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The FUUSN Chime

Weekly Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton

December 26, 2024
A gold-toned image with stars that reads, "happy holidays."

Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at 10:15am

Quaker Service

Anne Watson Born


Our annual Quaker-style service will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 10:15am in the Sanctuary. “…group silence is a type of communion, using both the religious and secular meaning of the word. We are taking sustenance and solace from each other, receiving a blessing of the spirit. We are also communing together, experiencing community, in silence with each other. We are all focused on becoming present to ourselves so that we can become present to others.” (Heather McRae-Wolf)


This service will not be available on Zoom.

IN MEMORIAM


This month, we remember loved ones, friends and members of our community who have passed but who are still with us in spirit. We also hold in our hearts the memory of the following FUUSN members who died in the month of December in years past.


Leo Sicuranza, 2005

Malcolm Campbell, 2015

BJ Winslow, 2017

Maureen Armstrong, 2020

Auralie Goodwin, 2020
 

Announcements
 

Reminder: FUUSN Office Will Be Closed December 25 - January 1


Please submit any items for the December 26th newsletter by Monday, December 23rd, and it wouldn't hurt to submit items for the January 2nd newsletter early as well. Happy Holidays!

UU Common Read Comes to FUUSN


The Racial Justice Ministry is pleased to invite you to the first round of a new book discussion workshop based on Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg’s On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World, the UU “Common Read” for the 2023-2024 year. Learn more.


Interested? Many of you have already signed on at the Racial Justice table on Sundays. If you haven't yet and are interested in joining, please email Meg Holland, by January 5th.

How to Use Realm Connect


REALM CONNECT is FUUSN’s secure online directory and giving portal. If you want to find someone's contact information or update your own, here's where you look. If you want to manage your annual pledge, Realm is where you do that. Learn more about how to use Realm Connect in this helpful guide. Questions? Contact realmhelp@fuusn.org.
 

Events This Week
 

Events Calendar

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Wednesday, January 1, 2025

FUUSN Office Closed

Sunday, December 29

10:15-11:30am: Quaker Service, Sanctuary

11:45am-1pm: Band Rehearsal - Cancelled

Recurring Events

Wed., 6:30pm: Tai Chi Class - Cancelled

Wed., 7:30pm: Choir Rehearsal - Cancelled

Fri., 11am: Over 60s Walking Group - contact Ruth Comstock for details

Pickleball at McGrath Park: Notify either Brian Gill or Kevan Hartshorn to get on Pickleball play times email list!
 

Volunteer Opportunities
 

Social Action Speaker Lunch Volunteer: Jan 5, 2025


Help setup and clean up for the Social Action Speaker Lunch on January 5, 2025.


Sign up.

Parents' Night Out, Jan. 10, 6-9pm


Member Services and the RE Committee have worked together to offer Parents FREE child care once/month for ages 6 mo. through 5th grade. (6th and 7th grades can be our helpers!)


Sign up here

FUUSN Community Lunch on Jan. 12


On Sunday, Jan 12 immediately after the service (~11:30) we will offer all-you-can-eat soup (vegan and gluten free Portuguese kale soup and vegetarian cold cream of butternut squash soup), salad, bread, and fruit for the congregation for $5 each (kids under 12 are free). To make this happen we need volunteers!  Please sign up to help.

You Can Find All Volunteer Opportunities on our Website


Not sure how to sign up for something? Looking for ways to connect and contribute to our community? Just go to the Volunteer page on our website: https://fuusn.org/give/volunteer/
 

Next Week's Events
 
Headshot of a smiling Black woman with long black hair wearing a black shirt with white flowers and a fur wrap

Rosa Elisabeth Walker Memorial Service and Reception

January 4, 2025, 2-5pm


On January 4, 2025 at 2:00 pm a memorial service will be held for Rosa Elisabeth Walker, daughter of members Carol Walker and Cindy Orrell and First Parish UU of Arlington member Amy Hadley. Rosie was 26. A reception will follow this celebration of life.


View Rosie's obituary here.

Junior Youth Group New Year's Party

Jan. 4, 2025 at 6pm


On Saturday, January 4th, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, our Junior Youth Group (6th-8th Grade) will ring in the new year with new and old friends from First Parish in Waltham held at First Parish in Waltham. There will be a pizza dinner, build your own ice cream sundae bar, and games! Please RSVP to Devin if your youth would like to attend.
Against a background of summertime greenery, a headshot of a smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a white blouse.

Social Action Speaker Lunch: Providing Resources to Empower the Unhoused in MetroWest January 5, 2025 at 12pm


Everyone is invited for our monthly free lunch after coffee hour in the Alliance Room. Chloe-Rose Crouch will speak about her work as manager of operations at the Community Day Center of Waltham. Many volunteers from FUUSN support the center’s programs with their time or warm clothing and other needed supplies. Kit Ryan and Jeannie Chaisson, both former nurses, go mostly every week to take blood pressure and provide other health services. Learn More.

Newcomers and Visitors Coffee with the Ministers

January 5th during Coffee Hour


Are you new to FUUSN? Visiting for the first time? Come meet Revs. Debra and Joel in the Children's Chapel during Coffee Hour.
 

