Nashua UU News - May 2008
Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, New Hampshire
58 Lowell Street, Nashua NH 03064 603-882-1091
www.UUNashua.org Sunday Service: 10:00 a.m.
For best printing, and to see any photos and attachments, use the pdf file 
Also try the online calendar 
Upcoming Services
Services begin at 10:00 a.m.
May 4th: The Goal of World Community?
Our Sixth UU Principle says we affirm "The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all." It's certainly a worthy goal, but how much reality is there to it? Over the course of this still ongoing election season, every candidate across the political spectrum has seen fit to remind us (some more emphatically than others) that we live in a dangerous world with persons and powers who wish us harm. I don't doubt that. How do we deal with a sometimes dangerous world on the one hand and advance our Sixth Principle on the other?
May 11th: Our Parents, Ourselves.
A long-time, as in nearly 40 years, friend of mine recently published a book called Not Like My Mother. In it she describes how she attempted to avoid all the shortcomings she'd seen in her mother when it came to raising her own two daughters-and how that resolve created a whole other set of issues for her to deal with. I'm hoping we can invite Irene Tomkinson to speak at one of our summer services, so I'm going to tread very lightly with the book itself. But I would, on this Mothers' Day 2008, look at the more general issue of how the ways in which we were raised affect, for those of us who are parents, how we raise our own children. And if you're not a parent yourself, you probably will (if you haven't already) have the experience of being a parent to your parents.
May 18th: ROPES Graduation Service.
Over the past year some 20-25 of our junior high age youth have been taking part in the Rites of Passage Experiences program, which culminates in the creations of their individual "Credo Statements." Due to the size of this class-which is wonderful!-a service will be held on Saturday evening, May 17th, where they will share their Credo Statements in their entirety. They will also be recognized, along with their mentors, at this Sunday service and will offer abbreviated versions of their Statements. I appreciate the leadership Ginger Hedges, Gary Lerude, Deb Dubray and Phil Brown have given to this program, in addition to all the mentors who have been a part of it as well. Please plan to attend on this Sunday to show your support to these young people, their leaders, and their mentors.
May 25: Being Remembered-A Memorial Day Meditation.
One of the things that leading Memorial and Funeral Services for so many years has given me is some insight on what are the things by which we're best, and most fondly, remembered. This is a subject I've addressed before, but I've got a few directions I want to take it in this time around that I've not previously spoken to.
Reflections and Ruminations...
I'll give you a heads-up at the beginning of this column for this month: It is an "Aren't We Wonderful!" piece.
I'm writing this following the District Conference(s) of the New Hampshire/Vermont and the Northeast (Maine) Districts, which was held in Durham, NH, on April 11-12. The main order of business was the consolidation of these two Districts to become the Northern New England District. This new UUA District will formally come into existence on July 1, 2008.
The details of this consolidation are not what this column is to be about. Even the story of how it happened-which is a really good and enriching one-is not where I'm going either. Instead I want to hold up the extent of our congregation's involvement in not just the process of consolidation, but in the life of this emerging District itself.
Everywhere I turned during those two days I saw members of our congregation taking part in things in one way or another:
John Sanders, who chaired the committee that brought the two Districts together, was elected the NNED's first President.
Leah Nodvin, one of our very active youth members, was among the nine people elected to the new District Board.
Mary Licking, our very capable Denominational Connections Chair, carried in our beautiful banner to mark the opening worship service.
Tess George was there staffing the table of the Unitarian Universalist Action Network, as that organization's Director.
Bob Sampson, in his role as one of the UUA's Compensation Consultants for the NH/VT District, was there.
Cynthia Schroer was there to lend her voice to the District Conference Choir.
Magdalene Pattantyus (Cynthia Schroer and Adam Pattantyus' daughter) was part of the youth contingent in attendance.
Gary Lerude came over on Saturday to help me staff a table promoting the candidacy of Rev. Laurel Hallman to be the next UUA President in 2009.
I'm very proud of our level of involvement in the life of our District. And I hope I'm doing more here that issuing a roll call. We as a congregation are a part of a larger, and vital, liberal religious movement. Its vitality, however, will only be realized and strengthened as we look beyond the bounds of our single congregation-wonderful as it is-to how the ties we can create from one UU congregation to another can work towards the eventual transformation of our larger society and world.
For the roles so many in this congregation play in making this happen, I am profoundly grateful and proud.
