Second Parish Unitarian Universalist
Hingham, Massachusetts
Glad Tidings
From the Minister –
I’m often caught by surprise by how some tiny change in my life – like an especially nice spring day like we’ve been having recently, a word of friendship from some unexpected source, finishing a task which had seemed difficult with far less effort than I had expected – can make everything else I’m facing seem so much easier. Sometimes I’m dragging toward the end of a day when Deedee & I take time off to go for a vigorous walk or work out at the Y, and I find myself rejuvenated by the exertion rather than tired out. Sometimes I’ve been putting some task off – taxes to file, reports to prepare – and then when I actually get around to putting the thing I’ve most dreaded behind me, I suddenly find myself with energy to spare for everything else I need to do. I’m sure I’m the only person in the congregation who procrastinates, but you may have friends to whom this would apply.
In one way, our project to Build a Better Bathroom is an attempt to take care of something we’ve needed to do as a congregation for a long time. While it is a significant project, I believe it’s well within our scope for the coming year, and I’m looking forward to another opportunity to continue on the path to becoming more welcoming.
One wonderful thing which has energized me is the fact that we have a new Director of Religious Education, Rev. Kim Preveza. Kim served as minister of the Bridgewater Unitarian Universalist congregation from 1996-2000. She has two children, 1 and 3 ½, and brings years of teaching mothers and children yoga as well as her experience as a minister. She will be a great addition to our staff next year, and will be working on the transition with Liliane at the end of this year.
Upcoming Services: May 4th is the last day of our Covenant Renewal for this year; please submit next year’s pledge by then as well as your contribution to Build a Better Bathroom; we will also be welcoming new members on that day, and my sermon will be “Membership Has Its Privileges.” May 11th is Mothers’ Day, and my sermon will be “All Kinds of Mothers.” On May 18th I want to enter into a dialog with the New Atheists – Christopher Hitchens (God is Not Great), Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) and Sam Harris (The End of Faith); I’ll call that sermon “Thank God for Atheists.” I’ll be away on May 25th, Memorial Day weekend, and Stephanie Shute Kelsch will take inspiration from Archibald MacLeish’s poem "The Young Dead Soldiers", which reminds us that it is up to us, the living, to give meaning to lives sacrificed for others. Tracing a day of travel from Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed on September 11th to the Johnstown Flood Memorial – 25 miles and a hundred years apart –Stephanie will explore the different ways in which we do give meaning to lives lost in events that shape our national character.
In Faith,
Paul
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Leadership Board Notes These days we can’t ignore the harbingers of spring. Air and earth are alive with small things winging by or rustling about. A warm breath then a cool breeze keep us taking off then putting back on the light jacket lately found in the closet. And if you’ve ever had a mind for gardens, the call is irresistible. Mixed vegetables on a favorite plot out back beyond the yard. Annuals and perennials sharing favored places next to the house. Even a patio tomato plant, or some herbs near the back door, helping to make the most of a tight space. Maybe these images are happy memories of another time. Or maybe you’re able to still get your senses renewed and your hands dirty in the delight of growing things. We have an idea that we hope will appeal to all of you, regardless of where you happen to be these days in the gardening world. Here it is. A vegetable garden, to the rear of the Parsonage, on that plot of grassy land where the old swing set used to be. A different kind of church work for all of us. A place where we can try out some ideas about a congregational green environment. And, maybe most exciting of all, a healthy way of supplying some of the produce for the Food Pantry. I’m sure there are as many ideas out there about growing vegetables as there are people saying, right now, "Hey, not a bad idea." I’ll be back soon to let you know what we ought to do next. In the meantime, please let me know about those ideas. -Allan Viden, Leadership Board Chair
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Straight Talk About Our Church Finances
Our annual Covenant Renewal is off to a good start. A special thank you to those of you who attended the small but spirited meeting after coffee hour on the 13th.
At the time of this writing, completed pledge forms have just begun to arrive at the church office. (You may wish to send yours directly to Susan Weisenbeck.) Please make your own decisions on this important matter and return yours by May 4.
