Second Parish Unitarian Universalist

Hingham, Massachusetts

Glad Tidings

From the Minister –

         

CONNECTIONS:  Small Group Ministry at Second Parish – The Leadership Board and I have been discussing the possibility of starting a Small Group Ministry program for the past several months.  Deedee and I have had extensive experience with these groups starting in our congregation in Ridgewood, NJ, and continuing during my Ministerial Internship at Arlington Street Church.  Over 75% of Unitarian Universalist congregations now offer the Small Group Ministries program. The Small Group Ministry program at Second Parish is called “Connections.”

      Connections will offer a way for us to deepen the connections within our community in a new way by engaging those who participate in a process of open-hearted listening and speaking from the heart, a method which enables us to become friends with each other on a whole new level.  In some ways you need to experience it to understand just how it works, so we will start by offering a “Taste of Connections” which Deedee & I will facilitate, meeting for four consecutive Wednesdays starting on February 18th.  These four sessions will demonstrate the benefits of these groups as well as training participants who wish to do so to be facilitators themselves.  Then, starting the first week of April, we will form several new groups to meet at times of mutual convenience.  At that time, all Second Parish members and friends will have an opportunity to join a group of 7-10 people who will meet every other week at the Second Parish to engage in:

 

•  Spiritual Seeking.  To deepen our spiritual lives and build on the benefits we receive from our regular worship

   services.

•  Community Building.  To foster positive connections among all members and friends, and to help new people

   connect with us.

•  Ministry.  To extend the ministry at Second Parish by caring for and ministering to one another.

•  Intellectual Exploration.  To expand our understanding of the world and ways to demonstrate our UU

   principles in our lives.

•  Living Our Values.  To engage in service projects to benefit the Second Parish community, the neighborhood,

   or the larger society.

 

Stay tuned!  You’ll be hearing lots more about this new program during February.

 

SERVICES: Feb. 1st – “Entertaining Angels Unawares.”  A recent CBS poll reported that 48% of Americans believe in ghosts and 22% claim to have seen one.  Is it true that “the human hunger for a vigorous, unapologetic interface with the unknown can’t be entirely repressed?”  Then what about Angels? This is the service we planned for Jan. 11, our snow day.  Feb. 8th – “Deeper Connections” – A sermon about our new Connections program at Second Parish; how do we live out building the Beloved Community as we listen deeply and speak from the heart to each other?  Feb. 15th – “Being an Outsider.”  All of us at one time or another experience ourselves as different from others, as outsiders; how do we welcome others as we welcome our own experiences of differentness and imperfection?  Feb. 22nd – Guest Minister – Robbie Walsh – topic to be announced. 

 

In Faith,

Paul

 

 

Leadership Board Notes

 

I thought at this time, it being the middle of the church year, readers of the Newsletter might like to see a list of what their Leadership Board has been up to since last summer. While there are many month-to-month things the Board does as a matter of course to “exercise general supervision and have general charge of the assets of the Parish, the conduct of its business affairs and the control of its administration, all subject to direction and control by vote of the Parish” (as specified in the By-Laws), there are other accomplishments that we hope come to the notice of parishioners which can be highlighted.

 

Following is a list of some activities, changes, or innovations that the Leadership Board has either originated or helped to produce so far this year:

 

            Planting a community garden for sharing vegetables with the Food Pantry.

            Polishing up old ways and creating new ones at the July retreat.

            Planning and raising funds for a handicap bathroom on the first floor.

            Welcoming Kim Preveza as minister of religious education.

            Hiring Michael O’Keeffe to be our new sexton.

            Repainting the vestibule, Cushing Hall, and the church school rooms.

            Refinishing the vestibule floor and opening the front center door.

            Sprucing up Cushing Hall with new looks on couches and tables.

            Organizing the second annual Service Auction.

            Asking the two ushers at Sunday service to also serve as greeters.

            Having an intergenerational family service the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

            Increasing the frequency and scope of publicity in local newspapers.

            Organizing a community garden/food pantry Harvest Buffet.

            Introducing a new script for the Christmas Pageant.

            Continuing to select needy recipients for our Second Sunday offerings.

