Dear Members and Friends of First Parish, From the Climate Action Team! We Need You! Life Needs You! Its not hard! Take the First Parish Climate Change Challenge Be The First To Complete the Challenge! Anyone Can Participate Big Celebration on Sunday April 25 About the Power of Community to Effect Change! What Is It? Between now and April 25th do these 4 things: 1. Practice Meatless Mondays. 2. Read three articles about the carbon tax legislation being proposed in Massachusetts. If you agree, take one action in support of it: malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H2532 www.greenworldrising.org carbontax.org 3. Investigate companies that can offer electricity completely derived from renewable resources. It may cost a few cents more per kilowatt hour. If you can’t afford that, you still get credit for learning about it! Mass Energy Consumers Alliance www.massenergy.org 4. Sign the postcard available in Scott Hall every Sunday in support of the new EPA standards put forth by President Obama (through the Clean Air Act) for industry. Each time you complete one send an e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected]; or leave a message on the church phone afterhours 508-872-3111. Reverend Kathleen Hepler The Steeple VOL 8 NO. 3 March 1, 2015 First Parish in Framingham Unitarian Universalist A Welcoming Congregation Minister’s Column LENT FOR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS The snow is relentless. The lists are long. The news grim. What can the Christian season of Lent mean this year to us as religious liberals? In the Biblical stories, Jesus went into the wilderness to fast and pray; to face the demons within himself as he prepared for his public ministry. With the touch of ashes on foreheads, Christians typically make a decision to give up something as a sacrifice for spiritual deepening. It used to be that most Christians fasted from all food on Ash Wednesday, and, then, gave up one thing for 40 days. These days, some do this… many don’t. I wonder, what if we, Unitarian Universalists, take Lent seriously. From what might we fast so that something else more nourishing can emerge in us and through us as we live our lives? As a citizen with privilege in a land of excess I have tried to keep the many in the world who have little power or material “stuff” in mind with my Lenten decisions. “Please God, help me to let go of my stuff!” is so much the prayer of us “haves” as to be spiritually embarrassing from the get-go. Still, I have to start where I am and make choices that allow that privilege to work for love and justice. (continued on page 2) Worship Services, 10 am Sunday, March 1 All Our Relations Dr. Dan McKanan Sunday, March 15 Loneliness and Solitude The Worship & Arts committee welcomes Dr. Dan McKanan from the Harvard Divinity School to our pulpit. His sermon will reflect on the people, animals, plants, and even animate objects to whom we are related. How does our special love for certain fellow beings shape our respect and care for the interdependent web? Sunday, March 8 The Genius of Community Rev. Kathleen Hepler What was the number one reason that was given for why people become part of First Parish in Framingham Unitarian Universalist? Community. There are fewer and fewer places where people can commit themselves to that which abides in our church. 1 Rev. Kathleen Hepler A reflection on the meaning and relationship of these two human experiences. Sunday, March 21 Fifty Shades of Grace Rev. Kathleen Hepler Sunday, March 28 Diving In and Letting Go Rev. Kathleen Hepler We cannot know ahead of time the results of the efforts of our commitments; yet having them makes all the difference. This is a service about both choosing to shape our lives AND releasing them to something greater than ourselves. Minister’s Column (continued) So here is what I will do on the 40 days of Lent: I will fast from acquiring unnecessary “stuff”. Not because this will impact the world that much, but because less management of things will free me up to participate more in the work that is needed to heal the world. AND because I seek more time to enjoy the world. I will… - give away or recycle one thing each day - resist buying anything that is not for basic living needs -bank the money saved from non-essential