and it is taken to benefit the UU Service Committee, and added to our Guest at Your Table program total. Please note that we also give out Special Christmas Envelopes for First Parish. If you would like to give a special gift to the church at Christmas, there is an opportunity to do so.
Religious Education
Debra Zagaeski, DRE
“And so the shortest day came”…
The great wheel of the year has turned and the Winter Solstice is upon us. On December 21st we celebrate the longest night, and the shortest day of the year. It is the return of light that we celebrate. We celebrate the miracle of renewal. The earth will turn and in so doing light and warmth will follow the darkness and cold. The Solstices (it is Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and Summer in the Southern Hemisphere in December) are recognized in nearly all cultures around the world. The Solstice is a time to turn inward, to nurture the seeds of hope and potential and growth within the slumbering earth, as well as within ourselves. It can be a time of special connection to the earth and her inhabitants as a gentle grace settles across the land.
During this season of light there may be times when the din of overly zealous consumerism and holly jolly joyfulness is just a bit too much. I suggest that you take a moment to pause and listen. Listen for the ‘grace notes’. The subtle moments of joy, hope and possibility which fly by at the speed of light. It is the light which resonates for all of the people of the world. The light that will return, the light that is the promise. The same light that shone from a star in the sky over Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago celebrating the birth of a divine spirit continues its journey today, reflecting the divine within us all.
Sometimes it is not an easy task to slow down and listen. It is a common ailment at this time of year to succumb to holiday burnout. To become overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ there is to get done. There are gifts to purchase or make, food to buy and prepare, people to gather together, cards to write, and all the while we are told “do more, do more”. In the midst of all this happy holiday doing it is easy to see why some would prefer a long winter nap to keeping pace with all the ever faster moving spirit of Christmas.
We do have it in our power to grant ourselves a respite. We can gift ourselves a moment of grace, simply remember to pause. In the midst of all the holiday chaos take a moment and pause, and in that moment of calm breathe. It can be as you wait for the traffic light to change, add one extra deep breath …count …one, two, three. It can be as you wait in line to buy the groceries, one extra deep breath, count…one, two, three. It may be as you run from store to store looking for that special something, one extra deep breath…one, two three. Breathe in the grace of and solace of the Solstice.
The nineteenth century Indian mystic, Sri Ramakrishna wrote these words: “The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise the sail.” We all need to remember to slow down and stretch, to “raise our sails” and allow the light and grace of the season to catch in our sails and gently move us through the year.
It can be a time of great sadness and isolation as well. As we light our Christmas candles, our Hanukkah candles, our many candles of light, I encourage you to reach out and hold in your thoughts and prayers those individuals for whom this time of the year is especially challenging and dark. In doing so we can all honor the light and grace of this season.
Upcoming Event:
* The Children and Youth of our Religious Education program will be honoring us with a Celebration of the Solstice during the Sunday Service of Worship on December 21st. This years pageant offering: “Season of Light”.
Given with joy and gratitude, Namaste
Debra
Fantastic Christmas concerts!
FPW member and tenor horn player, Isabel Tappan-deFrees is part of the New England Brass Band, New England's only British-style brass band (think "Brassed Off!"). They have a couple of area Christmas concerts coming up if you're in the mood for the music even if the snow hasn't arrived: 12/7 - 3 p.m. in Wilmington and 12/20 - 7 p.m. in Andover. Details of these and other concerts can be found at www.newenglandbrassband.org.
Canvass
As the calendar year winds down, this is a short reminder from the Finance Committee about annual pledges. While pledges are not due in full until 2/28/09, we know it works better for some folks' tax years to pay the pledge in full by 12/31. If you are unclear how much you have left, contact Jean Merkl (jmerkl55@yahoo.com). To change your pledge, contact John Portz (jportz@rcn.com).
Calling All Singers
Rehearsals for the FPW Adult choir will be starting on Wednesday, Dec.10th at 6:30 at the church. We will be singing a few Christmas carols with the plan that if enough people are available and willing to sing for the services on Christmas eve, we could do that! But even if you cannot be part of Christmas eve services, we will be singing some music for January. Please join us! I promise it will be fun, and the music will be challenging but not too much. Call Charlyn and/or Guy at 617-744-1987.
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
Music is always a part of festive times, and as we approach the holidays, there will lots of music to be shared at First Parish. We are a musical community, and we all participate both as listeners and singers/players.
Plans are in progress for the adult choir this month, with rehearsals on Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, from 6:30 to 8:00. Singers of all levels of experience are welcome. The Youth choir meets from 12:30 to 1:15 on Sundays, right after the service. Our Children’s choir meets on Sundays at 10:15, downstairs. Both the Children and the Youth choirs will be singing for our Holiday Pageant on December 21st.
If you like to go Christmas caroling, please join us for a church caroling party on Saturday, Dec. 20th. We will meet at First Parish at 2:45 pm and drive together over to Brigham House to sing at 3 pm. I will have music and words ready for everyone, and I think Guy can play the piano for us there. Afterwards, we invite you to share some holiday treats at our house, 1034 Belmont St. in Watertown. Save the date, it will be a wonderful time for all!
Looking ahead to January 2009, Guy and I are working on having an up-to-date music website as part of the First Parish Watertown website. We will have musical activities and performers listed there so you will know what is happening and how you can join in. We will also keep an up-to-date calendar of rehearsals and other information.
Music-making is about both honing your talents and being part of a larger community. Come help us celebrate our musical community! If there is something musical you would like to see, please share your thoughts with me, so we can work together to make it happen.
