The Spire

the electronic newsletter of

First Parish of Norwell,

Unitarian Universalist

In - Spire - ing News UUs Can Use

October 11, 2023

click on the spire to visit our website!

click here to email the Church Office

In This Issue

Sunday Worship

From the Minister

Installation Updates

Spiritual Snack

Caring Corner

Special Parish Meeting

Teaching Assistants Needed

RE Activities

Parenting Workshops

FPN Book Group

An Afternoon at the Movies

Mental Health Treatment Grants

Yoga

Poetry Series

Community Dinners

Black Earth Compost

Buildings and Grounds Updates

From the Office

James Library

Ongoing/Recurring Events

Multiplatform Services on

Sundays at 10 am

Rev. Susan Chorley preaching

unless indicated otherwise

October 15: Social Justice Legacy

(JP Bourque, Worship Associate)

This will be an Outreach Sunday. The offering will go to go to the UU Service Committee. UUSC’s mission is to advance human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. Our work is grounded in the belief that all people have inherent power and dignity.

UUSC is near and dear to First Parish of Norwell because longtime member and leader in this congregation, Helen Fogg (who our committee is named after) worked with UUSC for many years with a specific focus on justice, housing and care for children. We will learn more about Helen Fogg and her legacy during the Time for All Ages this Sunday.

October 22: Centering Mental Health

(Peg Carpenter, Worship Associate)

October 29: Multi-generational Worship led by Amanda Adams and RE, with a closing ritual to honor those dear to us who have passed on in the previous year

click here to join any worship service in October

Meeting ID: 864 9083 0821

Passcode: Heritage

Dial by your location

+1 646 931 3860

Meeting ID: 864 9083 0821

Please send your joys and concerns to Rev. Susan by 8:30 am on Sundays. be sure to tell her if your news can be shared with the congregation or if it should be kept private. The 4th Sunday of each month will include am "open mic" component to Joys and Concerns.

New Schedule for Worship Reminders

Starting this weekend, the reminder to send Joys and Concerns to Rev. Susan (presently going out Friday afternoons) and the Zoom reminder for the Sunday service (scheduled for 9:15 am Sundays) will be combined. This new reminder will go out at 8 am on Sunday mornings. Please reach out to Hope if you have any questions.

From the Minister

Dear Ones,

The heartbreak and terror over the deadly Hamas attack of Israel this past weekend is palpable. And the swift military response from Israel to these terrorist acts brings its own share of heartbreak for those living in Gaza.

We are all witnessing the unfolding of this trauma and watching people swiftly take sides. I am grateful for the words of Sikh-American activist Valarie Kaur’s words posted on social media this week:

Our most powerful response to the horror in Israel and Palestine is to refuse to surrender our humanity…. I don’t know the solution to the conflict in Israel and Palestine, but I do know the starting point: To grieve “their” children as our children. It’s the only way to break the cycle.

Kaur goes on to say these poignant words: “To my loved ones who are Israeli, Jewish and Palestinian” I see your searing pain. I love you and grieve with you and am reciting my ancestors’ prayers for protection as you search for your families and bear the unbearable. May love find you through the impossible.”

You may find yourself stuck in this moment. You may find yourself feeling swayed by propaganda and the words of politicians and other influencers to take sides. Our Unitarian Universalist principles invite us into a more complex analysis, a more heartfelt path. You can hold out rage and anger for the entire situation in the Middle East. You can hold out love and care for the entire situation in the Middle East.

Holding fast to love is central to our UU tradition. I invite you to remember to reach out to those you know, those you have close relationships who are Jewish or Israeli or Palestinian and to simply listen and let them know you care. A great fault of many white Protestants is to stay silent, to do nothing, rush to judgment or act as though nothing is happening. This is no time for these old patterns.

In the words of Valarie Kaur, “What does love want you to do? There is no fixing grief, only bearing it together. It’s how we will begin to survive this.”

With deep love and profound grief,

Rev. Susan

Spiritual Snack

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people that are helping.'”

— Fred Rogers

Caring Corner

Walter Hall, a long-time Norwell resident and former FPN member, passed away on October 2 due to complications of Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Angela, son Jonathan and four grandchildren. He will be remembered at a memorial service at First Parish of Norwell on Saturday, October 14 at 11 am. A collation will follow in the Parish Hall. Please click here to view his full obituary.

Sue Robinson is looking for a winter home for her (very large) gardenia plant, pictured above. If you're interested in learning more, reach out to Sue.

From the Director of Community Engagement

Happy October to all – I hope the crisp edge to the air is bringing you all the cozy fall feelings.

You know what’s warming my heart on this cool day? Seeing photos of intergenerational engagement at First Parish!

With the month’s theme of heritage as our guide, we’re bringing our “church grandparents” into the Time for All Ages each week – and into the RE classrooms as well! People of all ages have been studying Buddhism together, practicing meditation and learning about Buddhist philosophies. Watching our youngest students act our the story of Buddha’s enlightenment for one of their unofficial “church grandmothers” was so delightful. Seeing three generations working together to turn recycled denim into shoes for Ugandan children at our community dinner service project – and seeing three generations sharing cookies together at Coffee Hour – makes this congregation feel layered and vital. We are so fortunate for the web woven from our heritage and our present.

