The Spire

the electronic newsletter of

First Parish of Norwell,

Unitarian Universalist

In - Spire - ing News UUs Can Use

October 25, 2023

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In This Issue

Sunday Worship

From the Minister

Spiritual Snack

Installation Photos

From the Director of Community Engagement

Holiday Fair

Handcraft/Art Table

Plymouth Day of Mourning/Leftovers Party

Autism Awareness Event

Traffic Alert

Church Council Meeting

Stand With Love Stand Out

Movie Night

Monthly Poetry Series

FPN Book Group

Helen Fogg's Diaries

Climate Change Event

Ongoing and Recurring Events

Multiplatform Services on

Sundays at 10 am

Rev. Susan Chorley preaching

unless indicated otherwise

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. Since this is the last Sunday of the month, Joys and Concerns will have an open mike component.

Feel free to wear your Halloween costume or other spooky season attire!

click here to join on October 29

Meeting ID: 864 9083 0821

Passcode: Heritage

Dial by your location

+1 646 931 3860

Meeting ID: 864 9083 0821

November Services

Our Soul Matters theme for the month is Generosity

November 5: "Transformative Giving" - Bev Gardner, worship associate

The annual South Shore Half Marathon will take place that morning. Please see the article below about. road closures.

November 2: Guest speaker from the UU Urban Ministry in Roxbury – Linda Twomey, worship associate

November 19: "Generosity of Spirit" – Deanna Riley, worship associate

November 26: Multi-generational worship led by David Roth – Marie Miller, worship associate

click here to join on Zoom on any Sunday in November

Meeting ID: 842 6936 2902

Passcode: Generosity

Dial by your location

+1 305 224 1968

Meeting ID: 842 6936 2902

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 mike" component to Joys and Concerns.

From the Minister

Dear Ones,

As the beauty of the Fall continues to unfold, I hope you are finding some time to breathe deep and appreciate this season. The pain and suffering we are witnessing in Israel and Palestine is overwhelming. And, its reverberations are felt in our souls as well as in the rise of antisemitism, anti-Jewish oppression and Islamophobia in our country. May we continue to imagine together how we can provide space for a multiplicity of views in this time of deep divisions. And, never underestimate the power of the energy you are putting out into the world or the gift of a listening ear to those who are hurting.

This coming Sunday at the end of our service we will share in a ritual of remembering and honoring those who have passed on from this life. Though Halloween is now thought of as a strictly secular holiday, there are many religious traditions (and still many people across the globe) that celebrate festivals of the dead. From the Wiccan practice of the feast of Samhain to formal Christian church services on All Soul’s Day to the Dia de los Muertos in Mexico and other Latin American countries to the Hindu celebration of Dwali – there is an celebration and integration of death as a part of life. (If you would like to learn more – check out this article.) This Sunday we will gather in a circle in our Meetinghouse and take some time to say the names of those near and dear to us whom we have lost in the last year. In remembering them, may our grief be comforted, and may we recognize the gift of life and connection across time and space.

There are so many ways to connect and engage here at FPN. I hope you are finding the right place at the right pace for you and that it is bringing you some peace and hope for life’s journey

Rev. Susan

Spiritual Snack

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.”

— Anne Lamott

We're Pleased to Share Some Photos of Rev. Susan's Installation - Enjoy!

From the Director of Community Engagement

This Sunday, October 29, our multigenerational worship service will share what we’ve been learning as a congregation so far in our study of World Religions. You’ll hear from the poetry study group, each of the RE classes, and things overheard at various committee meetings, classes, workshops, services and conversations in the halls of First Parish as we’ve pondered Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism. I’m excited to share this amazing body of collective wisdom with you! And for even more fun, all are invited to wear costumes or spooky season festive attire.

After this service, we’ll have our second Coffee Hour Service Project, open to all ages! Join Heather Comeau and me in the back of the Parish Hall as we cut fringe in beautiful no-sew fleece blankets for Project Linus. We have a goal to make 25 blankets in 30 minutes, and we’d love your help. Thank you to the Fogg Outreach Committee for sponsoring this fun service project. We’ll work from 11:30-12:00. Hope to see you there!

