Greetings,
I woke at about 6:00 this morning to the sound of machines in the woods and double trailer trucks hauling huge logs up the hill in front of my house. For months, old trees have been harvested from hundreds of acres in our area of Mont Vernon. This is a pretty dramatic way to 'see the forest for the trees'. Just get rid of the trees and you can see the forest floor -- the rocks, streams and even the animals that are still trying to live there. Seems an apt analogy for the way the election woke us up. We are forced to see what was there all along.
Our theme this month is Prophecy. And for us the prophetic message is "Wake up!" We need prophetic communities more than ever. As Rebecca Parker says, we need circles of brave and bold people who are willing "to see what is happening, to say what is happening, and to act in accordance with what they know."
Let's join together this month and reflect on the role of prophecy in our lives and how we are to live together as a community of prophecy.
The
Prophecy resource materials include spiritual practices and questions for reflection. You'll even find a list of video clips by comedians who want us to do more than laugh. Their main goal is to wake us up and unsettle our self-deception.
Luckily, being part of a community of prophecy, we need not wallow in discomfort alone. Together, may we find insight, inspiration, and intrepidity to act.
Love and abundant New Year blessings to you and your loved ones,
Barbara
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
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On December 3, I interviewed with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, the credentialing body of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
As a result of my interview, I was invited to return to see them again after completing some recommended personal growth work. The panel that interviewed me confirmed they "saw a minister" in me, and offered lovely feedback that they found me "reflective, thoughtful, composed, serene, approachable, pastoral, and soulful with a lovely presence." However, there are continuing formational opportunities they have recommended over the next year. There is progress on personal work I have made over the past several years that they would like to see even further developed. This will require more intimate work than taking another class or writing a paper, so I will interview again next December. They were, however, so amazingly encouraging about my ministry and their eagerness to see me as a colleague. And so, this represents a brief delay, but yet a confirmation of my path to ministry.
I am moved by the kind words I've already received from several of you, and am so deeply grateful for the lessons I have learned, and continue to learn, from and with you -- my teachers.
Blessings,
Kali
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Worship Services
Sundays at 10:30am
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Linda Goodman
Let us gather in Emerson Hall to ceremoniously "sweep away" any sorrows, disappointments and regrets from the past year and step together into the new year with clear intentions. If there would be more peace, justice, and healing in 2017 it will take us all. Bring your hopes, your dreams, your ideas. Let's get to work. (Whole Congregation Worship)
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
Our theme for the month of January is PROPHECY. Who are our poet prophets today? What are they saying? After an engaging story for all ages, the children will go to their circles. (Sunday Morning Circles)
After church:
12:00 - Membership Committee Lunch for Prospective New Members
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord & Sandy Frades
A whole congregation worship sharing the teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. (Whole Congregation Worship)
After church: 11:30-12:30 - Coffee & conversation in the Fireside Room
Rev. Allison Palm, Minister with the UU Church in Nashua
Rev. Palm will be leading worship in our sanctuary in Milford while our Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord leads worship in Manchester. In May, UU Manchester's minister, Rev. Patrick McLaughlin, will lead worship here while Rev. Barbara leads worship in Nashua. The three ministers and their congregations use the same monthly themes and have been collaborating to create meaningful Adult Faith Formation programs open to members and friends of all three congregations. Pulpit swapping is an old New England tradition dating back to the days when each town had just one church, and folks were eager to hear messages from different ministers. Rev. Palm plans a sermon about prophets of different religious traditions throughout history.(Sunday Morning Circles)
After Church: Family Potluck Lunch in Barnum
Kali Fyre, Ministerial Intern
Today we finish out our monthly theme of Prophecy, through the perspective of action. Recent social, economic, political, and global issues have awakened a desire to "act" within many of us. We wonder "what can be done, what can we do to make a difference, to let people know they are not alone?" In this worship, we will explore how we can find our "prophetic voice" and how that voice can best be effective. (Sunday Morning Circles - After the Story for All Ages, the youth will adjourn to Barnum Hall to decorate 
cupcakes for Everyone's Birthday Party after church.)
After church: Everyone's Birthday Party in Barnum
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Music! Music! Music!
For more information about our music programs, contact our music director, Carolyn McCreary (music@uucm.org 978-772-5870).
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New Year's Resolution: To feel positive no matter what happens in 2017!
How? Join the choir! Members say they leave on a high after rehearsals.
Action Item: Go to UUCM on a Wednesday night at 7:00 and find out!
Singing, especially in a choir, has many health benefits!
Science bears this out. Read details in this fascinating
Slate article.
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Learn more about the transition from Religious Education to Children & Youth Faith Formation at http://uucm.org/religious-education/welcome/
For more information about our Faith Formation programs or to register your child/youth, please contact Jamie Ferrier, our Office and Faith Formation Program Administrator (603-673-1870 or office@uucm.org).