Peace,
Steve
Announcements
Update on the Photo Directory
Many of you are wondering where the new photo directory is. Unfortunately, it is still in the process of being put together. This has been a time-consuming learning experience for those involved in the process, and a few mistakes were made that caused the directory timeline to be pushed back. At this time we are hoping to have the photo directory ready for everyone when we return in the fall. If you need an up-to-date listing of all members and friends, please call the church office at 882-1091. Sherri will be glad to mail you a paper copy of just names, addresses and phone numbers.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, May 10, 8:30-12:30: Family Bike FUNd Ride
Come join the fun in Hollis at the historic Lawrence Barn in the Hollis Town Center. A bike-a-thon fundraiser will be going on to benefit the Jonathan Gilmore Memorial Scholarship. Riders of all ages and stages are welcome. Three routes of 10, 25, and 50 miles are available for riders to enjoy. A festive cookout for all riders and volunteers as well as their families and friends will follow. Proceeds will benefit Zoo New England's Jonathan Gilmour Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards annual grants to support the ongoing education and professional development of individual staff members at Zoo New England. David and Grethe Golden are involved in this event and will be happy to answer any questions you may have, or, for more information, please visit www.jonathangilmourfund.org.
Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.: Simple Gifts Coffee House Presents Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm
Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm, blends percussion and warm vocals into beautiful arrangements of West African, Brazilian, and Middle Eastern rhythms, through original arrangements and compositions invoking ancient traditions of the drum.
Inanna is deeply dedicated to the education and cultivation of peace and sharing among cultures through the power of music. The ensemble plays African percussion instruments such as the Djembe, Kpanlogo, Doundounba, Kenkeni and Sangba, and other hand-crafted percussion instruments such as the Balafon (an African Xylophone), kalimba (thumb piano), shekeres and a variety of bells and other small instruments. Frame drums, which are found in almost every culture and are the ancient instrument of women drummers, are now a staple in Inanna's sound. A drum jam will be initiated following the evening's performance. We invite our audience to bring percussion instruments if you wish to participate. This promises a lively close to our show as well as to our 2007/2008 season. Join us for this exciting show and joyful noise!
Tickets: $14 in advance/$16 at door; $10 for children up to age 12.
Saturday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m.: Special ROPE Service
The members of our Right of Passage Experience (ROPE) class will present their belief statements in a special service in the sanctuary on Saturday evening, May 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
All year these eighth- and ninth-graders have been exploring the religious questions that women and men have pondered since the beginning of human civilization. In UU tradition, they have been formulating their own answers, where they have found answers, or just living with the questions.
Because of the large size of the class-24-our youth can only present an abbreviated version of their respective faith statements during the Sunday morning service on May 18. To hear their unabridged remarks, plan to attend Saturday night's service.
June 13-15, 2008: Ferry Beach Weekend
Start your summer season off right! Come join us June 13-15 at the Ferry Beach conference center in Saco, ME. Ferry Beach weekend has been an annual church tradition for over two decades for members and friends to come together for a weekend of fun and fellowship. The weekend is a cooperative effort where everyone shares in preparing a meal or cleaning up afterward, but there's plenty of time left over to enjoy the beach, play a game of volleyball, or join the sing-a-longs on Quillen porch.The cost for the entire weekend is only $85 per adult, $55 per child (between the ages of 2-12) plus $15 per person for food costs. The food is purchased at the start of our weekend. No shopping lists will be sent out to participants. Registration forms are available online , in this newsletter, outside the RE office at the church, and at the Information Table during coffee hour. If you have any questions about the weekend, please contact Sherri Woolsey 
.
Committee News
Denominational Connections
Thank you to all who, in response to our Coffee Hour table and announcements, inquired about the Joint NH/VT and Northeast (Maine) Districts Annual Meeting, which took place April 11-12 at UNH. We would also like to express our gratitude to all of you from UUNashua who attended-those in religious education and in the tri-state choir, vendors, candidates for office, and delegates. Gini Courter, moderator of the UUA, gave a humorous and inspiring address. The voting at the meeting provided guidance to the new Northern New England District to begin operating in July. In the advisory voting, Leah Nodvin was elected to a one-year term as Member, Board of Directors; and John Sanders was elected to a three-year term as President, Board of Directors. Our banner was in the parade on Friday night and hung from the picture rail along with the others on Saturday in the meeting room, its design and workmanship holding its own.
CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS
UU PRINCIPLE of the MONTH: We believe in caring for the planet Earth, the home we share with all living things.
MAY CALENDAR
| 4 | Children in Church first 15 minutes R.E. Committee Lights Chalice |
|---|---|
| 10 | (Sat.)Youth Ministry Task Force, 10am to 3pm |
| 11 | Chapel, Second to Sixth Grades |
| 18 | ROPE AFFIRMATION SERVICE Chapel: Preschool-Second Grade |
| 25 | TEACHER'S DAY OFF (Memorial Day) Childcare, Rm. 7 |
RE SPRING PARTY
On Easter Sunday, the Sunday School classes were treated to an hour of games, service, and snacks.
