The Spire

the electronic newsletter of

First Parish of Norwell,

Unitarian Universalist

In - Spire - ing News UUs Can Use

April 11, 2024

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In This Issue

Sunday Worship

From the DCE

Spiritual Snack

Caring Corner

Stewardship Update

From the Parish Committee

The Church (Office) Lady Says...

Annual Reports

Alliance Event: The Portland Gale

Preemie Cap Project

Side With Love Overpass Gatherings

Shared Ministry Team Conversations

Yoga

New Member/Visitors Series

Helen Fogg Service Committee

Climate Justice Action Team

Passover Seder

James Library

Mental Health Action Team Webinars

Mental Health Action Team Grants

Online Directory

FPN Book Group

Monthly Poetry Discussions

Multiplatform Services on

Sundays at 10 am

Rev. Susan Chorley preaching

unless otherwise indicated

Our worship and Soul Matters theme for the month of April is Interconnectedness. ,

April 14: Old Ships and New Traditions

Matt Meyer is returning to share his musical gifts with us. We’ll explore the depth of tradition and the benefits of renovation through a journey at sea. Join us for a service of song and story as we reflect on what makes a ship seaworthy and a heart courageous.

Matt is an itinerant troubadour and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston, a vibrant worship community that meets on Wednesday evenings.

April 21: Blessing of the Animals

Pets should be on a leash or in a carrier. You may bring a picture of a shy pet who would rather stay home or who has passed away. Children may also bring their favorite stuffed animal.

We will be collecting donations of pet food or gently used towels or blankets for the Scituate Animal Shelter. This is also an Outreach Sunday. The collection will benefit the North and South Rivers watershed Association.

April 28: Multigenerational Service

Our RE classes will share their learnings from both Hindu and Jewish faiths and cultures.

click here to join

Meeting ID: 835 2290 6631

Passcode: Connect

Dial by your location

+1 312 626 6799

Meeting ID: 835 2290 6631

Please send your joys and concerns to Rev. Susan by 8:00 am on Sundays. (On Sunday, April 14, please send your Joys and Concerns to Amanda Adams.) 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.

From the Director of Community Enrichment

Hello and Happy April!

I’m thinking a lot about our stories lately. FPN started the month with a visit from Sara Green, a consultant with Stewardship for Us. To begin conversations with members, she asked for stories about First Parish of Norwell. I heard some stories that were familiar chestnuts and some that were new to me; some were very funny, others poignant. The stories we told offered insight into our congregational life and shared values.

Storytelling is central to Judaism as well, as we are studying throughout April – in fact, it’s a required part of many Jewish holidays. Hannukah calls for the story of the Maccabees and the miraculous oil. At Purim, the story of Esther’s triumph over Haman is told with raucous interjections from the audience. At Passover, the story of the Exodus from Egypt is the central feature of the Seder. On Friday, April 26, we will have our own Passover Seder at First Parish of Norwell. I hope that many of you will come and participate in the retelling of this story, sharing rituals and foods and symbolism – I am so excited to share my favorite holiday with my FPN family! If you can come, please let us know by signing up here.

Passover celebrates freedom, and every Seder also includes a consideration of those who are not free. We offer prayers of gratitude for our own freedoms, and we lift up the stories of those who still longing for liberation. A portion of the Seder is dedicated to tikkun olam (“heal the world”), or social justice. I think this resonates with our UU spirit! Care and action for those in need is a part of the story of First Parish of Norwell. It’s directly connected to our identity. It’s a story I’m proud to be telling - and living - with all of you!

Happy Passover,

Amanda

To view a one page poster listing our April events, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter!

Spiritual Snack

"My coming to faith did not start with a leap but rather a series of staggers from what seemed like one safe place to another. Like lily pads, round and green, these places summoned and then held me up while I grew. Each prepared me for the next leaf on which I would land, and in this way I moved across the swamp of doubt and fear."

~Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity.

Caring Corner

We are so please to report that Prue Miller returned home from Harbor House yesterday!

On Monday, Rev. Susan delivered our donations of baby items to the UUA to be used in their temporary shelter housing migrant families. She received an email in return thanking us for our "kind consideration and efforts"..

A Celebration of Life for Deanna Riley will be held at First Parish of Norwell on Saturday, April 27 at 1 pm, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Please click here to view Deanna's obituary.

Stewardship Update

What has a propeller, room for 6 passengers, and (hopefully) doesn’t touch ground until the end of the ride? A pontoon boat tour on the North River! Parishioners who pledge (any amount) are entered into a drawing for a 2 hour tour offered by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Click here for more information.

Many parishioners have already made their pledge, and we appreciate it. If you are also able to help, please send in your pledge or drop if off in the red mailbox outside the Parish Hall. You may also email your pledge to Hope Weinman in the Church Office. Thank you for supporting FPN.

