First Unitarian Newsletter

VOL. 56 NO. 4

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2002

SUNDAY WORSHIP

September 29, 2002 at The First Unitarian Church

9:00 a.m.
	*	*Prayer Group*, led by Rev. Schade, will meet in his office at 9:00 a.m. To reach Rev. Schade's office: go into the kitchen, take the stairs and turn left.
	*	*World Religions: Stories of Transformations* will meet in the Chapel, led by Rev. Merritt. This week's topic will be a story selected by Laura Howie from Hindu and Buddhist traditions..
	*	NO Adult Choir Rehearsal this week.
	*	*Children's Choir Rehearsal* in the Bancroft Room.
	*	*Early Childcare* will be available in the Dining Room for children whose parents are involved in church programs.
		Caregivers: Mari Lopez, Monica Lopez, Amanda Sprow, Jennifer Comeau
9:30 a.m.
	*	*Life and Teachings of Jesus Teachers' Meeting* in the classroom.
9:45 a.m.
	*	*Feeling At Home Teachers' Meeting* in the classroom.
10:15 a.m.
	*	*Nursery Care* (for children under the age of 3) will be available in the nursery during the worship service.
		Caregivers: Mari Lopez, Monica Lopez, Amanda Sprow, Jennifer Comeau
	*	*Chalice Children (for children who are already 3 years of age, but not yet in kindergarten):* This class will open at 10:15 to allow parents time to settle their children before worship begins. Our church is a place of special sights and sounds. We will play our own version of the Memory Game.
		Teachers: David Buffum, Ruth Shortreed

Sunday Worship - In the Sanctuary
Solo Sunday
10:30 a.m.	--	*Church Announcements*
10:35 a.m.	--	Sermon: "What Is It About Rumi?"
		The Rev. Barbara Merritt, Senior, Minister - preaching
		The Rev. Thomas Schade, Associate Minister - liturgist

		How ironic it is that at the very moment when the western world and the Islamic world have never been more estranged, the most popular poet in the United States would be a thirteenth century Islamic mystic named Jalal al-Din Rumi. Rumi has been called the "Shakespeare of Spirituality," combining a passionate love for God with an exquisite use of bold and life affirming language. His audiences are especially appreciative of a saint who uses a brilliant intellect, sharp sarcasm, and enormous psychological insight as he describes the journey of all souls. The worship this morning will be celebrating what the religious poet has to offer Unitarian Universalists.

		"Christian, Jew, Muslim, shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the mystery, unique and not to be judged. --Rumi


10:30 a.m.
	*	*Ushering: Susan Peckitt* and Harold Stevens-head ushers.
	*	*Flowers* given this week by Nancy C. Wilson and Richard H. Harris in memory of Bennett C. Wilson and Rosemary M. Harris, former members of their family and of this parish.
	*	*Candlelighter:* Harvey Kowaloff
11:30 a.m.
	*	*Fellowship Hour* in the Dining Room. *Hospitality* provided by Mary Frandsen and Ted Messier.

12:00 p.m.
	*	*Religion In Our Times* in the Chapel. *Topic:* "Security Against Terrorists vs. Civil Liberties: What's the Right Balance?" led by Mark Miller.

Sunday School Notes

Feeling at Home (for children in Kindergarten): Fall has arrived in our neighborhoods and nature is preparing for winter. We will talk about seeds. Please look around your yard with one of your parents and try to find some seeds (Acorns? Maple seeds? Marigold seeds?) to bring to class to show everyone. Teachers, please remember the team meeting at 9:45.Teachers: Karen Hoke, Kate Palaces Narita

Stories About God (1st grade): In this lesson, we will think about the concepts of God as a woman and of God as like the earth. We will explore the belief that people are here to care for the earth. Teachers: Kelley Guilfoil, Fran Krauss

Adventures of God's Folk (2nd grade): We will use the story of Jonah and the Great Fish to talk about the idea of obedience and responsibility for one's actions. We will reinforce the idea that God loves humans and will forgive them and give them a chance to change. Teachers: Danna Peterson, Gerri Bianchi

Holidays and Holy Days (3rd grade): Our lesson this week is one of our favorites. We will celebrate Sukkot, the Jewish Harvest Festival, by building a sukkah on the terrace. Each child is asked to bring a lemon and another fruit or vegetable to decorate our sukkah. Teachers: Eduardo Morales, Mary Ryan

Stepping Stone Year (4th grade): Our creation story comes from the early Greeks, and tells of Gaia, the Earth Goddess and Pandora, the Giver of all Gifts. We will do some cardboard loom weaving. Teachers: Bernadette Nelson, Julianne deRivera

Timeless Themes (5th grade): Like the 2nd grade, our theme will be obedience, illustrated by the story of Noah in Genesis 6-9. We will also pursue other themes such as covenants, how to stop violence, and rainy days and floods. Teachers: Cynthia Morales, Dawn McCabe