spending and give it away for good purpose I will fast from despair and feast on hope. So then….each day of Lent I will: -limit my reception of the general news to 3 chosen outlets twice a day -set my phone to an hourly reminder to take a five minute gratitude/beauty break -spend a minimum of a half hour a day learning more deeply about these two chosen issues: Global Climate Change and Economic Inequality From the Board of Assessors Service Opportunity: Taskforce to Evaluate the Future of 110 Edgell Road The Board is now working to convene a taskforce of First Parish Members to help evaluate options for the future of our 110 Edgell Road property. Over the next six months, this group will gather information from a variety of First Parish stakeholders and outside advisors to help us think through the choices we face about keeping, renting, or selling all or parts of the land and building. If this is an issue that is important to you, particularly if you have experience or knowledge in the relevant areas of law, real estate, or Framingham planning, zoning and historical boards, we hope you will consider joining this taskforce. In addition to task force meetings and email collaboration, members should expect to spend time on research and historical document review, meetings with First Parish members, and consultation with experts outside of the church. If you are interested, please contact Beth Walton at [email protected] by March 15, 2015. The Board will select taskforce members from among those who are interested. -take one action each day for one of these issues -conspire to put myself in the way of grace and beauty and joy with people I love every week. This year I will be intentional about the season of Lent. The Easter I seek is to be ever more present in the nurturing of the beloved community on earth that Jesus so ably and bravely modeled. To my community of fellow travelers at First Parish… you are those who help me feast on hope. To those who might be thinking about joining our community…see you Sunday at 10! With Love, Rev. Kathleen Hepler CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROGRESS To all of those who have pledged, a heartfelt thanks. We raised $153,000 in pledges and $1,500 at the Rock Concert donated by Big Red Sun, The Mighty Winds and The Saints and Sinners Choir. A special thanks to Steve and Sarah Mittleman for the wine. There is still time to pledge. Last date is March 15th and final payment is December 15, 2015. We are appreciative of donations in any size. —The Capital Campaign Committee The Season of Nominations: Opportunities for Lay Leadership At First Parish, our success in realizing our mission depends on lay leaders who embrace the stewardship of our congregation and dedicate their time, often behind the scenes, to keep our church running smoothly. Each year the Nominating Committee begins its work to identify individuals who are willing to serve in the positions we elect at annual meeting. Among these: members of the Board of Assessors and Trustees; the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer; the Collector, Clerk, Auditor, Registrar and Moderator; the By-Laws and Canvass Committee Chairs; and finally the members of the Nominating Committee itself. These positions vary in the time and skills they require, but each one provides opportunity to deepen your connection to our work. If you would like to serve or are interested in learning more about these positions, please contact Nominating Committee Co-Chairs Diane Montgomery ([email protected] or 508-254-4476) or Ilene Hofrenning ([email protected]). 2 Religious Exploration way. How do you embrace where they start but encourage them not to finish there? 9. A desire for greater purpose. Millennials will not stay long at work or causes that have little greater meaning or purpose. Is your mission and vision clear, compelling and inexhaustible? 10. Personal mission. People aren’t waiting for someone to change the world, they’ll just do it. How is your vision motivating people who have vision? 