Chair Campaign Update
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to our chair campaign. As of the end of November we have received contributions that will pay for 32 new blue chairs. Since we plan to purchase 136 new chairs, we have a ways to go.
Given the difficult financial situation this year, we realize that many of you are not in a position to donate $150 to purchase a chair at this time, even though you support our effort. Please know that we welcome donations in any amount at any time. Just be sure to designate “Chair Campaign” on your check or envelope containing cash. You can place your contribution in the offering on Sunday or put it in the mail box on the door to the church office.
We’re happy to report that two groups who rent our sanctuary regularly for rehearsals and concerts, the Greater Boston Folk Song Society and the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus have contributed generously to the chair fund. Also, we have scheduled another FPW comedy night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 with proceeds to benefit the chair fund.
Martha Scott,
Parish Committee Chair
Flowers for the Holidays
(note new flower choices)
It’s that time of year again! If you would like to order poinsettia or cyclamen plants to decorate the sanctuary for the holidays, and then bring them home after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the order form below and return it to the church office by December 8. The plants, in 6" pots, are from Wilson Farms in Lexington and are lovely and hardy.
I would like to purchase ______ poinsettias and/or ______ cyclamen plants at $7.00 each. Please choose colors below. Make checks out to First Parish of Watertown. Enclosed is $__________.
Poinsettias
How many of which color(s)?
____ white ___ pink____ red ___ marble
Cyclamen
How many of which color(s)?
____ white____ pink____ red
In loving memory of:
_____________________________________
or Gift of:
______________________________________
Your name(s) as you would like it printed in the order of service:
______________________________________
The Giving Box
November was such a generous month...
A time which returned election results which resonated with a majority of voters--a match which did not need the intervention of the US Supreme Court. We were thankful.
A time when FPW gathered for a service of music to honor Patty DeVore's decades of sustaining this congregation with her expressive gifts of musical interpretation. We as a congregation were thankful.
A time when some of us gathered for the annual Pot Luck and Service Auction. The food was delicious (as always). The auction was a success raising a goodly sum for our church. The wide ranges of services and donated items offered spoke to the talents, ingenuity and generosity of the participants. We participants were thankful.
A time (two and a half weeks) that this congregation addressed an increasing local need for food. You added 284 cans/boxes of food to the Watertown Food Pantry which supplements working families' pantries in this time of escalating financial insecurity. We as a congregation were deeply grateful that we were able to do this at Thanksgiving time.
Your efforts in supporting the GIVING BOX have benefited programs throughout these past three months which work with particular groups of people in need of particular services. These programs focus on defined parameters within a series of larger systemic difficulties. FPW's participation allows us to put into deeds our commitment to act locally for change in the world.
December is a month of waning warmth and deepening darkness moving towards a series of holidays honoring light, hope and renewal of promises. We will gather in church and at home in a bounty of food, warmth, presents and safe connections. This month's GIVING BOX will be for a group of children who live with great needs and are in real need of presents and some hope as well. We will be collecting new toys for children who are being served by the Boston Medical Center's Growth and Development Clinic. This program works with children who have been diagnosed with Failure to Thrive syndrome. Their families are involved with the services as well. This is a program outside of the traditional medical model and is not supported by insurance or government support. It offers medical care, nutritional supplements and supportive outreach services to families who have been identified as having at least one child who is undernourished.
FPW has a long history of supporting the Growth and Development clinic. In the mid-1980’s, Vicki Siska Salkin, the wife of our then minister Marc Salkin, was pregnant with her second child and asked the congregation to consider donating food to a fledgling program for premature and dismature (full term/underweight) babies. The focus then was on undernourished children and on pregnant women who were at risk to deliver malnourished children. Vicki contrasted her life as a pregnant woman to at risk mothers in the greater Boston area and invited Debra Frank,MD, the Director of the new clinic to share her thoughts with FPW at a church service. The response was enthusiastic and we began collecting food throughout that church year. The second year of our involvement, Kay Lundgren, a church member, educated the Board Members of the insurance company where she worked of FPW's involvement with the Growth Clinic. That company donated
$5-10,000 dollars to the clinic to boost start-up monies. Vicki, Marc, Kay and her husband Rick were asked to light the tree at the Prudential Center representing FPW! During that Christmas season our church began to answer another stated need of the clinic: the collection of toys for undernourished kids and their siblings. That is how FPW became part-time partners with the Growth Clinic which now adds "Development" to its title, as nourishment is key to both physical and neurological health.
Here in the winter of 2008 we will try to give as many unwrapped, new gifts to the Growth Clinic's children as possible. These gifts will be distributed by the Clinic to patients and caregivers of Boston and surrounding areas. Many of these people struggle to meet the everyday demands of feeding, raising and caring for their children--giving their children gifts is an "extra" which means it's an impossibility. This year, usual charities which give gifts have cupboards which are bare because of recent economic shifts--making our donations even more welcome!
The collective WE of FPW has just two and a half weeks to bring in the age appropriate,new/unwrapped children's gifts. December 14th is the last day to put these gifts under the FPW Christmas tree! There is a Wish List below broken down into three age groups. Note: these suggested items can be purchased reasonably by today's standards. Perhaps you might think of yourself at a particular childhood age opening the gift you selected---a vicarious smile of the season!
We will be asking you to commit to a gift for a child of a certain age when we approach you at coffee hour. We will give you a gift tag to sign which will then be hung on the tree to remind all of us of what we are accomplishing in a short time. Should you not be at a service or should you not connect with one of us, do bring in an unwrapped new toy by Sunday-December 14th. If you are unable to shop for a toy but would like to participate in our Christmas Giving Box Project, please call us at (781) 289-0073 and we will shop for you. We would also be happy to pick up your gift at your home should you be unable to deliver it to the church by the 14th. We need this due date so that the Clinic can disperse our gifts by Christmas.