Life and Teachings of Jesus (6th grade): In this lesson, the children will identify on a map the Mediterranean Ocean and the cities of importance in the life of Jesus. We will talk about the political situation of the times and about some of the customs of the period such as arranged marriages. We will eat some foods typical of the area. Teachers, please remember the meeting at 9:30 in the classroom. Teachers: David Nase, Rebecca Spanagel

Neighboring Faiths (7th and 8th grades): This is a very important meeting for our class. Nat has arranged for a guest speaker, Amane Abdel Jaber, to speak to the class about her faith, Islam. This will prepare us for our trip to the mosque on October 6th. Teachers: Nathaniel Needle, Bob Ritchie

Senior High: YRU2 is holding an overnight retreat on Saturday, September 28th, in to Sunday, the 29th. Therefore, Sunday is a "free day," with no class, so that the youth can go home if they need to attend to homework or remain in the sanctuary for the service.

M I N I S T E R ' S M E M O

"Thinking About Peace and War, Part II"

As the Bush administration urges the nation and the world to endorse its plans to attack Iraq, we are coming to that time when each person's response at the smallest level will matter to the final outcome of events. In moments of great crisis and indecision, power diffuses. It is true that there may be no turning the US government aside. What is not decided yet, and will be decided by the actions and thoughts of every engaged person in the weeks to come, is whether the government acts with the consent of the people. And that makes an enormous difference. So, the letters that you might write to a Congressman or to the editor of the newspaper, or the position you argue for in a meeting, all of these small acts heap up on one or the other side of the balance.

So how do you decide where you stand, or sit, or move? And what religious tradition has to teach us, now.

It is at times like this, that I think that the opening phrase of our covenant rests most heavily on us: "In the love of truth," At moments like this, unless we are independently expert in wide variety of subjects, we are dependent on information from others as guides to making up our minds about US policy toward Iraq. And there are ways to become informed now; a curious person, with access to the internet, is now no longer dependent on just a few sources. The problem is that almost all of the information now offered to us is designed to persuade us to one or another policy. We, the public are, at moments of decision such as this, like a jury attempting to discern the truth which inevitably lies between two adversarial presentations.

The skill that we need is the ability to recognize in the arguments that we are hearing everyday, those arguments which stem from ideological pre-commitments, ideas and statements that are trapped in world views that do not correspond to reality.

For better or for worse, we live in the shadow of the experience of the war in Vietnam. There we learned that our government was making its policy not on the basis of a clear perception of the then-present reality, but on the basis of its own pre-conceptions. It had blinders on. It could see Vietnam only as a battlefield in the Cold War with the USSR and China. It could not see Vietnam as a part of a small nation's desire to be independent from its colonial past, and hence, our government could not and did not make wise decisions.

As I read the arguments, claims, counter-claims, and evidence for and against the proposed "regime change", the question that I am asking is this: which of these voices are trapped in their own pre-conceptions and cannot see the reality of what is going on?

I am alert to many of the ways concerns about other issues are overlaid with the issues about Iraq. When the administration starts to talk about Iraq and lapses into a language about the conflict between "good" and "evil", I suspect that they are not really seeing Iraq with great clarity. Likewise, when antiwar activists start talking about the conflict between the rich United States and poor countries around the world, I know that they are not trying to understand Iraq, which is, in fact, potentially wealthy. Similarly, what is at stake in Iraq is not our energy policy and the need to develop solar energy sources. The situation we face is not Bosnia, nor the first Gulf War redux, nor Vietnam, nor Munich, nor anything else. It is Iraq in 2002, a unique situation in a unique historical moment that does not repeat. And as such, it is worthy of our concentrated attention and a commitment to discovering the unique truth of the present moment. And yet, it is precisely in these moments, when passions are high, that most of us are least likely to look for our own pre-conceptions and prejudices. I tend to be offended at just these moments when my passionate prejudices are challenged.

I am reminded of the statement by Thomas á Kempis, to the effect that whoever looks at the world as it really is, will be wise, for they will be allowing God to be their teacher. I do not believe that this is an easy issue, but the love of truth should guide us.

~Rev. Thomas Schade

News Articles

Storage for Auction Items
If you have auction items that need to be brought to and stored at the church, please bring them by weekdays through October 4th between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., or after church this Sunday. Items can be stored in Room 7 of the Sunday School.

Interfaith Hospitality Network
First Unitarian will again be welcoming homeless children and their families this Fall, from October 13-20. Our IHN representative this year is Liz Gustavson. As in the past, volunteers from the church will be needed to host our guests. If you are interested, please call Liz by contacting the church office.

To All Visitors…Welcome!
There will be 'Welcome To First Unitarian' sessions, led by one of your ministers, for the first Sundays of the church year through October 6th. They will be held in Classroom 1 of the new Sunday School immediately after the church service. Childcare will be available until 12:00 noon. Coffee and snacks will be served in the classroom for participants. Bring your questions.

