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The Point
Newsletter of the Universalist Unitarian Church
Rev. Severn Towl. Minister |
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The Point
Newsletter of the Universalist Unitarian Church
Rev. Severn Towl. Minister |
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September 2nd Love or
Money From Severn For those of you who have been “off” this summer, I want you to know how much I appreciated my May-June sabbatical! I know I have seen many of you, and said as much, but it never hurts to repeat. And now fall, and the start-up of the “regular” year, soon begins. Although the Craft Fair in July didn’t go, don’t forget about making things to sell at the church at the UU Mall around Thanksgiving and Christmas. My plans for this year ahead include focus on becoming a Green Sanctuary (more on this later), on beefing up our Religious Education program, and on involving more “new” folk in committee work. Fellowship needs some people, there is no Social Concerns committee or Adult Education committee, and so on. Please be thinking about where you would like to make your contribution. As you filter back into church, be sure to gaze in awe at the Averill Parlors. Linda Lee, Connie Winship, Kathy McKay, and maybe others have been so hard at work cleaning, painting, organizing, gussying, that you just will hardly believe it! Some new flooring will go down in the nursery, making that room easier to keep clean. Also, Janet is working on getting our new Directory together, so please give her all your information, with e-mail changes, if any, soon. I’d like to put out some ideas here. If you see one you’d like to be involved with, speak up! How about a big Winter Solstice celebration at the church? No bonfire, I know, but singing, drumming, dancing, cidering, readings, and so on? How about several cartloads of people heading to the District Fall Conference in Biddeford on October 5th-6th ? How about marking your calendars before long to do some Christmas caroling, either downtown or for nursing homes or at the Homeless Shelter or …? Finally, remember that 2007 is still our church’s 175th Anniversary. Take time to read the time line around the walls of the sanctuary. More celebrations lie ahead! President’s Message "The beginning is the most important part of the work." Plato As I begin my term as president, I am filled with a mixture of emotions. Fear of the unknown being the primary one, but also anticipation and eagerness to do the work of our church. I welcome any and all advice and ideas you may have on how we can make this, our spiritual and community home, a better place. I look forward to the start of the Capital Campaign this fall, for as much as this is our spiritual home, its physical body needs work! We have done great things this past year, with a new heating system, removal of the cupola before it removed itself, and the bright and beautiful updating of Averill Parlors. As we all know, there is much more to be done. I would like to welcome Evan Thomas as our pianist/organist; the music sounds good! I'd also like to wish John Kuehne and Debbie Stuart and their family much luck in Texas, they will be greatly missed. I hope everyone has enjoyed the lovely days of summer, whether they have stayed home or been on vacation. Hoping also that your gardens and joys are bountiful and weeds and sadnesses few.
Welcome back and welcome
home! Among Ourselves Let’s keep Bill Taylor, Phyl Taylor’s son, in our prayers. He has been diagnosed with a cancer (caught early, fortunately!). Many thanks to our grand Lawn Sale crew for a job WELL DONE. Nancy Sanborn requests that she be contacted by phone rather than email when topics are time-sensitive. Important Reminders Severn’s day off is Monday. Though there are no regular office hours, messages left at church are checked at least once each day, and Severn can be reached at home to make an appointment at your convenience. Remember those name tags we keep bugging you about? If you took yours home, bring it back to church! If you need one (or a new one), put your name on the list on the board in the vestibule (or call or email Janet Ayotte). If you or your committee needs to schedule something, please remember to check the calendar in Averill Parlors, and to put your event on it. Annual Church Yard Sale On Saturday, July 7th, we had our most successful lawn sale ever, netting a grand total of nearly $6,000, including Zone4 Perennials. The rain held off, the crowds showed up, and lots of volunteers were there to make it all happen. Among the many volunteers: Picked Up Donations Scott Price, Sue Cook Sorted Donations, July 2nd-6th Sue Cook, Karen Kusiak, Lee Anna Stirling, Jan Mathieu, Robert Wellock, Terri Hibbard, Steve Lauder, Sarah Webster, Rachel M-S, Diane Wheeler, Kristin Majeska, Kathy