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UUCM Newsletter
October 2017
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"Everything is changing, always rearranging.
Everything is changing. Nothing stays the same."
Greetings!
Happy Fall! It's harvest time in Milford; both for the body and the spirit. As I enjoy nature's bounty (especially all the local peaches and tomatoes), I'm also mindful of the many ways my spirit has been nourished since coming to UUCM. So many warm welcomes, inspirational stories, and opportunities to worship, sing, play, and work together. And I've been here only two months! It's been a feast for the spirit. I'm delighted to be here and want to thank each and every one of you for all you've done to help me find my way.
Autumn officially arrived at 4:02pm on September 22nd with the Autumnal Equinox. Day and night are almost equal now. It's a liminal time between light and dark, birth and death - a time of balance - a time on the cusp of what lies ahead. It's a great time to stop, find a place of stillness as the Earth takes a breath before moving on in the neverending cycles and seasons of change. I hope you'll each find ways to make space for reflection in your own lives as you begin to embrace the process of change as a congregation.
There are so many things that speak of change at this time of year. As the trees don their finery -- brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows -- they flap in the breeze like signal flags, waving in the change of seasons. Harvest time is here with its cornucopia of late season treats: corn, apples, potatoes, pumpkins, and squash. All of this color, all of this bounty is the culmination of the growing season. But as the circle of life is turning, it's also ushering in the season of dormancy, death, and decay. Daylight is less and there's a decided chill in the air. The falling leaves form a crunchy carpet under our feet. Change is afoot! We can see it, feel it -- even smell it.
It's a bittersweet season for many, bringing with it a sense of melancholy as we experience the loss that always accompanies change. Every change is like a little death. It can leave us feeling "at a loss". But it's precisely that loss, that sense of emptiness, that feeling of not knowing that makes room for possibility. It creates a soft, fertile spot for planting seeds of possibility.
This
month's spiritual theme is courage. Courage is rooted in the Latin cor', meaning heart. It takes a lot of heart to fully embrace change. You have to be brave to let go of what you know and welcome in that soft, vulnerable place of uncertainty. It requires holding everything loosely -- including what we think and what we believe -- becoming more curious about what might be than being certain of what is.
During worship on October 1st I'll be inviting you to join me in a closer look at the process of change and its implications for both our personal lives and our lives in community. The service will be followed by a potluck lunch -- an opportunity for you to welcome me as a congregation, but more importantly, an opportunity to welcome change into your midst.
If you're interested in an opportunity to take a more personal approach to living more intentionally, more courageously with change, I invite you to join me for conversation and spiritual practice based on a wise little book,
Aging as Spiritual Practice by Lewis Richmond. We'll meet together on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to noon on
Oct. 18, and Nov. 1, 15, and 29.
I'll also be offering three sessions called the "New and Not So New Unitarian Universalist" for anyone who would like to take a closer look at Unitarian Universalism from both historic and contemporary perspectives. Those sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm on
Oct. 17, Nov. 21, and Dec. 5. Look for signup sheets for these opportunities at coffee hour or contact me if you'd like to attend.
One more thing... please hold the date,
Nov. 12th, after worship, for an opportunity to explore UUCM's history together. The Transition Team will feed you and walk you through the process of creating a visual timeline. This activity is an important part of the interim process -- looking at your history to get a sense of how it has shaped your identity. Giving you the opportunity to intentionally bring the best of who you've been and who you are to bear on UUCM's future.
During this time of transition, one of the most important things I hope we can cultivate together is your ability to face change intentionally -- with open minds and open hearts. It will take courage. It will take practice. But I have no doubt we will get there.
Thanks again for inviting me into the life of this church during this amazing time. My job isn't to tell you what to do. My job is to invite you to fight the impulse to rush into the next season of your lives together -- to rest in this liminal time between what was and what will be to become vulnerable to the seeds of possibility in this moment.
I keep office hours at the church from 1-4pm on Tuesdays, 10-4pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You're welcome to drop in and see if I'm free, but you can be assured I will be there for you by making an appointment. You can reach me by phone at the church, but the fastest way to reach me is by email at
[email protected].
Faithfully yours,
Rev. Carol
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Worship Services
Sundays at 10:30am
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Rev. Carol Strecker
Facing change with intention takes courage. Letting go, living in the free-fall of the unknown and landing someplace new all require facing fears and taking risks. It's when we face the challenges inherent in change head on that we're able to most fully realize the opportunities that change can bring. The interim period between settled ministers is a particularly good time to look at the way change works in the interest of making the most of the opportunities change can bring.