PruCom 9/22/02 Meeting Notes
The following items were voted upon at the Prudential Committee's monthly meeting: (1) Accepted four new members; (2) Appointed Jane Beckwith co-chair of the Music Committee at the recommendation of that Committee; (3) Approved a discretionary charitable expenditure ($100 to $150) for books to be used in an Elm Park School project. These funds are part of the 10% plate collection set aside for charitable contributions. The Human Services Committee Chair, Pat Nishan, encourages other members' suggestions for use of these funds; (4) Authorized the formation of a committee to work with volunteer, Nasrin Bigonahy, on a fashion show fundraiser for the Church, December 7, 2002. The Committee also heard a report on the Governance Review Committee's progress. The Review Committee plans to provide a summary of their efforts to be followed by at least one listening session in early November. Other topics were a report on the Assessors' annual efforts and a preliminary discussion on the process for promoting and processing member suggestions for programs and events. The next monthly meeting will be on Oct. 20th.

Religion In Our Times
Church members and their guests are welcome at one or all of these sessions. No special expertise is needed -- no preparation is required. Through discussion, not lectures, introduced and guided by informed and experienced discussion leaders, Religion In Our Times provide an opportunity to share ideas and information about an issue and reflect on its relationship to our religious and spiritual lives. *9/29 - "Security Against Terrorists vs. Civil Liberties: What's the Right Balance?"* led by Mark Miller. Last October, Congress passed the USA Patriot Act as part of the war on terrorism. In the Act, the definition of terrorism is broadened, detention of aliens is permitted without the usual due process, and restrictions on searches of suspected terrorists were loosened. In other action, the Attorney General has limited suspects' rights to a lawyer and trial by military tribunal is now available to our government. Clark professor Mark Miller will help us to discuss such questions as: Are people being deprived of basic constitutional rights? If so, is this justified by the threat of more terrorist attacks? Should the average citizen be concerned? Mark Miller is chair of Clark's Government and Political Science Department. He has a law degree as well as academic credentials and served as a judicial fellow with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Newsletter On-Line
*The Unitarian* newsletter is now available on-line at www.firstunitarian.com and can be accessed each week by Wednesday evenings. Whether for a sneak preview, or the convenience of a few clicks, viewing the newsletter on-line is quick and easy. Add us to your Favorites today!

October Quest! Church Auction
The October Quest ticket deadline is fast approaching - please contact Renee DesRosiers, by calling the church office, for your ticket number. Your check can be sent to the Church, c/o October Quest. Donations should be forwarded to Kathleen Walker by contacting the church office. Thank you all so much for the many donations and many tickets sold already. The talents and services being offered are diverse, rich and varied. Everyone should find something that will be tantalizing. A very nice dinner is planned, which will be served by our youth group…it will be an evening of plenty. Those of you interested in helping with the hors d'oeuvres or special desserts can call Linda Carney by contacting the church office. There is also a signup sheet in the Bancroft Room. -Mike Lally

*Worship Services are held each Sunday* *at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.* *Church Office Hours:* *Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.*
Wed. Sept. 25
	2:30 p.m.	William Wordsworth Poetry Roundtable in the Chapel. For further information, please contact Inger Gilbert by calling the church office. All are welcome.
Thu. Sept. 26
	7:30 p.m.	Adult Choir Rehearsal in the Bancroft Room
Fri. Sept. 27
	7:00 p.m.	Women's Cinema Returns! Please join us in the Bancroft Room for the featured film, *"Amelia."*
Sept. 27-28		(Sat.-Sun.)_ YRU2 Overnight Retreat
Sun. Sept. 29		CHOIR OPEN LOFT SUNDAY AND GARDENERS' SUNDAY AT FIRST U
	9:00 a.m.	Prayer Group in Rev. Schade’s office
		World Religions: Stories of Transformations, with a story selected by Laura Howie, from Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
		NO Adult Choir Rehearsal this week
		Children's Choir Rehearsal in the Bancroft Room
	9:30 a.m.	Life and Teachings of Jesus Teachers' Meeting in the classroom
	9:45 a.m.	Feeling At Home Teachers' Meeting in the classroom
	10:30 a.m.	Worship Service in the Sanctuary
		Children's Worship Service in the Chapel
	11:30 a.m.	Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft and Dining Rooms
		"Visitors Welcome To First Unitarian" in the Classroom 1 of the Sunday School
	12:00 p.m.	Religion In Our Times in the Chapel
Mon. Sept. 30
	5:30 p.m.	Zen Meditation in the Chapel
Sat. Oct. 5		OCTOBER QUEST! Church Auction
Mon. Oct. 7
	7:00 p.m.	Interfaith Hospitality Network Orientation for Volunteers
Oct. 13-20		INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK
Sun. Oct. 13		ANNUAL MT. MACHUSETT CLIMB
Sun. Oct. 27		COFFEE HOUR CARNIVAL FOR UNICEF

Circle Suppers 2002-03 - 7 for 7
Host one and go to 6 others! Sign-up on church bulletin board or contact Renee DesRosiers by calling the church office, with interest or questions. The sign-up deadline is October 5th.