Upcoming Sunday Worship Services
MAY 2010
The Sunday Worship Services and Religious Education Program begin at 10:30 a.m.
May 2: Common Sense Tricia Tummino
When Albert Einstein famously said that common sense is “the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen,” he was making fun of the notion that common knowledge or “wisdom” is any more than bias. What is common sense, and how do we get it? The choir will be singing, and Marilyn Thayer is our storyteller today.
May 9: Let It Begin With Me Tricia Tummino
Helen Keller said, “I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace.” World peace and inner peace – to what extent is peace – any kind of peace - available to us? The Junior Choir will be singing, and Annie Giddings will be our storyteller this morning.
May 16: Lots Of Clapping Tricia Tummino
Those of us who are lucky can think of someone who believed in us enough to make a difference in our lives. Today we talk about the importance and healing power of affirmation. We welcome Lore Loftfield DeBower as our guest organist this morning, and Rob Dragunas will perform the Musical Offering. Tom Sypek is our storyteller.
May 23: Our Saint Margaret Kimberly French
Today is the 200th birthday of Margaret Fuller, a passionate and controversial Unitarian, Transcendentalist, and pioneer for women’s equality. Fuller’s visionary ideas resonate with what Unitarian Universalism is today—arguably more so than her better-known contemporaries’. Yet many UUs have only a vague idea who she is. Come learn about and celebrate this remarkable forebear. Our music today will feature women composers from the Romantic Era, and the choir will be singing. Annie Giddings will perform a dramatic skit about Fuller.
Kimberly French is a journalist, essayist, and contributing editor to the UU World, which has just published her feature on Fuller in its summer issue.
May 30: Ethical Eating: A Quest For Clarity Michael Rozyne
Year after year, there are more revelations about chronic disease, obesity, food safety, environmental destruction, and inhumane treatment of workers and animals, related to our food production.
Michael Rozyne, founder of two fair-trade food companies in his 30-year career, will share his insights from his own search for clarity about healthy, green, and ethical food choices. The 2008–12 UUA Congregational Study/Action Issue is “Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice.” Annie Giddings will be our storyteller today.
Large print hymnals, plus hearing assistance devices, are available. Nursery care is provided. Bring a friend!
The Minister’s Corner
Our Structure of Caring
It is hard for me to believe that it is already May and that I will be officially retired after next month. Knowing that this year would be my last as your minister is leaving a bittersweet feeling. Some of our congregational meetings have felt very strange, at times, sitting among you as plans are being made about a time in the future when I won’t be here as your minister. The days have sometimes moved so very quickly toward summer that I have had the sensation of wanting to drag my feet to slow the wheel of time down so that I may savor these precious days with you.
I am going to miss being part of this caring, loving, active community. It has been a privilege being part of this amazing community that cares for others in their time of need, whether it is by making or delivering a casserole, or providing a ride for someone, mailing a note or offering some other neighborly form of support. Much of the caring is organic in nature, a product of the people who naturally pay close compassionate attention to the welfare of those around them. But much of the hands-on caring has been due to an intentional, if somewhat invisible, structure that keeps people “in the loop” and communication flowing where it needs to.
Next year there will be an interim minister who initially won’t know members by name or even by face. For this reason pastoral care will be one area of church life where people can step up and make a real difference. With that in mind, Janet Walkden has agreed to gather a newly reconstituted Pastoral Care Team for next year.
On June 5, Janet and I will offer a half day workshop in some relaxing, hopefully outdoor, setting, outlining how the FUUSM Pastoral Care system works and what characteristics are looked for in a pastoral care provider. Attending this workshop won’t commit you to being on the Pastoral Care Team next year. What it will do is let you know how our pastoral care works behind the scenes, and it will give you an opportunity to be drawn into the pastoral care “loop” if you feel attracted to it. The more people knowing how our pastoral care system works, the better.
The workshop will be in two parts. The first part will be a description of our pastoral care system works – how the energy and information and hands-on caring flows. The second part offers some criteria and some exercises that will help anyone become a welcome representative of the church in someone’s hour of need. I hope you will consider attending!