11. Trust in user reviews. People place far more trust in user reviews than advertising copy. What are others saying about your organization and how would people find that out? Here are the 12 trends in no particular order: 12. The death of cash and cheques. When was the 1. Online as the New Default. What are you doing to last time you wrote a cheque or paid $500 cash for embrace the online world beyond a barely-supported something? No one does that anymore. But every and moderately outdated website, podcast or FaceSunday most church leaders expect most of their ofbook page? fering to come in via cash or cheque. Is most of your 2. Wifi and Smartphones. They are googling you giving happening online? Why not? while you’re speaking. Do you assume your audience is intelligent, literate and has options? 3. Dialogue. People want to talk, not just listen. What Roberta Altamari, our Interim DRE is pleased to invite everyone to Themed Discussions scalable, meaningful venues do you have for people to All are enthusiastically welcome! Note there have go to online and inhouse for real conversation? been schedule changes. 4. Loyalty. Brand loyalty is low. 4 of the top 5 global Cultural Trends Church Leaders Shouldn’t Igcompanies didn’t exist 40 years ago. How are you showing the relevance of an ancient faith to the cur- nore. Monday, March 9 at 7pm in the Memorial Room. A future talk , if there is interest, is rent generation? “Connecting to Other UU’s and How Doing So Benefits 5. Lack of guilt. Guilt used to motivate people to Us”. change and even to come to faith. Are you still using guilt to motivate people? 6. Declining trust in authority. People will still trust Mystery Friends are coming…. authority when the authority has earned their confi- The R.E. Council will be welcoming sign-ups for our dence. But they start out with suspicion. More than beloved “Mystery ever, trust is earned slowly and lost instantly. How is Friends” program on the way you exercise authority worthy of people’s Sundays, March 8th confidence? and 15th. It will be 7. Declining trust in institutions. You have to even more fun this show people how an organization can help them, beyear as letters will cause by default, they don’t think it/you can or will. be mailed to your How are you demonstrating trustworthiness? home! And we will be exchanging home-made gifts (or 8. Personalized, eclectic spirituality. People want very in-expensive bought gifts if you’re not feeling creato find their own unique path, and most start out that tive) on April 12th at Social Hour. Because of the snowstorms last month, I wasn’t able to lead a discussion on a topic I was very excited to talk to you about. Inspired by an online essay/list called "12 Cultural Trends Church Leaders Can't Ignore (But Might)" on careynieuwhof.com, I am eager to talk about these trends and how they affect us here at First Parish. In awe of the significance of this exploration, I am sharing my column with excerpts from this list. Join me on Monday, March 9th from 7 to 8pm to talk together about how we can prepare to meet these cultural changes with enthusiasm and poise ourselves for future growth. 3 Religious Exploration Help Wanted in our RE program Discussion about Five Wishes • The RE programs needs two assistants for our Justice Sunday on March 22nd and our special Sunday on April 5th. No skill is necessary. Just come and help out as needed. • The RE program and the YRUU youth group are both welcoming ideas and leadership for onetime special events. Do you have a craft, game, or other activity that you love that you think the teens would enjoy? Let us know. • The YRUU youth group needs chaperones for an overnight they want to do on Saturday, March 14 into Sunday, March 15. Only requirements are that you can stay awake for a three hour stretch. Extra would be that you like talking/ hanging with teens. Join Roberta Altamari, Interim DRE, for a talk about Five Wishes. Five Wishes is changing the way America talks about and plans for care at the end of life. Five Wishes lets your family and doctors know: who you want to make health care decisions for you when you can't make them; the kind of medical treatment you want or don't want; how comfortable you want to be; how you want people to treat you; and what you want your loved ones to know. Attend the discussion in the Memorial Room on either of the following dates: ⇒ Monday, March 16th 6:30 - 8pm ⇒ Wednesday, March 18th 10 -11:30am. Contact Roberta at [email protected] about any of the above activities. Music Notes I am so very