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Weekly Newsletter of the
First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton
October 24, 2024
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Image by Pexels from Pixabay | |
Worship Service:
Wheel of Life
Lay Ministry
Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 10:15am
This Sunday, your lay ministers will offer our annual Wheel of Life service. This service is where we recognize our collective transitions of the past year – growing our families through births and adoptions; moving on in our lives through graduations, new jobs, retirements, and geographic relocations; coming into our own truer selves through transgendering; deepening our relationships by joining in marriage; acknowledging the changes in ourselves and relationships through separation and divorce; and remembering those loved ones we have lost through death.
You may also join us on Zoom: https://bit.ly/fuusn-worship-2024-2025
Submit your Joys and Sorrows here.
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Submit Life Events for the Wheel of Life Service
The lay ministers have begun preparing for this year’s Wheel of Life service, which will center on the theme of “deep listening.”
During the past 12 months, have you experienced a change in jobs/marital status/address? Have you had a child graduate from a college or a school? (Even preschool counts!) Has someone in your family had/adopted a child? Have you experienced a significant loss in your family? Please share your life event in this form, and it will appear in the order of service insert on October 27, our annual Wheel of Life service.
Answer only the questions relevant to you. If it is not apparent, please make sure to include how the person is related to you. We may alter or edit the formatting to increase consistency within the order of service. If you prefer to email your events, you can send them to Ellen Metzger.
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From Rev. Debra
I love everything about voting. I love going to a local library or elementary school I don’t know. I love seeing the community volunteers staffing the various positions. I love the bake sales. I love filling out the little bubbles or pulling the lever. I even love standing in line waiting for my turn, knowing that the other people there are waiting to exercise the right and the power to have their say in our government. And I love the little sticker they give you at the end (see the photo below!)
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To say that 2024 may be the most consequential election of our lifetimes isn’t hyperbole. I can’t tell you how to vote, but I hope that you already have a plan to vote. Early voting in Massachusetts has already begun, and it’s a good way to assure you will vote this year. I voted early just in case something happens (COVID, an emergency) that would keep me from voting on November 5th.
There are only 13 days until the election. I’m still writing postcards to people in Pennsylvania and Ohio, still occasionally jumping on a phone bank to increase voter turnout in key states. I’ve applied to be a poll worker although I haven’t heard yet. I don’t want to feel on November 6th that I didn’t do my part. I hope you’re doing what you can.
So that we aren’t alone on election night or the day after, Rev. Joel and I will be hosting events at FUUSN. Come join us election night to watch the returns in the Alliance Room; bring libations and a dessert for 8 to share. The next day, we will have an open conversation from 1 to 4pm for anyone who wants to process how they are feeling. We’ll devote the worship service on November 10th to the way forward, no matter the result. How can we help heal the divisiveness that has gripped our country? What is our role as Unitarian Universalists committed to justice, pluralism, and equity, in the years to come? Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us for that worship service. We need each other.
I know many of us are anxious right now. I hope you are practicing good self-care. Limit your news watching. Exercise. Hydrate. Meditate or take naps. Take a walk and enjoy these gorgeous fall days. Come to worship and lose yourself in the beauty of the sanctuary and the music. We will get through this – together.
In Faith,
Rev. Debra
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Sarah Barnett - October 3, 2024
Memorial Service for Sarah and Octo Barnett to be held on November 24, 2024 at 4pm
YOU are invited to come to the Memorial Service that we have planned for Sarah and Octo Barnett. Robert, John, and Andy Barnett are planning this memorial service for the Barnett Seniors.
Memorial Service will be at FUUSN, on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 4pm. We have a service planned with music and some wonderful memories, honoring the Legacy of the Barnett parents.
Octo passed on June 30, 2020 and has not yet had a Memorial service, so this service is a “Celebration of Life” for both Sarah and Octo Barnett.
We hope to hear from you soon or by November 17, 2024 if you can come to our November 24, 2024 “Celebration of Life” for Sarah and Octo at the FUUSN in West Newton, MA. Email robertlb101@gmail.com so that we can include you at our reception after.