We will continue to celebrate this unity between the generations in our first Multigenerational Service on October 29. The RE students will share what they’ve learned about Unitarian Universalism (September’s topic) and Buddhism (October’s topic.) You’ll hear from adults who attended Reverend Susan’s poetry group on Buddhism, hear music from our teens as well as the choir, and enjoy a story acted out by our youngest members. I’m really looking forward to this special morning. And what will make it even more fun – it’s the Sunday before Halloween! I’m hoping both kids and adults will get into the spooky season spirit by wearing costumes or festive attire on Sunday, October 29.

Looking forward to working together more with all of you,

Amanda

Parenting Workshops

The Mental Health Action Team is delighted to present two parenting workshops.

The first program is titled “Peaceful Parenting”, and will include strategies to help parents to:

build an authentic and compassionate relationship with their child,
learn how to model effective communication and thoughtful responses,
set boundaries using structure and routine to encourage positive behaviors,
devise strategies for concentration, coping skills, stress management and sleep,
focus on your child’s strengths, building self-esteem and decision making,
understand the positive impacts of mindfulness, and
create a peaceful home environment.

The “Peaceful Parenting” session will be held Sunday, October 15 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in the Meetinghouse.

The second program is titled “Anxiety and Stress Management” will take a deeper dive into parenting children with anxiety, and provide strategies for stress management. It will be held Sunday, October 22 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm in the Meetinghouse.

Both programs will be simulcast on Zoom for those unable to attend in person. Join the Zoom meeting for either session:

click here to join

Meeting ID: 840 6715 9093

Passcode: 047679

Dial by your location

+1 646 931 3860

The sessions will build on each other, but will also stand alone for those unable to attend both. Both sessions are free and open to the public. Free childcare will also be available. If it is nice out, the kids will be out on the playground!

National Coming Out Day

First Parish of Norwell is proud to recognize and honor National Coming Out Day. This is an annual observance each October 11 dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals in the LGBTQ+ community as they share their authentic selves with the world. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of coming out, challenge stereotypes and prejudices, and promote acceptance and inclusion. It encourages people to embrace their true selves and live openly, free from fear and discrimination. This day also provides a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to share their stories and experiences, helping to break down barriers and foster understanding among the broader community.

For more information, please click here.

New Online Church Directory Coming Soon

First Parish of Norwell is overdue in updating our church directory. One big challenge: “Lifetouch," our longtime directory and photograph company is no longer in the church directory business….and there are very few old-school publishing alternatives in which we may turn. A small team of FPN volunteers has been researching and vetting a company called “Instant Church Directory” for the past couple of months. The group, with the support of Rev. Susan and assistance from Hope Weinman, has concluded that this would be a terrific move for our church to make. The plans are to roll this out to our church members and friends this fall.

Here are several advantages to go in this direction:

FPN would always have an up-to-date directory…new members may be added at any time and included so that our church directory never goes out-of-date. This means if someone in the church moves to a new home address, gets a new phone number or email address, the directory may instantly be updated to keep our entire church community informed.
Folks may access the safe and secure database in the directory website and also on a downloaded mobile app, should they so choose. Plus, since the info is in a PDF format, the directory may be printed, if desired (the church office would be happy to print out directory copies for anyone unable to print it themselves).
Members and friends may submit the contact info they choose to share, along with the profile photo of their choice (church volunteers are able to assist those in need of photography assistance).
Overall, this option will save time, money and materials vs. the every 4 - 5 years published directory our church undertook for decades.

Key things to note:

The number one concern our new FPN directory team had from the start was security. We feel extremely confident that this company has taken numerous safeguards to ensure our information is and will remain private (it is just for FPN use only…for church members & listed church friends contacting each other only). The team also decided to add the option of including two-factor authentication for another layer of security, just to be sure. The company’s one-pager on their security facts may be found here.
Members and friends have the option, should they wish, to opt out of including the names of their children, a photo and even participating at all. However, the goal is to aim for 100% participation so that our entire church community is represented in our new, improved & updated directory.
Only the volunteer FPN directory team administrator or co-editors will be able to upload each member’s contact info and photo. No one outside of the FPN directory team (meaning other church members, non-members or even the Instant Church Directory company itself) can update or alter information.
Members and FPN friends listed in the directory use their own email and self-generated password to look at and access the FPN church directory once it is all set to go. Should folks leave the church in the future, their online directory access would be discontinued.

FPN directory team members will be available at upcoming Coffee Hours to answer questions and provide more information including providing church directory forms to review. In addition, please feel free to reach out to any of the directory team members should you have any questions. More information on the company’s church directory business may be found on their website.

