I got a new camera this spring -- a real camera, the kind with a viewfinder that you look through to compose a picture. Taking pictures was something I spent a lot of time doing in my teens and twenties. When I wasn't taking pictures I was holed up in a makeshift darkroom in the basement, taking the images I'd captured on film and using the light from my enlarger to transform them into my own black and white impressions of the world around me.
I never thought I'd be someone who'd use my phone as a camera, but the convenience (and frankly, the quality of the images) eventually won me over. Now you can even get apps that mimic single lens reflex cameras, allowing you to adjust settings, such as shutter speed, on your phone's camera. But there's something about looking at life through the lens of a camera that helps me see more clearly.
These days I'm learning how to use a digital darkroom, which has exponentially expanded my creative options. I still love black and white photography and the ways light and shadow play off each other to create contrast and texture. But this spring I've been totally captivated by color, especially the countless and variegated shades of green. There's something about the greens of spring and early summer that almost pulse with life. It's what the 12th century Christian mystic Hildegard of Bingen called viriditas, which literally means the greening power of life. She wrote;
"O most honored Greening Force,
You who roots in the Sun;
You who lights up, in shining serenity, within a wheel
that earthly excellence fails to comprehend.
You are enfolded
in the weaving of divine mysteries.
You redden like the dawn
and you burn: flame of the Sun."
Viriditas
is quiet, yet oh so powerful! Unless you use time-lapse photography, you can't really see grass grow or the tightly wound wheels of ferns unfurl, but if you look closely, you can almost feel the life force radiating from all that's green and growing at this time of year. Viriditas is the greening power in everything, including us. I think we're drawn in by the color green. There's something in that vitality that feeds us. It nurtures our souls. It gives us the strength and capacity to renew ourselves -- to reach, to strive, to hope!
I think perhaps one of the reasons I've been so drawn to green this spring is because I know the Earth is hurting. So many beings are suffering. And yet, in the midst of so much death and destruction, viriditas persists. Things are green and growing all around us and in us. Where there is life, there is hope -- hope that humanity can learn and grow right along with the rest of creation.
I'm really excited about continuing our journey together next year, but I must admit that one of the things that excites me most is the possibility of renewing our commitment to the Green Sanctuary program.
May we grow in ways that connect us with all that's green and growing around us in the hopes that we might learn to live more gently and more sustainably with all that is.
Enjoy these days filled with warmth, light... and all things green and growing,
Faithfully Yours,
Rev. Carol
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Rev. Carol Strecker and Friends
June is PRIDE month -- celebrating the many ways people express gender and sexuality in our culture -- many of which transcend the cultural norms of male and female. Learning from each other and expanding our understanding of the full range of human experience is an important way Unitarian Universalists can honor the worth and dignity of all people. Finding a spiritual home where you feel seen in the fullness of your humanity is what being a Welcoming Congregation is really all about.
The
Annual Meeting will be held in Barnum Hall immediately following the service.
Rev. Carol Strecker
Join us for our annual celebration of the beauty that is unity in diversity, a tradition with deep roots in our Unitarian Universalist faith. Each of us is a unique flower with gifts of great beauty to share. We'll honor the unique gifts of several very special people during this service, including our graduating senior, Joe Bennett, people stepping down from leadership positions in the congregation, and new members! There may also be a surprise or two.
Remember to bring a flower to add to the community bouquet! (If you don't have one, we'll have some extras.)
Following the service there is the end of year
picnic potluck in the Elizabeth Shelley Garden next door.
All are welcome at these more informal Spiritual Gatherings held in the Fireside Room on Sunday mornings during the summer months. These inspiring and fruitful discussions are led by members of the congregation.
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The Children & Youth Committee invites members and friends who have an interest in our children and youth to join the committee, offer to share a talent, or help lead a Sunday Morning Circle.
Contact the office to help.
Flower Pot Chalices:
Children and youth will be invited to create their very own chalice, using flower pots and their imagination.
Children in Grades 5 & above are welcome to stay in the service or come to the Sunday Morning Circle.
There is no Sunday Morning Circle; We invite all children and youth to remain in the Sanctuary for the entire service. Childcare and Family Room are available.
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Note that this program is on vacation for the next few months.
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Informal Spiritual Gatherings happen on Sunday mornings as we gather in a circle from 9:30-10:30am. These more intimate gatherings offer rich, fruitful discussions led by members of the congregation. There are still openings for volunteers to continue this tradition this summer. You get to pick the topic -- or we can provide you with some topics and guidelines. Be part of this tradition! If you would like to facilitate one or more Sunday discussions, please contact Cathy Goldwater. Many voices enrich this tradition. Join us!
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UUCM
 News & Activities
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This year has been both challenging and inspiring, for me, for the Council, and for the congregation. We have accomplished so much together -- too much to cover in this space. I invite you to read the President's Report, included in the Annual Report (available soon), to see how far we have come, and where we are focusing our energy next year. ~ Marti Kennedy
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 The UUCM Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 2, in Barnum Hall at 12:00 noon or 15 minutes after the worship service. Please bring a sack lunch. Beverages will be provided. Childcare will be available for the youngest children.
The Call to Meeting has been posted on the doors of UUCM, is on the
website, and has been distributed to all members. If you did not receive it, either by email or snail mail, please notify the
Office as soon as possible.
In order to vote at the meeting, you must have signed the UUCM Membership Book and be a member of the congregation. If you would like to become a member, please contact Rev. Carol Strecker before June 2.
