Second Parish Unitarian Universalist

Hingham, Massachusetts

Glad Tidings

From the Minister –

 

We’re just getting started on our new Community Garden behind the garage.  We’ve had the 12’ x 20’ plot rototilled by the landscaper who takes care of our yards in return for the use of the garage.  We had a great crew including Allan and Sue Viden, Barbara Eisenhaure, Deedee & I on Tuesday to remove the grass clumps and complete the preparation for planting, and we also started a compost pile from the grass and some compost we’ve been gathering from our kitchen.  We expect to put up the fence and plant next week.

 

I’m happy to report that, in addition to the $243 we raised in our Second Sunday offering in May, we have also been awarded a Sandwich Memorial Fund Grant of $950 by the Ballou Channing District Board, on which I will begin serving in July.  The Board was pleased with our vision of sharing the work and the produce with the Interfaith Food Pantry; involving volunteers and children from the congregation as well as other neighbors; following organic principles; and practicing growing our own food.  These activities tie together a number of outreach and social justice opportunities that we and the BCD Board have found compelling.  This will provide also us with opportunities for publicity both during the growing season and for a celebration next October which will highlight Ethical Eating and Food Sufficiency for all.  At a time when food supplies are growing short around the world, I believe this is an important example for Second Parish to be holding out to our community, and an excellent realization of our covenant’s commitment to be of service to our neighbors.

 

For me, this is also an opportunity to reach back to my roots on the farm.  While many parts of my adult life have helped to prepare me for my transition to ministry, my experience as a farm boy has been largely suppressed – except for that fact that, as my father proudly notes, farm boys work harder – a good asset for any career.  I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get my hands dirty by being closer to the soil again – literally!  It’s very easy for us to take food for granted.  Many of you are much more experienced with gardening than Deedee and I, and we welcome any help, suggestions, or donations of plants as we undertake our first year.  We especially need volunteers who can help out during the summer.

 

June Services:  One June 1st, I will be preaching on Making War, Making Peace.  We will also have our Annual Meeting after the service.  On June 8th, the service will focus on Suffering and Ending Suffering, including meditation practices from the Buddhist tradition.  June 15th will be our day to honor the teachers in our Religious Education program and to talk about how to Teach Your Children Well.  Our last service of the church year will be on June 22nd and will be an Intergenerational Flower Communion and an opportunity to Ask the Minister – Rather than giving a sermon, I will answer questions from the congregation – any questions!

 

In Faith,

Paul

Leadership Board Notes

The Leadership Board urges members of Second Parish to attend the Annual Meeting on the first of June if they are able to. This important coming-together provides the best opportunity during the year to hear first-hand, at one time, what the state of our church is. Reports from the minister, the treasurer, and the various committees are presented. Pending expenditures for key projects are voted on. Questions and answers about parish matters are discussed. And it’s a congenial time to share good thoughts with old friends and new acquaintances. See you there!. 

            -Allan Viden, Leadership Board Chair

 

Covenant Renewal Summary

We are wrapping up our Covenant Renewal in which members and friends make their financial and volunteer pledges to the church for the coming year.  We are still waiting to hear from several families, so if you have not yet made your financial pledge, please do so as soon as possible so it will be included in the budget we are preparing for the Annual Meeting to be held after church on June 1.

 

At the time of this writing, we have achieved 80% of our very ambitious goal of $109,000 in pledges and donations.  In addition, support for the Build-a-Better Bathroom Fund has been outstanding:  we have raised almost $50,000 between recent pledges and funds donated in past years.  More details will be available at the Annual Meeting.

-Submitted by Susan Weisenbeck

 

Music Schedule for June

6/1:   Elizabeth Morrell, soprano, with Carol Lawton, guest organist

6/8:   Choir

6/15:  Elizabeth Morrell, soprano

6/22:  Choir and Douglas Wauchope, trombone

     -Submitted by Mark Slawson

 

Community

 

AIDS Walk Donations

Please support Mark Slawson in his 13th AIDS Walk.  You'll find a sign-up sheet and envelope for your donations on the credenza in Cushing Hall, or you may donate on-line at www.aidswalkboston.org.  Click on DONATE.  Many thanks for your past support.

 

52ndAnnual Exhibit and Sale of Art and Fine Crafts a Big Success!

Here are comments written in our guest book from visitors:  The highlight of spring time!, Too, too good!, Thank you for encouraging the young children, Lovely, Very impressed, Wonderful show, Great show, Beautiful Art, Superb, Thanks for the joy-so beautifully arranged, and several more! 

 

The winner of the Frank Vining Smith Award is Dianne Panarelli Miller from Abington.  Dianne is a “Copley Master” at the Copley Society in Boston and a member of the Oil Painters of America.  People were impressed with her beautiful work and we are happy she joined us this year.  Tina Watson, who won last year, is a student of hers.