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UUCM, the UU Church of Nashua, and the UU Church of Manchester are sharing our Lifespan Faith Formation programs, which are designed to encourage spiritual growth and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. So many programs are planned for January that we have compiled them into a second email that will go out at the same time as this one so that you can easily access them. You can also find the same information online at http://uucm.org/religious-education/adult-programs/ We do want to draw your attention to these several special programs coming up soon. (See details at the links.)
Friday, January 6 - 7pm-9pm in Emerson Hall
Sunday, January 8 - 12:15pm-2:15pm in Barton/Granite Room
Learn about a new, ongoing group for Memoir Writing Support led by Rev. Jeanne Nieuwejaar.
Saturday, January 14 (for 6 Saturdays) - 9:00am-10:30am
At Milford United Methodist Church, 327 N. River Rd.
Sunday, January 22 - 2pm-4:30pm (First of 2 sessions)
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UUCM
 News & Activities
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A member of our choir purchased two music stands for use at UUCM. There is a UUCM label on the bottom of each. They disappeared from Emerson Hall in October and we desperately need them back. Please return them ASAP! Thanks!
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Sunday, January 8, 12:00 in Emerson
The Membership Committee is hosting this lunch for prospective new committee members. Come learn about what we do now and what we hope to do in the future. The committee meets once a month at UUCM on the 2nd Thursday at 7:00pm (except this January). Please email Barbara Livoli (babl53@yahoo.com) if you plan to attend.
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Saturday, January 21, 6:00-9:00pm
Fend off the winter blahs at a Fondue Party at UUCM. Dinner will include several different cheese, meat, and veggie fondues, and chocolate dessert fondue, as well as other side dishes. Sign up now by contacting Sue Olsen (sueolsen@comcast.net or 603-345-9780) or Dona Eaton (603-673-7526 or donageaton@gmail.com). On January 16, we will let you know what ingredient(s) you can contribute to the fondue party.
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Children & Youth FF will be hosting Everyone's Birthday Party during coffee hour on January 29 and we need 12 volunteers to make unfrosted cupcakes for the children to decorate during their Circle time that day.
Sign up in Barnum Hall to bring in 12 unfrosted cupcakes 
on January 29. Contact Sue Olsen (603-345-9780 or sueolsen@comcast.net) for more information.
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The crafts group will use them to make recycled gift tags for the next Holiday Fair. Please place them in the labeled shoe box on the shelf in the church coat closet. Thanks!
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by Lynn Coakley, UUCM President
Thank you to everyone who took the time to eat and talk with us after worship on December 11.
Lynn Coakley reported for Council on why we decided to make some changes this fall to worship and Faith Formation (FF). Sue Olsen reported for FF on what the children and youth have been learning this fall. Nancy Baker reported for Worship on the worship services presented this fall, and issues they are working on going forward. Barbara Livoli reported for Membership on the many opportunities for engaging with each other outside of Sunday mornings.
Your continued, honest feedback is encouraged. A directory of leadership can be found on the website. If you are unsure of whom to contact, please reach out to Rev. Barbara or Lynn Coakley, or to members of the Committee on Ministry: Nancy Baker, Leslie Bennett, and Erik Soederberg.
Small group discussions led to ideas about restructuring the timing of circles to allow more time for everyone to learn and worship together, tying worship service topics to current events, and allowing for more flexibility, allowing more time for and getting more input into the changes, having more flexibility in the worship space, and having a trained FF staff person.
Final communications for the spring include adult faith formation opportunities in collaboration with other UU and local congregations. The worship service schedule is set for the rest of the year and includes many traditional whole congregation services such as the blessing of the animals. Faith Formation is working on more whole youth activities such as game days.
We want to continue to share information and concerns openly with each other, and to bring Rev. Barbara back into the conversations she has missed while on sabbatical.
- We discussed the Dec. 11 Congregational Conversation, which included talking about the experiments this fall with worship and Faith Formation.
- We reviewed Rev. Barbara's report on her sabbatical and we talked about areas for her focus for the spring.
- We recommitted ourselves to encouraging open and free communication throughout the congregation.
- We began discussions about next year, including the stewardship campaign, big picture budget items, and staff compensation.
Next Council meeting is Tuesday, January 10, 7-9 pm at UUCM in the Granite Room. Council meetings are open to interested members and friends, except for portions where issues of a confidential nature may need to be discussed.
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Greater UU Community Events
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To learn of other events you might enjoy at UU Nashua, check the UU Nashua calendar. Some events are also included on our webpage for Adult Ed.