Save the Date
 

Parents' Night Out - Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, 6-9pm


Member Services and the RE Committee have worked together to offer Parents free childcare for ages 6mo. through 5th grade (6th and 7th graders become helpers) at FUUSN once a month between December and May.  Reserve space for your kids today and plan that date night (RSVP required)! 

UU Plant-Based Eating Club Small Group Potlucks

January 12, 2025, 6-8pm


The UU Plant-Based Eating Club is hosting small-group potluck dinners to be held on Sunday, December 15, at 6pm. We will host these plant-based potluck dinners in the homes of multiple PBEC members, with each group comprised of 7-10 people. If you are a PBEC member, you may sign up here, and you will receive an email assigning you to a private home a few days prior to the event. If you are not yet a PBEC member and would like to be, or are not sure if you are on the list, please send an email to UU-Plant-Based-contact-us@googlegroups.com.


While we intentionally welcome newcomers and anyone who is interested in eating more plant-based food regardless of where they are on their journey, all items brought to our potlucks must be completely plant-based and contain no cheese, dairy, eggs, etc. Recipe suggestions are available. More information about the Plant-Based Eating Club is available here.
 

Kudos Corner

Thanks to everyone who made our Pageant such a success! Thanks to Eric Moore, Penny Roderick, Vivvy Dale, Natalie Anderson, and all the children of all ages who participated. Special thanks to Chris O'Donnell and Stephanie St. Pierre for helping put the bags together, and to Erin O'Donnell for improvements to the script and acting as stage manager. Check out these great holiday sweaters!
A group of adults and children wearing either festive holiday sweaters or Christmas pageant costumes, stand in the Sanctuary
The FUUSN Band performs at the 2024 Christmas Pageant, with a man wearing glasses and a red and white striped holiday cardigan sweater stands at the microphone, a white-haired man wearing glasses, a dark gray jacket, and a red shirt plays a double bass with a Santa cap atop the scroll, a man with dark hair and a beard wearing a red and black striped sweater sits at a drum set, a gray-haired man with glasses in a red sweater and a taller gray-haired man with glasses wearing a purple shirt and bright pink tie both play guitars, and a man in a red plaid vest and white shirt plays the mandolin.
A family dressed for the Christmas Pageant stands before the chancel, including a woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses wearing a white angel costume; a man with short, dark brown hair and glasses wearing a crown, a colorful blue, green, and red diagonally striped shirt, and a red velvet cape holding a baby wearing a yellow crown cap, purple onesie, orange bib with attached pacifier and gray booties; and a young girl with long, dark blonde hair wearing a white angel costume over a pink shirt, holding up a gold star wand.
Two children sit in front of the chancel, one dressed in a blue head covering and blue striped tunic over a gray long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans with ripped knees, the other wearing a long purple headscarf and a long, light blue tunic over pink pants and sneakers, with three stuffed animals at their feed: a cat, a lion, and a purple dragon
Rev. Joel Miller, a tall gray-haired man with glasses, wears a striped cloth tied to his head with a thin rope and a green tunic tied with rope over a red sweater and white shirt, stands with his left arm around the shoulders of Rev. Dr. Debra Haffner, a blonde woman with glasses wearing a green garland with ball ornaments in her hair, a red and green sweater decorated with snowflakes, candy canes, and Santas with the words "Ho! Ho! Ho!"

What an extraordinary year! Thanks to the many, many people who serve our congregation and help make it the amazing, supportive, vibrant community we all cherish. Here are just a few examples:


  • The Board of Trustees and the Ops Council, who keep us running
  • The Buildings and Preservation folks, who keep our buildings safe and snug
  • The Annual Pledge Drive team, who keep us funded
  • The many RE volunteers, who educate and inform us from infancy into our 90s, and who mentor our youth in OWL and Coming of Age
  • Our Youth Group, who give their time in many capacities: RE, beadles, Zoom operators, the Valentine's lunch, and much more
  • The Member Services Committee, who welcome new people into our congregation, greet us as we come to service each Sunday, and coordinate events such as community breakfasts and lunches and Parents' Night Out
  • The Lay Ministry and Care Crew, who help those of us in need and provide opportunities for us to help others
  • The folks who run the Yard Sale and Holiday Fair and brought in record-breaking results
  • The Over 60s and their ongoing presentation series, walking club, and pickleball
  • The Social Action and Racial Justice committees for bringing in speakers and organizing activism in our community
  • The UU Plant-Based Eating Club, who tackle one aspect of social and climate justice with delicious food
  • The folks who run the Ferry Beach and Sandy Island retreats and make sure we all have a fabulous time
  • The Communications Team, who coordinate our website, newsletter, social media, publicity, and flyers
  • Let's not forget the Ministerial Search Committee, who worked incredibly hard to find us our fantastic new co-ministers
  • ...and so, so many others who donate their time, money, and expertise to this congregation


WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. WE ARE SO BLESSED.

Submit News and Events

Have a news item you want to share? Want to schedule a FUUSN Event? Please use our web forms! Note that any event using physical space at FUUSN must be approved by Agatha, and until you receive confirmation from her, that event will not be scheduled or added to our Events calendar.


Submissions for each newsletter must be sent in by the preceding Tuesday at 9am.

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FUUSN Contacts

 

First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton www.fuusn.org | 617-527-3203
 
 
 
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First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton | 1326 Washington St. | West Newton, MA 02465 US

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