excited to be the new Music Director at First Parish, Framingham! For the past 18 years, I have worked at UU Churches, and in the words of our minister Kathleen Hepler, am “UU on a cellular level.” Our choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00. (In the fall, we will switch to a Wednesday evening rehearsal time, as that works better for most people’s schedules.) We have a lot of fun together and produce a lot of beautiful music, too. New members are always welcome. No previous musical experience is necessary; we will help you learn. Several musicians in the church community have already approached me about playing during worship. If there are others of you out there, let me know. I love to see/hear members of the congregation participating in worship in this way. I live on the north shore (Salisbury) with my two precious dogs, Louise and Tucker. My commute to First Parish typically takes just over an hour. When asked why I would work at a church so far from my home, my typical response is, “It’s a UU thing.” This liberal religion is part of my soul. Happy Music-Making! Claudia Keyian, Music Director 4 Caring through Sharing Around The Parish There are many ways to "lend a hand" and deepen your connection to First Parish and the wider community. New ways to get connected : There is a new bulletin board outside of the minister's office with information about ways you can help. There will be a table during coffee hour once a month which will have the high need items for the following month. Sign-up to receive a monthly e-mail listing ways you can share you time or talent in the coming weeks: How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world—Anne Frank If you would like more information contact Dawn Mendelsohn at [email protected] or Beth Walton at [email protected] If you would like to share a joy or a concern in the newsletter please contact the Caritas Coordinator. Caritas helps those in the Parish who face difficulties such as hospitalization, illness, and death of a loved one. Caritas coordinates cards, visits, meals, referrals to services and newsletter announcements. The Caritas Coordinator for March is Lucille Riddle. She can be contacted at 508-875-5468 or by email at [email protected] UU Urban Ministry • Bethany House, a residence for young women has subsidized housing and includes those transitioning from a shelter. There is a lack of this type of housing. Bethany House needs furniture such as beds, dressers, and desks. Please contact Myrna Howe at 781235-4226 if you have furniture to donate. Seeking Employment • • Amy Caruso is asking anyone who wishes to help the Caruso family either with meals or dog walking, to go to www.lotsahelpinghands.com a free private online community to organize support for caregivers. Volunteers can see the calendar under Mike Caruso's name, after they have signed in. Former member Esther Hopkins would welcome cards at her home on Martha’s Vineyard to cheer her in her time of illness. Pat Paul of Ashland is home recovering and can’t receive visitors but would love cards. Brian Knapp-Cordes is looking for any kind of work that is not at a desk. His skills include mathematical modeling. Call (cell) 603-943-9060 . Roxbury Youth Program is an afterschool program that provides daily homework assistance, SAT and MCAS prep, and preparation activities for college application. Our First Parish UU Urban Ministry committee is planning to provide food, conversation and an activity at the Roxbury Youth Program on Wednesday, March 11. We welcome any who would like to join us! Contact Valerie Waldman 508877-7769 for more information. Joy to Share! Parishioners David Ortmeyer and Deborah DuBourdieu are delighted to have been cast in major roles in the upcoming Weston Friendly Society production of “State Fair!” Performances will take place on Saturday, March 21, at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, Sunday, March 22, at 2:00 pm, and Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm at Weston Town Hall. Tickets available at www.westonfriendly.org and at (978) 295-9085. Take A Bite Out of Hunger March collection will be cereal; hot and cold; full size and individual serve donations are welcome. Please bring on Sunday and drop them off on your way into church or leave in the collection area outside of Rev Hepler's office in the Parish House. 