|
Weekly Newsletter of the
First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton
November 21, 2024
| | |
|
Worship Service:
Gratitude – Multigenerational Thanksgiving Service
Rev. Dr. Debra Haffner
Sunday, November 124 2024 at 10:15am
Join Rev. Debra for a multigenerational service on gratitude. Children and youth especially welcome. We will look at what it means to be deeply thankful, even in difficult times. We will celebrate the season with a juice and cornbread sharing ritual.
You may also join us on Zoom: https://bit.ly/fuusn-worship-2024-2025
Submit your Joys and Sorrows here.
| | |
|
Many of us are feeling deep concern about the impact of the election on our neighbors. Here is one action you can take right now to affect change: Urge your House Member to vote NO on HR 9495, the "nonprofit killer".
UUSJ (UUs for Social Justice) explains:
H.R. 9495 could allow the federal executive to investigate, harass, and, in effect, shutter any nonprofit organization based on unilateral accusations of wrongdoing. It provides a poorly checked opportunity to strip them of their tax-exempt status and thus dismantle a civil society entity. This includes news outlets, universities, and civil liberties organizations
This could also include organizations like UUSJ and other nonprofit entities like our congregations.
Take Action: Call (preferable) or email your House Representative and demand they vote "No" on HR 9495. Speak from your UU values or use these talking points:
- Vote no on HR 9495 as it is legislation that will stifle free speech, target political opponents, and punish groups
- It allows for the executive branch to dismantle any nonprofit without due process
- HR 9495 does not keep us safe; instead, it can be used to punish political advocacy and target nonprofit organizations that express viewpoints the government doesn't like
| |
Co-Ministers Away November 25-December 4, 2024
Rev. Debra and Rev. Joel will be on study leave from November 25 - November 30th, taking an intensive course at Modern Elder Academy, and then they will be visiting family in California until December 4th. They will not be checking their email. If you have a pastoral emergency, please reach out to the lay minister on duty. The lay minister will also be able to connect you to a local clergy person if needed.
Note: the FUUSN Office will also be closed Nov. 28-29, 2024 in observance of Thanksgiving.
| | | |
Welcome to Agatha Clancy, Our New Office Administrator
Agatha began work at FUUSN on Wednesday, November 20th. If you happen to visit FUUSN, please stop by and say hello!
| |
| | |
|
|
|
Holiday Fair: Tell Your Friends!
Families can have fun together working in the toy room. Sign up with your mentee/ mentor! Sign up with your small group! Click here to learn how to get involved and here to learn about donations. If you're making crafts for the Fair, it would be particularly helpful to let us know what you're bringing.
| | | |
Transgender Awareness Week
November 13-19 was Transgender Awareness Week, but it's not to late to become a stronger ally to those who are trans. Remember to stay active, speak up, and create safe spaces. Learn how to be a better ally: https://glaad.org/transgender/allies/
| |
| | |
Over 60s Ongoing Offerings for 2024-2025
Open to all Congregants
Walking Group – Contact Person: Ruth Comstock
“TELL IT” Zoom Group (bi weekly) enabling less mobile to stay in touch. Contact Person: Nancy Stanton: wait list
Pickleball Group – Contact persons: Brian Gill or Kevan Hartshorn
Women’s Group -- Contact Person: Alta Hodges
Men’s Groups – Contact Person: Chris Krebs
| | | |
UUSC Guest at Your Table Boxes Coming Dec. 1st
Our UUSC Guest at Your Table boxes will be distributed on Sunday December 1st and collected Sunday December 22. This supports the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. UUSC advances human rights worldwide. They partner with communities displaced by climate change, work with communities affected by natural disasters and economic hardship, support the right to safety and justice to asylum seekers, defend access to water. This program takes place during the holiday season. Gifts of $150 or more are matched by the UU Congregation in Manhasset, NY. Website for online donations: http://donate.uusc.org/fuusn24
Donations payable to UUSC can be sent to:
Guest at Your Table-UUSC
PO Box 808
Newark, NJ 07101-0808
| | | |
|
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 November in years past.
Tom Downey, 2008
Pamela Morgan, 2008
Bob Zeeb, 2009
Jane Stockton, 2010
Nuria Morey, 2011
John Sarvey, 2012
Mansooreh Saboori, 2013
Tony Winsor, 2013
George Psathas, 2018
Pierre Laurent, 2021
Ros Winsor, 2021
Levere Hostler, 2023
Mary White, 2023
Rosa Elisabeth Walker, 2024
| |
|
|
Fran's Retirement Party - Friday, November 22, 6:30-9:30pm
Come and celebrate the extraordinary 38 years of service that our beloved office administrator, Fran Clancy, has given to our community.
