Happy Valentine's Day, February 14, 2025

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

FUUSN Office Closed on Monday, February 17, 2025 for Presidents' Day

We will reopen at 9am on Tuesday, February 18th as usual.

Mission: Possible! Pledge Drive Kick-off Party

Saturday, March 1, 2025, 7pm, Parish Hall

Join us for an extravaganza of musical talent, organized and produced by the intrepid Anne Watson Born! Rumor has it that Rev. Joel will perform – don't miss it!

This year, rather than many small house parties, we are gathering as one fantastic community at a large after-dinner party to kick off our Annual Pledge Drive and showcase the tremendous creativity and talent our community offers. Our music program is just one of the truly extraordinary features of FUUSN that deserve our support, so sit back and enjoy the show as you snack on hors d'oeuvres and desserts created by your fellow FUUSNites. Beer, wine, and soft drinks will be served.

Visit the website for more information!

We need volunteers to make this event a success!

Sign up to volunteer. Bring dessert or help at the event!

Do I need to RSVP?

RSVP here. Suggested but not required.

Become part of possible as we reach our giving goal!

Great Resource for Contacting Congress

Activists are suggesting that we each call our Congressional Representative and Senators each day to protest the latest federal actions that hurt our neighbors. 5 Calls (https://5calls.org/). is a fantastic resource, that lists the pressing issues, scripts for your calls, and a direct way to dial Congressman Auchincloss, Senator Markey, and Senator Warren with your concern. Rev. Debra is committing to five calls a week - will you join her?

Replace the Newton Seal

According to the Newton Beacon, the Newton City Council has delayed its vote on replacing the racist city seal (dating back to the 1600's) with a new modern illustration of city hall for two weeks. Please email citycouncil@newtonma.gov  today to deliver your message of support to each of the 24 councilors.  

UUA Joins Lawsuit Challenging ICE's "Sensitive Locations Policy"

We are proud to share with you that the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has joined with a multifaith coalition and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection to bring a lawsuit challenging Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) “sensitive locations policy.” The case,  Mennonite Church USA et al. v. United States Department of Homeland Security et al., was filed in federal district court in Washington, DC. Churches, as well as schools and hospitals, had previously been protected from ICE enforcement actions, but a Department of Homeland Security memo rescinded that protection on January 20th.

Please read the entire UUA Executive Message for more information and suggestions for how you can get involved.

Still Time to Bid in the Services Auction

If you missed the Services Auction on February 1st, you can still bid on some great services. Below is a link to the on-line catalog which lists the services available. If you are interested, please send your bids to Pat Rohan. A few things:

Several of the items have set bid amounts, either because they were originally offered that way or because the bid amount was determined by bids at the Services Auction. For items where there is a set price, it will be first come, first served. So please do not delay.

For items with competitive bidding, Pat will update the competing bidders on what the leading bid is.

Please note that some items have a set date.

The deadline for submitting bids is Monday, February 19th at midnight. View the available services here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yXi4mlGv-6y9ZcFdz-kLPZYJqpsA98Wn/view

Donations Needed for Rosie's Place

The FUUSN Housing Crisis Committee, organized and headed by FUUSN youth Skye Larson and Emily Riordon, is sponsoring a drive on behalf of Rosie’s Place. We will be collecting donations of items needed by the unhoused women who are Rosie’s Place clients. Please help us provide this small bit of comfort to these women.

The items they are requesting include:

• Personal care items in SMALL (travel) or REGULAR sizes, such as  
• Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Floss
• Deodorant, Soap, Body Wash
• Lip Balm, Face Cream, Hand Lotion
• Shampoo, Conditioner
• Hand Sanitizer, Wipes
• Personal care items – same as above, but FULL-SIZE; and in addition:
• Disposable shaving razors
• Hairbrushes, picks, and combs
• Elastic hair ties

Sunday, February 16th is the last opportunity to donate. There are two boxes set out for collection, one in the narthex and one in the parking lot vestibule. Please bring your donations on Sunday (or any time) and leave them in one of the two boxes.