5 Announcements Dessert, wine, and recycled clothing Our stylish interim DRE will host a fun evening of trading clothes and delicious treats on Sunday, March 8th at 6:30pm (in the 110 Edgell Living room). Bring clothes you no longer want to share (and all leftover clothes will be donated to charity). Join us to get rid of unwanted clothes, try a new style, or find a new treasure. contact Aimee Dalrymple at [email protected] or 508-652-9946. Spirituality Book Group Tuesday March 31 at 7:15 in the Memorial Room to read "When things fall apart" by Pema Chodrun. All are welcome! Please email Julia Schneiderman at [email protected] if you plan to attend! Women’s Alliance The Women’s Alliance will meet Monday, March 9 at noon in the Huntley Room. The program will be Julie Fox discussing her interesting experiences in her life as ex-pat for 29 years. (An ex-pat is an American whose job takes them to other countries.) Bring a sandwich; coffee and tea will be served. Meeting for Middle School Youth & PFLAG First Parish in Framingham is pleased to host OUT MetroWest’s (formerly WAGLY) new monthly supportive program for LGBT middle school youth in MetroWest Boston to explore identities, make new friends, eat pizza and have fun! There will be a concurrent PFLAG meeting for parents and adult family. Meets second Wednesdays of the month 6:30-8pm, starting March 11. For more information visit www.outmetrowest.org or call 508-875-2122. Sacred Circle Dance Sunday, March 15th (changed from March 8th) 6 - 8 pm in Scott Hall. No partner, experience or RSVP needed. All dances taught; some live music. A donation of $5-$10 to help with First Parish expenses will be appreciated. For more information, contact FP member, Paula Adelson (508) 485-1030. WomenCircle Meets Tuesday March 24 at 7 pm in the Memorial Room. This group meets monthly for discussion and exploration of women's spirituality. All First Parish women are welcome; for more information, please SAVE THE DATE!!! First Parish Auction – May 9 “A First Parish Hoedown!” Save the date for a fun evening of food, drink, and lots of fantastic items for auction! This is a great community event, and one of our most successful fundraisers. This year’s theme is “A First Parish Hoedown!” Get out your boots, spurs, and cowboy hat and come on down for good grub and good times! Please think about what you might donate for the auction. Members of the church donate some great things every year – weekends at summer homes, home maintenance services, consulting and advice, artwork…. And there is always the opportunity to unleash your culinary talent and host a “Dine and Unwind” evening for some of your fellow parishioners. Finally, if you have connections to a local business, we are always looking for donations of goods and services to auction. Please let us know, and we will be happy to contact them! Auction Contact people include: Marjie Rochon, Auction Coordinator: [email protected]; Diane Montgomery, Member Donations: [email protected], 508254-4476; Carol Lawton, Outside Donations: [email protected], 508-877-0697. Yes, There Is An Afterlife With legacy planning, your appreciation of and contributions to First Parish can go on, joining a more than 300-year-old tradition of First Parishioners building a foundation of support for the congregation they love. The First Parish Endowment Fund, managed by your Trustees, provides an annual pledge of more than $20,000 to supplement the canvass. Building the fund helps bring financial stability to our faith community. You don’t have to be a millionaire to leave a legacy gift; bequests of all sizes to the First Parish Endowment Fund work together to provide benefit to all For information, contact the FP Trustees Dennis Charles, Rich Lawson or David Ortmeyer. 