Sarah Barnett’s obituary is here:
https://www.eatonfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Sarah-Barnett
Octo Barnett’s obituary is here:
Guy Barnett Obituary | Jun 30, 2020 | Newton, MA
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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 October in years past.
Dennis Kennedy, 2001
Elizabeth Sheppard, 2009
Nicholas Tawa, 2011
Robert Sokolove, 2018
Candice Saunders, 2022
Roberta Humez, 2022
Bruce Michaels, 2022
Sarah Barnett, 2024
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Additional Appreciative Inquiry Session with Revs. Debra and Joel
Due to popular demand, we have added an additional Appreciative Inquiry session with Revs. Debra and Joel on Tuesday, October 29th, 7-8:30pm in the Alliance Room. OWL parents are encouraged to drop off their kids and attend. You may also still sign up for the sessions for Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:30pm on Zoom and Friday, October 2th5 at 10:30am in a basement classroom. If you have not yet attended a session and wish to contribute to this valuable process, Register here.
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FUUSN Yard Sale!!!
Saturday, October 26, 2024
The FUUSN Yard Sale is this Saturday Oct. 26. Folks are gradually signing up to help, and we invite you to join in Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday. It's a great way to get to know each other.
Please consider coming in for a few hours or more. The job comes with perks: early shopping, no heavy lifting, and pizza for the Friday evening crew. And most of all, the pleasure of working together. You can volunteer here.
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Donations may be placed on the stage in Parish Hall until Friday morning. Guidelines:
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Treasures of all kinds in good condition: toys & games, household goods, purses & scarves, holiday decorations, linens, artwork, crafts, tools & garden items, jewelry (to be sold in December), holiday decorations, etc.
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Please do NOT bring clothes, computers, monitors, big sports equipment, junk and/or anything broken or dirty. Kindly wait for the December Fair to donate books.
The team who work on this are motivated by providing low cost goods to the wider community and keeping stuff out of the waste stream. Plus, it's an opportunity for members of the congregation to clean house. You are welcome to donate or help or - better yet - do both. Thank you.
Co-chairs Denise Bousquet and Connie Stubbs
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UU The Vote - Get Involved
UU the Vote (www.uuthevote.org) is our national UUA Side with Love initiative to help empower voters in key states on issues protecting our democracy. Strictly non-partisan, it is issues based. Help turnout young, low income, and otherwise disenfranchised voters this November to protect the right to abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, fight climate change, and promote racial equality.
Each week, Rev. Debra will post information about how you can volunteer in the coming week to protect democracy. When you sign up, please identify yourself as a member or friend of FUUSN. If you'd like to take a bigger role in the next two months in organizing FUUSN members to write postcards, make calls, or visit battleground states, please reach out to Rev. Debra at rev.debra@fuusn.org.
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Join a Virtual Phonebank
Monday, October 28 2:30-4:30pm ET
We are calling UUs in Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Wisconsin! We know that hearing from UUs around the country will be a sweet boost in this current moment. Can you join us for a virtual phonebank? RSVP HERE
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Pine Village Preschool is a Restricted Area
We have been asked to remind the congregation that Pine Village Preschool is a restricted area during the week when school is in session. Unless you are with a staff member, you may not enter Pine Village's space while school is in session. In particular, do not use their bathrooms at any time. Please help maintain the security and privacy of our tenant and their customers.
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Intergenerational Listening Activity
Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 12pm, Alliance Room
This Sunday, the Member Services Committee will facilitate an opportunity for people of different generations to practice intergenerational deep listening. Come to the Alliance Room for this opportunity to ask deep questions and answer questions deeply.
