Second Parish Unitarian Universalist
Hingham, Massachusetts
Glad Tidings
From the Minister –
Radical Hospitality
One of the most pervasive requirements in the Hebrew Bible is the requirement to show hospitality to strangers. In the Christian Bible we are reminded “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Have you ever had the experience of learning something completely new as a result of meeting a stranger? Sometimes meeting a stranger brings out the best in us, as it did in Wesley Autrey, who jumped onto the subway tracks in Manhattan in January to save the life of a stranger suffering an epileptic seizure. More often, we avoid strangers out of fear for our own safety. Clearly the rescue on the subway tracks was an example of the broad definition of “neighbor” Jesus had in mind when he told the story of the Good Samaritan.
Most of us don’t have opportunities like that in our lives, but we do face choices every day about how we will approach other people. We can regard other people as competitors for the same things we want—parking spaces, promotions, the best seats at public events—or we can see them as potential angels from whom we can learn and grow. A smile or friendly gesture can often be just the sort of gift the other person needs to help them through their day.
At our church, we need to exercise radical hospitality toward guests who join us for services. While ushers and greeters serve each week to ensure that guests are specifically welcomed, it’s important that each of us also reach out to guests and welcome to our company. Especially at coffee hour, it can be easy to enjoy the familiar company of friends, but coffee hour is the time when a guest has the most need of a friendly welcome. Let’s all make it our business to be alert and make sure that any guests are welcomed and engaged. You may also have noticed that members of the Leadership Board and the Committee on Ministry have started modeling sitting in the center of the church toward the front. The feeling of warmth this generates will help guests to feel more like they are joining a company of friends who would love to move over on the pew and welcome them to sit down.
We’re going to be inviting friends and neighbors to join us for our Easter Service on April 8th followed by an Easter Egg Hunt. We’ll be using postcards, a sign and notices in the paper as we did for Christmas Eve. This would be a great opportunity for each person to invite someone they know or would like to get to know to join us. We have a wonderful, friendly church to share; let’s reach out to others and invite them to join us. They’ll enjoy it as much as we do and will be glad for the invitation.
In Faith,
Paul
Leadership Board Notes
On Saturday, March 10th, volunteers from the Leadership Board and the Committee on Ministry will be meeting at the church at nine o'clock to clean out various nooks and crannies and closets and cupboards in the church. The goal is to eliminate some stuff that isn't useful anymore and provide more space for that which is. If you enjoy that sort of treasure hunt, please join them March 10, 9:00 am. -Submitted by Allan Viden
Community
Men’s Breakfast
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The next men's breakfast will be held at 8:00 a.m. in Cushing Hall on Saturday, March 10th. All men of the parish are welcome to join us for a high cholesterol breakfast and conversation. We have no set agenda. Come prepared to talk about anything on your mind. We break promptly at 9:00 a.m. Call Lou Belknap at 781-749-5519 if you can join us, or email me at lsbelknap@verizon.net.
Book Group
The next meeting will be
Tuesday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m. Location and book to be announced. Any
questions call Jennifer Love at 781-749-3243.
Time for Dinner(s)!
There will be dinners for eight on the last two weekends in March. Several gracious people have offered to have them at their homes. These are fun, social evenings to enjoy good fellowship and good food. The hostess usually lets people know what she would like them to bring. Sign-up sheets will be in Cushing Hall. -Submitted by Dinah Collins
Note
of Thanks
Father
Bill McCarthy and all the staff and volunteers at Father Bill's Place in Quincy wish to thank the members
of Second Parish most sincerely for their very generous donation. Our
manager and our nurse will see to it that the funds are put to immediate use to
address cold weather needs. The homeless men and women who come to us every day
are from towns on the South Shore. A child with cancer once
told his doctor: "You can't always cure, but you can always
heal." Thank you again for your timely gift.
-Mary Collins
South Shore Cluster Dinner - All Souls Church, Braintree, 196 Elm Street
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Social Time at 6:30 pm ~ Dinner ($7) at 7:00 pm
Program from 8:00 – 9:00 pm
The Gifts of Immigrants: Our speakers will help us understand the gifts that immigrants bring to our society as well as the complexities of the current debate on immigration policy. Marcia Hohn, Director of Public Education, Immigrant Learning Center in Malden, MA . Cynthia Tschampl, Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). For reservations, please leave a message at 781-843-1388 or email kschmitz@uuma.org by Monday, March 26.
JOHN GREENWOOD’S SELECT SOJOURNING SOLUTION
Please let me introduce myself! I am John Greenwood, I live near Nottingham in England. I am an active member of the National Unitarian Fellowship and attend the Derby Unitarian Church. I also provide customised driver/guided tours of the UK for small groups of 2 to 6 people.
