Fall In-Gathering Sunday

VOL. 55 NO. 40 Last Updated: SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2002

Calendar of Events

Summer Worship Services are held each Sunday

at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel.

Church Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Closed on Fridays

Every Wednesday throughout the Summer

2:30 p.m. William Wordsworth Poetry Roundtable in the Chapel. For further information, please call Inger Gilbert at (508) 756-2966. All are welcome.

Every Monday throughout the Summer

5:30 p.m. Zen Meditation in the Chapel

6:45 p.m. Monday Night at Tatnuck ¾ Monday Night at the Church will continue to meet each Monday evening throughout the summer for informal fellowship beginning on June 10^th. We will gather at Tatnuck Bookseller on Chandler Street between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. for discussion, dinner, or just a cup of coffee. Please join us.

Sun. June 16 SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICES BEGIN (see details below)

10:00 a.m. Fathers’ Day Service in the Chapel.

Sun. June 23 Summer Worship Service, led by Frank Thoms and the Seeking Wisdom Covenant Group.

Sun. June 30 Summer Worship Service, led by Fran and Dave Nase.

Thu. July 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY OBSERVED

Church Office Closed.

Sun. July 7 Summer Worship Service, led by Marj Ropp and the Managing Conflict Covenant Group.

Sun. July 14 Summer Worship Service, led by Brooke Belcher, Andrea Kelly, Leah Hrozenchik and the Young Seekers Covenant Group.

Sun. July 21 Summer Worship Service, led by Jesse Anderson’s Hiking Group.

Sun. July 28 Summer Worship Service, led by Jim Scott.

Sun. Aug. 4 Summer Worship Service, led by Jay Lavelle.

Sun. Aug. 11 Summer Worship Service, led by Linda Carney and the Transitions Covenant Group.

Sun. Aug. 18 Summer Worship Service, led by Ken Waugh and members of the Singles Covenant Group.

Sat. Aug. 24 Prudential Committee Retreat

Sun. Aug. 25 Summer Worship Service, led by Helen Wright’s Hiking Covenant Group.

Sun. Sept. 1 NO SERVICES on Labor Day Weekend.

Sun. Sept. 8 IN-GATHERING SUNDAY

10:30 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary

Summer Worship at First Unitarian Church

Summer Worship Services are held each Sunday throughout the summer,
through September 1^st, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel.

NO Services will be held on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, September 1, 2002.

In-Gathering Sunday will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2002,
at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Summer Services Schedule

June 16, 2002

Worship Leaders: Members of the Men’s Covenant Group

Theme: “Reflection on Fatherhood.” A collection of anecdotes highlighting the lessons of fatherhood.

July 28, 2002

Worship Leader: Jim Scott

Theme: “A Musical Sunday.” Cultivating Peace: The Green Sanctuary Movement

June 23, 2002

Worship Leaders: Frank Thoms and the Seeking Wisdom Covenant Group.

Theme: “The Prodigal Son Story”

August 4, 2002

Worship Leader: Jay Lavelle

Theme: “After the Call.” When we finally hear the "still, small voice of God," what do we do then? Using as examples the lives of Thomas Merton and Simone Weil, Jay Lavelle will discuss contemporary responses to the spiritual life.

June 30, 2002

Worship Leaders: Fran and Dave Nase

Theme: “The Attitude of Gratitude.”

August 11, 2002

Worship Leaders: Linda Carney, assisted by members of the Transitions Covenant Group

Theme: “Transitions: An Unexpected Gift.”

July 7, 2002

Worship Leaders: Marj Ropp and the Managing Conflict Covenant Group

Theme: “The Road to Reconciliation.” The Managing Conflict Covenant Group has planned a service in which you are invited to reflect on the inner and outer processes of conflict resolution. Plus a skit by the covenant group's "Peace and Justice Players."

August 18, 2002

Worship Leaders: Ken Waugh and members of the Singles Covenant Group

Theme: “Evolution in Common Sense.” Did human life develop by accident? Your viewpoint would be appreciated.

July 14, 2002

Worship Leaders: Brooke Belcher, Andrea Kelly, Leah Hrozenchik and the Young Seekers Covenant Group

August 25, 2002

Worship Leaders: Helen Wright’s Hiking Covenant Group

The service will be shorter than usual, and afterwards, everyone is invited to Boynton Park in Worcester for a hike, a walk or a stroll led by members of the covenant group.

July 21, 2002

Worship Leaders: Jesse Anderson’s Hiking Group

There will be No Worship Service on
Labor Day Weekend, September 1^st.

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

"Ten Things I Look Forward to Doing This Summer"

Watching my garden grow. I spent a vacation month in May re-landscaping the front of my house. I also made some improvements in all the gardens I built last summer. Now, the summer is here – the time for occasionally weeding, watering, feeding and tending. But you should know that I spend a majority of my garden time just looking.

Presiding over some beautiful and joyous summer weddings. I enjoy most weddings, but one outdoors, where the ladies wear hats, is almost too much to bear. Somehow, it makes me feel like Hugh Grant.

Going to Quebec City for the Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly. Yes, it is work, but I do work in the summer. And what better place to work than Quebec City in June? It is always good to see others who on similar journeys of faith and church life. And this year, we are sending a sizable delegation:
Rev. Merritt, Susan and Jesse Anderson, Justine Beaudoin and Connie Maderia are also going.