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Wednesday, October 23
7:30-9pm: Appreciative Inquiry, online, register here
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Thursday, October 24
4:30-6:30pm: Creationdance Rehearsal, Headstart Room
6-9pm: FUUSN Yard Sale Set Up, Parish Hall, Alliance Room and Kitchen
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Friday, October 25
9am-9:30pm: FUUSN Yard Sale Setup, Parish Hall, Alliance Room and Kitchen
10:30am-12pm: Appreciative Inquiry, Basement Classroom, register here
6-6:30pm: Zoom Vespers, online
6-8:30pm: Creationdance Rehearsal, Headstart Room
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Saturday, October 26
9:30am-1pm: Yard Sale, Parish Hall and Kitchen
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Sunday, October 27
12-1:30pm: Intergenerational Listening Activity, Alliance Room
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Tuesday, October 29
6:30-8:30pm: OWL Meetings, Headstart Room
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Volunteer for Halloween Fun and Games Night - Friday, November 1st, 5-9pm
Please volunteer to help make our Halloween Fun and Games Night spooktacular! Sign up here. Note: all atte
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Help Create the Theme for This Year's Annual Pledge Drive
FRIENDS, CITIZENS, FUUSNITES,
LEND US YOUR…
THOUGHTS FOR A PLEDGE DRIVE THEME !!!
We simply figured that we are not the only or most creative minds in our wonderfully intelligent and clever community and that we might as well draw from our deep well!
Please suggest single words (nouns, adjectives, qualities), a comma
string of 3 or 4, a short sentence. Fill out this form or send suggestions to pledgedrive@fusn.org.
This is not a contest. We may well combine suggestions. We look forward to your contributions of Time and Talent!!
2024-2025 Pledge Drive Team
Linda Ross, Chip Highfield, and Suzanne Buchko
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Chancel Arts Task Team Volunteers Needed
Are you artistic? Do you have experience with flower arranging? Would you like to learn about worship arts? Join our small team of volunteers who decorate the chancel each week to coordinate with the theme of the worship service. No experience necessary. Please email Reverend Debra at rev.debra@fusn.org if you can volunteer one Sunday per month. We need you!
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Vanessa McClinchy Celebration of Life - November 2, 2024 at 2pm
A memorial service for Vanessa McClinchy will be held here at FUUSN on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at 2pm. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow. Appetizers and drinks will be provided. Dessert will be potluck-style, for those who wish to bring something. Casual dress is encouraged.
The family requests that you send pictures of/with Vanessa to include in the photo montage. If you are unable to attend but would like to participate, please send a memory you have with Vanessa to be printed and hung in the Parish Hall. Please send these and direct inquiries to Bob Varnum, 617-823-3687.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Home for Little Wanderers.
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Election Events at FUUSN
Election Night Viewing Party, November 5th, 8:00 to 11pm, Alliance Room
Join Fellow FUUSN members and friends to watch the election results together. Bring a dessert and beverage to share.
Election Post-Mortem, November 6th, 1-4pm, Alliance Room
Join Rev. Debra & Rev. Joel for a post election day gathering. More information to come.
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Music Sunday:
November 17, 2024
Love at the Center is a service of music and readings reflecting the new core values of Unitarian Universalism, featuring FUUSN’s wonderful musicians and dancers. Music of Johannes Brahms, Bob MacWilliams, Carson Cooman, Bill Withers, and more.
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Thank you, thank you! Our Split the Plate experiment was a success. Over two weeks, you gave $1280 to support the UUA Disaster Fund, which will in turn provide grants to our congregations in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina devastated by the recent hurricanes. Further, the plate collection donation for FUUSN was more than double what it usually is on a Sunday! Look for more Split the Plate Sundays to come! | |
Thank you to Marty Lowenthal, Ph.D., whose presentation to a sizable group of us FUUSNites last Sunday was such a valuable, carefully presented look at the process and communal perspective on the meditation process! Thanks also to the Over 60s folx who made this presentation possible. | |
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We had a spirited UU Plant-Based Eating Club potluck at the Waltham UU on Sunday night. Brenda Asis welcomed everyone and Julia Huston provided an overview of the Club. Revs. Debra and Joel were there along with Rev Elka from the Waltham UU, and lots of new people! There was a happy buzz of conversation and an abundance of delicious food.
Our thanks to Brenda Asis, Kate Thibeault, and Dede Vittori for planning the event and the many volunteers who helped with setup and clean up: Julia, Brenda, Emily Gelbert, Cameron Ware, Rachelle Adam, Pam Penton, John Dundon, Phyllis Evan, and Helen Jordan (who brought beautiful flower arrangements).
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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 Fran, 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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First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton www.fuusn.org | 617-527-3203 | | |
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