A friend of Kim Bates, Pat Graham, introduced the children to two guide dogs. The children learned not to pet a service dog who is working and to approach all unfamiliar dogs with caution. There is an ongoing need at the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Canine Development Center for newspapers to line the whelping kennels with to keep the environment healthy for the tiny puppies that live there. Students were invited to help organize packages of newspaper for the school.
We also made cards to send to service men and women. Some will be sent to active service members, and others will be sent to a VA hospital and nursing home. The veterans of the current conflict aren't the only ones that need support and appreciation.
Crafts included planting grass seeds in egg shell planters, origami, building geometric structures with peas and toothpicks, and various and sundry paper crafts. Deb Dubray led the children in a movement activity and a great time was had by all!
SR. HIGH YOUTH GROUP NEWS
The Senior High Youth Group would like to invite all those graduating from this spring's R.O.P.E. class to join us on the evening of May 18th from 6-8 where we'll extend the day's celebration and officially welcome you to the evening meetings.
NH/VT NEWS- the last conference of the school year is upon us. Youth ages 14-22 May 23-25 Camp Chenoa, Antrim NH. To register or learn more please contact Dan or Ed.
The District Office will be sponsoring a Youth Ministry Task Force meeting here on May 10th from 10-3 where future of youth programming will be discussed. To register please visit the Dist. site: www.nhvt.uua.org.
There will be no evening youth group meeting on Mother's Day 5/11 or Memorial weekend 5/25. Our last class will be on June 8 th.
2008 SR. HIGH GRADUATES
We like to honor our Sr. High graduates at the Flower Service on June 10th. If you know of a church member who is graduating that you don't see on this list, please contact Chris Parker. Here is our list so far: Sam Conrad, Lauren Shuffelton and Gina Paolilo.
CHURCH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
May is the month we line up our teaching staff for next year. Each curriculum has lesson plans to work from and a team of people to cover each class. Let us know if you are considering this valuable opportunity.
Visit our table in the coffee hour, contact Cindy Hudson (R.E. Committee Chairperson), Chris Parker, or any of the R.E. Committee members to sign up or answer your questions.
YOUTH SUMMIT MAY 10th 10 am - 3 pm
YOUTH (7TH-12TH GR.), YOUNG ADULTS (18-25), PARENTS OF YOUTH, DRE'S, YOUTH ADVISORS, AND MINISTERS ARE INVITED
Lunch, beverages, snacks provided.
In the last few years, the UUA has been exploring ways to restructure their relationship with UU youth across the country and find effective ways to best serve youth and young adults in our denomination. They have tried to involve the youth, youth leaders, and church leaders in this process through small group gatherings and denomination wide surveys.
On May 10th Deb Levering, Program Consultant for the Clara Barton District, will facilitate a program at our church to review and discuss the UUA's Youth Summit Report's recommendations and to introduce the Transitional Youth Ministry Task Force member to our district.
There is not a cost for attending this program, but there is a limit to the number of people who can attend, and a registration form that needs to be submitted to the Northern New England District Office by APRIL 28. There are applications in the RE Office and on the bulletin board in the hall.
OUR MISSION AND COVENANT
Embracing the Purposes and Principles of Unitarian Universalism and the Vision we have chosen, as members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, New Hampshire, we will:
Support and respect one another in our searches for meaning, value, and personal/spiritual growth;
Join with one another in providing, nurturing, and celebrating a free religious community through common worship, shared activities, and programs for all ages;
Promote a sense of family within the congregation through mutual support and friendship, and by attending to each other's needs;
Be a positive presence for, and work to create, a more just, humane and caring society through outreach to our local community and to the wider human family.
OUR VISION
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, New Hampshire will be a beacon of liberal religious thought and action whose members are committed to the search for truth and meaning, the acceptance of diversity, and the promotion of social justice within a supportive and caring community.
Next Newsletter deadline is Sunday, May 11, 2008
Please send submissions via e-mail to the Newsletter Editor.
Prepare your submission in MS Word (or save it as a text file) and send it as an attachment to the e-mail.
Please send graphic files separately. If you do not use e-mail, leave a copy of your submission (preferably typed) in the red Newsletter folder outside the church office.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua
Stephen D. Edington, Minister
Laurie Goodman, President
Jed Holland, Music Director
Chris Parker, Religious Education Director
Sherri Woolsey, Office Administrator/Membership & Volunteer Coordinator
Sandra Martinage, Custodian
Church Office Information
Steve Edington's Hours
9:00 a.m. to Noon, Tuesday through Thursday, Afternoon and evenings by appointment.
Feel free to call Steve's home anything before 9:30 p.m. Emergencies: call anytime.
Church Staff Hours
Chris Parker, Religious Education Director: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Sherri Woolsey, Church Administrator/Membership and Volunteer Coordinator: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the church year
Contact the Church:
phone 603 882-1091 |
Send a message |
www.uunashua.org