(Sunday Morning Circles)
After Church: Whole Congregation Potluck in Barnum Hall (To learn more about Small Group Ministry or the Memoir Writing Group, join group leaders at a designated table.)
Linda Goodman and Rev. Carol Strecker
The second Monday in October has traditionally been celebrated as Columbus Day in the United States. However, more and more cities across the country, including Durham, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine are choosing to honor the legacy of indigenous people who were here long before Columbus. Our faith calls us to fully understand the history of indigenous people as well as contemporary issues grounded in that history. (Sunday Morning Circles)
We've all been there. There are times when we are too fearful, too shy, or too hesitant to speak the truth in the face of injustice or greed or deceit. It isn't easy, but we have UU values and a shared commitment to the sanctity of human dignity, fairness, justice, and inclusivity. How we help each other trust our voice is as important as using it for truth and integrity. This service will explore how we can work together to develop a communal sense of courage. (Sunday Morning Circles)
Rev. Carol Strecker
What kind of courage does it take to break down the walls that divide us? Perhaps it begins with the courage to face the walls within our own hearts and minds -- the walls we may not even be aware of that impact the way the we see ourselves and others.
(Sunday Morning Circles)
Today: Bring in new pajamas, which the children will collect for SHARE.
Deadline: Submit photos for next week's All Souls' Service. (See below.)
Rev. Carol Strecker
We'll remember the loved ones we have lost and celebrate their gifts that live on in us. After the service the celebration will continue as we plant bulbs in their honor in our church gardens. (Sunday Morning Circles)
NOTE: Submit your photos for a slideshow of loved ones that have passed by sending pictures (jpeg format) to Candy Shirey (
[email protected])
by October 22. Be sure to include: loved one's name, year of birth, year of death, and relationship to UUCM congregant.
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Whole Congregation Worship is designed to be welcoming, engaging, and meaningful for all ages. These are gatherings for the entire community. Nursery care is available every Sunday for infants and toddlers. At any time during the service, children accompanied by a parent may leave the sanctuary and enjoy our Family Room, which has a speaker broadcasting the service.
Soul Work Boxes are available for anyone of any age that would like to work with their hands during worship.
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Music! Music! Music!
For more information about our music programs, contact our music director, Carolyn McCreary ([email protected] 978-772-5870).
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All singers are invited to join the UUCM choir. We rehearse Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30pm in the sanctuary. Please join us!
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For Sunday service music this year, we would like to increase the variety of musical styles and add different instruments to our musical offerings. Please contact Carolyn if you play a musical instrument and would like to participate in a "UUCM Band". We are especially looking for percussionists.
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The ministers from Nashua, Manchester, and UUCM have been meeting to plan opportunities for adults in all three congregations to learn and grow together. Be on the lookout for a brochure that will list many of these offerings.
One highlight will be the opportunity for all three congregations to read and discuss two of the UUA's suggested "Common Reads":
- The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear by the Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
- Daring Democracy; Igniting Power, Meaning and Connection for the America We Want by Frances Moore Lappe' and Adam Eichen.
This is the process we will use to discuss the ideas in these books:
- We'll begin with The Third Reconstruction using a 3-session discussion guide put together by the UUA. Each congregation will discuss parts 1&2 on their own.
- Rev. Allison (Nashua), Rev. Patrick (Manchester), and Rev. Carol will be swapping pulpits on January 14 and March 4 using these books as our primary texts.
- The three congregations will come together for a "summit" to discuss the ideas for coalition building in both books on Saturday, March 24. We hope to include representatives from New Hampshire's UU Advocacy Organization (UUANH) at that meeting.
This is an exciting opportunity for all three congregations to create a common framework for a conversation that's critical in our day and age that could lead to building a social justice coalition among the three churches. The first discussion will take place on the eve of election day (seems appropriate),
Nov. 7, from 7:00 to 8:30. Stay tuned and start reading!
I look forward to engaging in this important conversation with you!
~ Rev. Carol
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If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to Jamie (
[email protected]) or the CYFF Committee chair, Cathy Goldwater,
[email protected]. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Children's circles will begin on October 1st. Read descriptions of Sunday Morning Circles. Please register your children and youth right away!
In keeping with October's theme of Courage, here are some resources for the family, including stories for all ages.
We are reinvigorating this interactive Group page with notices of upcoming events for families -- and more. Join now to show your interest -- and then stay tuned or contribute your own posts of interest to the UUCM community.