The
scenery of the British
Isles
is beautiful, the heritage and culture rich and varied with castles, country
houses, cathedrals, ancient pagan sites, theatre, live music etc. Also
Unitarian chapels, many dating back to the 18th century, can be
visited.
I
produce a customised itinerary, meet the party at the airport, arrange quality
B&B accommodation en route, drive a suitable vehicle, describing the sights
being visited, finishing each day with a relaxing pub meal.
My
mission is to ensure an interesting and enjoyable time is had by all. I keep in
close email contact with all those booking on my trips, invariably becoming firm
friends.
For more information, please view my website at www.uk-sojourning.com. I would be delighted to hear from any members of your congregation interested in visiting the UK and having an unforgettable experience.
-Kind regards, John Greenwood
UU NIAGARA EXPERIENCE July 15-18, 2007
If you have ever wanted to visit Niagara Falls or if it is already one of your favorite places, this is a chance to experience the wonder of Niagara Falls including some great educational opportunities while in the company of UUs from around the country. 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 history and natural wonders around the Falls. For information visit our web site:
http://www.uunex.net/ Email : info@uunex.net Telephone : (716) 791-4453
LABYRINTH WORKSHOP - JOURNEY TO THE CENTER, JOURNEY TO THE SACRED.
A Labyrinth Workshop will take place in the Parish House of Old Ship Church, 107 Main Street in Hingham, on Saturday March 3, 2007, from 4 pm to 5:30 pm. Arrival and welcome from 3:30 pm.
Labyrinth walking has been practiced in a great variety of cultures and religions for many thousands of years. This form of meditative walk is known to, among other things, clear the mind and to bring up personal insights. A little background and know-how greatly help this wonderful process. In this workshop you will discover:
· pictures of ancient labyrinths and their numerous metaphorical meanings;
· fascinating symbols of medieval Christian floor labyrinths, such as Old Ship’s;
· different strategies to walk the Old Ship labyrinth; and
· guidance to prepare yourself for a deeply meaningful meditative walk.
After the presentation, your candle-lit walking meditation will take place on the labyrinth floor, followed by silent writing about your experience and voluntary sharing. Liliane Verdier has been presenting this well-received workshop to the public and to special interest groups since 2000. 20% of the $15 admission fee will go to support Old Ship Church. No pre-registration. For more information contact Liliane at Lilianevhing@aol.com or 781-749-9581
News from our Cooperative Religious Education Program
We are all deeply saddened that one of our children, Olivia, a 3rd grader, lost her dear father, Jim Reavey recently. The children in attendance Sunday made, very loving, sympathy cards for Olivia to let her know how much we care. Olivia and her mom, Allison, are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Coming of Age program is moving forward. We appreciate the generous offer of Rev. Paul Sprecher to serve as a mentor. We had several mentors-mentees-committee sessions, including a common workshop to which we invited Old Ship's COA group. We are currently exploring various forms of spiritual practices commonly used by UUs.
Both the Soul Work RE session for kids on "Celebrating Diversity" that we did here at Second Parish recently and last Sunday’s Peace session went so well that we will use the same themes again for future special events.
Thank you very much to the children and to Sandi for their precious help with the sorting and counting of your donations to the Guest at Your Table program. We will let you know the results when done.
Lots of great learning and exciting activities are taking place currently during Sunday School sessions. Values are learned through stories, games, singing, discussions, projects, movement and more. It is already time to plan for our third term which starts in April. We need teachers and beginning assistants for the Primary, Intermediate and Junior levels. Please contact me soon to choose your favorite level and join our RE team.
So far this year, thanks to the support of Second Parish, I was able to attend the Fall B.C. District Conference, the Minister-DRE Workshop , several district Religious Educators gatherings (including one I led on the theme of the labyrinth), a Youth Program Advisor Conclave and the BCD Religious Educators Winter Retreat. All were very helpful in gathering resources, contacts and ideas about what works best in small church communities and is most useful as we plan for next year. We will be discussing this at the next RE Committee meeting, scheduled for Sunday, March 11 at 12:15 p.m. We welcome your suggestions as well regarding next year's plan.
March 18 is UU Union Sunday, a service shared by area UU Congregations. It will be held at First Parish in Norwell and there will be programs for children there. Second Parish will be closed. This is a great opportunity for all to get to know other local UUs.
In peace,
Liliane Verdier
, Acting Director of Religious Education Lilianevhing@aol.com, 781-749-9581