Our party will feature lots of delicious food and drinks and child care with activities. If you would like to help out, contact Jeannie Chaisson or sign up here. A memory book will be available for you to write in.
| | | |
Reparations Task Force Presentation: Following Indigenous Leadership - Sunday, November 24th at 11:45am
Please join us in person or on Zoom on Sunday, November 24th at 11:45 in the Alliance Room for a presentation by Jean-Luc Pierite (member, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana). Mr. Pierite is the President, Board of Directors, of the North American Indian Center of Boston. He is an Indigenous leader, activist, and designer with areas of focus in supporting distributed networks for education; public policy advocacy for racial, economic, and climate justice; and supporting philanthropic foundations committed to diversity and inclusion. Sponsored by the Reparations Task Force of the Racial Justice Ministry. A light lunch will be served.
| |
| | |
|
|
Memorial Service for Sarah and Octo Barnett - November 24, 2024, 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.
Join us on Zoom.
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
| | | |
|
Thursday, November 21
3:00-5:00pm: Soul Matters, Alliance Room
6-7:30pm: RE Committee Meeting, online
| |
Sunday, November 24
11:30-1pm: Reparations Task Force Presentation, Alliance Room
11:45am-1pm: Band Rehearsal, Sanctuary
4-6pm: Sarah and Octo Barnett Memorial Service, Sanctuary and Alliance Room
| | |
|
|
Social Action Speaker Lunch: Leadership Development in the Wake of the Recent Election Results - December 1, 2024 at 12pm
Everyone is invited for our monthly free lunch at noon after coffee hour in the Alliance Room (RSVP required). UU Rev. Jo Murphy will speak about her work as executive director of the UU Mass Action organization coordinating with all the UU congregations in Massachusetts. She will emphasize leadership development in the wake of the recent election results.
Learn more...
| | | |
|
|
Volunteer to Help at the Social Action Speaker Lunch on Dec. 1 after Coffee Hour
Help make Rev. Joe feel welcome! Sign up to set up, prepare lunch, run the slides and/or Zoom, and cleanup after. Use the QR code or sign up here.
| | | |
Volunteer to provide Coming of Age/Parents Night Out Childcare
Here’s a chance to get to know FUUSN children on a day that isn’t Sunday! We’re offering childcare for younger siblings during Coming of Age, and we're planning several Parents' Nights Out. Volunteer for childcare so that parents can have a night out! Not-so-fun fact: Did you know that babysitting can cost $25 - $35 an hour?????
| |
| | |
|
|
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/
| | | |
|
|
Parents Night Out - Friday, December 13, 2024, 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, starting on December 13. Reserve space for your kids today and plan that date night (RSVP required)!
| | | |
Soul Collage®: Images, Intuition, and Insight with Isabel Phillips, Ed.D - December 14, 2024, 9am-1pm
Take a break from your thinking brain and rest in your imagination and creativity! Follow what fascinates you. There will be images galore, meditative music, and grace-filled time to follow your curiosity and wonder.
SoulCollage® begins with the process of choosing and then combining images on a 5” x 8” card to create your own personal deck of SoulCollage® cards. What you learn from each new card draws you more deeply into your own wisdom, intuition and self-discovery.
Gift yourself with breakfast followed by three hours of spaciousness in community and see what you might bring into being!
Space is limited to 10 people, and the cost is $25 which includes breakfast and all card-making materials. Please email Devin to reserve your spot today. Reservation is not complete until payment is received.
| |
| | |
|
|
Newcomer Potluck - Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 6pm
If you are new or still feel new, or if you are reconnecting after being away for some time, you are invited to a potluck dinner in the Alliance Room at FUUSN on Saturday, December 14th at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Children are welcome and childcare will be provided if desired.
Please RSVP to tell us if you can come and what you would like to bring. We will provide beverages.
| | | | |
|
On Wednesday, November 13, Rev. Dr. Debra Haffner hosted a large group of Newton's religious and civic leaders to plan a grand Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration to be held here at FUUSN on January 20, 2025, 9-11am. This event will be will be televised and available on Zoom. We'll keep you informed with more details as they develop. | |
Thanks to everyone who made Music Sunday fantastic: our choir, band, Creationdance performers, readers, and technical support crew. Special thanks to children's book author Michael Hall, who gave us permission to stream a PDF of his book over Zoom as it was being read. | |
|
A VERY BIG Thank You to Dr. Kevan Hartshorn for a very valuable presentation this afternoon on the rapidly developing treatment approaches for many cancers. He took us through interesting cancer fighting cellular developments: blockers, use of targeting inhibitors or the awakening of the body's own immunity antibodies and how these three emerging medical approaches can work, each to match the needs of specific cancers.
Thank you, Kevan, for these new understandings!!
| |
|
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.
| | |
First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton www.fuusn.org | 617-527-3203 | | |
| | | |
