Second Parish Unitarian Universalist
Hingham, Massachusetts
Glad Tidings
From the Minister –
From the Beach
This summer has included traveling from coast to coast, starting with a trip to Portland, OR, for the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association late in June, several trips to New York to visit family (our son David) and friends and to play at being tourists where we used to live, a week in New Hampshire on a lovely lake in the White Mountains; I am writing now from Provincetown, where Deedee is taking a printmaking course at the Fine Arts Work Center. I am reminded in each new place that it takes time to become comfortable anywhere away from home, and each time we return we are ever so happy to see our home, perhaps almost as happy as our aged dog and cat are to see us again.
General Assembly and the Ministry Days which precede it are too full of activity and ideas to summarize briefly; I expect to be drawing on that experience for the whole year to come at least. One highlight was a panel celebrating the 35th anniversary of the publication of The Pentagon Papers by the UUA’s Beacon Press, featuring appearances by Daniel Ellsberg, Sen. Mike Gravel, and Robert West, then the president of the UUA. Each told his own part in a fascinating tale of courage in the face of intimidation by the White House and the FBI as they struggled to get the real story of a tragic war in front of the American People. Mike Gravel was particularly affecting as he told how he managed to get the entirety of the papers into the public record despite the fact that he broke down weeping uncontrollably after reading three hours from the 7,000 pages of documents. We can be very proud that our congregation is part of an association which supports an independent press willing to stand up even to threats from the President of the United States. Each congregation received a copy of a study of this episode in Beacon Press’ history which I’d love to share with anyone who would like to take a look.
As for Provincetown, Mary Oliver puts her experience movingly in “Why I Wake Early”:
Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety –
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light –
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.
I trust all of you are also refreshed from your summer. And when we come together on September 9th, bring water from the places where you have drunk deeply and refreshingly of that which enlivens you, and together we will re-enter with the Water Communion back into this nurturing community of ours for another year together.
Paul
Community
Volunteers for Sunday Services
Everyone should have received by now a letter about volunteering for the Sunday church service duties of ushering and providing coffee and flowers for the 2007-2008 church year. Return the letter completed in the envelope provided or email your selections to saviden@comcast.net. Please do one or the other as soon as possible so that a chart for the year, September through June, can be completed and a copy sent to everyone. Thanks.
-Sue Viden, Volunteer Coordinator
Book Group
The book group is finished
until September. The September meeting is on the 18th at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Gene
Chamberlain, 29
Pleasant Street.
The book for that meeting is The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. Any
questions call Jennifer Love at 781-749-3243.
Andrew Garland in “La Boheme” at the Shubert Theater
Can we get a group together to see Andrew Garland perform in “La Boheme” at the Shubert Theater in Boston? The opera is performed on the following days:
Friday, November 2nd at 7:30
Sunday, November 4th at 3:00
Wednesday, November 7th at 7:30
Friday, November 9th at 7:30
Sunday November 11th at 3:00
Tuesday, November 13th at 7:30
Please e-mail or call Jane Shute with all of the possible days you are able to attend. We will try to find the performance that most of us can see and order group rate tickets. Tickets will most likely cost $75 - $100.
-Jane Shute, 781 749-6518 or shutehing@erols.com
Please “Save the Date” of 9/22/07 for a SSHabitat/Hingham fund raising event
Saturday, September 22, 2007! SSHabitat/Hingham Local Partnership Committee is hosting an evening of “Jazz, Rhythm & Blues”! This fund raising event will be held at the Hingham Armory for approximately 500 guests on Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 6PM till Midnight.
The Bellevue Cadillac band (nominated for a 2007 Grammy Music Award) will provide the music for the evening. A silent and live auction of many fabulous items will be available for your bids. Hors d’ Oeuvres and a buffet dinner prepared by The Catered Affair, a cash bar and dancing will also be part of this festive fundraising event!
On a special note, Habitat/Hingham will take the opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer, Bob Snowber, a
St. Paul parishioner and Hingham resident who has dedicated over twenty years of service to Habitat, building homes for qualified families so they have the opportunity to buy a home they can afford. All proceeds from the event will benefit a Habitat home in Hingham.
Tickets to this event are $75 per person. For more information, auction donations, to be a program sponsors, volunteer to help or advance ticket sales contact: nldevine@gmail.com or www.sshabitat.org. Thank you for your support!
Services Auction Saturday, October 13th!!!
Our First Annual Services Auction is scheduled for October 13th so mark your calendar. It is expected that this will be at least as much fun as the Chocolate Auction we have every February, but with libations (non-religious connotation of the word intended)!
What is a Services Auction? This is an event where members and friends of Second Parish donate services, and occasionally items, to be auctioned during an evening of fun and camaraderie. Other UU churches have employed a services auction to successfully raise funds and laughter for years. Second Parish members and friends enjoy both in quantity so we are kicking off this new annual event this year.
Please give some thought as to what you can donate. Below are EXAMPLES of what has been donated at other UU
Services Auctions:
Down East Maine – One week at Dianne Kidwell’s quiet lakeside cottage in the Maine woods. Perfect for one family or two couples. Use the canoe, sunfish and other water “toys” to enjoy the lake that is just steps from the house. Plan day trips to Acadia National Park (Mt. Desert Island), Campobello (FDR’s home), Blue Hill and Camden on the Penobscot Bay. Mutually agreed upon week after July 4th. Minimum bid $500.