McKay and Kit Alexander. Beautified the Grounds Bill Marsh-Sachs filled 8 trash bags with weeds. Set Up at 7:30 the Day of the Sale Bill and Linda Lee, Ray and Connie Winship, Lynne Boyd, Andy Vayo, Jean-Marc Duplessis, Don Naber, Harry Vayo, Linda Woods, Sarah Webster. Sold at Booths Edie Keller, Kathy McKay, Jon Rogers, Meg Wickes, Marilyn Wheeler, Linda Davis, Jan Mathieu, Lynne Boyd, Diane Savona, Sue & Charlie Morrill, Sarah Webster, Beth Schiller, Peter Burgher, Jim Cook, Ray & Connie Winship, Gale Davison & her mother Blanche, Eva Goulette, Karen Kusiak & daughter Julia, Gi Reed, Rosemary Winslow, Jody Rich, Deb Rich-Colton, David Wynne, Don Naber, Jerry Saint Amand, Rachel & Bill M-S, Dylan Jose, Manny M-S, Richard Dillenbeck Cleaned Up John Likins, Ave Vinick, Margrit Thomas Thank you to everyone who helped that day and the week prior, who donated items and who bought items at the sale. What a team! Coming Events Coming in October-November, a six- week curriculum on “An Amazing Journey: The Universe and Me.” This is a program designed by Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd on the “universe story,” and will be offered (if enough people sign up) after church on Sundays starting October 7th and running through November 11th. All are welcome. Bring lunch--each session lasts about one and a half hours. There will be a sign-up downstairs around the middle of September. Church Directory Update It's time again to update the church directory. If you need to update/change your phone number, mailing address, or e-mail, please contact Janet at welcome@uuc-wtvl.org. Also, if anyone recognizes any of the addresses below, please let me know. They seem to be incorrect, and any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Janet
gath@uninets.net Order of Worship Covers As part of our church's 175th Anniversary celebration, we will be featuring a variety of original covers on upcoming Orders of Worship. We're not being too radical here -- we will still have a chalice design. We are asking people from our congregation to draw a chalice design to be used on the cover of the order of service for one week. We are soliciting your creation to grace our covers. We hope to receive designs from all ages in our congregation, including our children. As soon as we receive chalice designs, we will start using them on Sundays. This is no time to be shy! We all have some artistic ability. Let's share it with each other during our 175th celebration year! Your chalice designs may be given to Severn. Linda Lee New Posters Please take notice of the “Welcoming Congregation” posters which have been placed in various locations in the church over the summer. The first poster, Celebrate Community—Honor Diversity, located in the foyer, speaks simply about celebration of people in general; the second poster, Unfortunately History Has Set the Record a Little Too Straight, located in Averill Parlors, identifies famous past and contemporary gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender men and women. This latter poster is a work in progress, and you are invited throughout the year to add names of other known (“out”) GLBT artists, musicians, leaders, athletes, politicians, writers, etc. Slips of paper and push pins are located adjacent to the poster for this purpose. Both posters speak to the UU principle of affirming -- celebrating -- the contributions of all people regardless of race, age, gender, disability, religious affiliation or sexual orientation. Religious Education News and Notes The Religious Education program for the 2007-2008 church year begins on Sunday, September 9th. As always, there will be programs available for children and youth from pre-school to high school. We have an exciting and engaging year planned for all ages. In our Sunday School programs, we consider and explore the world around us, the nature of our relationships with each other, UU religious traditions and principles, the religious traditions of our own Judeo-Christian culture, the religious traditions of other cultures in this country and around the world, and the eternal questions that all religious traditions seek to answer. We explore these through art and music, through study and discussion, and through experience and social action. In addition, the friendships and relationships the children and youth form with each other, and with adults in our church community, are very important aspects of our RE program. Regular attendance and active participation in the RE program is critical to develop and sustain these important relationships. We always need volunteers to lead RE groups for different age groups. You don’t need to be a parent to participate in the program and to contribute in very significant ways to the spiritual development of the children and youth in our church community. If you are