May Sarton wrote: I can understand people simply fleeing the mountainous efforts Christmas has become...But there are always a few saving graces and finally they make up for all the bother and distress.
We wish you the many graces of this season and direct your attention below to the Growth and Development Clinic's Holiday Wish List.
With heartfelt thanks and a wish for a special new year ahead ....
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
UNWRAPPED gifts for Growth/Development Clinic needed to be in church by DECEMBER 14th.
***Please do NOT donate: Any war toys, guns or military theme toys//Jewelry made in China// Toys made in China before 2008***
BABIES and TODDLERS (0-4): Educational preschool toys(sing a-longs, numbers, alphabet and shapes)//Wooden puzzles/puzzles marked with appropriate age groups, including educational puzzles dealing with counting, shapes, animals and the alphabet//Building blocks//Push and pull toys//Playskool toys//MegaBloks//Soft, bouncing balls//Tonka Junior trucks//Fisher Price play sets//Toy telephones//Fisher Price toy medical kit.
SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (5-10):Interactive flipbooks that teach phonetics to young children (Leap Frog)// Crayons/Coloring books// Craft materials (paper pads, sketchpads, rainbow paints, finger paints, etc)//Toy cash registers//Train sets//Matchbox cars//Mr.Potato Head//Plastic tea sets//Sturdy trucks (Fisher Price toy trucks, buses and cars)//Baby dolls (multicultural, if possible)//Barbie Dolls (multicultural preferred)//Etch-a-Sketch/Magna Doodle//Board games//Puzzles.
Preteens and Teenagers (11-18):Arts/Crafts materials and activity sets (beads, ceramics, sand art and jewelry making kits)//Clock radios//Sports related items (hats, sweatshirts, footballs and basketballs)//Jewelry//School organizer sets//Watches//Nail polish/lip balm/lip gloss sets//Bath gels/body lotion/body sprays gift sets//Gift Certificates for DVDs & CDs, video games//Diaries//CD player/Discman//Jewelry boxes//Calculators//Board games//Electronic games/handheld games//Cameras//Pre-paid cell phones//Remote control cars//Walkie-talkies.
Photo Board
Have you noticed the Display on the wall by the kitchen in the social hall? This is our members and friends photo board. We are going to update it! It is delightful to see the shining faces of our members. For some it is helpful to put a face to a name, find out whose child that is, or just delight in the people. We are requesting that you join us in making the faces current and have more people represented. So there are a few choices: If you are not up on the board you can bring in a recent photo and we will put it up. If your picture is on the board, but very outdated, you can bring in a new one. If you would like, I can take new pictures on December 14th and 21st. so please find me ! I will be the one with a camera around my neck !!
Lee Pierce, Fellowship Committee.
Green Sanctuary Corner
by Eileen Ryan
Being part of a community that is actively trying to be more ecological is inspirational. I have been making environmentally friendly choices and decisions for years. During the past year I was inspired by my involvement with the Green Sanctuary Committee to see how much our family of five could reduce our energy use. I had an NSTAR representative come to our house in November, 2007, to monitor our refrigerator. We qualified for a one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar rebate toward a new Energy Star refrigerator. While the NSTAR representative was at our house he replaced all of our traditional light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs and installed a low-flow shower- head free of charge. Our electric bill was immediately reduced by a third. Last winter we also lowered the thermostat to 62 degrees when we were home during the day and to 54 degrees at night. Everyone who wants one goes to bed with a hot water bottle for extra warmth. We are all trying to remember to turn out lights when we leave a room. A year later, with our new refrigerator installed, we have reduced electricity usage by 50 percent. I look forward to seeing the electric bill each month, always hoping that we have used even less electricity than the same month a year ago.
The Holidays and How to Simplify
The Simplicity Circle, a group formed as part of our Green Sanctuary efforts met recently. Eileen Ryan facilitated a discussion on “How to Simplify the Holidays”. The group members would like to share thoughts from a source that was found useful. The following was taken from the book “Unplug the Christmas Machine” by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli.
Christmas Pledge: Believing in the true spirit of Christmas I commit myself to:
*Remember those people who truly need my gifts
*Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
*Examine my holiday activities in light of my deepest values
*Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends
*Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth.
Four basic children’s needs for the holidays;
1. A relaxed and loving time with the family
2. Realistic expectations about gifts
3. An evenly passed holiday season
4. Reliable family traditions
FPW Mini Holiday Craft Fair
On Sunday, December 7 and December 14 at Social Hour we will be holding a craft fair for friends and members who wish to sell their crafts. If anyone is interested please contact Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597 or Eileen@Simplycircus.com
We will also be selling Amnesty International calendars during December.
The Christmas Revels
Charlotte Holt is a member of the children's chorus of this year's production of The Christmas Revels. This year's theme is Thomas Hardy's England. The Christmas Revels is performed at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge beginning December 12 and ending December 30. Charlotte will not be in the matinee on December 13 or the evening performance on December 21. Each child in the cast has two performances off. For more information: Revels. org, or 617-972-8300.
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. You can call for more information at 617-924-4638.
Applause and Sunday Worship
Some people have become concerned about applause in our worship services, and expressed this in the recent survey. While not wanting to stifle spontaneous appreciation, we have asked the congregation not to applaud at the end of the postlude. This is to maintain a focus on the music as a spiritual element of the service, rather than as a performance per se.
