THANK YOU! My heart is still singing in gratitude for the wonderful celebration you created for my retirement on Sunday, June 11. WOW! So many nice words and beautiful gifts! Most of all, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for being able to engage in the meaningful and joyful calling of serving with you. Thank you!
My last day at UUCM will be June 27. I'm in the midst of finishing numerous administrative tasks: staff performance reviews and employment documents, notes for continuing youth ministry, small group ministry, and other programs. I'll also be preparing materials for Rev. Carol Strecker so that she will be oriented to what we've been doing. And of course there is much to do to clear out a minister's study after 15 years!
I am excited for you and the creative, energizing time that a new ministry can bring. I wish you abundant blessings as you move forward.
I leave you with this closing benediction that I have shared with you since my installation as your called Minister, adapted from a poem by Carolyn Kaiser:
I believe in you.
I believe that every day and in every way,
You are getting better and better.
And if the world can be saved,
it will be saved by the likes of you.
Now, I can be still and know that God is,
Because so clearly God is in you.
Whether I am here or not,
I am called to work and prayer
by the throb of your indomitable hearts.
You carry the light!
For everything, I thank you. Please know that I will always love you and wish you much joy.
Barbara
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
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In just about a week I'll be packing up a U-Haul and moving back to Maine. As much as I've enjoyed living in Canada I can't wait to get back to New England and I'm very much looking forward to beginning our adventure in shared ministry. This will be an exciting time for all of us. You're entering a time of transition that will help you chart the course for your congregation's future. It's my glad task to help you make the most of this opportunity to bring the best of who you've been to bear on who you hope to become.
I'm going to take the month of July to revel in all the gifts of the season Maine has to offer. But Kate (my spouse) and I are eager to get acquainted with Milford and all of you. You've appointed an amazing Transition Team to help us get oriented to the community and the congregation.
See you in August,
Rev. Carol
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Summer Services are smaller in scale and less formal than our regular services. They provide a way to keep our connections alive through the summer. More aptly called "significant Sunday sharing," these sessions provide a time to share our joys, concerns, thoughts, and inspirations in a meaningful way. We sit in a circle in the Fireside Room and the week's leader supplies a word, phrase, or theme, which leads to a group discussion that can evolve in any direction. There's no sermon and little ritual, but there is a wonderful feeling of nurturing our spirits by sharing our thoughts and experiences. If you have questions or would like to facilitate a circle, please contact Cathy at
[email protected].
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UUCM
 News & Activities
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Minister, Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord - Last day, June 27
Interim Minister, Rev. Carol Strecker - First day, August 1
Music Director, Carolyn McCreary Attending planning meetings, as needed.
Custodian, Sue Wahlen (6 hours/week) June 25-August 26, 2017
Hours will be posted outside office door. [email protected]
Office and Religious Education Administrator, Jamie Ferrier
Tues-Thurs, 9:30am-5:15pm & Sunday, 8:30am - 2:30pm
Call ahead or check the website for any changes in hours or vacation time.
If you have an emergency during July, you have several options.
- Contact the Council member on call for the following dates:
June 28-30 Tricia Jalbert 603-554-7429 July 1-14 Cathy Goldwater 603-860-3756 July 15-23 Traci Dorsey 603-235-2869 July 24-31 Jeff Hoye 603-854-0805
- Or call Jamie in the office at 603-673-1870 and she will contact the on-call Council member, but this might incur a slower response time.
- Or call Audrey Fraizer, July's Pastoral Care Network Contact, at 603-672-0887 or 603-345-9809.
Rev. Barbara has recruited ministers to cover July in the case of emergencies that can't wait until Rev. Carol begins in August. The on-call Council member will call those ministers, if necessary.
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* Newly elected Council members joined us for a potluck.
* The Treasurer reported that nearly 95% of expected pledges for the current fiscal year have been paid.
* We clarified Council coverage for the month of July.
* We appointed and charged an Interim Transition Team to work with Rev. Carol and the congregation over the next two years. Members are Sue Durham, Linda Goodman, Ellen Groh, Bryan Higgs, Carl Olsen, Dan Rothman, and Donna Ryan.
The Council of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Milford hereby charges the Interim Transition Team with the responsibility of working with the Interim Minister to complete these five developmental tasks:
1. Claiming and honoring the past and healing its grief and conflicts.
Coming to terms with history.
2. Illuminating the congregation's unique identity, its strengths, its needs,
and its challenges. Discovering a new identity.
3. Clarifying the multiple dimensions of leadership, both ordained and lay,
and navigating the shifts in leadership that accompany times of transition.
Allowing leadership to emerge.
4. Renewing connections with available resources within and beyond the UUA.
Renewing denominational linkages.
5. Enabling the congregation to renew its vision, strengthen its stewardship,
prepare for new professional leadership, and engage its future with
anticipation and zest. Committing to new directions in ministry.
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Let's go together to see George/Melissa, So Far, a play at Andy's Summer Playhouse in Wilton, between July 20-29.
We are organizing a group of UUCM families, members, and friends to attend this event. Please contact Cathy Goldwater (603-465-7933 or [email protected]) if interested.
Our own Amy Blanchard, Company Manager of Andy's Playhouse, tells us this year's theme is the Summer of Adversity, and invites all to attend the season's first main stage production, George/Melissa, So Far.