 

The financial results of the show will be announced soon.  I’m sure we have surpassed last year’s total, but there are a few bills to be turned in.  The net total will be announced in church soon.

 

Many thanks to all who helped.  Every bit was much appreciated.  A “wind-up” meeting is being held.  Any suggestions for next year’s show are always appreciated.  Sandi is our rock and “ambassador at large.”  I know you all agree.

-Submitted by Becky Weston

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

NOT YOUR AVERAGE YARD SALE

SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH  9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

 

This is not a Street Fair where you drop off your stuff and someone else sells it, rather you sell your own stuff and donate as much of your proceeds* to the Church as you wish!

 

A win – win situation. 

You get to Clean out stuff you don’t want, Spend a day with your friends at Second Parish and help

Raise Money for a very good cause.

All Proceeds to benefit the updating of Cushing Hall.  Let’s brighten it up to go with our beautiful new bathroom!

 

We need lots of people to bring a table (including card tables) and gently used stuff to sell!

 

We also need some donations to help the cause:       

Cushing Hall Fund

 

What we won’t need:

We don’t need anyone to move stuff in and out of the barn or go to the dump!!  We will start setting up early Saturday morning, say 7:30 a.m. Of course many hands make light work. 

 

REMEMBER:   If you bring it to the yard sale, you either sell it, give it away, or take it away!

 

So, find a buddy, start thinking about new or gently used items you may wish to sell and get ready for a wonderful day.

 

We have a limited number of tables at the Church.  If you need to use one, speak up quickly. 

 

If you need help getting a larger item to the Church let us know.  Limited transportation is available a day or two before but we’ll need to leave it in Cushing Hall until the event.

 

Some tips from the pros: 

          Bestsellers are baby equipment, sporting goods, furniture, tools, kitchen appliances, and toys.

          Make items as attractive as possible and display them clearly.

          Have money to make change. A fanny pack and calculator are helpful.

          A "Tag-Sale Price Guide" is available on realsimple.com

 

We need to know who plans to participate.  We have to hire a policeman and if there is not enough interest it might not be worth the expense. 

 

PLEASE Call or email Dinah or Mariann this week

Mariann O’Connor  781-749-9896     mj _ olsen @ yahoo.com

Dinah Collins 781-749-7184                                dinah _ collins @ dfci . harvard.edu

 

(there are NO SPACES in our email addresses but if typed correctly they are auto underlined and the _ (underscore) doesn’t show.

 

Suggestions or ideas are welcome.  Donations will be gratefully accepted.  Let’s make this a huge success!


Thanks much!

 

Dinah and Mariann

 

*50% is a nice place to start, however any percentage will be gratefully accepted. 

 

 

 

 

HELP

 

Looking for a willing twosome to provide coffee after church on June 22nd.  Please call or email Sue Viden 781-331-3888 or saviden@comcast.net.

 

 

SECOND SUNDAY COLLECTION

We're happy to report we raised $243 at our May second Sunday offering to help support the Second Parish Community Garden.  For June, we will dedicate the offering to helping 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.  They have been meeting in an American Legion Bingo Hall which at this point is severely restricting their growth, especially because the space for children is moldy and cramped.  They have grown rapidly to 140 members, and now they are asking congregations around the Ballou Channing District to help them acquire and renovate a former convent they will be purchasing which has both a sanctuary and classrooms which will enable them to grow.  This is a great opportunity for us to help grow our faith in this district.

News from our Cooperative Religious Education Program

Congratulations to the Primary class children. Although some of them were nervous, they did a great job representing some of the Bible Heroes they learned about this year. Their costumes and props were beautiful and they sang powerfully and well for the pleasure of the congregation. Our grateful thanks go to their teachers Heidi Ford, Anna Maude and Susan Weisenbeck.

 

All who have contributed in any way to our Religious Education Cooperative effort this year are invited to attend the June 15 service, during which you will be recognized publicly.

 

We are looking forward to a great RE program next year. Please let us know if your are considering teaching or assisting in the Primary class, the Intermediate class, joining Paul and Kim on the Coming of Age Program  committee or possibly serving as a COA mentor. Please contact me at home or see me on Sundays for more details.

 

Would you like to help the congregation save money?  We received an estimate of  $ 2,700 for having the 3 RE rooms painted. Most of this can be saved if a few volunteer youth and grown ups are willing to paint the walls and low cabinets. Child care can be provided if requested. Please sign up now for the Painting Parties of Tuesday or Wednesday mornings June 17 and 18.

 

Kindly yours,

 

Liliane Verdier

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Director of Religious Education, Lilianevhing@aol.com, 781-749-9581

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

NOT YOUR AVERAGE YARD SALE

SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH  9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

 

***RSVP NEEDED IMMEDIATELY – NO LATER THAN 5/29***