Thank you for helping us offer comfort and dignity to Rosie’s Place clients.

Honor a Loved One, Anniversary, or Something Special by Decorating the Chancel

The Chancel in the front of the Sanctuary is decorated for each Sunday service by either the Chancel Art Committee or a member of the FUUSN community with support from the committee. Decorating is creative and fun and there is a wide range of options for flowers and decor that you can purchase or arrange with help from one of the committee members.

Please consider signing up for one or more weeks. This is a gift to the whole community and a beautiful way to honor someone or something meaningful to you. Your contribution will be acknowledged with a message or note that you can write for the order of service for that week.

You can find the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board opposite the FUUSN office or as part of the Sunday Services Roles signup (look for Chancel Decoration).

Call for Summer Services

Summer Sunday services at FUUSN are lay-led and informal, taking place in the Parish Hall and via Zoom. Please let us know if you have:

• Feedback about summer services
• An idea for a summer service that you would like to lead (perhaps to share a personal journey, explore an issue, share some music, consider a favorite thinker)
• An idea about a service that you hope others might lead  

Send ideas and feedback to Curt Lamb or call 617-895-8208.

Alternative Coffee Hour

Sunday, February 16, 2025, 11:40am

Are you looking for a different way to experience coffee hour? After you grab your coffee, feel free to join a small group (7 or 8) of fellow FUUSNites to discuss topics arising from the service. Just come to the Member Services table and you will be assigned to a group and meeting room at random.

Dinners for 7

February 22, 2025 at 6pm

Dinners for 7 is a great opportunity to socialize with a small group at a member's home. Everyone brings an assigned dish, and the host provides the main dish.

Sign up to host or to attend a dinner.

Any questions, please email Lynne Karlson.

FUUSN Musicians Concert

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 2-4pm

Come and hear the wonderful musicians of the First Unitarian Universalist Society in concert on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2pm in the FUUSN Sanctuary. This concert is a fundraiser for the UU Urban Ministry. You’ll hear classical chamber music by pianist Paul Antonucci, cellist Debra Minard, and guitarist Bob MacWilliams. Of course, the intrepid FUUSN Band will be rocking the house. Enjoy the fantastic array of musical styles and moods: a cappella singing, classical works, bluegrass tunes, jazz and more. And we’ll continue our tradition of Cookies at Intermission!

The concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted for the UU Urban Ministry.

Over 60s Event: How to Tell a True Personal Story

Sunday, March 2, 2025, 11:45am-1:45pm

Telling true personal stories is sharing what it is like to be human. We connect - tellers and listeners - because true heartfelt stories, whether joyful, poignant, or funny, illuminate how we are really all the same. Crafting a personal story can also be a powerful way to find meaning in your life.

Introduction to Storytelling: Open to all!!

On Zoom and in-person attendees in the Alliance Room (zoom link to be posted later). Learn more on our website.

We hope to see you on March 2, 2025, 11:45 – 1:45 pm! A light lunch will be served at 11:30 am. Alliance Room.

Eleuthera Trio Concert at FUUSN

Saturday, March 8, 2025, 3pm

The Eleuthera Trio, a Boston area-based piano trio (Lois Shapiro, piano, Francine Trester, violin & Julie Reimann, cello), will perform at 3pm on Saturday March 8th, 2025, at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton. The concert benefits the PKD Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder that results in kidney failure requiring transplant for survival. This concert is in memory of Trio member Lois Shapiro's brother Paul Steven Shapiro (1947-1981), who died from PKD. We hope you will join us for an afternoon of music and community.

Tickets and Details - The program includes the Poulenc Trio, Mozart Kegelstatt Trio, and Dvorak Dumky Trio. Admission is free, although donations to the PKD Foundation are gratefully accepted and can be made to reserve tickets online or at the door.