Calendar:
There's lots planned for this month, including:
Parent/Teacher Dinner & Discussion with a Costume Swap!
Saturday, October 21 @ 5-7pm - Barnum Hall
Let's get together to discuss our thoughts and ideas around children's programming, Sunday Morning Circles, Whole Congregation Worship, and a Children's Chapel. Childcare will be provided. There will be pizza, salad, fruit, and popcorn, but feel free to bring a dish to share. Please RSVP to [email protected]. Don't forget to bring your child/youth costume to swap!
UUCM's Community Pumpkin Party
Saturday, October 28 @ 3-5pm - Barnum Hall
CYFF invites you to wear your costume and come join the festivities! BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) to carve or paint! Games include pumpkin bowling and pumpkin
tic-tac-toe! Snacks provided. This event is open to children in the community, and UUCM children are encouraged to bring a friend. Contact the
office
for info or to help.
Donations Needed before Nov 12:
Children & Youth's "Blessing Bags" Service Project
On Sunday, November 12, the Sunday Morning Circles will be participating in a service project to create Blessing Bags for those in need. Please consider donating a few items to help our children help others in the community. Below is a list of items needed. Please note that travel size items are best.
- Personal hygiene products: shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, comb, razor, lip balm, sunscreen
- Accessories: scarf, hat, gloves, thermal socks
- Necessities: tissues, hand lotion, wet wipes, small first aid kit
Items can be dropped off in the office or in Barnum Hall. Thank you in advance! Contact the Office (603-673-1870, [email protected]) for questions.
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UUCM
 Activities & News
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Sunday, October 1 at 11:45am
There will be a whole congregation potluck to welcome our Interim Minister, Rev. Carol Strecker, and to reconnect with others in the congregation and make new connections. Please bring your favorite food to share! (As per
church food policy, please supply a list of ingredients for your dish.)
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Looking to connect? Membership Committee is hosting a 5-minute open-mic at coffee hour....so you can invite UUCM folks to a special event you're involved in. For example: a play you are in, a yard sale on your street, a March or Rally, a fundraiser for a good cause.
Format for a 60 second invite:
"My name is:________. I'm inviting you to join me for:________.
Come talk to me if you need directions or details."
We want to keep it short, so Cammie will hand over the mic to the first five people who step up. (Also, please no recruiting for church duties.)
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Come downtown and enjoy Milford's premier event! UUCM will again be serving an affordable family lunch at the end of our driveway. There will be tables and chairs so you can sit, relax, and enjoy these seasonal comfort food favorites at affordable prices!
Menu: Back by popular demand will be Leslie Bennett's incredibly yummy Chicken Corn Chowder! Other items include:
- Mini Red Potatoes "Potato poppers"
- Warm Tapioca Pudding, ladled from a crock pot
- Hot Coffee
- Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie by the slice
- "Frost your own" Pumpkin muffins
Needed: Please call Cammie Opre (265-0292) if you can:
- Bake a pie or two!
- Assist with set-up or take-down
Note: Please save your preserves for the Harvest Pantry Sale scheduled for after church on November 19 (just before Thanksgiving) and, of course, the Holiday Fair!
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In addition to sharing the plate and collecting food for SHARE
during the year, we will have collections each month for specific items. Usually we will collect these during the church service near the end of the month. At our October 22 service, children and youth will collect new pajamas for any age, gender, and size. Alternatively, you can leave pajamas all month in a basket labeled "SHARE Pajamas" in Barnum Hall. Watch the monthly newsletters to find out what will be collected each month. To learn more, contact Sandy Frades (673-2955 or
[email protected]
).
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A new group for memoir writing will meet on Sundays in Granite twice a month, dates and times TBA. Jeanne Nieuwejaar, Minister Emerita, has been leading such a group at UUCM since last January. That group is closed, but we are offering this new opportunity for others in the congregation who would like to engage in this process. The group uses a simple process of writing short pieces in response to suggested writing prompts, then sharing those stories in the group sessions. The sharings are often deep and tender.
Bring to this first session a piece of your life story of about 600-800 words. The story can be anything you choose. If you need a prompt, consider writing about an incident you remember from the ages of 12-13. Write, not analytically, but descriptively, using lots of sensory memories. Think of it as telling a story.