Already we have received several significantly increased pledges (ten percent or more) and have $25,000 promised for the first floor bathroom which we plan to install this year. (It will be located off of a new hallway in a small addition to be built where the current fire door is located, at the top of the stairs leading to the lower level of Cushing Hall.)
As outlined for you in the Covenant Renewal and other documents, we are making, or have made, a number of investments on your behalf which are designed to increase the impact and worth of our programs on members and friends of all ages.
Specifically, we have successfully recruited Rev. Kim Preveza as our new Director of Religious Education. We are going to purchase or otherwise acquire a piano for the choir loft, and we are in the process of contracting for the repainting of the vestibule, and Cushing Hall, both the ground floor and our nursery school/babysitting space on the lower level.
Now for the straight talk.
Just about all of the largest pledges our church receives are from older persons, many of whose children and grandchildren had , or are having, their earliest religious experiences and learning here at Second Parish.
But because we cannot count on our older members and friends being able to pledge at that level indefinitely, we need to begin to correct this imbalance.
Our highest (fiscal) hope is that by significantly raising the level of excellence of our programs and facilities, we will inspire most of our regular financial supporters to raise the level of priority of Second Parish in their financial planning, and determine to pledge, according to their financial abilities and personal circumstances of course, at close to or even above the amount of our AVERAGE pledge, which is just a bit above $2000.
We need this financial commitment in order to continue putting our best foot forward and achieving the modest growth which we all want (and need) for Second Parish.
We’ll keep you posted in the weeks ahead.
-Submitted by Susan Weisenbeck / Kim Shaw
You can provide now for a future gift to Second Parish by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust.
Important Reminder: Coffee Is On Before Church
"Coffee is on" in Cushing Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays for those who arrive a little early and would like a cup. This experiment will continue through the close of this church year.
Music Notes:
Seeking upright or spinet piano for choir loft.
Let's expand the musical possibilities in the service by finding a small piano for the choir loft. If anyone should hear of a piano that's available, please let Kurt Weisenbeck know.
We're lonely in the choir loft--won't you join us in the choir?
Please consider adding your voice to the choir. We sing twice a month and are supported by a professional quartet. The only time commitment we would ask is that you join us for a 45-minute rehearsal before church at 9:00 on the days the choir sings. I can get the music to you in advance and would be happy to work with anyone who is challenged by reading music. If you are interested, please send me a musical e-mail at lmark.slawson@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Music Schedule for May
5/4 Elizabeth Morrell, soprano
5/11 Choir
5/18 MacIsaac and Ross Folk Duo
5/25 Student String Quartet
-Submitted by Mark Slawson
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, May 24th. All men of the parish are welcome to join us for 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 him at lsbelknap@verizon.net.
Book Group
The Book Group will meet on
Tuesday, May 20th 7:30 p.m. Location and book to be announced. Any questions, call Jennifer
Love at 781-749-3243.
Area UU News
The Growing Divide: Inequality and the Roots of Economic Insecurity" – Saturday, May 3, 2 PM – 4 PM
Thayer Public Library, 798 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184. Does it seem that it's harder than ever to make ends meet? Find out about the massive shift of income and wealth that has taken place in the U.S. over the last twenty-five years. Consider what we can do to reverse this trend. This workshop, presented by United for a Fair Economy (www.faireconomy.org), has been presented in more than a thousand settings around the nation. Hosted by Unitarian Universalist churches: First Parish Milton, United First Parish Quincy, and All Souls Braintree. For more information, visit www.allsoulsbraintree.org or call 781-843-1388. Free. Donations will be accepted to provide the speaker's fee.
Soul Work Conversations: May 4 at Old Ship
While
you might find participation more meaningful if you have read the chapter, you
are welcome to participate even if you haven't had a chance to do so. And if
you know anyone who might not be receiving this notice who you think might be
interested in participating, please invite them to join us.
Copies of Soul
Work will be available for the reduced price of $18 from Rev. Dr. Jan Carlsson-Bull,
minister at First Parish UU in Cohasset. To
learn more, contact co-facilitators Jan Carlsson-Bull at 781-383-1100 or JCarlssonb@aol.com or Eva
Marx at 781-749-0485 or tomneva@supportlab.com.