As a way to make this change more effective, we are now using a short chorale by Bartok as the instrumental postlude every week, creating a ritualistic effect similar to the use of the Doxology earlier in the service (this postlude is not sung, of course). Please give us your feedback Also, please remember to turn off your cell phone when you enter the sanctuary.
Comedy Night Coming in January
Paul Day has arranged a Second Annual FPW Comedy Night. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 31, 2009 for a night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Easy Money
How often does the Finance Committee get to say that!!! This is just a quick note that if you're shopping on amazon.com, you can easily help First Parish at the same time! Just start your shopping at www.fpwatertown.org Members page and then click on the Amazon icon. A portion of the money you spend will come back to us! Please pass this information on to friends and other loved ones~
Arbella
December 2008
for schedule of events please go to the member page for the calendar
Sermons and Worship Services
Sunday, December 7, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Unitarian Universalism in My Life”
A lay led service on how UUism manifests itself in our everyday lives. FPW members sharing include Kyle Morton, Celeste Oliva, and Johanna Swift Hart. Djalai Babazadeh will lead the service.
Music: Jill Dreeben, flute
Greeters: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Social Hour: Jim Felty and Bobbie Brown
Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“A Season of Miracles”
Mark W. Harris
Liberals are often uncomfortable with the traditional idea of miracles. Emerson once called used the term “monster” to describe the Christian understanding of miracles. Is there such a thing as a UU miracle?
Greeters: Cornelia Janke and Goyo Carvajal
Social Hour: Katherine and Matt Calabro
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
“Season of Light”
Our FPW children will celebrate the solstice with their Christmas Pageant “Season of Light”. Rumor has it there will be a special sword dance!!! A special story, music and lots of fun for all.
Greeters: Gretchen Brown and Brigitte Bender
Social Hour: Beth and Izzy Tappan-deFrees
Wednesday. December 24, 2008 -
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services-
5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Traditional candlelight services. Bring cookies to share for social hour at 6:15 p.m. If you have no preference, we encourage members to attend the second service. Services are exactly the same.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
“Epiphanies This Year”
Mark W. Harris
Have you had an epiphany this year? In addition to a Christian holiday, an Epiphany is
the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something. Come share that realization with us.
Greeters: Lynn Bratley and Chuck Dickinson
Social Hour: Theo Ellswoth and Randy Rhoda
Captain’s Log
Once in a while Andrea and I will be watching the news at 11:00 p.m., and it seems as though the only event of the day has been the proverbial cat stuck up a tree. We say it seems like nothing happened today. Most of the time we cannot say that. We have witnessed a month past where the first African-American President in US history has been elected. While it hardly means the end of racism, the symbolic power of the event is truly amazing. I could feel tears roll down my cheeks as I watched the celebration in Chicago. Often the news is so disturbing or upsetting that an event this hopeful and this historic is cathartic. We all still worry about the economy, and the attack in Mumbai raises the fear factor, but nevertheless there is a shift in our attitude about the future, and that can help signal the dawning of an new era. We are more likely to experience good things, when we expect good things.
The Advent season is traditionally a time of waiting. Children count the days down from 25 to 1, and the anticipation grows as the big day draws near. When I was a child, the local newspaper always had a big ad on the front page indicating how many shopping days until Christmas. Time was running out for parents, but drawing near for kids. The story itself contains images of waiting. The wise men perhaps had to wait for nightfall, so they could see the stars to guide them. Mary must have known she was near to giving birth, and was counting the days until it was over. For college kids, they may have to wait to find out how they did on some big test. Those hunting for jobs, wait for a call back from a potential employer. We wait in line. We wait all the time for things. The Christmas season reminds us that waiting is anxiety producing, because we fear how things will turn out. Did I get the job? Did I pass the test? Will the baby be ok? Will we survive the financial chaos?
What do we do while waiting? They say the English have perfected the ability to stand in line, and even invented a word, que, for being so obedient about waiting for things. It is true that they expect to wait in line for things, while we tend to be a little more impatient on this side of the pond, but neither speaks to what can happen while we wait. While we get anxious, and cause the people around us to be anxious, we also need to remember that sometimes the waiting itself is the best part!
First, notice that the kings and the shepherds travel together. There is no solitary match toward Bethlehem. Waiting involves community. No one wants to wait alone. When I was a student waiting to meet with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, I had no one to support me as I waited for the biggest interview of my life. Who would be there if I didn’t pass? No one. Then someone remembered how hard it is to wait for life changing decisions, and so even though the test is for you, there are now others there to support you, and who know what the experience is like. Don’t wait alone. Or if you feel alone, come to a place where others want to be with you. I’ll bet those kings and shepherds talked and ate all the way to Bethlehem.
Second, a lot can happen while we wait for the big event. Andrea always says that planning a project, and carrying it out are much more satisfying than the final result. Even if it is good, it is kind of anti-climatic. Could it be that the real fun is in the searching, and not the finding? That’s often what UUs says about their theology. Who wants pat answers? Come explore many stories and many answers. We can all imagine the big day is what we are waiting for, but it can also be fun sharing our excitement and hopes and love with each other while we wait.
I hope you all have a joyful holiday season. Happy waiting!
Mark
Workers for work day - November 1, 2008
Although it seems as though it happened a long time ago. We want to say thanks to all those who helped out with the Building and Grounds Fall Cleanup Day. Our workers included: Michael McCarthy, Bob Shay, Kathy Button, David Morrison, Kathy Warren, Mark Harris, David Benson, Nick Haddad, Nancy Dutton, Isabel Tappan-DeFrees, Elizabeth Tappan-deFrees, Elijah Tappan-deFrees, Kit Gunning. This is a random listing of all the
people who came, were seen and labored!