To
learn more, join Jeanne at a designated table during the potluck after church on Oct. 1. To register, contact the
office or Jeanne directly at
[email protected]
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PLEASE SAVE THE DATE! November 12 at Noon
The Interim Transition Team will be leading a workshop that is one of the first important actions we need to complete as a congregation. After the service and a Soup Lunch, please plan to stay to help us create a timeline of the important events in UUCM's history. UUCM's history is worth remembering -- lifting up and celebrating milestones and achievements and shedding light on those things that tend to live in the shadows that need attention. Please feel free to contact Donna Ryan (603-554-0737) with questions, feedback, or ideas.
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We'd like to make a community bulletin board in Barnum Hall. This will be an aid to Rev. Carol and eventually our new settled minister as well as newcomers to our church. Leave photo prints in the office mail slot in the coatroom or email them to Pat Nelson at
[email protected].
(Be sure to include full names of people in the photo.)
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Teens and adult newcomers welcome. No experience necessary. 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. Questions? Contact Mary at
[email protected]
or 603-487-2732
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If you are a maker or crafter of unique holiday and gift items, similar in style and quality to those we sell each year at the Holiday Fair, and would be interested in donating them to UUCM for sale in the Holiday Fair Crafts room, we would love to talk to you. More details to follow soon! Thank you!
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On September 14, the Tofalvi family welcomed Heidi, "the second treasure of their lives." Fanni turned two on September 3rd. More on their
Facebook page.
Recently, Rev. Carol, Peggy Stokes, and Jamie had an introductory Skype call with the whole family. Everybody looked terrific (and calm). In addition to Heidi's birth, they have their annual Thanksgiving celebration coming up later this month, which is an event-filled weekend for the entire town.
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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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Volunteer at the Nashua Soup Kitchen
Every month we need three volunteers to help Meghan Hoye (424-3431 or
[email protected]) serve Sunday lunch at the Nashua Soup Kitchen.
When: 2nd Sunday of every month (next on
October 8)
Time: 10:30am-2:30pm
Duties: Setup, simple food prep, serving, cleanup
Who: Adults and youth 12 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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, 5:30-6:30pm (Third Wednesday Every Month)
Our suppers are becoming ever more popular! To learn more or to join the pool of volunteers, please contact Nancy Danzinger, UUCM Community Supper Coordinator, ([email protected], 673-9561), Barbara Smith (673-6629, [email protected]), or Dona Eaton ([email protected], 673-7526).
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Greater UU Community Events
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"Granny D: The Power of One"
Friday, October 20, 7:00pm in Emerson Hall
This hour-long play tells the story of Dublin, NH's Granny D (Doris Haddock), the legendary campaign finance reform activist. Not content to sit back and accept the status quo, she started walking across the US at age 88 to spark conversation and encourage others to speak out against the powerful moneyed interests that dominate US politics. She completed her journey from California to Washington D.C. at age 90, and lived to be 100. Hear from and about Granny D.
Actress Dixie Tymitz is a professional actress, singer, and storyteller from Pittsburg, PA who portrays Granny D with authenticity, and embodies the incredible spirit and character of Doris Haddock.
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"Take a step in support of world peace. Through inclusion, we walk in solidarity." This 3K walk is a non-political event.
Time: 9am Registration -- 10am Walk
Location: Start and finish at Keyes Field, 127 Elm St., Milford
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So far, the Gulf Coast has been hit by two hurricanes. The national Unitarian Universalist Association is collecting money to help with emergency services. Half of the money collected will go to UU congregations in Texas and Florida. The other half will go direct to high risk groups that are outside of our churches. Donate online or send checks
to the UUA office in Boston:
UUA, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210.
Checks should be marked: "Hurricanes Irma and Harvey."
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October 1-20 &27- 31 - Audrey Fraizer 603-345-9809
October 21-26 - Linda Higgs 603-673-7601
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- To find something quickly, enter one word in the Search box at the top. For multiple words, use quotes, e.g.: "community supper"
- For help logging on, send an email to [email protected].
While we do print a few copies for those without email, there are advantages (besides being "green") to reading the monthly news online: it's in full color and you can click on links to send email, go directly to websites, and sign up for things online. Monthly newsletters are archived in the Members section at
Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum. This month's needs: Pancake Mix & Syrup, Condiments, Cooking Sauces & Seasonings, Cooking Oil
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
.
Once you log in to UUCM.org to access the Members & Friends section, you will find the latest directory, committee listings, and info about people who've moved. Or you can get a directory from the UUCM office. If your contact information is incorrect, send email to [email protected] with 'Directory Changes' in the subject line.
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