6 MARCH 2015 Sun 1 9:15 Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Olympia Brown Room 10 am Worship 11am Teacher Recognition Mon Tue 3 2 5:30 pm Free Medical Clinic, 110 6pm ESL,110 Edgell Edgell Rd 6 pm Huntley: RE Council 7:30 SH Heritage 7 pm Bell Choir Chorale Rehearsal 6 pm YRUU, Huntley, Cave 7pm Ballroom Dance Class, Scott Hall 8 9 10 9:15 Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Olympia Brown Room 11 am JYG Bake Sale 6 pm YRUU, Huntley, Cave 11:30 Women’s 6pm ESL,110 Alliance, Huntley Edgell Rd 5:30 pm Free Medical Clinic, 110 Edgell 7:30 SH Heritage Chorale 7pm Ballrroom 6:30 pm, Dessert, wine Dance Class, Scott and recycled clothes, Hall 110 Edgell Road 7pm Discussion with Int. DRE, Memorial Rm Wed 4 11am ESL,110 Edgell 6 pm ESL,110 Edgell 11 11am ESL,110 Edgell 6 pm ESL,110 Edgell Thu 5 8 am Coffee & Muffins: Huntley Fri 6 Sat 7 9am ESL 110 Edgell 4pm Girl 5:30 pm Free Clinic Scout Meet6 pm JYG, Huntley ing, Huntley 7pm, Scott Hall, Fairs and Room Squares 7:30 pm, Choir, Rehearsal, MH 12 8 am Coffee & Muffins: Huntley 13 14 9am ESL 110 Edgell 2pm Private Rental 5:30 pm Free Clinic 6:30 pm, OUT MetroWest Middle School 7 pm BOA, Huntley Program, Scott Hall 7pm, Scott Hall, Fairs and 6:30 pm PFLAG, Squares Huntley Room 7:30 pm, Choir, 7 pm FinCom, Rehearsal, MH Memorial Room 6 pm YRUU sleepover, Huntley Room 7 pm Fairs and Squares, Scott Hall 7 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal 15 9:15 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Olympia Brown Room 16 5:30 pm Free Medical Clinic, 110 Edgell 6:30 pm 5 Wishes Discussion, Memorial Rm 17 18 5 pm FCNS Staff Mtg, Olympia Brown 10 am 5 Wishes Discussion, Memorial Room 10 am Worship 11 am YRUU Bake Sale 6pm ESL,110 11 am Mystery Friends Edgell Rd 7 pm Bell Choir, Box, Scott Hall MH 11:30 am SJCC, Hunt- 7pm Ballroom 7:30 SH Heritage ley Dance Class, Scott Chorale 6 pm Sacred Circle Hall Dance, Scott Hall 19 11 am ESL,110 Edgell 6pm ESL,110 Edgell 23 24 9:15 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Olympia 10 am Worship 5:30 pm Free 6pm ESL,110 Medical Clinic, 110 Edgell Rd Edgell 7pm WomenCircle, Memorial Rm 10:15 RE Justice Sun- 7 pm–Bell Choir Rehearsal day 7:30 SH Heritage 7pm Ballrroom 11:30 CAT, Huntley Dance Class, Scott Chorale 6pm YRUU, Huntley Hall and Cave 29 9:15 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Olympia 6pm YRUU, Huntley and Cave 21 9am ESL 110 Edgell 8 am Coffee & Muffins: Huntley 5:30 pm Free Medical clinic, 110 Edgell 6 pm JYG, Huntley Rm 7 pm Multigen Traininig for Familiy Promise, Olympia Brown Rm 7:30 pm, Choir, Rehearsal, MH 6 pm YRUU, Huntley, Cave 22 20 26 25 11 am ESL,110 Edgell 6pm ESL,110 Edgell 7 pm Mass Mothers of Twins, Scott Hall 30 31 5:30 pm Free 6pm ESL,110 Medical Clinic, 110 Edgell Rd Edgell 7:15 pm Spiritual7 pm–Bell Choir ity Book Group, Rehearsal Memorial Rm 7pm Ballrroom 7:30 SH Heritage Dance Class, Scott Chorale Hall 7 27 28 4pm Girl 9am ESL 110 8 am Coffee & Muffins: Scout Meet- Edgell Huntley ing, Huntley 5:30 pm Free Medical Room clinic, 110 Edgell 9am—2pm Under the Same 6:30 pm Parents and Moon Board Mtg, Others, Olympia & Dix Rm Huntley 7pm, Scott Hall, Fairs and Squares 7:30 pm, Choir, Rehearsal, MH The First Parish In Framingham Unitarian Universalist A Welcoming Congregation 24 Vernon Street Framingham, MA 01701 Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Permit # 319 Return Service Requested The Steeple March 1, 2015 First Parish in Framingham ~ Unitarian Universalist Established 1701 TEL: 508 872-3111 FAX: 508-879-5780 WEB SITE: www.uuframingham.org, E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] SENIOR MINISTER MINISTER EMERITUS DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION EMERITA MUSIC DIRECTOR DIR. OF CHILDREN’S CHOIR, YOUTH CHIME CHOIR, BELL CHOIR CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR/MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR WEDDING AND RENTAL COORDINATOR Rev. Kathleen D. Hepler, [email protected] The Reverend Dr. Charles A. Gaines Roberta Altamari, [email protected] Carol M. Greve Claudia Keyian, [email protected] Dean Arvidson, [email protected] Sara Morrison Neil, [email protected] Alma Gould ASSESSORS: Diane Bassett, David Mendelsohn (Co-Chairs); Jill Borelli, Rich Boyd, Jim Carberry, David Eells, Robin Hegvik, Tracy Marshall, Beth Walton, Mary Rose Wells. AUDITOR: Bill Schreiber CLERK: Pat Paul COLLECTOR : John Hutchins HISTORIAN: Janet Nichols MODERATOR: Richard Paul REGISTRAR: Abbie Merson TREASURER: Debbie Doucette TRUSTEES: Dennis Charles, Richard Lawson, David Ortmeyer The Steeple is published monthly, except July & August. Send subscription inquiries to [email protected] or call 508-872-3111. 8
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