Eight UUs will have the opportunity to sip some fine wines, munch on mouth-watering appetizers and engage in lively conversation on Friday, April 20 when John and Carole Tinston open their home for a wine tasting. (Note – John works for a wine company and has access to some really fine wine.) Minimum bid $25.
Sparkle with the Spungens! We will be serving Spaghetti and playing FARKLE. This is a family affair – the Fourth Annual Farkle Tournament – recommended for children from 8 to 108! Prizes awarded to the Sparkliest among us. Saturday, April 21, 2007. Maximum 20.
Russian Lessons – Learn Russian for travel, daily conversations, child adoption or fun. Ellen Onik is from Russia and has a private practice in teaching conversational Russian. Lessons are one hour in length, five sessions, in Upper Saddle River. Minimum bid $100.
Without question, The Beatles are one of history’s most popular, influential bands. Considering their contribution, it’s amazing that they created only eleven albums together. One of their albums – Revolver – continues to be rated as the best rock album ever. Rick Sawyer hosts an evening with Revolver (along with the single, Paperback Writer/Rain, which was recorded at the same sessions). He will lead a brief discussion about how the album was made, why it’s so highly thought of, stories behind the key songs, and even how the unique cover was designed. Listen to the album, as well as some fascinating outtakes. As the Fab Four would say, “a splendid time is guaranteed for all.” Maximum eight participants; minimum bid $20 per person; Saturday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m.; includes pizza, popcorn and soda.
Can’t think of a gift for that friend who has everything? This is your chance to toast (or roast) that special person. Inge Spungen will pen a unique poem to your deserving honoree for that special occasion. Minimum bid $30.
John Passalacqua and Kathleen Fitzpatrick and their children, Fiona and Patrick, will plant four flats of annuals in your garden in May, date to be determined by purchaser, who will also select plants. Minimum bid $20. Tax value $48.
More details will follow soon. In the mean time SAVE THE DATE, save lots of money to bid with, and think about what you can donate to the Auction.
-Sean Gallagher, Auctioneer
Stewardship
Second Parish - Building Repairs and Improvements
Much-needed work on the church, which started last spring on the exterior northwest side and corner, has continued into the summer. In early July, Len O’Connor (Commission on Properties), Kim Shaw (Commission on Finance), Lou Belknap, Gene Chamberlain, Allan Viden and Rev. Paul Sprecher met with architect Bill Thayer and builder Charles Yourell to examine several areas needing immediate attention and to establish a plan of action.
The group agreed to give Charley the okay to go ahead with the following work: (1) Continue replacing rotting wooden gutters on the north side of Cushing Hall; (2) Correct poor water drainage at the base of the north side of Cushing Hall; (3) Remove debris (including old heating ductwork, various construction materials, a nonfunctioning sump pump, and other junk) from the unfinished, dirt-floored cellar behind the minister’s study and make the area passable, safe and ventilated; (4) Replace the parts of the sill and corresponding structural wood on the north side that have been damaged over the years from dry rot and insects; (5) Install railings up the stairs to the pulpit at the front of the sanctuary; (6) Replace rotting gutters on the rear sides of the parsonage.
Work on each of these items has continued at a good pace and much of it has been completed. Everyone involved has been extremely pleased with the care and competence shown by Charley Yourell and his men. Installation of the handrails has been delayed because of the Hingham Building Inspector’s wanting us to install two rails instead of one on each side of the pulpit. Bill Thayer, however, is still negotiating this item with Mr Morgan. It should also be noted that, as happens, additional bumps requiring attention have appeared along the way. For example, the presence of asbestos in the cellar signaled the need to have an asbestos-removal contractor take a look, test some samples, and schedule a visit to remove what needed to go. And some cracks to the wall plaster in the sanctuary caused by the outside work had to be repaired.
The costs for doing all this are, of course, substantial and unexpected. Susan Weisenbeck, our treasurer, will report to the congregation the financial ramifications of the work when we return in September. Let me say on a personal note that I think that we must all be relieved that this work to the building is being done now to ensure the church’s continued presence and safety in the future, and that we may need to decide how, in our own way, we can help to support it.
Allan Viden, Chair, Leadership Board
News from our Cooperative Religious Education Program
Greetings everyone. We hope you had a wonderful summer full of happy, adventuresome and relaxing moments.
Opening
Sunday is September 9 and we are looking forward to seeing you at this special
Water Communion Service.
Meanwhile, we are working on preparing the classrooms, the material and the RE
brochure. Meetings are to take place soon with the RE Committee, the Our Whole
Life staff (for the Junior class program), the teachers of the Primary and
Intermediate levels and our Youth Group Leaders. We will keep you informed.
The Religious Education Committee
Pam King, Chair
Tasha Allan
Richard Bowker
Helene Soini, Leadership Board Liaison
Rev. Paul Sprecher, Minister
Liliane Verdier, Director Religious Education
-Liliane Verdier
, Director of Religious Education Lilianevhing@aol.com, 781-749-9581