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Monday, January 9 
The UU Nashua folks have planned another sunset/moonlight hike. We'll hike up the Thumbs Down Trail, see the sunset on top, then hike down the same trail by moonlight on the snow, and still get home at a reasonable hour. This hike is with experienced leaders, so don't worry about getting lost! Adults and older kids are welcome. Questions? Contact Fred at fred@fshirley.com.
Difficulty: Hike up is 1.5 miles and 700 feet, taking about 1 hour.
Bring: Hiking boots, daypack with extra warm clothes, snack, water, flashlight (or headlamp), snowshoes and microspikes. If the trail is icy we'll wear microspikes; if there's significant snow, the snowshoes.
Schedule: Meet the Nashua folks at the trail head before 3:00.
3:00 pm - Hike up the trail (The moon will already be up and 89% full.)
4:32 pm - Sunset
4:45 pm - Hike down (by moonlight and flashlight)
Possible alternate date if Monday is bad weather: Tuesday, January 10
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UU Nashua has invited us to join them in their 20-year traditional weekend at Mount Cardigan Lodge. Inside the cozy lodge they share conversation, play games, read, sing, and play instruments. There are always some who hike the 4-hour round trip to the summit fire tower. Cost for 2 nights' stay and 6 delicious, plentiful, homecooked meals: $175 for age 18+; $150 for ages 13-17; $85 for 12 and under. Payment is due by January 8, so be sure to sign up soon! If you have questions or would like a registration form, email Dick Widhu.
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NEW: You can now sign up here to Light the Chalice and help lead the affirmation! We welcome anyone to sign up, especially children/youth.
OR, click here to sign up to be a Garden Door Greeter, Sanctuary Greeter, or Coffee Hour Cleanup volunteer.
>>> If you have trouble signing yourself up online, please call Jamie in the UUCM office at 673-1870 between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm on Tuesdays - Thursdays. She can help!
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Volunteer at the Nashua Soup Kitchen
Every month we need three volunteers to help Meghan Hoye (424-3431 or
meghan_jeff@comcast.net) serve Sunday lunch at the Nashua Soup Kitchen.
When: 2nd Sunday of every month (next on
January 8); 10:30am-2:30pm
Duties: Setup, simple food prep, serving, cleanup
Who: Adults and youth 14 and older (accompanied by a responsible adult)
Learn more: Talk to an NSK volunteer: John & Marty Miller, Jeff Hoye, Marti Kennedy, Dona Eaton, Barbara Coan
Click here to volunteer for one or more Sundays.
Thanks so much!
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At SHARE: Tues., Jan. 3 (1st Tuesdays, except Feb & March 2017)
At UUCM: Weds., Jan. 18 (3rd Wednesdays)
In keeping with UUCM's mission to Honor Each, Enrich All, our congregation hosts monthly suppers at UUCM and at SHARE. You are invited to join a pool of volunteers who help prepare and serve nutritious meals to the delight of our guests. Please contact Nancy Danzinger, UUCM Community Supper Coordinator, (ndanzinger@comcast.net, 673-9561) to learn more or join the pool.
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Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum Hall. This month's needs: Toothbrushes & paste, deodorants, shampoo & conditioner, bar soap
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Check the
online calendar for details and contact information for these programs.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - Sats, 9:00-10:30am - Big Book 12-Step
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) - Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm
Sacred Circle Dancing - 4th Thursdays, 7:00-8:45pm -
What is it?
Second Friday Song Circle - 2nd Fridays, 7:00-10:00pm
Souhegan Valley Insight Meditation - Tuesdays,
6:00-7:30pm Read more.
Tree of Life Class - Last Tuesday of the month, 5:30-8:30pm
Yoga for Connection & Awareness - Sundays, 4:00-5:30pm
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You might have seen this on the UUCM Calendar (4th Thursday each month, 7:00-8:45 in Emerson) and wondered what it is. Sacred Circle dances are easy to learn, and each dance is taught anew each night by leader Mary Koon. The dances range from playful to meditative, from ancient to modern music and choreography. They are good for the body, and the soul! Dances are co-ed, and open to teens through senior citizens. Try something new in the New Year!
Psst... if you can't wait to try it, Mary is offering an introduction to SCD at the New Boston Library on Sunday, January 15, from 2:00-4:00pm.
Questions? Contact Mary at maryfloyd62@comcast.net or 603-487-2732.
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January: Carole Treen (treencarole24@gmail.com or 603-472-5806)
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Why? Get the latest
Church Directory, Council minutes, newsletter archive, services provided by UUCM members & friends,
ways to shop to benefit UUCM, and more.
Contact commteam@uucm.org if you need help logging on.
In the event of bad weather, you can check whether the church is open by calling the church (603-673-1870), checking the UUCM website , or checking WMUR .
Read details here.
Please observe UUCM's Food Allergen and Alcohol policies on the
UUCM Policies
webpage.
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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