Second Parish Unitarian Universalist

Hingham, Massachusetts

Glad Tidings

From the Minister –

 

Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods:  Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder writes about the ways that contemporary children are being cut off from direct contact with nature of the sort many of us recall growing up.  Sometimes we as parents, grandparents and caregivers can grow so worried about the safety of our charges that we deny them experiences which allow them to learn and come to terms with the world on their own terms – especially the world of nature, with all the risks and wonderful rewards it entails.

 

The summer – a time when we suspend our normal services and when many of us are away from home for extended periods – is a great time to renew our own communion with nature and at the same time to teach our children what has meant most to us in our own direct experiences.  The first source of our Unitarian Universalist living tradition is drawn from “Direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life.”  The summer is a wonderful time to engage in what our Transcendentalist forebears like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke of as “worship in nature” – exposing ourselves to the world around us so that we can commune directly with all the many forms of life which lie so close to us yet can seem so far away when we are preoccupied with the busyness of living from day to day. 

 

Deedee and I had the pleasure this past week of a very quick visit from my niece Debby, her husband Danny & their three sons aged 13, 10 and 7.  The two youngest and their dad wanted to take a tour of the church before they left in the morning, so I gave them the grand tour, with a special focus on hiding places like the “secret” stairway from my office to the choir loft and the doorway in my office which leads to the somewhat intriguing basement under the sanctuary.  Naturally, they insisted on going up in the balcony (what kid wouldn’t?) and while we were there I had the thought we might as well go up to the bell tower.  I worried a little at the very top, which is quite steep, but we all got up and out on the roof and were having a wonderful time waving down to the others on the ground when we realized that there was a wasp carefully working on a nest right next to the trap door we’d just come through.  A bit more nature than we’d counted on, actually, but we realized that as long as we left the wasp alone, the wasp would leave us alone, and we all got down none the worse for the wear.  I think that adventure will be the highlight of their trip, better than all the sports halls of fame and even Plimouth Plantation.  It was simple, real, and just a little risky – just the ticket for growing boys and girls and all the rest of us.

 

Have a safe and wonderful summer, and return again on September 7th for the beginning of a new and wonderful church year next fall.

 

In Faith,

Paul

Property

Help Wanted---Our Sexton, Casey Kirsch, will be unable to continue after mid-August as he heads off to an out-of-state college.  He originally planned to stay local.  If anyone is aware of a candidate for 4-6 hours per week of cleaning and light maintenance, please let me know.

 

We will be starting removal of the clock box from the vestibule shortly after the end of the church year. This will be followed by painting of the vestibule, Cushing Hall and related hallways, and the Nursery. Finally, the floor in the vestibule will be sanded and refinished.

 

An expanded Property Committee (adding Joyce Schreier and Phil Shute) will meet shortly to discuss plans for the new first floor bathroom. Bill Thayer is at work on the plans and hopes to have them available in the next two weeks. He was unable to have them for the Annual Meeting due to a severe bout with the flu. Once plans are reviewed, we can proceed to a cost estimate and permitting.

 

Finally, we will be updating our emergency notification list for the Fire Department with appropriate names and phone numbers.  It is unclear when this was last done.  

-Submitted by Len O’Connor

 

Second Sunday Collection

We're happy to report we raised $406 at our June Second Sunday offering to help the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County buy their first church in Peace Dale, RI.  This congregation was started in 1989 and called their first minister, Rev. Betty Kornitzer, just four years ago.  We've made a great contribution to helping grow our faith in the Ballou Channing District.  Our September Second Sunday offering will go to support a project to provide textbooks for students served by the UU Urban Ministry in Dorchester, who are not allowed to bring their books home from school to do their homework or get tutoring help.  There will be more details in the September newsletter.

 

A Note From The Collectors
Please remember that church expenses continue all summer even though we don't have services. Please keep your pledges current by mailing your checks to the church office.                                                    

-Thanks, Lou and Bernie

Community

Book Group

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 16, at a place to be announced. The book is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.  Any questions, call Jennifer Love at 81-749-3243.

 

 

Sewing Group

"Think Snow" while you're vacationing this summer.  The Christmas Bazaar will be here before you know it so think of making something handmade to sell.  Diana and the sewing group will try to meet every Monday during the summer months.  Please stop by to visit or to get inspired - we are full of new and clever ideas to keep you busy and we would love to get any new ideas from you.           

                                                                                        -Thanks, Diana Meigs

Community Garden

Our Community Garden is growing well.  We especially need help caring for it during the week of August 25th.  Please sign up for that week or any other currently free on the bulletin board.



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

Painting the Religious Education Rooms

We finished painting two of our three rooms Tuesday and Wednesday.  We need two more days of painting to paint the large room, which we're going to be doing from 9-12 on Tuesday, July 1 & Wednesday, July 2.  Please sign up with Pam King if you can help out.  Thanks to everyone who helped out this past week, including Rev. Kim Preveza, Helene Soini, Pam, Lissa and Chip King, Ben Maude and his friend George Finnerty, Allison Crowe, Olivia Reavey & her friend Josie Cataldo, and Deedee & Paul Sprecher.

A HUGE THANK YOU

 

Everyone who provided flowers, coffee goodies, ushered, and set up/cleaned-up this year, did a terrific job.  People attending church on Sunday appreciate all that these volunteers do to make our church a friendly, welcoming place with lots of discussion after the service.

 

Thank you to the following:

 

            Alice Brewer                Jane and Phil Shute                  Gene Chamberlain         Dinah Collins

            Lou Belknap                  Tracy and Frank White             Becky Weston               Elaine Cadogan

            Helene Soini                 Susan and Kurt Weisenbeck      Allison Crowe               Joyce Schreier

            Beth Morrell                 Sandy and Bernie Peavey          Chip and Pam King         Deedee Sprecher

            Tasha Allan                  Karen and Phil Delano               Intermediate Class        RE Committee

            John Belknap                Margery and Jack Suomala       Julianna Dunn               Suzette Droster

            Heidi Brieger                Diana and Brad Meigs               Kim Shaw                      Lisa and Baba Shetty

            Betty Tower                 Anna and Michael Maude          Leadership Board          Ellen Barry

            Mary Collins                 Stephanie and Steve Kelsch      Barbara Eisenhaure     

            Richard Bowker                        Olga and Richard Mayo             Mariann and Len O’Connor

            Sue and Allan Viden                 

 

We hope that this spirit of good cheer and helpful volunteerism will continue to flourish and increase during the next church year.

                                                                                                            -Sue Viden

 

A big thank-you to the people of Second Parish for supporting my AIDS Walk team, George Pittman and Friends.  With your help we have raised over $4000!  

                                                                                     -Mark Slawson

 

News from our Cooperative Religious Education Program

 

I am very touched by all the thought and generosity that went into waving me goodbye. Thank you for the kind words, the sweet cards that the children made, the great painting of Second Parish in the Fall, the delicate Second Parish tile-trivet, the beautiful vase overflowing with spectacular  flowers, and the delicious French goodies for the special coffee hour. Thank you so much for everything. I will cherish all these treasures and the good memories we shared.

 

It has been an honor to serve you and I wish the Parish and all of you much success and happiness.


-Liliane