At noon, the Mental Health Action Team will host a workshop entitled Autism 101 in the front of the Parish Hall led by the South Shore Autism Center in Norwell. They will discuss an autism overview, the diagnosis process, supports (education, community, and family) throughout the lifespan, and tips and tricks to being a helpful community member and support to those diagnosed and their families. All are welcome to join, and please feel free to share this information with friends from the community!

Whew – what a busy Sunday! I’m so proud of our community for being a place of learning, service, and support. Together, we do some pretty amazing things!

See you Sunday or soon,

Amanda

Holiday Fair 2023

Saturday, November 18 from 9 am to 2 pm

Mark your calendar right away - we need your help with this major fundraiser. We will need you to bake, make handcrafts, clean out your closets and bring your clean, good toys, books/CDs and household treasures to the church the week before. The Jewelry Table has put out a special call for good jewelry items. There is a box in the left closet in the Parlor where you can put items now. See Bev Gardner for ideas on Gift Baskets you could make. Thanks to Bob Gramarossa for helping with the Silent Auction. New helpers are needed. To volunteer, call any of the following coordinators or Peg Kitchenham:

Set up, Handcrafts and Art: Marcia Babcock, 781-659-2956 and Betsey Drollett, 781-934-6672

Silent Auction: Bob Gramarossa, 781-422-128 and Diane Koury, 781-659-4659

Snack Bar: Heather Comeau, 617-962-6456 and Tommie Magazu

Books: Mary Mercier, 508-944-5368 and Bob Cullum

Grandma’s Attic: Linda Twomey 781-502-2205 and Noel Constantino, 339-244-4778

Jewelry: Kerry Ouellet 781-834-3472

Gift Baskets: Bev Gardner, cell 781-883-8141 and Debb Welsh,781-294-1130

Baked Goods: Prue Miller, 781-826-2914 and the Alliance.

Toy Table: Amanda Adams and 617-501-5455 and Becky Smock

Electronics/Sports: Chris Kitchenham, 781-447-5831 and Larry Baker, 781-826-3284

Raffle and Publicity: Peg Kitchenham, 781-447-5831

Clean-up: Don Messinger, 781-659-7574, Les Taylor, 781-837-2929 and Paul Smock

Don’t leave items in the sheds unless protected. They get very dirty there. NOTE: We will not accept large sports equipment, TV’s or very old skis. Bring pictures of any large furniture, instead of the item.

Be a part of this year’s fair and make special memories! Be sure to bring a good appetite for lunch and don’t miss the fun of this important all church activity.

Handcraft and Art Table

Share your creations at the Handcraft and Art table at the Holiday 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 consider doing a themed gift basket which will be sold at the all-church Holiday Fair on Saturday, November 18. Profits benefit the church. Grab a basket at Coffee Hour or use your own basket. You can wrap the basket with your own supplies and write your own tag telling what is in the basket or bring in the items, and we will wrap it and make your tag. Just remember to keep a list of the items and the prices of each! Please try to keep each basket to about $20-$40. Filled baskets and lists and prices can be brought to Coffee Hour any Sunday, but the deadline is Sunday, November 12.

Thank you so much!

Debb Welsh and Bev Gardner and many helpers!

Plymouth Day of Mourning and

Leftovers Gathering

Rev. Susan and Amanda invite any who are interested to go with us to the National Day of Mourning on Thursday, November 23 from 12-3:30 pm in Plymouth. If you haven’t been before it’s a powerful day of speakers, music and walking across Plymouth to pay respect to the Indigenous peoples and to learn about the true history of this land – sponsored by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE). Contact Rev. Susan about transportation or a meeting point in Plymouth.

Then on Friday November 24, all are welcome to a 5 pm gathering in the Parish Hall with food (bring your leftovers!), games and hanging out. Contact Amanda Adams with questions about this gathering.