Tricia
I will be out of the office on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after Mother’s Day attending the Stonehouse Study retreat. Valarie will know how to reach me in case of emergency.
SAVE
THE DATE!
ANNUAL MEETING
Friday, June 11, 2010
7:00 p.m.
POT LUCK SUPPER
6:00 p.m.
Members of The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleborough are invited to meet in the sanctuary of the church at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 11, for our Annual Meeting.
At 6:00 p.m., there will be a Pot Luck Supper preceding the Annual Meeting. Please bring enough for your family and more. Child care will be provided for the Annual Meeting.
ATTENTION: ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRPEOPLE
Your committee’s written Annual Report To The Parish is due by Tuesday, May 25, 2010. We will gather all the reports and have a packet of material available for the Annual Meeting to be held on Friday, June 11, 2010. Your report should include activities of the committee since the last Annual Meeting and plans for the upcoming year. You may want to name the committee members and include any information you think would be interesting to members of the church. Please email your report to office@uumiddleboro.org, or you may place it in Valarie’s mailbox by the deadline date. Thank you.
SHED NEWS: WE DID IT!
Did we do it? Of course we did it! What? Contributed enough money to make
our dream of making a shed with the Heartwood Apprentices a reality. Breathing
a sign of relief and pride, the Shed Task Force is taking a brief breathier. Shortly we will get back to work.
Our lumber is drying, and Jack Dempsey is shopping for the best deals possible to purchase the shingles, screws, nails, etc., etc.; and the Heartwood Apprentices themselves are anticipating the drying out of Jack and Karen's rain-affected property so the initial stages of construction can begin.
The month-long fundraiser was cut IN HALF because of your quick financial response. What an amazing place.
Thank you, thank you. Cheryl MacQueen, Chairperson
PARISH COMMITTEE
Your Parish Committee is the elected governing body of this Society. Their next meeting will be held at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, at the Town Hall. Your input, ideas, concerns, and interest are important to the functioning of this democratic society. You are strongly invited and encouraged to attend and to participate in these open meetings. If you wish to have an item placed on the agenda, please contact Andrew Putney.
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION PROGRAM
REMINDER
RE Sunday is June 13. Each class will take part in the service, and the preparation will take place on May 30 and June 6. Please try to make it for those three Sundays so all the children can participate fully in their service!
There are also openings in all classes for teachers to help with this preparation - please see a member of the RE Committee or me if you are interested in working with one of the classes.
Annie Giddings
SUMMER SERVICE LAY LEADERS
The Worship Committee is now planning this year’s summer lay-led services. If you are interested in presenting a service, please write a sentence or two about what you’d like to do and which Sundays you are (or are not) available. Please give it to a Worship Committee member or place in our church mailbox. We will be meeting on Sunday, May 2, to decide the schedule. Kimberly French, Worship Committee Chair
GREETERS FOR MAY
May 2: Helen Casoli and Cornelia Voorhees
May 9: Linda Thompson and Volunteer
May 16: Barbara and Jeff Stevens
May 23: Gene and Gilda Phillips
May 30: Susie and Bill Sherman
ADULT EDUCATION
Our second session of Chalice Thursdays was very well attended. Over twenty dinner guests enjoyed food and conversation each week. The three
courses offered a variety of discussion topics and creative outlets.
Appreciation is expressed to the
facilitators - Norm Grenier, Bob Waterman, Tanya Trezciak, Dave Kraemer, Pam
Levine, and Sue St. Germain. Andrea Priest was in charge of the kitchen crew
and cooks. Thank you to Andrea, Jeff Stevens, Susie Sherman, Elizabeth Gish and
Shaya French for their delicious meals. And working behind the scenes for
cleanup were Sherri Shepard and Tricia Tummino and helpful diners.
Reverend Tricia Tummino offered a course for New UUs in between the two Chalice Thursday sessions. And Tanya is ready to facilitate again at our retreat on April 30 and May 1.