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part...because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte--but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.
Andy's provides an opportunity for kids ages 8-18 to participate in a wide range of activities. Learn more at www.andyssummerplayhouse.org or contact Amy Blanchard ([email protected]).
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 We are setting aside a bulletin board in Barnum Hall to post photos (and names) of UUCM members and friends. Besides showcasing this wonderful community, this will also be an aid to our interim minister and eventual new settled minister as well as to newcomers to our church. If you can't take a picture, we have a number of photographers at UUCM who can help you out. Stay tuned -- and keep snapping! Family group shots will be especially helpful. You can leave photo prints in the office mail slot in the coatroom at UUCM or, alternatively, you can email them to Pat Nelson at [email protected]. (Please include full names of people in the photo.)
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 At Rev. Barbara's last service on June 11, the congregation presented her with a memory book compiled by Sue Olsen with input from many -- a beautiful collection of photos and words representing Rev. Barbara's 15-year ministry at UUCM. There is a copy of the book in the UUCM library (Fireside Room) for all to view. Check it out some morning after the summer service.
Teaser: Click here to get a peek at a few of the pages in this lovely memento.
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UUCM will continue to participate in the Soul Matters Sharing Circle where we contribute to and receive rich resources on monthly themes supporting worship, music, all-ages faith formation programs, small group ministry, and our own individual spiritual journeys. As usual, the minister, Worship Committee, and CYFF participated in choosing these themes. Nancy Baker will be the contact person for the Soul Matters coordinators and will field any questions. Once Rev. Carol arrives, she and Nancy will work out the best ways to approach this dimension of our congregational life. Meanwhile, here's a preview of the themes for the 2017-2018 congregational year:
September 2017 - Welcome 
October 2017 - Courage
November 2017 - Abundance
December 2017 - Hope
January 2018 - Intention
February 2018 - Perseverance
March 2018 - Balance
April 2018 - Emergence
May 2018 - Creativity
June 2018 - Blessing
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On June 11, we celebrated our Bridging seniors: Duncan Jalbert Landeck, Connor Lavallee, Abby Rogers, Leif Soederberg, and (not present) Russell Lippitt, Grace Wight, and Naomi Wight. Best wishes to all as you take the next step on your journey!
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The Leadership and Member Directories will be updated shortly after July 1 to reflect the new leadership and new members. Look for the directories online at https://uucm.org/members/keep-in-touch/directories/. The directories continue to be updated as new information becomes available. Be sure to let Jamie know if you need to update your email address, phone number, or other information ([email protected] or 603-673-1870).
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If you are the contact person for any recurring events in the UUCM Calendar, please notify Jamie (603-673-1870 or [email protected]) if there are any changes to your dates over the summer.
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Rev. Edwin Charles Lynn, UUCM's minister from 1963-1967 was honored in a ceremony celebrating ministers who were ordained 50 years ago. After UUCM, Rev. Lynn went on to serve the North Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers, Massachusetts, for 33 years, retiring in 2005. He is the author of Tired Dragons: Adapting Church Architecture to Changing Needs. See more GA news and live stream at http://www.uua.org/ga
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Greater UU Community Events
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| Check out the archives for the Braver/Wiser newsletter that Rev. Barbara mentioned in church on June 11 (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/archive). If you find these short stories of daily "life as it is" relatable (as your editor has), you can sign up to receive more as a weekly message at
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No one will be offended if you come to UUCM's summer services and leave 5 minutes early to catch world class speakers on a variety of topics at the Lyceum. (Or, if you prefer, you can hear the programs rebroadcast on NHPR the following Sunday at 10pm.)
Live programs begin at 11:00am and run for an hour or slightly longer. A reception follows in the Parish Hall. Presentations are free, but donations are accepted. Parking is available next to the church, courtesy of People's United Bank, and the church is wheelchair accessible. For the full schedule and details about each week's speaker and topic, visit www.monadnocklyceum.org/
Pssst! You might also enjoy the Amos Fortune Forum at the Old Meetinghouse in Jaffrey Center on Fridays at 8:00pm (but get there early!), July 7-August 18. See speakers and topics at http://amosfortune.com/
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Thanks to all who have volunteered this year! We are all set for July, but still need a few volunteers for Sundays, August 13 and September 10. Join Marti Kennedy from 10:30am-2:30pm to prepare a simple meal at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and clean up afterwards. It's easy -- and there is always someone there to help. The children and adults we serve are truly grateful not only for the meal, but also for the fellowship. Teens age 12 and older are welcome to volunteer if accompanied by an adult. Volunteers often carpool to Nashua and there is plenty of parking at the NSK. You can sign up online or call us:
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At SHARE: Next dinner hosted by UUCM is Tues, August 1.
At UUCM: Weds., July 19 & August 16 (3rd Wednesday)
In keeping with UUCM's mission to Honor Each, Enrich All, our congregation hosts suppers at UUCM every month and hosts at SHARE on a staggered basis with other churches. 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, ([email protected], 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: Canned Fruit, Flour, Sugar, Boxed Mixes & Baking Supplies, Coffee & Tea. |
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 [email protected] if you need help logging on.
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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