It almost feels like we're on the verge of spring today!
I know, just wait... winter's not over yet. But for now the sun is shining, the snow is melting, and there's just a hint of an earthy smell in the air.
As the days lengthen and the sun begins to warm the earth and our bones, birds couple, ewes begin lactating, sap begins to rise in the trees, and seeds begin to germinate just beneath the earth's surface. If we look closely we can see the cycle of new life beginning again.
I went on a hike with a naturalist in the White Mountains once at about this time of year. It was still winter. We were on snowshoes. But it was a day much like today, sunny and just above freezing. We saw lots of tracks in the snow -- all kinds of little rodents crisscrossing our path, the intricate pattern of wings where a grouse had taken off and the very purposeful trail of what turned out to be a fox. We followed the fox's paw prints and discovered it was a male marking his territory -- something they do in a very particular way to attract a mate. It still looked like winter. It still felt like winter, but the cycle of life was beginning again for Mr. Fox. As the earth begins to waken, we too feel her calling us to life, to love -- to connection with one another.
In the pagan wheel of the year this season of the first signs of new life is called Imbolc. Looking for signs of new life at this time of year is an opportunity to explore the world around us as well as our inner landscape for those seeds that may be just below the surface, germinating and beginning to sprout -- even though we may not be able to see them. Looking for the hidden signs of new life is a great way to explore this month's theme of perseverance.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. I can't think of a better way to begin our exploration of perseverance (February's theme) than by honoring Black History month. On February 4
th
we'll be participating in a program launched by the UUA after General Assembly last summer called, "The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith". Congregations are being urged to lift up the largely untold stories of African American Unitarian Universalists. I will be putting together a service made up exclusively of the words and music of African American UU's. We'll share the offering with Black Lives UU and begin to think about long-term strategies for working to dismantle white privilege and racism in our own lives, our communities, and in our world. There's a saying in the African American community about "making a way out of no way". It calls all of us to persist, resist, and insist on racial justice.
Faithfully Yours,
Rev. Carol |
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Worship Services
Sundays at 10:30am
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Rev. Carol Strecker
An opportunity to listen deeply to the stories of African Americans in our movement. This service will be composed in its entirety of words and music written by Black Unitarian Universalists -- a lamentation for what's been lost and a celebration of our commitment to writing the next chapter of Unitarian Universalism together.
Rev. Linda Goodman, Interfaith Minister 
Imbolc marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Can you begin to feel an awakening, the stirrings of new possibilities? It is time to set our intentions and make plans for our beloved community. All ages who wish to can make St Brighid's crosses during coffee hour to hang over your door and invite Brighid's protection, creativity, fertility, and growth into our homes in the coming year.
Rev. Carol Strecker
In a world that seems as divided as ours does these days it can take some perseverance to go out of our way to help a stranger.
Our children and youth will share their perspective on the story of the Good Samaritan as part of this service.
Rev. Carol Strecker
The 5th Principle of Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. As defenders of democracy, what is our role as people of faith in the public square?
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During February, children in Grades 1-6 will be working in multi-age groups to complete development of short skits based on the message of the Good Samaritan parable. Children will have the opportunity to participate in many ways, expressing their ideas about the theme through drama, visual arts, music, photography, and videography. They will share some of their creations during the
Feb. 18th
service.
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UUCM Activities & News
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Join Rev. Carol and the Transition Team for a
soup lunch followed by an opportunity to share stories about your most positive experiences at UUCM.
This is a chance to put the ideas Rev. Carol shared with us last month about Appreciative Inquiry into practice
: What we focus on becomes our reality. Together, we'll:
- tell stories about UUCM at its best
- identify their "life-giving" forces and what gives them meaning
- gather themes that tell us something about shared values
- dream a bit about what a future that leads with these themes and values might look like
Ultimately, this is an opportunity to strengthen UUCM's collective sense of identity and shared values. Together with the values gleaned from the History Timeline, this exercise promises to give us valuable insights about a collective sense of direction and purpose as well as the kinds of strengths, skills, and passion we'll want to look for in our next settled minister.
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The Transition Team is looking for a variety of soups, breads and desserts to serve at the Putting Our Face Forward session.
If you plan on attending and can bring something, please contact Carl Olsen
[email protected]
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"From Talk about White Privilege to Action: Next Steps on the Anti-Racism Journey". This workshop will take the work we did during last year's 6-week session and put words into action. Please bring a friend even if (s)he did not previously participate. All are welcome!
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The cost is $10/person and you must reserve and pay ahead (so we can buy the correct amount of food). We will enjoy a variety of fondues including the traditional Cheese fondue with bread, Italian Bagna Cauda with veggies, and Beef cooked in broth. Of course, there will be a decadent Chocolate fondue for dessert! Contact Sue Olsen 603/345-9780
[email protected] or Dona Eaton 603/673-7526
[email protected] to reserve your spot.
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Bring your brown bag lunch and join us immediately after the worship service for a congregational meeting to vote on
- Sanctuary improvements: Exciting changes to make the dias more usable and safer.
Please plan to attend so that we will have a quorum to vote on this important issue. Questions or comments to: [email protected] or [email protected]
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During February we are collecting things to create a birthday party - cake mixes, cans of frosting, birthday candles, other cake decorations, and party favors. SHARE will stock their shelves with your donations so their clients can take them home to create a child's party. Please deposit your donation in the Birthday Party basket in Barnum Hall.
Upcoming monthly collections of NEW items:
March Underwear (any size)
April Beach Towels & Water Bottles
May & June School Supplies
For more information, contact Sandy Frades (603/673-2955 or
[email protected]
)
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Help make UUCM's Goods & Services Auction the best ever!
Here's how you can help NOW:
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Loan us your Island decor to help make Barnum appear Hawaiian.
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Visit your favorite store, restaurant, or hairdresser and ask for a gift card. They benefit when a new customer redeems the card.
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Offer your vacation home/condo for a weekend.
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Offer to cook your favorite food/meal. What is your specialty? These are our best selling items and we could use more.
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Offer a service.Your special skill is probably just what someone wants.
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Request a service. If you want a special service, perhaps another UUCMer can offer it for auction. Tell us what you want to bid on.
Plan to be there on Saturday, Mar 24th at 7pm. Mark your calendar now!
Send email to
[email protected]
or contact Dona Eaton, Sue Olsen, Elise DeMichael, or Leslie Bennett.
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2 Sanctuary Greeters, & 2 Coffee Hour cleanup. Most jobs are suitable for families with kids. Contact
Barbara Livoli
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Every month we need three volunteers to help Meghan Hoye
serve
Sunday
lunch at the Nashua Soup Kitchen.
When
: 2nd
Sunday
of every month (next on
Feb 11
)
Time:
10:30am-2:30pm
Duties:
Setup, simple food prep, serving, cleanup
Who:
Adults and youth 12 and older (accompanied by a responsible adult)
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Anne Rainey [email protected] 603/547-2988
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Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum. This month's needs: Canned Ham, Canned Meats, Ravioli & Beefaroni, Side Dishes
(seasoned pasta mix, hamburger helper, etc.)
In the event of bad weather, you can check whether church programs have been cancelled in several different
ways
.
Weekdays before 6pm and Saturdays before 5pm: Park only behind the church or in the circular driveway in front (and NOT in front of the Garden Door). For more parking information (including a printable map),
click
here
.
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Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm in the Sanctuary
w/Carolyn
Church Directories (recently updated) -
UUCM website or ask Jamie
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