            Purchasing listening assistance devices and lapel mikes for the sanctuary.

            Helping with the fall organ concert.

            Developing and leading a Hymn Sing Sunday.

            Supporting and assisting the Christmas Fair and Christmas Eve activities.

            Renting the church parsonage following Paul and Deedee’s move.

           

I hope this gives you a better idea of the wide range of “things to do” that members of your Leadership Board discuss, debate, and decide at their monthly meetings. And we’re only half way through the year!

 

                                                                        -Submitted by Allan Viden, Chair

           

Music schedule for February:

 

2/1/2009:  Elizabeth Morrell, soprano

2/8/2009:  Kevin MacIsaac, folksinger

2/15/2009:  Choir

2/22/2009:  Choir

 

You can provide now for a future gift to Second Parish by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust.

 

Financial Notes

 

A small group – Susan, Allan, Paul, Bernie, and Kim – have been meeting to shape and guide this year’s Covenant Renewal (ie. Pledge Drive), to be rolled out in April.

 

Two important thoughts are on the table.

 

The first is to involve a somewhat broader and more representative group in that planning and perhaps the actual implementation, a steering committee if you will, not just the (usual) subset of the leadership gang.

 

The second is to take a more personal - probably one-on-one - approach to making a more successful connection between the information and hopes outlined in the covenant brochure and each family or individual within our congregation.

 

Please give us your comments and input and join us if you would like to become a part of this critical annual project which provides the operating funds (or not) for our programs, staff, and buildings.

-Submitted by Kim Shaw, Finance Committee

 

Property Notes

 

As of mid-December, we were successful in renting the Parsonage to one of our members, Sarah Phillips, on a tenant-at-will basis while she searches for a home to purchase. She has moved in and I believe she is quite comfortable.

 

Obviously, both December and January have given us snow issues. Most plowing issues seem to have been resolved and we were lucky to get an agreement with Ted King to shovel the walkways. Our sexton cannot shovel the walkways in a timely manner because of his job with the Brockton School Department.

 

Work continues on the Bathroom Project. We have received and reviewed “final” detailed plans and specifications from Bill Thayer. We will next file a preliminary building permit application with the town and begin to solicit contractor estimates.  Once these are reviewed we will need to schedule a church meeting to discuss “the next step” of hiring a contractor and beginning the actual work.

-Len O’Connor, Property Committee

 

 

Community

 

Men’s Breakfast

 

The next Men's breakfast will be on Saturday, February 7 at 8:00 a.m. in Cushing Hall with the usual delicious menu. All men in the Parish are welcome and encouraged to join us for an hour of conversation. Come prepared to talk about whatever is on your mind. Please let Lou Belknap know if you will attend by phone at 781-749-5519 or by email at lsbelknap@verizon.net.

 

 

Book Group

The book for February is Suite Française, by Irène Némirovsky.  The meeting date and location to be announced.  Any questions, call Jennifer Love at 781-749-3243.

 

 

 

Annual Chocolate Auction - Back by Popular Demand

 

The one, the only, SEAN GALLAGHER will host our Annual Chocolate Auction on Sunday, February 8th following the service.

 

We need everyone to help make this a success. 

 

Please donate your favorite Chocolate Treat, big or small, it all works.  Some suggestions: cakes, candy, fudge, chocolate sauce.  Donations can be home made or purchased.  Lots of items are needed.  Plan to attend and bid on a sweet treat for your sweetheart.  Items can be brought to church the day of the event.  If you need to make other arrangements, call Mariann O’Connor at 749-9896. 

Why Give Your Love Chocolates?


Chocolate is the traditional gift of love, ranking right up there with roses. But does it really stir romance? There is some evidence that the answer might be yes. Chocolate contains three substances that might be related to the romance-chocolate association: caffeine, theobromine, and phenyethylamine. Caffeine acts as a stimulant. Theobromine stimulates the heart muscle and the nervous system. And phenyethylamine is reputed <no conclusive proof exists yet> to be a mood elevator and an anti-depressant. The combination of these three substances, giving you extra energy, making your heart beat faster, making you a bit jumpy and slightly giddy .... just like when you’re falling in love. In fact, Montezuma used to drink a frothy chocolate beverage before going to visit one of his wives.