interested in serving as an RE leader (no more than once per month), or on the Religious Education committee, please contact Mark Tappan, Director of Religious Education, at 877-6675 or mbtappan@colby.edu. You may also contact other members of the Religious Education Committee: Kerry Jarosz, Linda Lee, Scott Price, and Lassandra Yang. Note that there is no RE until September 9th when there will be a special group activity for elementary and junior youth; the only other scheduled RE for September is on September 23rd when RE classes resume for all age levels. Nursery Volunteers Many of you will recall that our safety policy requires that we have an adult in the nursery during the service, along with our paid babysitter, "just in case." Taking one turn during the year makes this a pretty easy volunteer experience. Add to that getting to spend a little time with lovable infants and toddlers, and watching the fabulous Ayotte sisters in action, and you've got a pretty enticing opportunity here. Be sure to sign up or say "yes!" when asked. Thanks. Call Kathy McKay at 453-9036 or email at thunder@roadrunner.com. September Nursery Volunteers: September 9th Jon Rogers September 16th Lisa Licterfeld September 23rd Keenan or Lassandra Yang September 30th Kristin Majeska Senior Youth Group The Senior RE group meets on the first and third Sundays of the month. Our routine has been to meet in Averill Parlors at 9:30, walk to Jorgenson's together, purchase food, and discuss a subject or just visit. Occasionally we get together to hike, attend a movie, etc. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to call or email us. Bill & Rachel Marsh-Sachs 547-3101 or email zone4@gwi.net Official Welcome We would like to officially welcome our new pianist/organist, Evan Thomas. We all know Evan – he has “grown up” in the church, played our special music (sometimes with his own compositions!), and is a multi-talented musician. He has ’lowed as how it’s okay for Severn to tease him and he “takes direction well.” Please give him your support and encouragement. Northeast District UU Women & Religion Fall Retreat. Attention UU Women of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire! The annual Fall Retreat at Rockcraft Retreat Center in Sebago Lake, is scheduled for the weekend of October 26-28th. The theme for the weekend is “Roots Hold Me Close,” and facilitators will be exploring that theme in workshops which include Sacred Circle Dancing, Harvest Wreathmaking, a facilitated discussion on Women & Sex, a sharing circle on Exploring our Spiritual Roots and Watercolor Painting. For more information see the brochure posted on the church bulletin board in Averill Parlors, or go online to www.uuwomenandreligion.blogspot.com, or email at fbleslie@maine.rr.com , or call (207) 284-4401. Coffee Hour Welcome to one of the social aspects of the new church year: Coffee Hour, the time we nibble a little, sip a bit, and connect with our pew companions. Everyone has an equal opportunity to take a turn hosting the coffee hour, and sign-up sheets will be available, as always. After two years of signing up volunteers for this task, Sarah Seder is stepping down as Hospitality Coordinator, so if you have questions or want to take a turn, contact Claire Prontnicki, who returns to this job after a long break (with help from Kathy McKay). Or just sign up on the sheet in Averill Parlors. This is a good activity to do with a partner: arrive about 9:00 am with some munchies (home-made or store-bought), some juice, and a small container of cream for coffee; start the hot water and the coffee (packets of fair-trade coffee and directions are provided), put out tea bags, sugar, cups and spoons, and you’re ready to go upstairs and enjoy the service.
Help and inspiration are available for those new to volunteering. If you are interested, contact Claire Prontnicki at prontnicki@verizon.net or 873-5894.
September Caterers September 9 Sue Cook and Sarah Seder September 16 September 23 September 30 Nancy Brooks and Hubert Keuter
Online POINT For those of you who are interested, you can access the POINT online at http://www.uuc-wtvl.org/Point.htm or go to the UU Church website and click on the “POINT” link. You can read any of the past POINT issues from this site. Additionally, we can upload pictures from church events, such this summer’s Yard Sale, and these can be viewed at your leisure. Some of you have already signed up with Janet Ayotte to be informed when the online POINT is ready; if you now would rather receive a hard copy, contact Janet ( welcome@uuc-wtvl.org ). Conversely, if you are currently receiving a hard copy and would prefer to only view the online version -- again, contact Janet.
Online viewing saves paper and also decreases the amount of money spent to mail issues that are not picked up at the fourth Sunday service.