Thank you from the FPN directory team:

Heather Lawson-Comeau (lead directory administrator) hjlc@comcast.net

Cara Moretti (directory co-editor) caramoretti@icloud.com

Wendy Brown (directory co-editor) wendymbrown@gmail.com

Hope Weinman, Office Administrator (directory co-editor) office@firstparishnorwell.org

Betsy Gordon ewgordon44@verizon.net

Elizabeth Robinson eerob2001@gmail.com

Les Taylor lestaylor@me.com

Alliance

Invites You!

Please join the Alliance on Wednesday, October 18 at 10 am in the Fogg Parlor for refreshments and a lively Book Review by our own Hope Weinman. Our favorite novels tend to have a compelling story, vivid details and a strong narrative voice. The same can be said of some non-fiction works. Hope will discuss some favorite non-fiction books with both story and staying power.

If you are unable to join us in person, you may attend via Zoom.

click here to join

Meeting ID: 826 6678 0917

Passcode: 518098

Can You Help the RE Program?

The RE program is searching for teaching assistants to help the teachers each week. Please sign up! Ask anyone who’s done it – it is super simple. No prep involved, just come for one class and help the teacher. Plus, you get to hang out with some of the great FPN kids!

Handcraft and Art Table

Share your creations at the Handcraft and Art table at the Holliday Fair on November 18. NEW IDEAS ARE ESPECIALLY WELCOMED! Handmade jewelry, photo cards, knitted or crochet items, tree decorations, holiday items, wood items, paintings, sewn items, animal gifts, etc. Fun things children will love— or love to buy. The possibilities are endless. Plan ahead — the Fair is just over a month away— and bring your creations to the Parish Hall the week of the Fair. Then come to the Fair to see what others made!

Themed Gift Baskets

Please volunteer to buy supplies for a Themed Gift Basket to be sold at the Holiday Fair on Saturday, November 18- the Saturday before Thanksgiving!

Choose a theme- teen beauty, chocolate!, nuts, football, tea, baby, dog, pasta, etc. etc. etc.
Sign up at Coffee Hour so we know of your wonderful intentions!
Get your own basket or pick one up at church.
Shop! New, non-perishable items only, please.
Work toward baskets which we can sell in the $20-$40 range.
Keep a list of items for us and their cost to you. We will make and decorate the tag from your list.
Bring the items, the list and the basket to Coffee Hour any Sunday morning whenever you complete the buying. We will wrap it with our supplies.

Baskets must be in by the Sunday before the Holiday Fair, Sunday, November 12.

Flash ideas!

Why not “do” a basket with a friend? If you have any large or extra large baskets which you don't need, please bring them in for us to use!

Thank you so much!

Debb Welsh and Bev Gardner and many helpers!

First Parish of Norwell Book Group

Please join us for any or all of our monthly book discussions. We meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:30 pm (new time) on Zoom.

Monday, October 16: "Dear America, Notes of an Undocumented Citizen" by Antonio Vargas

Monday, November 20: "Small Mercies" by Dennis Lehane

Monday, December 17: book selection TBA

Monday, January, 15: "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge - tells the great adventure story of 17-year-old Woodrow Wilson Nickel, who drives two giraffes cross-country in 1938 America.

click here to join

Meeting ID: 847 0898 5879

Passcode: Bookworms

An Afternoon at the Movies

Thursday, October 19 at 3:30 pm

Barbie was so fun we will do another outing. A little different this time and in Braintree (the film is only in AMC Theaters). So far 2 of us are set to experience the Taylor Swift concert documentary. It’s 2 and a half hours, which will get us out at 6-ish. Dinner at Legals for anyone interested after (it’s about 1/4 mile from the theater at the bottom of the hill). To go, simply get on the AMC website and buy a ticket but do it quickly as they are selling fast. We may not be sitting together but will be at the same show/same theater and can dine afterward. Let Becky Smock know if you would like to be on the dinner reservation.

Mental Health

Action Team

The Mental Health Action Team (MHAT), an arm of the Fogg Outreach Committee, offers a financial aid assistance fund to aid parishioners of First Parish of Norwell with high deductibles or large co-pays who wish to access mental health services. The application is on the First Parish website and Rev. Susan confidentially reviews all applications. Members of the congregation and long-time attendees are encouraged to apply soon - the money allocated is there for you! Questions and comments regarding the application process may be addressed to Rev. Susan.

Monthly Lunchtime Interfaith Poetry Series

Rev. Susan will be leading an Interfaith Poetry group on a monthly basis this year. On the second Thursday of each month from 12-1 pm we will learn about a unique world religion, as well as a poet who represents that religion. We will then read a poem by that poet and reflect on its meaning for us in this moment as well as its illustration of the religion we are centering. Join us for a lovely and unique way to learn together through the arts.

Thursday, October 12: Buddhism

Thursday, November 9: Indigenous Faiths

Thursday, December 14: Christianity

The James Library

The James is pleased to once again welcome the Borromeo String Quartet. Each visionary performance of the award-winning Borromeo String Quartet strengthens and deepens its reputation as one of the most important ensembles of its time. The concert is Sunday, October 22 at 3 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, please click here.