| VOL. 56 NO. 5 |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER
5, 2002
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October 6, 2002 at
The First Unitarian Church
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| 9:00 a.m. | ||
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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. | |
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World Religions: Stories of Transformations will meet in the Chapel, led by Rev. Merritt. This week's topic will be a story selected by Frank Thoms from the Hasidic (Jewish) tradition. | |
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Adult Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary. |
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Children's Choir Rehearsal in the Bancroft Room. |
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Early Childcare will be available in the Dining Room for children whose parents are involved in church programs. |
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Caregivers:
Mari Lopez, Monica Lopez, Amanda Sprow, Jennifer Comeau
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| 10:00 a.m. | ||
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Adventures of God's Folk Teachers' Meeting in the Dining Room.. | |
| 10:15 a.m. | ||
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Nursery Care (for children under the age of 3) will be available in the nursery during the worship service. | |
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Caregivers: Mari Lopez, Monica Lopez, Amanda Sprow,
Jennifer Comeau
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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's special picture
or symbol is the flaming chalice. This Sunday, we will hear the story
of how that symbol came to represent Unitarian Universalism. |
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Teachers: David Buffum, Ruth Shortreed
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Sunday Worship -
In the Sanctuary
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| Solo Sunday | ||
| 10:30 a.m. |
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Church Announcements |
| 10:35 a.m. |
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Sermon: "Ask Why Five Times?" |
| The Rev. Thomas Schade, Associate Senior, Minister - preaching | ||
| The Rev. Barbara Merritt, Senior Minister - liturgist | ||
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Our personal connection to the Holy is somehow related to the deepest
yearnings of our heart, our best and most noble purposes. But how do
we come to each know and name that grandest part of our selves? How
does a church community invite us into that self-discovery? How do we
build a passionate church?
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| "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? --Mary Oliver | ||
| 10:30 a.m. | ||
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Ushering: Barry Siciliano; Susan Peckitt and Harold Stevens-head ushers. | |
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Flowers given this week by Prudence Fuller in memory of her parents, Sidney T. and Nell S. Carter.. | |
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Candlelighter: Brian Ota | |
| 11:30 a.m. | ||
| * | Fellowship Hour in the Dining Room. Hospitality provided by Katherine Kowaloff. | |
| * | Visitors' Welcome in Classroom 1 of the Sunday School. | |
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Sunday School Notes
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| Feeling at Home (for children in Kindergarten): Fall has arrived in our neighborhoods and nature is preparing for winter. Do you know what fruit has a star inside where the seeds grow? Teachers: Alicia Lenahan, Kate Palaces Narita | ||
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| Stories About God (1st grade): In this lesson, we will think about the concept of God as the father of a family. We will consider the idea that loving all God's children means living those we argue with and those we see as different. Teachers: Rick Epstein, Bonnie Harmon | ||
| Adventures of God's Folk (2nd grade): This Sunday, we will focus on the story of Moses and his sister Miriam and how Moses was put into a basket and set afloat on the river. We will emphasize Miriam's bravery and problem-solving ability as she saves her brother's life. Teachers: Danna Peterson, Suzanne Westbrook | ||
| Holidays and Holy Days (3rd grade): What a fine sukkah this class built on the terrace last Sunday! This Sunday, we will learn about and celebrate the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. We will affirm our interdependence with nature and celebrate gentleness and compassion toward all living things. Teachers: Mary Ryan, Denise Myers | ||
| Stepping Stone Year (4th grade): Continuing our unit on creation stories, we will turn to Genesis in the Bible for the story from the early Hebrews of God's creation of the world, including Adam and Eve. Teachers: Bernadette Nelson, Maureen Shaughnessy | ||
| Timeless Themes (5th grade): Our theme this Sunday is communication, as illustrated in the story of the Tower of Babel, from Genesis 11. Teachers: Diane Pingeton, Peter Gray, Maria Acosta Cruz | ||
| Life and Teachings of Jesus (6th grade): Sometimes it seems strange to talk about the birth of Jesus when it isn't Christmas, but this is a good time to focus on the Bible story without the distractions of the holidays. One of the first gifts a parent gives to a child is a name. Often there is a story about how the name was chose or what it means. Parents, please talk with your child about how his or her name was chosen. Teachers: John Bianchi, Dan Sprow | ||
| Neighboring Faiths (7th and 8th grades): We are grateful to our guest last week, Amane Abdel Jaber, who spoke to the class about Islam. On October 6th, the plan is to go to the mosque on Laurel Street. All registered youth should have received a letter about this. Bring your signed permission slip to class. There is a slight possibility that construction at the mosque will delay our trip by one week. If that happens, we will watch a movie about Islam, and make our trip on the 13th. Teachers: Nathaniel Needle, Bob Ritchie | ||
| Senior High: The YRU2 members have requested an extra meeting time this Sunday, October 6, in addition to their regularly scheduled meeting on the 13th. This is to fine-tune the plans for the Coffee Hour Carnival for UNICEF. All members are urged to attend. Leaders: Officers and Advisors |
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"Our Neighbor"
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I am currently reading a wonderful novel entitled, The Day Laid on the Altar. The story takes place at the time of the Italian Renaissance. The author, Adria Bernardi, beautifully describes what it must have felt like to be a rural artist in Tuscany in 1560, as well as to encounter the powerful creative forces at work in the cities. The book won the "Katherine Bakeless Nason Fiction Prize," received critical acclaim from the New York Times, and Publisher's Weekly described it as "near-flawless prose." What you probably don't know about the author is that she is a member of our church. At coffee hour you might only see Adria and her husband, Jeff Stovall, gathering up their young children.
