Second Parish Unitarian Universalist
in Hingham
Glad Tidings
From the Minister –
Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.
—from Tao Te Ching, #9, translated by Stephen Mitchell
October has been a busy month for me, starting with the wonderful celebration we had on October 1st for the Ordination and installation; I want to thank you all for everything you did for Deedee, our family & guests and for me. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by so many friends from years past as well as all of you, and your hospitality was a joy to all of us. Then there have been two memorial services, district events, and so much more of learning my new responsibilities. The Tao speaks wisdom about not straining too hard, a concept found in many other traditions as well, so I’ve been trying to make sure that I take advantage of time off as well.
The Fourth Commandment calls on the Children of Israel to observe the Sabbath; in the first telling, in Exodus, the commandment is justified on the grounds that God rested on the Seventh Day of creation. When the commandment is repeated in Deuteronomy, it is identical except that listeners are reminded that they were slaves in the land of Egypt and should keep the Sabbath for that reason. Slaves can’t control when they are required to work, but free people can.
I confess that I found Sundays rather tedious as I was growing up in a family which honored the day by avoiding any work that was not critical and in general discouraging any fun I might want to have. I have found since, though, that Sabbath time is critical for keeping our balance in the world. We need time away from anxieties, concerns, responsibilities, and endless work in order to restore a sense of the meaning and purpose in our living. Some parts of our lives work best when we have the grace to do what we can and then let go. I find that I return to my tasks with renewed enthusiasm when I take the time to really experience Sabbath rest.
The fall of the year is a time which reminds us to slow down. Our clocks have just “fallen back” to give us an extra hour of sleep this once a year and plants and animals are moving toward hibernation as they prepare to rest through the winter. We can all benefit from taking time for ourselves in this season as well.
History Invitation: As noted elsewhere (see Founding Stories), the ministers of the four churches of Hingham (one formerly) will be presenting our church histories briefly on Sunday, Nov. 5th as part of the 325th anniversary of Old Ship. Hint: You will learn why Second Parish used to be Third Parish.
In Faith,
Paul
Leadership Board Notes
A New Way To Show Our Generosity
The Leadership Board is putting into action the recommendation approved at our last Annual Meeting that, once a month, the bills and change collected during the worship service be donated to a worthy cause. This donation (which will not include any pledge money that is collected) is another way for Second Parish to not only recognize the needs of groups who depend largely on financial support from the outside, but also help them continue their good work.
Although the aim generally is to give money to a local group each month, the Board and Rev. Paul Sprecher thought that the first such donation might go to the UU Web Template Project, which guided us in creating our web site for Second Parish (www.secondparish.org). This talented, far-flung group that is supported in part by the Fund for Unitarian Universalism asks congregations using their skills and templates to consider making a donation to help defray the cost of the project.
The Board plans to kick-off this new service activity on Sunday, 12 November. Again, the plate collection on that Sunday will be donated to the people who helped us to get our sparkling web site up and running. Please let us know how you feel about this new way for Second Parish to reach out. And if you have a recommendation for a worthy group to receive this donation some month, please let the Board know.
-Submitted by Allan Viden
News from the Committee on Ministry
The new Committee on Ministry had its initial meeting with Paul on October 11. We are all very excited about serving on this important committee and are looking forward to the year ahead.
This year's committee members are Heidi Brieger, Pam King, Kurt Weisenbeck, and Becky Weston. Sean Gallagher, chairman of last year's Search Committee, will not be able to serve as an active member of the COM due to his extensive business obligations in Australia. However, Sean has graciously offered his services as an "ex officio" member and will provide aid and counsel from afar.
Our main purpose is to maintain the strength of Paul’s ministry by providing advice and feedback and by serving as a communication channel between Paul, the congregation, and the Leadership Board. The COM plans to meet at least monthly and will provide periodic reports to the congregation and to the Leadership Board. The COM’s functions include:
· Supporting the minister with his professional development and renewal
· Working with the Leadership Board and the minister to set performance goals
· Performing an annual assessment of the minister’s performance with input from the congregation and all of the Church’s committees
· Submitting an annual performance appraisal of the minister to the UUA Department of Ministry
· Consulting with the Leadership Board in the annual review of the minister’s compensation
The COM has a particularly important job during Paul’s first year at Second Parish when he is getting to know us and when both he and the congregation are seeking to set the groundwork for a successful and long-lasting ministry. We will be actively seeking feedback from all members.
-Submitted by The Committee on Ministry: Heidi Brieger, Pam King, Kurt Weisenbeck, Becky Weston
Membership Team
We are looking for everyone's input and commitment for our current goal of ensuring that all newcomers to Second Parish feel welcome, informed, and included.
So far, the Sunday morning greeter's role has changed in that he or she will serve for a month at a time and have more responsibility for engaging and follow-up with visitors. For example, that includes having a nametag made, providing Religious Education information, and sending a note.
What would we like to see in a Visitors' Packet? What should be on a Welcome Table in Cushing Hall during coffee hour?
Join us after church on October 29th for work on our current goals of a packet for newcomers, a welcome table, and increased publicity. What was good and not good about your early days at Second Parish?
Feel free to contact any of us.
-Submitted by The Membership Team: Alice Brewer, Dinah Collins, Chip King, Mariann O'Connor, Jane Shute
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, November 4th (since Veterans’ Day is the 11th). 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, November 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Gene Chamberlain’s home. The book for this meeting is Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. Any questions call Jennifer Love at 781-749-3243.
Save the Date-December 2nd – the Glad Tidings Holiday Fair
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This is one of our first fund raising events of the year and it is so easy to volunteer and a great way to get into the spirit of the season with friends.