Autism Awareness

The Mental Health Action Team is delighted to announce our Autism Awareness talk will be this Sunday, October 29 at noon in the Parish Hall

The goal of this presentation is an “Autism 101” for parents and caregivers of kids with Autism. We want to help you understand what is available in the area for you and some of the support services that you may want to work with. Dealing with a child with autism can be a bit overwhelming and we hope this will help you understand some of the services families have available to help them and their children.

Autism overview
Diagnosis process
Supports (education, community, and family) throughout the lifespan
Tips and tricks to being a helpful community member and support to those diagnosed and their families

This presentation will be given by Taylor Murphy, one of the good folks at the South Shore Autism Center.

South Shore Half Marathon

The 7th annual South Shore Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 5. The runners will start at Norwell High School at 7:30 am and finish at Gaffield Park (corner of River and Forest Streets) anywhere between 8:45 and 11 am. There will be traffic delays and road closures in the area. Please plan extra travel time and carpool if possible. We encourage you to use a dashboard flyer to speed up the process at road blocks. We will have printed copies available on Sunday, or you can download your own here. For more information on the race itself, please click here.

Church Council – Next Meeting Sunday, November 19

All members of the Church Council are invited to a meeting with the Parish Committee on Sunday, November 19 from 12-1 pm. The Parish Committee will be sharing our goals for the year and Rev. Susan will lead us in a brainstorming activity on the “grand purpose” of First Parish of Norwell in 2024 and beyond.

LGBTQ + Support Group Invite - Side With Love

Our First Parish of Norwell LGBTQ+ Support Group invites all who would like to join in – to a "Side With Love" gathering on the River Street overpass on Saturday, November 4 from 8-10 am. (Parking at the North River Theater – 513 River Street or on Stetson Road)

Our goal is to spread the hope-filled truth of a beautiful, open-hearted beloved community on the South Shore. We seek to make visible and celebrate our core values of welcome, love, acceptance, diversity and compassionate care.

We truly are stronger together! Join us - or feel free to honk and wave as you pass by. Dress colorfully and feel free to bring your Pride flag or we’ll have “Side with Love” signs and flags to share.

Save the (Movie) Date!

The Fist Parish of Norwell LGBTQ+ Support Group is sponsoring an outing to a local movie theater to see a new release called, "Rustin". This 1 hour, 46 minute movie is about Bayard Rustin, the architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, who was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. And he happened to be a gay man.

Although movie site and time is not yet known, please “save the date” of Saturday, November 11 between 3 pm - 8 pm. The idea is to attend a late-afternoon screening and then for those who are able, join together following the movie for dinner at a local restaurant for discussion and fellowship.

More details will be forthcoming on or before the movie’s release date in theaters next Friday. Until then, please contact Becky Smock should you have any questions. Thank you!

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, November 9: Indigenous Faiths

Thursday, December 14: Christianity

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, November 20: "Small Mercies" by Dennis Lehane

Monday, December 17: "An Irish Country Doctor" by Patrick Taylor

Monday, January, 15: "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge

Monday, February 19: "Rough Sleepers" by Tracy Kidder

click here to join

Meeting ID: 847 0898 5879

Passcode: Bookworms

Helen Fogg's Diaries

During the October 15 worship service, Sue Robinson shared some of the fascinating life of Helen Fogg. Sue has transcribed some of Helen's journals, and they are available in digital form.

Europe and the British Isles - 1926

New Mexico and Arizona - 1931

South Pacific and Europe - 1946

Europe - 1947

What Can you Do to Affect Climate Change?

The Climate Action Team recommends a local event. On Tuesday, November 7 at 7 pm there will be a community presentation on ways each of us can act now to care for our common home—Planet Earth. Presenters, including members of the Hingham Climate Plan Committee and Hingham Net Zero, will provide specific ways each of us can act now and in the near future to help protect our common home. The event will take place at the Old Ship Meeting House, 90 Main Street, Hingham. Please contact Davalene Cooper with any questions.