Families Joined by Love A unique new resource offering books, resources and a comprehensive online community for GLBT parents, their children, and health care professionals is available online at www.familiesjoinedbylove.com
Report from the 2007 UU General Assembly The
following are excerpts from a lengthy, well-written
report by Jim Easton. His complete report can be
accessed by In June I attended the 2007 General Assembly. I was excited to be going. I was glad to arrive. But nothing prepared me for the GA experience. I was overwhelmed by the vast number of UUs (over 5,000) and the enormous volume of information available every day through workshops and the presentations by “breakout” congregations at the daily plenary sessions. I have said, “it was like drinking from a fire hose.” I got involved in matters of “accessibility,” confronting my difficulties with hearing. GA staff were very much attuned to alleviating accessibility problems as a justice issue. I was impressed by moving stories of public witness by representatives of other “Welcoming Congregations.” I was encouraged to rally you to do whatever it takes to become a certified “Green Congregation.” I learned about the concept of “Right Relation” wherein all stereotypes are laid down and the inherent worth and dignity of every person is a part of every activity and conversation. I tried to discover a “magic bullet” that would make our capital campaign sail to success. There is none I am sorry to report. I was drawn to a workshop on the situation in Darfur, Sudan. The story that Darfurian exile Omer Ismail told us moved me to tears; simply horrible and beyond my reckoning. More information is available to you through the UUSC website or www.savedarfur.org It is incumbent upon all of us to speak out, to write letters, to boycott, to picket or whatever to make our outrage plain. We have all subscribed to a response to the Holocaust of WWII of “NEVER AGAIN.” Well, it is happening AGAIN right now to the aboriginal Africans of Darfur. All in all GA awakened me; it inflated my passions. I am also overwhelmed by my singularity, my humanity, my lack of emotional strength, so the passion deflates as I take stock of our community at large, our congregation and my own shortcomings. It is better, for now, to narrow focus and work on one thing to realize some accomplishment. I pray each of us will embrace some cause or “high purpose,” whatever it may be. If your passion is the same as mine, I pray we will find each other and synergize. Next year GA is in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We should send a contingent. A team would support each other in covering topics, journaling, etc. I was a guppy in the ocean. May we all be instruments of justice. Jim Easton Northeast District Our church, the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville is a member of the Northeast District (NED) of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The UUA is the body politic of our denomination; it came up with our Seven Principles, prints our hymnals and organizes the giant town meeting that runs our denomination, the General Assembly. Our church pays dues for each of our members to both the UUA and the NED. Belonging to the UUA provides a link for us to all the other UUs around the world. Unitarian Universalism has wide and loving arms as a denomination, or association of congregations as our leaders are wont to think of us lately. Given the breadth of spiritual experience and study we encompass, the people who work for the UUA and NED should be interesting, dynamic and committed. Not withstanding that I am the Secretary of the NED, in my experience the folks working for the UUA and NED are interesting, dynamic and committed. Last spring the NED, with help from the UUA, hired Bennette Sherman as Program Consultant for religious education; she will fill the role in which Helen Zidowecki served so well for so long. Bennette comes to the NED from the Mid-West and has worked in religious education for many years. I was lucky to serve on the committee that hired Bennette, and the way the committee went about the process of selecting Bennette highlights the way our denomination works. The UUA narrowed the field of applicants to 3 for our committee to interview, and one of the three dropped out just before the interviews. Serving on the committee were religious educators from the NED and New Hampshire/Vermont District. We met in Concord, New Hampshire, on a Friday night to discuss the procedure we’d use. On Saturday we conducted the interviews, advocated for our choices and voted. The group worked through our differences in a marvelously respectful, but lively exchange of opinions, ultimately reaching consensus. Having worked through hiring procedures in many venues, I was impressed and very gratified by the way this one worked. The UUA took an active role providing Harlan Limpert to help facilitate the process, and Mary Higgins, the NED District Executive also participated. Both had a vote, but did not try to use their positions as leverage to dominate the meetings. It was an elegant and efficient procedure all the way around; I felt enriched having participated. I write about this experience to let you know that behind our rich but sometimes quirky and sometimes awkward language is an entity that embodies our Principles and Purposes; it invites you to participate and to use it for your own spiritual journey. At the Annual Meeting last April the NED voted to consolidate with the New Hampshire/Vermont District. If you have an idea for the new name of the District go on the NED website ( www.ned-uua.org ) and follow the directions for how to enter. We will go from being the smallest district in the UUA to one of the largest, with the concomitant opportunities and risks such a change entails. The NED Board of which I am a part will cease to exist after our 2008 meeting to be replaced by a Board representing the new district. Challenges and opportunities await the formation of the new district, and if you have questions or suggestions to ease the transition please let me know. I look forward to lending our congregation’s curiosity, intelligence and faith to the new endeavor.
Jonathan Rogers September 2007
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Saturday,
September 22, 2007 Remembering and celebrating Steve Kierstead
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