Soul Work:
Conversations Across Congregations is a collaboration of three congregations:
First Parish-Cohasset, First Parish-Old Ship, and
Second Parish.
Update on the 52ndAnnual Exhibit and Sale of Art and Fine Crafts, May 8th-18th
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It’s Time! Help is needed! Please sign up to serve as a hostess or host at the Art and Fine Crafts Show as soon as possible. You may call Sandi at the church office (781-749-1671) on Mon., Tues., Thurs., 7 am– 1 pm
or Becky (781-749-3291) anytime. There are many hours open from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm May 8th through May 18th. Sunday hours are from noon until 4:00 pm. It’s easy and fun and a beautiful way to help the church. We are counting on you. You can do it! -Submitted by Becky Weston
News from our Cooperative Religious Education Program
Congratulations to the DRE search committee members, Tasha Allan, Richard Bowker and Allison Crowe for hiring our new DRE for next year and welcome to Kim Preveza. We will be working together for a smooth transition.
The children's first clay works have been fired in our new kiln. Some have been painted and others have been assembled in beautiful presents for Mothers' Day and Father's Day. Many thanks to all who helped in this new program, in particular Allison Crowe for her leadership and Suzette Droster, Deedee Sprecher and Anne McGuire for helping the children with such great dedication. In order to learn from this first experience with clay creations, we will be soliciting, feed back from children, teachers and parents.
Our last term is starting Sunday May 4. Teachers, Anna Maude and Susan Weisenbeck assisted by Heidi Ford will do the Unitarian Universalists Super Heroes curriculum with the Primary group and teachers Julianna Dunn and Pam King, assisted by Lisa Shetty, will continue The Questing Year curriculum with the Intermediate level.
Thank you very much to the Ford and Droster families for donating children's book for the Jordanian Children Peace Corps project of Beth Morrell's daughter. Also a grateful thanks to Allison Crowe for donating her kiln to the church.
The Religious Education Committee decided to have a two morning Painting Party on Monday June 16 and Tuesday June 17 from 9 am to noon. We will paint the three RE classrooms walls, windows and low cabinet for a fresh new look. We will provide refreshments and music. We welcome adults volunteers and youth Middle school age and up. Please sign up soon with Liliane so we know how many brushes and rollers to get.
-Liliane Verdier
, Director of Religious Education, Lilianevhing@aol.com, 781-749-9581
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Dear Members and Friends,
The Committee on Ministry seeks your feedback on Paul’s ministry. Your input will be used by the Committee and by the Leadership Board to evaluate Paul’s success in meeting his goals and to provide guidance which we hope will make our shared ministry more successful. Also, as new minister Paul is going through a three year probationary process before receiving his Final Fellowship credential with the UUA. As part of this process, we are required to submit an evaluation at the end of a Paul's second year of settlement.
Please return your form by Sunday, May 18, to one of the members of the Committee on Ministry or by mailing it to the following address:
Second Parish Unitarian Universalist
Committee on Ministry
685 Main Street
Hingham, MA 02043
All responses will be kept confidential and anonymous. Thank you for your cooperation.
The Committee on Ministry
Stephanie Kelsch
Kurt Weisenbeck
Becky Weston
Please provide your responses and comments where indicated.
1. Counseling and pastoral care (availability, responsiveness, warmth, empathy, knowledge of family systems, skill level in pastoral care, confidentiality, hospital visitation, etc.).
o Exceeds expectations
o Meets expectations
o Needs improvement
o No opinion
Comments:
2. Congregational Ministry (integration of new members, creates a welcoming environment, encourages a sense of community, encourages growth, supports broad variety of programs).
o Exceeds expectations
o Meets expectations
o Needs improvement
o No opinion
Comments:
3. Teaching (program development and coordination, supports programs for children, youth and adults, etc.)
o Exceeds expectations
o Meets expectations
o Needs improvement
o No opinion
Comments:
4. Worship (preparedness, coherence, intellectual challenge, spirituality, creativity, inspirational message, effective use of humor, music, prayer and meditation, readings/stories, pulpit presence, voice, etc.)
o Exceeds expectations
o Meets expectations
o Needs improvement
o No opinion
Comments:
Please provide any other comments you feel will be helpful.