Historically, Unitarian Universalists have often erred on the side of being proud of our members' achievements in the arts and sciences (note all the "Famous Unitarian Universalist Lists" distributed by the UUA). Partly because we are a well-educated group of worshippers, our congregations have been attractive places for creative minds and professional accomplishments. Theologically, since we value the world and what human beings can do in the world, we have not drawn careful distinctions between the secular and the holy. We have celebrated the work we do in the larger community, as well as the ongoing work of the spirit which goes on quietly in the interior of our hearts, minds and souls.
As a minister, I frequently have the privilege of seeing both. Out in the world some people win fame and fortune. Others accomplish great things without ever receiving applause. One member takes care of his dying grandfather. Another one regularly visits a disabled neighbor. Someone else is helping her child survive a serious illness. An older member, who often sits alone in the sanctuary on Sunday morning, has an active ministry with a life-long group of friends: he is the one who encourages the discouraged, brings flowers to the sick, and makes a long much-needed phone call to someone who feels isolated.
Human beings have this enormous capacity to bless one another, to comfort one another, to offer companionship on the journey. But if all we ever do is to nod politely to one another with just the breeziest of greetings ("Hi! How are you? Fine…") then how will we ever know the wealth of relationships that are available?
A church community is an excellent place to practice the art of "loving our neighbor." This love has to start with a basic curiosity and trust. We will need to actually want a real answer to the question, "Who are you?" We will need to be willing to answer all kinds of questions, including: "What is important to you? What brings you joy?"
Parker Palmer writes that church communities are also guaranteed to introduce you to the one person who pushes all your negative buttons and drives you crazy. This individual especially needs to be understood as a spiritual gift. What is it about their manner, their clumsiness, or their political views that you find so threatening? What does your response have to teach you about yourself?
Getting to know our neighbors (and to appreciate our neighbors) is not just a friendly suggestion. It is a spiritual practice. A holy obligation. Almost a form of prayer. Whether your "practice" takes you to the church auction, or to worship on Sunday morning, or to a block party in your own neighborhood, your attendance matters more than you know. Each one of us has gifts to bring and gifts to receive.
All the saints, in every tradition, have emphasized the religious importance of being in good relationship with our neighbor. Every day when we open our eyes, we are given one more chance to come closer, to get to know one another better, and to bless and to be blessed by the people we come in contact with. May this day convince you that you walk among surprisingly wonderful souls: people who remind you that God has given you good companions. |
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~Rev.
Barbara Merritt
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R.E. (Religious Education)
Notes
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@ Children's Choir Ready to Sing October 6th! Our children's choir will sing this Sunday for the first time this season. Rehearsal will be held in the Bancroft Room from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. as usual. Attendance at this rehearsal by all members who plan to sing is very important. The children will robe following the rehearsal, and helpful parents are needed at that time --Nathaniel Needle, Director @ Sunday School Registration Continues: The official September drive to register all children and youth for Sunday School has ended - but the need to register everyone from Nursery through Senior High continues. If you have not yet registered your child, please see Diane Mirick or Cynthia Morales to obtain the forms. @ Annual Mount Wachusett Climb on October 13th: The annual intergenerational Mount Wachusett climb, sponsored by the RE Committee, will take place on Sunday, October 13th. Everyone, of all ages, is invited to participate. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult, as there will be no group supervision. This is an easy one half-hour climb...children as young as 4 years old have done it in the past with parental support and encouragement. Wear your hiking clothes and dress in layers, as it can be windy and cool at the top. Bring a bag lunch to eat during coffee hour or at the top of the mountain. On Sunday morning, October 13th, maps will be available and arrangements to caravan or carpool may be made. If you are not a hiker, you can join the fun by driving your car to the top of the mountain or by going to the ski center and, for a fee, taking the ski lift to the top. When you arrive on the summit, look for the First Unitarian Church picnic table, where we will gather for cider and cookies. The foliage should be fabulous by the 13th, and the hawks are migrating, so bring your binoculars. If the weather is clear, you can see the towers of Boston from the top! @ YRU2 Overnight Retreat: Our senior high youth are planning an overnight in the church this Saturday, September 28th through the morning of Sunday, September 29th. Besides the usual fun and fellowship activities, the purpose is to look over and repair, as needed, our Coffee Hour Carnival equipment. Each youth must have a SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP when he or she arrives Saturday night. We need everyone's participation on this, so do try to be here. Concerns or questions? Call one of the advisors or officers. @ The Coffee Hour Carnival for UNICEF is coming! Save Sunday afternoon, October 27th, for this fun-filled intergenerational event. More information next week. @ Tickets for Spooky World: We have been given 20 more tickets to Spooky World, the Halloween Celebration event located behind Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. These tickets are good for any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night in October. A $28 value, the tickets will be on sale for $10.00 each during the Coffee Hour this Sunday. The proceeds from the sale of these tickets will benefit the Senior High Youth and the children's RE program. Checks should be made out to the First Unitarian Church. We are grateful to Eduardo Morales and Polar Beverages for providing us with the opportunity to sell these tickets.