 

There are ‘reputed’ health benefits to eating chocolate. It has flavinoids, which are antioxidants, in it.  These have a beneficial effect on the heart. In fact, 40 grams of dark chocolate has twice the amount of flavinoids as a glass of wine.  Chocolate's flavinoids may be very effective at reducing cholesterol and blood clotting and reducing the risk of high blood pressure and associated diseases. But talk to your doctor … 

 

But before you go out to buy any old chocolate, remember that our Annual Valentine’s Day Chocolate Auction.  Not only is this a great opportunity for fun, lots of laughs, and to get fabulous chocolates, but proceeds go to support activities important to Second Parish. Please make note on your calendar to both join us for the auction after the service and, if you can, to bring some of your favorite chocolate delights. Feel free to make something yourself or donate a treat from your favorite chocolatier.

 

Heartthrob Auctioneer to Return - After several years away, our own tall, pale, somewhat grayer, and handsome heartthrob Sean Gallagher will return as this year’s auctioneer. He reminds you to 1) bring your chocolates, and 2) bid early and often! Any questions? Call Sean at 617-306-5372.

 

First Unitarian Church of Providence-Installation of Minister

The congregation of the First Unitarian Church of Providence invites you to the installation of our seventeenth Senior Minister, the Reverend James Ishmael Ford, on Sunday, the 8th of February, 2009, at three o'clock in the afternoon. An informal reception to follow. Clergy, Religious Educators and Seminarians are invited to robe and process.

Hot Topics, Sunday, February 8, 7:00 p.m. – Old Ship

What is Terrorism?...and how do our faith traditions respond?

Moderator:  Paul Sprecher, Sponsored by Hingham Hull Religious Leaders Association.  Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the food pantry.

 

 

 

Hear the roar! Feel the mist! See the mighty Falls! July 19 - 22,2009

Come experience the wonder of Niagara Falls including some great educational opportunities while being taken care of like royalty. The UU Church of Niagara is conducting a four day UU Niagara Experience which is a lifetime opportunity to encounter the Falls up close from every perspective, even safely riding beneath a tethered balloon. Spend four days with us exploring the rich historical and natural wonders around the Falls. For information visit our web site :

http://www.uunex.net/   Email : uunex@yahoo.com Telephone : (716) 745-7149 or (716) 791-4453

 

News from our Cooperative Religious Education Program

 

Happy February!   

 

What an exciting winter.  So much snow.  February may bring us more snow but it also brings us Valentine’s Day and School Vacation.  

 

This Valentine’s Day we are going to start an exciting new program called Church Pals.  This is kind of like Pen Pals.   Church Pals will be a way for our children and adults to get to know each other better.  We will be looking to match up primary and intermediate children with adults who would like to participate.  Starting the Sunday before Valentine’s Day, February 8th, adults and children will be given secret code names of famous Unitarian Universalists, like Beatrix Potter, Christopher Reeve, Joseph Priestly, Hosea Ballou, William Ellery Channing, etc.  The mystery UUs will exchange notes, like pen pals, for six weeks.  Then, we will have a special potluck dinner where you will get to find out who your church pal is and have some more fun and games.  INTERESTED ADULTS: please contact Kim Preveza.

 

We will also be starting our new Primary Curriculum, Experiencing the Web of Life.  Take note: we will be going outside so please dress warmly and bring a change of socks and pants.  We may also be meeting some animals during the course of this session so please let us know about any allergies. 

 

The Primary Class will also be doing a presentation on all the Unitarian Universalists Super Heroes they met this fall and early winter. 

 

I will be teaching the last Sunday of school vacation, February 22.  Perhaps, next year I will auction off the subjects.  This time it is a freebie if you want to make a request for a topic.  Please let me know by February 8. 

 

Finally, our installation has been postponed and will be rescheduled and announced soon.  In the meantime, we will be exploring more about what a Minister of Religious Education is and what it means to install one.  I look forward to exploring our relationship more deeply as we go through this process.

 

Sincerely,

Rev. Kim  Preveza

Minister of Religious Education, mre@secondparish.org