Driving down to Narragansett to go to the beach on a Saturday. Crowded public beaches on hot summer days make me strangely calm. It is a day filled with delights: the waves and the sand, the extended families in their little villages of lawn chairs, the swarms of teens prowling the beach looking for each other, happy toddlers digging in the sand, the smell of the sun screen, a thrilling mystery novel with a wise-cracking narrator, stopping at the ice cream stand on the way home. It’s all too wonderful.

Reading some good and serious books, in addition to the mystery novels I take to the beach. I am working my way through Robert Caro’s Master of the Senate about Lyndon Johnson, Rumi, Past and Present, East and West by Franklin Lewis. I plan to finish Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews: A Jewish life and the Emergence of Christianity by Paula Fredrikson. I got stuck about half way through it, but have resolved to finish it. James Carroll, the author of Constantine’s Sword recommended the Fredrikson in his Boston Globe column.

Leading a Book Group on Religious Themes in The Lord of the Rings. I read Tolkien’s trilogy twice in high school, and again this winter after the movie. It is a deep and rich story about mortality, human frailty and the temptations of power. There will be six discussions will be on Thursday nights, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel and start on July 11^th. Someone asked if it was necessary to come in costume for the discussion. The answer is no.

Eating some good lunches with members of the church. The summer schedule is more relaxed, so there is more time for breaking bread with you. If you’re not busy, give me a call.

Staring into the night sky at some eye-popping fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Planning new ways to invite church members into opportunities for service and spiritual growth in the fall. I will be working with some of the church committees on some exciting new programs. I will also be preparing for new covenant groups in the fall.

Finally, I look forward to coming to church on as many summer Sundays as possible. The Covenant Groups have taken responsibility for many of the worship services and they have put together an exciting line-up of lay-led worship services. I enjoy going to worship where I am not one of those in charge, and can, thus, receive the inspiration from others.

The life of the spirit goes on; join us here at First Unitarian this summer.

Spectacular Pot Luck Picnic!

Text Box: This year’s picnic was bountiful with fellowship, food and fun. Following an inspiring end-of-year Flower Communion Service held in the Sanctuary, parishioners and friends were met with an array of delicious foods…in great abundance!!

Thanks to Nasrin Bigonahy and all the Hospitality Committee Volunteers, for their organization, display
and wrap-up of all the food. Leftovers were delivered to volunteers at the Heifer Project. The charcoal grills were a welcomed addition this year. Our thanks to grill masters, Jesse and Susan Anderson, who not only cooked platters of grilled delights for us, but insured the grills were
cooled and cleaned. Special thanks to Ken Waugh. Ken’s hallmark of generosity and service to this church community was again shown when he helped to
pick-up the rental grills and giant moon walk with his
truck on Saturday, with the setup of them on Sunday, and
the re-packing and return on Sunday. The moon walk was a huge success for the children, who seemed to bounce till they could bounce no more! Thank you, Diane Mirick, Cynthia Morales and all who volunteered to
coordinate the children’s activities and monitor
their safety.

Much to the resistance of this Editor, the Senior Minister adds: “The staff person who facilitated the entire picnic was Barbara Foley. She supported everyone’s projects, worked on Saturday and Sunday, after putting in a full five days at work. She set up, took down, made posters, served food, cleaned up, and kept the entire operation running smoothly. All the time smiling and cheering us on. We are all very grateful for her gracious skills at coordinating a party for over 200!”

The Lord of the Rings Book Group

The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien is an epic fable about power, temptation, and the apocalyptic struggle between good and evil. It also has elves, dwarves, wizards and talking trees. Tolkien was a profoundly religious man and the book reflects on many deep religious questions. Rev. Schade will be leading a book discussion group on six Thursday evenings, from July 11^th to August 15^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. The Rings trilogy is composed of six books (2 in each volume) and each session will reflect on a religious theme from each. If you have ever thought that you would like to read this book, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore it with others. All ages welcome. Bring a picnic lunch for the garden at 6:00 p.m.

Church Office

Summer Schedule

Rev. Merritt will be on vacation from June 24^th through August 20^th.

Rev. Schade will be available throughout the summer.

Summer Office Hours will begin June 17^th. The church will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, closed on Fridays. Please call the office if you need access to the building at other times. Advance notice is suggested.

This is the last newsletter published before Fall. The next newsletter will be issued on September 3^rd. NO SERVICES are held on Labor Day weekend. Our In-Gathering Service will be on September 8,^,2000.

Zen Meditation

The Zen Meditation group will continue to meet throughout the summer as usual, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel.

Monday Night at the Church

Monday Night at the Church will continue to meet each Monday evening throughout the summer for informal fellowship beginning on June 18^th. We will gather at Tatnuck Bookseller on Chandler Street, beginning at
6:45 p.m. for discussion, dinner, or just a cup of coffee. Please join us.

Name Tags Help to Welcome!

The new artistic name tags that you see sprouting up on members of the congregation are created by Susan Champeny to help support the Welcoming Effort of this church. This April, seven new tags were created, resulting in $175 donated by members of the congregation, in return for beautiful illustrated name tags. If you would like to participate, please sign up at the Name Tag Board or call the church office. Image ideas are welcome. Kind supporters include: Paul Spanagel, Dragon; Rebecca Spanagel, Dragon; Maureen Seith, Hot Air Balloon; Pamela Ratcliff, Hot Air Balloon; Susan Shaw, Lily of the Valley; Leona Champeny, Sap House; Ken Waugh, Sap House.