Bikes Not Bombs - November 1
We also had a number of people who participated in the Bikes Not Bombs bike
collection, including Will and Sue Twombly, Barry Greess, Debra Zagaeski, Sue Kuder, Cody Urban, Amy Urban and Charlotte Fitts-Sprague (the last three from our youth group). Thanks for your good work
Thanksgiving
Thanks to the corn muffins makers for a great Succoth - Thanksgiving - Eileen Ryan, Lynn Bratley, Anna Knight, Marianne Collins, and Debra Zagaeski
Auction
We had another successful Service Auction this year. The total was $4,021 which we thought was great in these scary economic times. A very special thanks to Jean Merkl for organizing this event once again. In what was supposed to be a transition year, Jean really did a spectacular job, and we are grateful. We also want to thank our former Student minister Mark Caggiano for being our auctioneer. He did a great job. Finally thanks to all who either contributed or bought. Please send your checks to Nancy in the church office if you have not paid up yet. Thanks to Parish and Fellowship committees for their work setting up the dinner.
Among Us
A warm welcome to New Members, who have filled out intention to join cards.
Genia Lenz and her daughter Melanie
Lani Gerson and Hannah Gerson, who are here with Mateo (a grandmother, mother and son family).
Melissa Thompson, whose daughter Josie will be dedicated after Christmas.
We expect that Genia and Melissa will be welcomed as new members on December
7, and Lani and Hannah will be welcomed in the spring, as they cannot be present at the December 7 service.
Our thoughts are with Ann Bloom, who was hospitalized, and now is living in an assisted living facility in Connecticut, near her daughter. We can provide her address on request.
Film Series at First Parish
The second film in our religious film series will be shown on Sunday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. James Carroll’s “Constantine’s Sword” will be shown in the sanctuary (big screen). Constantine’s Sword explores the dark side of Christianity’s past, especially Anti-Semitism and is based on Carroll’s award winning book of the same name. The movie asks the timely question: Is the fanaticism that threatens the world today fueled by our own deeply held beliefs? The public is welcome to this acclaimed film that has been called both “enthralling” and “magnificent” by reviewers. Entertainment weekly said: Like the Da Vinci Code, it grasps at the enigmatic flux of Christian history. You’ll walk out enriched.”
Former interns
It was wonderful to see Mark Caggiano at our Service auction. Mark is now looking for a church settlement. He also announced that Saturday, February 7 will be his ordination in his home church, North Andover. We are all invited, and will play a significant role in the ordination. More later, but please mark your calendars. You might be curious to know about other former interns. Fayre Stephenson , who spoke here in November is now the full time program director for Ferry Beach. She previously served the Universalist Church in Foxboro, MA. Sue Kingman is now minister in Sanford, Maine. Jim Sherblom is co-minister at First Parish in Brookline. And finally, Darrick Jackson is now Admissions Officer at the Boston University School of Theology and also Youth Minister at First Parish in Brookline. Darrick worked for the UUA in the Youth office for one year. You helped send them on their way!
Charitable offering
While it was nice to have Fayre return to the site of her internship, we also want to share that the charitable offering for Ferry Beach was $337.00 Thank you for your generosity.
Guest at Your Table / December Charitable Offering
On Thanksgiving Sunday we handed out Guest at Your Table boxes. If have not been able to be in church, more boxes are available. The insert about the UU Service Committee and this program recommends reading a story or two from their "Stories of Hope," as you share a meal with your family. These Stories of Hope are available as a download from the UUSC web site (www.uusc.org). By using these stories you will connect to the real people behind the pictures on the box. The idea behind Guest at Your Table is that you would keep the box at your dinner table, and make regular contributions at meal time. Then when we arrive at Christmas Eve (or the nearest Sunday to December 25 when you will be in church), we ask you to convert the bills and change to a check made out to UUSC, and we will collect the boxes at the service. Please be advised that if you give $100 or more, that gift you will be matched by the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY. Thank you.
The December charitable offering is the Christmas Eve offering, and it is taken to benefit the UU Service Committee, and added to our Guest at Your Table program total. Please note that we also give out Special Christmas Envelopes for First Parish. If you would like to give a special gift to the church at Christmas, there is an opportunity to do so.
Religious Education
Debra Zagaeski, DRE
“And so the shortest day came”…
The great wheel of the year has turned and the Winter Solstice is upon us. On December 21st we celebrate the longest night, and the shortest day of the year. It is the return of light that we celebrate. We celebrate the miracle of renewal. The earth will turn and in so doing light and warmth will follow the darkness and cold. The Solstices (it is Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and Summer in the Southern Hemisphere in December) are recognized in nearly all cultures around the world. The Solstice is a time to turn inward, to nurture the seeds of hope and potential and growth within the slumbering earth, as well as within ourselves. It can be a time of special connection to the earth and her inhabitants as a gentle grace settles across the land.
During this season of light there may be times when the din of overly zealous consumerism and holly jolly joyfulness is just a bit too much. I suggest that you take a moment to pause and listen. Listen for the ‘grace notes’. The subtle moments of joy, hope and possibility which fly by at the speed of light. It is the light which resonates for all of the people of the world. The light that will return, the light that is the promise. The same light that shone from a star in the sky over Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago celebrating the birth of a divine spirit continues its journey today, reflecting the divine within us all.