As of April 9, we have received 88 pledges totaling $88,730. Our thanks go to:

Matt and Amanda Adams. Scott and Marcia Babcock, Larry and Karen Baker, James and Jamie Barber, John and Peg Carpenter, Noel Constantino, Bob Cullum, Betsey Detwiler, Peter and Roberta Fairbanks, Bernie and Bev Gardner, Jim and Bethany Gavin, George Goodwin, Ralph and Betsy Gordon, Cathy Harder-Bernier, Carl and Ellen Herling, Dave and Joyce Hockman, Steve Hurt, Joan Kenworthy, Chris and Peg Kitchenham, John McCann and Debbie Chase, John and Debi Meddaugh, Mary Mercier, Don and Joan Messinger, Jim and Marie Miller, Paul Bourque and Jeannette Mitchell, Cara Moretti, Joni Nahigian, Page Railsback, Greg and Tove Smith, Dexter and Sue Robinson, Paul and Becky Smock, Derek and Jen Sulc, Sue Sulc, Les and Marlon Taylor, and Duane and Sue Wilke.

For the Finance Committee,

John McCann

From the Parish Committee

Thank you all for participating in the Stewardship for Us weekend! The conversations were useful and a wonderful beginning for us as we continue through our stewardship campaign and dream together about our future. Stay tuned for more information about next steps in the coming months. And look forward to more "courageous conversations" together. If you weren't able to attend the conversation on Sunday, please click here to see the one-pager that Rev. Sara Green shared with the group.

With Appreciation,

Your Parish Committee

The Church (Office) Lady Says...

Here are answers to some questions that I am frequently asked:

I used to get the Spire but I don't anymore. What happened?

I create the Spire and all our other electronic communications using a program called Constant Contact. This is primarily a marketing tool. When an email provider updates their spam filters, we occasionally get flagged as being spam. (I'm looking at you, Gmail.) My standard suggestions are:

Check your spam or junk folder. Gmail users should check their promotions folder.
Make sure that this address is in your address book: office@firstparishnorwell.ccsend.com
Some email programs allow you to add an email address to a "Safe Senders" list.
If that still doesn't work, send me an email. More than one person has accidentally unsubscribed themself from receiving the Spire. I can check in Constant Contact and send you a link to re-subscribe if necessary.

How can I ask a question or offer feedback about something in the Spire?

Staff email addresses are linked at the very bottom of each Spire.
Articles about events almost always have a contact person linked.
If you simply click reply while you're reading the Spire, Rev. Susan's new monthly Insight and Inspiration letter, an event reminder or the Weekly Update, your email will come to me (Hope Weinman).

How can I get the Zoom link to an event?

You can join an event on Zoom either by clicking a link, or entering a meeting ID and passcode.
This information is in each Spire and Weekly Update.
Reminder emails are sent before each Sunday's worship service or the Weekly Check-In on Wednesdays.
View the calendar on our website. Click on event; a box will pop up for more information about an event. If it's on Zoom, the information will be included. The link to our worship services is also on the home page.
Zoom links are specific to each event. The link for Sunday worship changes each month.

Can I donate or pay my pledge online?

Visit our website and look for GIVE in the toolbar at the top.
Each Order of Service includes a QR code. Open the camera on your smart phone, and hold it over the QR code. It will bring you right to Vanco's (our online payment partner) website where you can donate securely.

Rev. Susan emailed me asking if I would buy some gift cards. What's up with that?

This is a popular scam that targets churches of all denominations. The emails are sent from an address that's almost identical to the minister's actual email address. Please be assured that Rev. Susan and the Church Office would never text, email or call individual members to seek funds in this way. Requests like that would come in a Spire or Constant Contact email this this one, or Susan or I would just take our FPN credit cards and buy what we need. You can simply delete these emails, or report them to your email provider.

If you have a question that I haven't covered here, please let me know!

Hope Weinman, Office Administrator

Annual Reports

Attention. committee chairs! It's time to submit an annual report. Our Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 2. Please plan to have your report in digital form to Hope Weinman in the Church Office by 9 am on Friday. May 17.

Committee chairs are invited to join Rev. Susan and Hope on Zoom on Wednesday, April 24 at 12 pm. We will answer your questions.about the annual report process.

click here to join

Meeting ID: 868 7885 9072

Passcode: 041297

Alliance Event

Join us for a talk by David Ball and Fred Freitas of Scituate about the 1898 Portland Gale and the Blizzard of 1978, two devastating benchmark storms, both tell of warnings ignored, which led to traumatic changes to the North River Valley and its residents. There are some surprising stories behind them. We are pleased to welcome them back. Join us for this wonderful program on Wednesday, April 17 at 10 am. Light refreshments will be served. Invite your friends.

Preemie Cap Project

The First Parish Knitters are thrilled to share that our hats are being donated to area Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and will also be included in gift baskets given to parents with newborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome throughout Massachusetts. We are working with Sweet Peas New England and Danielle's Angel Gowns, a Pembroke-based organization that, among many other things, provides hats to NICUs in and around Boston and the South Shore.