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June 9 from 11:45-2:00
Come to a potluck picnic right after the service. Weather permitting, we will be picnicking next door in the Elizabeth Shelley garden.
Bring folding chairs and your musical instruments so we can sing our way into summer.
- Please contribute by bringing food to share that does not require heating - appetizers, salads, sandwiches, desserts. Beverages will be provided.
- Help is needed for cleanup. Please contact Dona Eaton.
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The national and regional UUA provide many kinds of support to our congregation -- from developing Circle and OWL curricula, to training and other resources for ministers and leaders, to the the all-important guidance they provide throughout the search process.
In support of their work, every UU congregation is asked to contribute a specific sum of money each year to support all the congregations in our Association.
As the 2018/2019 church year draws to a close, the following summarizes the UUA's request:
- Total UUA request: $12,835
- Using 148 members as our divisor, that translates into $86.72 per member.
- This year's budget includes an amount of $4,000 from our operating budget for this purpose -- and we made our plan knowing that we would be falling short of the UUA's goal amount. We are appealing to members and friends to consider making an additional gift this June to help us close the gap. If you can afford to help, please send your check made out to "UUCM" with the words "UUA APF" in the memo line to the Office by June 15, 2019.
Thank you for all the gifts you share with UUCM and the UUA! if you have
questions, please contact Leslie Bennett.
Our current bank, Citizens, is being replaced with Saint Mary's Bank. After much research and consideration, the Finance Committee, in collaboration with the Treasurer and our Church Administrator, has decided to shift our banking relationships from Citizen's Bank to Saint Mary's Bank. We anticipate that this shift will save us money in fees and banking while aligning more closely with our values of supporting the local community. The shift will occur on July 1, 2019. If your automatic payments go directly to UUCM's account at Citizens, please adjust your arrangements as of July 1. If you have questions, please contact the office, Leslie Bennett, Sandy Frades, or Steve Opre.
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Thank you to all who helped with Everyone's Birthday Party --
to all who baked cupcakes and to Debbie Maloney for crafting the beautifully creative cupcakes for Everyone's Birthday. We hope everyone got a chance to have a cupcake and meet members, friends, and famous UUs who share the same birthday month as you!
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Cleaning out items this summer? It is not too early to think about the Holiday Fair! You can donate those NEW and GENTLY USED items this summer, You MUST contact the Ritzy Co-Chairs FIRST to let them know what/how much you have. Elise deMichael or Barbara Livoli will decide what we can accept and where it can be stored. DO NOT drop off without contacting them.
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People who love to sing and/or play acoustic instruments for fun meet monthly at UUCM and use the Rise Again songbook. Contact Amy Conley.
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June 10, July 15, Aug 12 at 11:45am
Please contact Elise deMichael prior to coming to confirm that these lunches will be held in July and August.
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Open to the public. All are welcome -- from teens to seniors. No experience (and no partner) necessary. Sacred Circle dances are easy to learn, and every dance is taught by leader Mary Koon. Dances range from playful to meditative, with ancient to modern music and choreography. They are good for the body -- and for the soul! Questions? Contact Mary at
[email protected] or 603-487-2732.
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There will be two newsletters this summer -- early July and mid/late August. Deadlines are June 20 & August 10. Send submissions to
[email protected]
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Outreach - Helping Others
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On the 3rd Wednesday every month (5:30-6:30pm) UUCM provides a free supper to the greater community and generally serves around 70 meals.
We have a core group of volunteers, but would LOVE to have you join us.
The jobs at UUCM are 1-2 hours. Or you can bake at home. Training and free dinner provided!
- Set-up team -- 4:30 - 5:30
- Set tables, beverage & serving area; plate bread and desserts.
- Serving Team -- 5:15 - 6:30
- Serve food; restock buffet and beverages as needed.
- Clean-up Team -- 5:45 - 7:00
- Dishwashing
- Pot washing
- Busing tables, scraping & stacking dishes
- Drying dishes & putting them away
- Laundering dishtowels
- Clear Dining Room and Kitchen -- 6:30 - 7:00
- Donate baked cookies/bars.
- Pick up bread at Dutch Epicure on 101A.
Each month Nancy Danzinger sends a message soliciting volunteers for that month. Contact her to get on the distribution list.
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Every month we need three volunteers to help serve Sunday lunch at the Nashua Soup Kitchen. 
When: 2nd Sunday of every month (Next on June 9 )
Time: 10:30am-2:30pm
Duties: Setup, simple food prep, serving, cleanup
Who: Adults and youth 12 and older (accompanied by a responsible adult). You can sign up online or contact Marti Kennedy or Meghan Hoye.
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UUCM supports
SHARE by 'sharing the plate' and donating to their monthly collections. Your donations
help people in Milford, Amherst, Brookline, and Mont Vernon. 
- New School Supplies: Items needed are (but are not limited to): pens, Ticonderoga pencils, notebooks (1-5 subject), USB memory sticks, and back packs.
- Groceries: Canned Ham, Canned Meats, Side Dishes (seasoned pasta mix, hamburger helper, etc.),
Ravioli & Beefaroni
Please place your donation in marked baskets in Barnum Hall.
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The Leadership and Member Directories are updated as necessary to reflect changes to leadership and to add new members. Now that the newsletter is public on the website and no personal contact info is provided, it is especially important to make sure all your info is correct in the directories. Look for the directories online. 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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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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