We will be selling hand made items, beautifully decorated wreaths, ornaments, jewelry and gifts. Home baked pies, cakes, beans and soups will also be sold. Also the popular holiday cookie sale will take place.
Here are some ideas how you can help out:
Wreaths: We will be decorating wreaths a week before the fair. Orders will be taken after church throughout
November.
Hand made items and crafts: There’s still time to knit, crochet or sew items for the fair.
Hand crafted decorations and gifts: Hand made ornaments are always very popular.
Gift table: Like-new items for resale.
Jewelry: Fall clean your jewelry box for those pieces you no longer wear.
Bake Table: Think about what special treats to make (bread, chili, soup, cake, cookies, etc.).
Cookie Exchange: Last year we sold many cookies by letting people fill a decorated coffee can and then pay. Small
cookies will be needed for this table.
Men’s table: Any one interested in making bird feeders or any creative wooden items.
Think about a spot to help out, a table to chair or offer a new idea. We always need people to help with set up and clean up. More information is to follow and we guarantee a fun time for all. Helene Soini (co-coordinator) will be calling for your help. -Submitted by Becky Weston, co-coordinator
Music schedule for November:
November 5: The Choir; November 12: Beth Morrell; November 19: The Choir; November 26: The Whitings
Father Bill’s Place – Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Father Bill's Place, the shelter for homeless adults, has for 20 years hosted a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 200 guests. There is always a need for cider, pies, and, of course, turkeys (12-14 lbs). If you can donate any of these items, please bring them to the shelter at 38 Broad Street (behind Quincy Police on 3A) or call me for a pickup (740-4576).
-Mary Collins
Founding Stories: From One Parish to Four Churches, Sunday, November 5, 4:00 p.m.
Old Ship Meeting House, 90 Main Street, Hingham - Free and Open to the Public - Wheelchair accessible
First Parish in Hingham is celebrating the 325th anniversary of the Old Ship Meeting House. First Parish, gathered as a congregation in 1635, built their second Meeting House in 1681; the Old Ship Meeting House is now the oldest wooden building in continuous use as a church in the United States. It is a National Historic Landmark.
The ministers of the four congregations descended from First Parish will share the founding stories of each congregation and each church building: Rev. Ken Read-Brown, minister of Old Ship, Rev. Jan Carlsson-Bull, minister of First Parish in Cohasset (originally Second Parish in Hingham founded in 1721), Rev. Paul Sprecher, minister of Second Parish in Hingham (originally Third Parish in Hingham founded in 1746), and Rev. Thomas Kepler, minister of New North Church (originally the Third Congregational Society of Hingham founded in 1806).
South Shore Cluster, Wednesday, November 8th, 2006, 6:30 p.m.
First Parish Church, 24 River Street off Route 123, Norwell Center
Ham ‘n’ Beans, Scalloped Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Steamed Brown Bread and Cranberry Apple Crisp - $6.00 per person
Reservations by Monday, November 6th - Call 781-659-7122 or email office@firstparishnorwell.org.
Speaker: Samantha Woods, Executive Director, North and South Rivers Watershed Association
Living Sustainably in the Watershed! Greenscapes and More!
Samantha will provide information on watersheds in general and specifically on Greenscapes, an educational program directed towards homeowners that seeks to reduce the need for chemicals and water in maintaining our landscapes.
The North and South Rivers Watershed Association is a nonprofit environmental group composed of over 1,500 members. Our mission is to protect and restore the watershed to the North and South Rivers and educate others to become environmental stewards of our rivers and watersheds.
Education
News from our Cooperative Religious Education Program
Our new Junior Choir has been practicing twice a month and will sing for our pleasure on October 29, November 26 and for the Christmas Pageant on December 17. Based on the little I overheard, we are in for a treat!
Reminder to the Junior Choir: Please arrive at church at 10:00 a.m. on October 29 for rehearsal. You may want to note on your calendar that the pageant rehearsals will be on December 3 and 10.
For the Columbus Day weekend, many people were away, so we gave the Sunday school teachers a well deserved day off. The children present and I played cooperative games, which are a great way to build a sense of community. We will have another similar Fun and Games session on Sunday, November 26 during the Thanksgiving vacation.
Our Coming of Age senior students are currently learning about Unitarian Universalism History and Theology in sessions taught by Heidi Brieger, Richard Bowker and our minister, Paul Sprecher.
The Religious Education Committee and I are already planning our second term, which will start in January. The sooner you volunteer to teach or assist the more chances you will have to get your favorite group of children! We also need at least one more committee member. You are welcome to attend the committee meetings. Please notify our chair, Susan Weisenbeck, if you wish to be on the agenda. Scheduled meetings are on October 22 at 12:15 and November 12 at
12:15. (We will finalize the Christmas Pageant plans on that day.)
Thank you very much to Tasha Allan for planning the organizing of our RE closets.
Remember to turn your clock back on Saturday October 28 if you want to make it to church on time!
If your kids collect too many candies for Halloween, you may want to suggest that they share them with other children through the food pantry or Wellspring. Happy Halloween to all!
-Liliane Verdier, Acting Director of Religious Education Lilianevhing@aol.com, 781-749-9581
From the Junior Class
The theme for the Junior class this year is “quests.” One of our quests is an “action quest.” This means helping other people. As part of our action quest, we will be collecting for UNICEF this fall. UNICEF helps children all over the world in poor countries and in places affected by war and natural disasters by providing food, clean water, medicine and education.
We will be trick or treating for UNICEF this Halloween. We will also leave collection boxes on the table at each coffee hour after church. Please help by contributing what you can.
-The Junior Class: Pam King and Kurt Weisenbeck, Co-Teachers
Notice: The Wednesday night relaxation class is missing four meditation cushions. They keep them in a large black plastic bag in the chair closet. Any information on these cushions, please call the office. Thanks!