Sometimes it is not an easy task to slow down and listen. It is a common ailment at this time of year to succumb to holiday burnout. To become overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ there is to get done. There are gifts to purchase or make, food to buy and prepare, people to gather together, cards to write, and all the while we are told “do more, do more”. In the midst of all this happy holiday doing it is easy to see why some would prefer a long winter nap to keeping pace with all the ever faster moving spirit of Christmas.
We do have it in our power to grant ourselves a respite. We can gift ourselves a moment of grace, simply remember to pause. In the midst of all the holiday chaos take a moment and pause, and in that moment of calm breathe. It can be as you wait for the traffic light to change, add one extra deep breath …count …one, two, three. It can be as you wait in line to buy the groceries, one extra deep breath, count…one, two, three. It may be as you run from store to store looking for that special something, one extra deep breath…one, two three. Breathe in the grace of and solace of the Solstice.
The nineteenth century Indian mystic, Sri Ramakrishna wrote these words: “The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise the sail.” We all need to remember to slow down and stretch, to “raise our sails” and allow the light and grace of the season to catch in our sails and gently move us through the year.
It can be a time of great sadness and isolation as well. As we light our Christmas candles, our Hanukkah candles, our many candles of light, I encourage you to reach out and hold in your thoughts and prayers those individuals for whom this time of the year is especially challenging and dark. In doing so we can all honor the light and grace of this season.
Upcoming Event:
* The Children and Youth of our Religious Education program will be honoring us with a Celebration of the Solstice during the Sunday Service of Worship on December 21st. This years pageant offering: “Season of Light”.
Given with joy and gratitude, Namaste
Debra
Fantastic Christmas concerts!
FPW member and tenor horn player, Isabel Tappan-deFrees is part of the New England Brass Band, New England's only British-style brass band (think "Brassed Off!"). They have a couple of area Christmas concerts coming up if you're in the mood for the music even if the snow hasn't arrived: 12/7 - 3 p.m. in Wilmington and 12/20 - 7 p.m. in Andover. Details of these and other concerts can be found at www.newenglandbrassband.org.
Canvass
As the calendar year winds down, this is a short reminder from the Finance Committee about annual pledges. While pledges are not due in full until 2/28/09, we know it works better for some folks' tax years to pay the pledge in full by 12/31. If you are unclear how much you have left, contact Jean Merkl (jmerkl55@yahoo.com). To change your pledge, contact John Portz (jportz@rcn.com).
Calling All Singers
Rehearsals for the FPW Adult choir will be starting on Wednesday, Dec.10th at 6:30 at the church. We will be singing a few Christmas carols with the plan that if enough people are available and willing to sing for the services on Christmas eve, we could do that! But even if you cannot be part of Christmas eve services, we will be singing some music for January. Please join us! I promise it will be fun, and the music will be challenging but not too much. Call Charlyn and/or Guy at 617-744-1987.
Musically Speaking
by Charlyn Bethell
Music is always a part of festive times, and as we approach the holidays, there will lots of music to be shared at First Parish. We are a musical community, and we all participate both as listeners and singers/players.
Plans are in progress for the adult choir this month, with rehearsals on Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, from 6:30 to 8:00. Singers of all levels of experience are welcome. The Youth choir meets from 12:30 to 1:15 on Sundays, right after the service. Our Children’s choir meets on Sundays at 10:15, downstairs. Both the Children and the Youth choirs will be singing for our Holiday Pageant on December 21st.
If you like to go Christmas caroling, please join us for a church caroling party on Saturday, Dec. 20th. We will meet at First Parish at 2:45 pm and drive together over to Brigham House to sing at 3 pm. I will have music and words ready for everyone, and I think Guy can play the piano for us there. Afterwards, we invite you to share some holiday treats at our house, 1034 Belmont St. in Watertown. Save the date, it will be a wonderful time for all!
Looking ahead to January 2009, Guy and I are working on having an up-to-date music website as part of the First Parish Watertown website. We will have musical activities and performers listed there so you will know what is happening and how you can join in. We will also keep an up-to-date calendar of rehearsals and other information.
Music-making is about both honing your talents and being part of a larger community. Come help us celebrate our musical community! If there is something musical you would like to see, please share your thoughts with me, so we can work together to make it happen.
Chair Campaign Update
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to our chair campaign. As of the end of November we have received contributions that will pay for 32 new blue chairs. Since we plan to purchase 136 new chairs, we have a ways to go.
Given the difficult financial situation this year, we realize that many of you are not in a position to donate $150 to purchase a chair at this time, even though you support our effort. Please know that we welcome donations in any amount at any time. Just be sure to designate “Chair Campaign” on your check or envelope containing cash. You can place your contribution in the offering on Sunday or put it in the mail box on the door to the church office.
We’re happy to report that two groups who rent our sanctuary regularly for rehearsals and concerts, the Greater Boston Folk Song Society and the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus have contributed generously to the chair fund. Also, we have scheduled another FPW comedy night on Saturday, January 31, 2009 with proceeds to benefit the chair fund.
Martha Scott,
Parish Committee Chair
Flowers for the Holidays
(note new flower choices)
It’s that time of year again! If you would like to order poinsettia or cyclamen plants to decorate the sanctuary for the holidays, and then bring them home after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the order form below and return it to the church office by December 8. The plants, in 6" pots, are from Wilson Farms in Lexington and are lovely and hardy.
I would like to purchase ______ poinsettias and/or ______ cyclamen plants at $7.00 each. Please choose colors below. Make checks out to First Parish of Watertown. Enclosed is $__________.