Lastly, the Adult Education Committee attended by Norm Grenier, Dave Kraemer, Barbara Stevens, Pam Levine and me is looking for a new Chairperson for next year. I am hoping to offer my energy to other opportunities within our church family. If you want to serve on this vibrant committee or to discuss the responsibilities of chairing the committee, talk to us.
Sue St. Germain
CRANBERRY CLUSTER
Our Cranberry Cluster churches gathered in our Parish Hall and
sanctuary on Wednesday, April 21, for a fabulous evening of wine, dinner and
song. Andrea Priest and her kitchen crew were at their best; and Susan
Hotchkiss and the choir found ways of singing with us that topped the evening in
real FUUSM style. There were about fifty of us who enjoyed the evening; in
fact, someone asked, “Was that Elsie?”
We meet again at the Cedar Hill Conference Center on Sunday, August 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with our own Michael Hall.
In the fall (October), we will gather again at the First Parish Church, Duxbury. Bud Soule
THE ELSIE GAUDETTE AWARD
The Elsie Gaudette Award can be given this spring (the third Sunday in June) to a person who exemplifies the service and dedication to this church that Elsie did for many years. The Elsie Gaudette Award Committee will be meeting to review the nominations. Ask any award winner (listed on the plaque) about it.
If you know of a deserving person to nominate for this award, you must nominate her/him in writing, telling of this person’s contributions to the church over time and why this person deserves the honor. Send your signed letters to the Committee Chairperson, Linda E. Thompson.
CUUPS
On Sunday, May 2, at 1:30 p.m., we will be having a Maypole Dance and a pot luck to celebrate Beltane. Everyone is welcome. Hope to see you there!
Dee Selzer
The
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleborough presents a
Thomas
W. Sypek production:
AMERICAN MEMORIES 2
dramatic readings of letters from American wars
Saturday, May 15 (Armed Forces Day)
6:00 p.m. Reception with beverages and hors d’oeuvres
7:00 p.m. Curtain
Tickets
$15 – Adults
$10 – Seniors, Students and Military Personnel (active or retired)
Tickets available at the door
Proceeds to benefit the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleborough
Tom Sypek and Tanya Trzeciak, the show’s directors, have done their jobs. Now it’s up to you, the members of this Society, to do yours. We need you as audience members, kitchen help and clean up crew for Andrea Priest; and donations of your best cooking would also be appreciated. Let's make this a great and successful fundraiser for the church. We know you will do your best. Thanking you, Thomas Sypek
“A bittersweet honor to all who sacrificed for our country and our freedoms.”
Come show your thanks and respect by joining in this celebration.
ADULT SQUARE DANCING
May 23 & June 6 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Masonic Hall, Bridgewater
Another Square Dance year is fast drawing to a close. Our regular dance on May 9 is being called off for Mother’s Day, and the one for June 13 is being moved up a week to June 6. Our regular dance on May 23 will be held as we host the Sea Shell Steppers from Acushnet on that date (6:30 – 9:30 p.m.).
On Sunday, June 13 (1:00 – 6:00 p.m.), the Middleboro Town Hall is again the center for the Old Colony Callers Association dance. There will be as many as ten square dance clubs represented with their respective callers and cuers. It should be a fun and colorful afternoon with dancers arriving in their full regalia. The balcony will be open for spectators. Come and enjoy. Bud Soule
PLANT SALE
Saturday, May 8
On May 8, the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro will hold its annual plant sale on the front lawn from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To make everybody’s garden the place to be this summer, with nourishment for both body and spirit, there will be a great variety of seedling vegetables and annual flowers in flats. There will be perennials tried and true from local gardens, including native plants for woodlands and wetlands, and favorites for butterflies and hummingbirds. As always, there will be lush and colorful hanging baskets perfect for Mother’s Day and a raffle item.
Patrons are urged to come early to have the best choice plants and to take time to talk “garden.”
Maria Pucillo-Dunphy and Mike Schroeder