Hats can be knit or crocheted, and Sweet Peas also accepts outfits and costumes for the babies. To contribute a hat, please see Sue Robinson. Patterns and yarn are available on the Welcome Table outside the Parish Hall for those interested.

Side with Love Overpass Gatherings

The LGBTQ + Support Group welcomes all who wish to join us on the River Street overpass on Saturday, April 20 (rescheduled date) from 8-10 am. This is an opportunity to be a public witness to the South Shore being a welcoming and open-hearted space for individuals who are often marginalized due to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class or immigration status. You’re welcome to bring a sign, rainbow or trans pride flag and to dress in bright colors.

Future Side with Love gatherings will happen on the first Saturday of the month through November.

Shared Ministry Team - Right Relations Gathering

Members of our Shared Ministry team are offering this space on a bi-monthly basis for members and friends to come together and reflect on our Right Relations covenant and how we as a community are attending to our shared commitments. It's an opportunity to reflect, share feedback and be honest about our successes and growth edges as a community. Join them on Sunday, April 14 at 11:30 am in the Fogg Parlor. Child care will be provided.

Yoga

Program

Changes

The yoga class schedule has changed. Class will meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month (still at 7 pm). Participants will sign up via a text message to our instructor, Susan Walsh by 7 pm on Tuesday (339-933-1201) . A minimum of 5 people is needed to run the class. The price per class will go up to $15; students will pay Susan directly in cash or via Venmo. Susan is an excellent teacher who makes accommodations for all levels of fitness. We hope to see you April 25!

New Members/Visitors Series Continues

Sundays, April 28 and May 19 from 11:30 am-12:30 pm in the Fogg Parlor

All new members or those considering joining First Parish of Norwell are invited to a monthly discussion series. The next sessions will include information about the history of our congregation, information on church governance and leadership as well as the details around how stewardship and budgeting happens each year. If you would like to join one or all of these sessions, please let Rev. Susan know. Child care is provided.

Save the Date!

The next meeting of the Helen Fogg Outreach Committee will be on Sunday, April 21 from 11:30 to 12:30 pm in the Skylight Room. All are welcome.

Climate Justice Team

Rev. Susan is hosting our team on Friday, April 12 from 6-8 pm at the Parsonage (644 Main Street, Norwell). If you are passionate about the climate and want to learn more about what our group is up to - or - simply want to get more involved, join us! Reach out to Rev. Susan or Ellen Herling or Bernie Gardner for more information.

Passover Seder – Save the Date!

Mark your calendars now! On Friday, April 26 we will gather in the Parish Hall at 5 pm for a Passover Seder. This special meal tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt in a way filled with symbolism, ceremony, reverence, and gratitude. It will also be filled with fun! For more information, please see Amanda's letter at the top of this newsletter.

James Library and Center for the Arts

Are you looking for something fun to do with your kids during school vacation week? The James Library is offering indoor mini golf on Tuesday, April 16 from 11 am to 2 pm. The event is free, but registration is required.

The James is pleased to present a concert with international piano soloist Einav Yarden on Friday, April 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $40 ($30 seniors/$2o students). Please click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Mental Health Action Team Webinars

On Sunday, March 17 we hosted : "Social Media and Socializing" with Dr. Elizabeth Englander, Founder and Executive Director of Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) at Bridgewater State University. Here is the recording from that evening. (The recording will be available for 2 weeks.)

On Sunday, April 28 at 7 pm, join us for a Mental Health and Addiction webinar led by AnnMarie Galvin, Project Director of Scituate FACTS (Families, Adolescents and Communities Together Against Substances) and Mark Mulhern, Executive Director of South Shore Peer Recovery. Stay tuned to the Spire and social media for Zoom link. Due to the stigma surrounding the topic, this workshop will be set up as a private webinar, with only the presenters visible on the screen. The Zoom link will be shared closer to the event.

Mental Health Action Team Grant Program

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.

New Online Directory

We are moving closer to the finish line in regards to the new online church directory.

If you wish to add your photo to the directory, here's what you need to do:

Use your phone or tablet and take a selfie. Your camera is preset to the highest quality, which is great. All you need to do is send your photo to Heather Comeau. She will upload your photo to the directory for you.
If you don't feel comfortable taking your own photo, Becky Smock or Heather Comeau will gladly help you.

Unfortunately, photos from prior church directories are not available to us. Photos can be imported anytime, so if you don't get to this task, no worries. We can always add the photo later.

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 on Zoom.

Monday, April 15: "The Women" by Kristen Hannah

Monday May 20: "The River We Remember" by William Kent Krueger

click here to join

Meeting ID: 847 0898 5879

Passcode: Bookworms

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. Our meeting dates for the rest of the church year are: May 9 and June 13.