Poinsettias
How many of which color(s)?
____ white ___ pink____ red ___ marble
Cyclamen
How many of which color(s)?
____ white____ pink____ red
In loving memory of:
_____________________________________
or Gift of:
______________________________________
Your name(s) as you would like it printed in the order of service:
______________________________________
The Giving Box
November was such a generous month...
A time which returned election results which resonated with a majority of voters--a match which did not need the intervention of the US Supreme Court. We were thankful.
A time when FPW gathered for a service of music to honor Patty DeVore's decades of sustaining this congregation with her expressive gifts of musical interpretation. We as a congregation were thankful.
A time when some of us gathered for the annual Pot Luck and Service Auction. The food was delicious (as always). The auction was a success raising a goodly sum for our church. The wide ranges of services and donated items offered spoke to the talents, ingenuity and generosity of the participants. We participants were thankful.
A time (two and a half weeks) that this congregation addressed an increasing local need for food. You added 284 cans/boxes of food to the Watertown Food Pantry which supplements working families' pantries in this time of escalating financial insecurity. We as a congregation were deeply grateful that we were able to do this at Thanksgiving time.
Your efforts in supporting the GIVING BOX have benefited programs throughout these past three months which work with particular groups of people in need of particular services. These programs focus on defined parameters within a series of larger systemic difficulties. FPW's participation allows us to put into deeds our commitment to act locally for change in the world.
December is a month of waning warmth and deepening darkness moving towards a series of holidays honoring light, hope and renewal of promises. We will gather in church and at home in a bounty of food, warmth, presents and safe connections. This month's GIVING BOX will be for a group of children who live with great needs and are in real need of presents and some hope as well. We will be collecting new toys for children who are being served by the Boston Medical Center's Growth and Development Clinic. This program works with children who have been diagnosed with Failure to Thrive syndrome. Their families are involved with the services as well. This is a program outside of the traditional medical model and is not supported by insurance or government support. It offers medical care, nutritional supplements and supportive outreach services to families who have been identified as having at least one child who is undernourished.
FPW has a long history of supporting the Growth and Development clinic. In the mid-1980’s, Vicki Siska Salkin, the wife of our then minister Marc Salkin, was pregnant with her second child and asked the congregation to consider donating food to a fledgling program for premature and dismature (full term/underweight) babies. The focus then was on undernourished children and on pregnant women who were at risk to deliver malnourished children. Vicki contrasted her life as a pregnant woman to at risk mothers in the greater Boston area and invited Debra Frank,MD, the Director of the new clinic to share her thoughts with FPW at a church service. The response was enthusiastic and we began collecting food throughout that church year. The second year of our involvement, Kay Lundgren, a church member, educated the Board Members of the insurance company where she worked of FPW's involvement with the Growth Clinic. That company donated
$5-10,000 dollars to the clinic to boost start-up monies. Vicki, Marc, Kay and her husband Rick were asked to light the tree at the Prudential Center representing FPW! During that Christmas season our church began to answer another stated need of the clinic: the collection of toys for undernourished kids and their siblings. That is how FPW became part-time partners with the Growth Clinic which now adds "Development" to its title, as nourishment is key to both physical and neurological health.
Here in the winter of 2008 we will try to give as many unwrapped, new gifts to the Growth Clinic's children as possible. These gifts will be distributed by the Clinic to patients and caregivers of Boston and surrounding areas. Many of these people struggle to meet the everyday demands of feeding, raising and caring for their children--giving their children gifts is an "extra" which means it's an impossibility. This year, usual charities which give gifts have cupboards which are bare because of recent economic shifts--making our donations even more welcome!
The collective WE of FPW has just two and a half weeks to bring in the age appropriate,new/unwrapped children's gifts. December 14th is the last day to put these gifts under the FPW Christmas tree! There is a Wish List below broken down into three age groups. Note: these suggested items can be purchased reasonably by today's standards. Perhaps you might think of yourself at a particular childhood age opening the gift you selected---a vicarious smile of the season!
We will be asking you to commit to a gift for a child of a certain age when we approach you at coffee hour. We will give you a gift tag to sign which will then be hung on the tree to remind all of us of what we are accomplishing in a short time. Should you not be at a service or should you not connect with one of us, do bring in an unwrapped new toy by Sunday-December 14th. If you are unable to shop for a toy but would like to participate in our Christmas Giving Box Project, please call us at (781) 289-0073 and we will shop for you. We would also be happy to pick up your gift at your home should you be unable to deliver it to the church by the 14th. We need this due date so that the Clinic can disperse our gifts by Christmas.
May Sarton wrote: I can understand people simply fleeing the mountainous efforts Christmas has become...But there are always a few saving graces and finally they make up for all the bother and distress.
We wish you the many graces of this season and direct your attention below to the Growth and Development Clinic's Holiday Wish List.
With heartfelt thanks and a wish for a special new year ahead ....
Barbara Farrell and Jill Shaw
UNWRAPPED gifts for Growth/Development Clinic needed to be in church by DECEMBER 14th.
***Please do NOT donate: Any war toys, guns or military theme toys//Jewelry made in China// Toys made in China before 2008***
BABIES and TODDLERS (0-4): Educational preschool toys(sing a-longs, numbers, alphabet and shapes)//Wooden puzzles/puzzles marked with appropriate age groups, including educational puzzles dealing with counting, shapes, animals and the alphabet//Building blocks//Push and pull toys//Playskool toys//MegaBloks//Soft, bouncing balls//Tonka Junior trucks//Fisher Price play sets//Toy telephones//Fisher Price toy medical kit.
SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (5-10):Interactive flipbooks that teach phonetics to young children (Leap Frog)// Crayons/Coloring books// Craft materials (paper pads, sketchpads, rainbow paints, finger paints, etc)//Toy cash registers//Train sets//Matchbox cars//Mr.Potato Head//Plastic tea sets//Sturdy trucks (Fisher Price toy trucks, buses and cars)//Baby dolls (multicultural, if possible)//Barbie Dolls (multicultural preferred)//Etch-a-Sketch/Magna Doodle//Board games//Puzzles.
Preteens and Teenagers (11-18):Arts/Crafts materials and activity sets (beads, ceramics, sand art and jewelry making kits)//Clock radios//Sports related items (hats, sweatshirts, footballs and basketballs)//Jewelry//School organizer sets//Watches//Nail polish/lip balm/lip gloss sets//Bath gels/body lotion/body sprays gift sets//Gift Certificates for DVDs & CDs, video games//Diaries//CD player/Discman//Jewelry boxes//Calculators//Board games//Electronic games/handheld games//Cameras//Pre-paid cell phones//Remote control cars//Walkie-talkies.
Photo Board
Have you noticed the Display on the wall by the kitchen in the social hall? This is our members and friends photo board. We are going to update it! It is delightful to see the shining faces of our members. For some it is helpful to put a face to a name, find out whose child that is, or just delight in the people. We are requesting that you join us in making the faces current and have more people represented. So there are a few choices: If you are not up on the board you can bring in a recent photo and we will put it up. If your picture is on the board, but very outdated, you can bring in a new one. If you would like, I can take new pictures on December 14th and 21st. so please find me ! I will be the one with a camera around my neck !!
Lee Pierce, Fellowship Committee.
Green Sanctuary Corner
by Eileen Ryan
Being part of a community that is actively trying to be more ecological is inspirational. I have been making environmentally friendly choices and decisions for years. During the past year I was inspired by my involvement with the Green Sanctuary Committee to see how much our family of five could reduce our energy use. I had an NSTAR representative come to our house in November, 2007, to monitor our refrigerator. We qualified for a one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar rebate toward a new Energy Star refrigerator. While the NSTAR representative was at our house he replaced all of our traditional light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs and installed a low-flow shower- head free of charge. Our electric bill was immediately reduced by a third. Last winter we also lowered the thermostat to 62 degrees when we were home during the day and to 54 degrees at night. Everyone who wants one goes to bed with a hot water bottle for extra warmth. We are all trying to remember to turn out lights when we leave a room. A year later, with our new refrigerator installed, we have reduced electricity usage by 50 percent. I look forward to seeing the electric bill each month, always hoping that we have used even less electricity than the same month a year ago.
The Holidays and How to Simplify
The Simplicity Circle, a group formed as part of our Green Sanctuary efforts met recently. Eileen Ryan facilitated a discussion on “How to Simplify the Holidays”. The group members would like to share thoughts from a source that was found useful. The following was taken from the book “Unplug the Christmas Machine” by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli.
Christmas Pledge: Believing in the true spirit of Christmas I commit myself to:
*Remember those people who truly need my gifts
*Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
*Examine my holiday activities in light of my deepest values
*Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends
*Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth.
Four basic children’s needs for the holidays;
1. A relaxed and loving time with the family
2. Realistic expectations about gifts
3. An evenly passed holiday season
4. Reliable family traditions
FPW Mini Holiday Craft Fair
On Sunday, December 7 and December 14 at Social Hour we will be holding a craft fair for friends and members who wish to sell their crafts. If anyone is interested please contact Eileen Ryan at 617-924-4597 or Eileen@Simplycircus.com
We will also be selling Amnesty International calendars during December.
The Christmas Revels
Charlotte Holt is a member of the children's chorus of this year's production of The Christmas Revels. This year's theme is Thomas Hardy's England. The Christmas Revels is performed at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge beginning December 12 and ending December 30. Charlotte will not be in the matinee on December 13 or the evening performance on December 21. Each child in the cast has two performances off. For more information: Revels. org, or 617-972-8300.
Carpentry Needed?
Do you need some help with home improvement projects? Paul Nelson has 20 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in finish work, windows and door installation. He and his wife, Jacqui Sweeney, who is a member of FPW, live in Watertown. You can call for more information at 617-924-4638.
Applause and Sunday Worship
Some people have become concerned about applause in our worship services, and expressed this in the recent survey. While not wanting to stifle spontaneous appreciation, we have asked the congregation not to applaud at the end of the postlude. This is to maintain a focus on the music as a spiritual element of the service, rather than as a performance per se.
As a way to make this change more effective, we are now using a short chorale by Bartok as the instrumental postlude every week, creating a ritualistic effect similar to the use of the Doxology earlier in the service (this postlude is not sung, of course). Please give us your feedback Also, please remember to turn off your cell phone when you enter the sanctuary.
Comedy Night Coming in January
Paul Day has arranged a Second Annual FPW Comedy Night. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 31, 2009 for a night of laughs with Bethany Van Delft, Billy Bob and Evan O’Television who does an act with himself…on video. Paul says, “I think it’s some of the best stuff around.”
Easy Money
How often does the Finance Committee get to say that!!! This is just a quick note that if you're shopping on amazon.com, you can easily help First Parish at the same time! Just start your shopping at www.fpwatertown.org Members page and then click on the Amazon icon. A portion of the money you spend will come back to us! Please pass this information on to friends and other loved ones~