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News Articles
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| Storage for Auction
Items
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| 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
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| 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 through the church office. Sign-up sheets are also located on the Dining Room bulletin board. On Monday, October 7th at 7:00 p.m. there will be an orientation in the Lander's Room for volunteers and anyone interested in knowing more. | |
| To All Visitors…Welcome!
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| 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. | |
| Fashion Show for
Funds and Fun - Presented by Nasrin Couture
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Church member, fashion designer and proprietor of Nasrin Couture, Nasrin Bigonahy has offered to present a fashion show at First Unitarian to raise funds for handicap access for Unity Hall. Nasrin has done several fashion shows in Austria, New York and throughout New England as fundraisers and asked, "Why not for our church?" We need help from all of you to make this event possible. This delightful event will occur Saturday, December 7th at noon in Unity Hall. If you'd like to help with plans for the lunch, modeling, public relations, or dessert making, please sign up this Sunday, October 6th in the Dining Room. |
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| Spirit of Renewal
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Spring is a traditional time of renewal, but at First Unitarian, Fall also serves that function. It's time for kicking off a new church year, for reinstating the habit of attending church on Sunday morning, and the time when the Assessors ask you to renew your financial commitment to the church. This fall, the Assessors and our gracious co-Hosts invite you to join us for an informal, informative, and fun Sunday morning breakfast at church. Watch for your invitation in the mail with details and the date we would like you to attend. Renew your spirit and renew your financial commitment to First Unitarian. Plan to attend one of the Spirit of Renewal Annual Pledge Campaign Breakfasts. Your invitation is coming soon! October
20th .......... 8:45-10:00 a.m. Children are encouraged to attend and childcare will be provided from 9:30-10:30 a.m. |
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| October
Quest! Church Auction
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This Saturday, October 5th the doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres. There will be an urchin liquor table for liquor and you should bring your own wine; soft drinks will be available. The Silent Auction will be available for your bidding during this time. We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible for the dinner, which will consist of roast turkey, roast beef, and vegetarian lasagna followed by desert and coffee. We have over 100 donations, but still have a number of tickets available. If by chance you still don't have tickets, call or email Renee DesRosiers by contacting the church office by Wednesday. If you cannot come to the dinner, feel free to come for the auction, which is expected to begin at about 7:30. You may also bring any interested friends. Please call Mike or Kathleen by calling the church office if you have questions. We look forward to a fun-filled and action-packed evening; in the process we hope to get to know you all a little better. We are most thankful for your commitments and help to date; and yes, our auctioneers have all been revitalized! -Mike Lally |
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| Circle
Suppers 2002-03 - 7 for 7
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| 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. |
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. |
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| Wed. Oct. 2 | ||
| 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. Oct. 3 | ||
| 7:30 p.m. |
Adult Choir Rehearsal in the Bancroft Room |
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| Sat. Oct. 5 | ||
| 5:30 p.m. | OCTOBER QUEST! Church Auction | |
| Sun. Oct. 6 | ||
| 9:00 a.m. | Prayer Group in Rev. Schade’s office | |
| World Religions: Stories of Transformations, with a story selected by Frank Thoms, from the Hasidic Jewish tradition. | ||
| Adult Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary | ||
| Children's Choir Rehearsal in the Bancroft Room | ||
| 10:00 a.m. | Adventures of God's Folk Teachers' Meeting in the Dining Room | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Worship Service in the Sanctuary | |
| 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 | ||
| Mon. Oct. 7 | ||
| 5:30 p.m. | Zen Meditation in the Chapel | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Interfaith Hospitality Network Orientation for Volunteers | |
| Oct. 13-20 | INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK | |
| Sun. Oct. 20 | ||
| 8:45-10 a.m. | Spirit of Renewal Annual Campaign Breakfast in the Dining Room | |
| Sun. Oct. 13 | ANNUAL MT. MACHUSETT CLIMB | |
| Sun. Oct. 27 | ||
| 8:45-10 a.m. | Spirit of Renewal Annual Campaign Breakfast in the Dining Room | |
| 11:30 a.m. | COFFEE HOUR CARNIVAL FOR UNICEF | |
| Sun. Nov. 3 | ||
| 8:45-10 a.m. | Spirit of Renewal Annual Campaign Breakfast in the Dining Room | |