FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 1

The Arbella A Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation

CAPTAIN’S LOG

I am writing this the day after our outdoor service under the bigtop. We certainly needed that tent as the drops of rain came dripping down. Members of the band would occasionally reach up and push the puddles over the edge of the small tents where the water was accumulating. Thanks to Kyle Hart, Michael Collins and David Downes (a World in Watertown stalwart) for helping with tent arrangements and set up. We were a little wet and a little cold, but spirits were high as we heard all about the Vision Task Force and how they hope to help all of you articulate your dreams for First Parish’s future. Come join us after church on October 21 to hear more about what they have learned listening to you, and to solicit more feedback (especially if did not attend a canvass dinner last spring, or serve on a committee) about the dreams you have for this community.

The Vision service was made possible by the band – Matt Calabro, Nick Woebcke, Chris Lewis, Katherine Calabro, Mike Anctil and Michael Collins – the sound men - Michael McCarthy (assisted by Clint Sours), and the Vision Task Force – Mike Anctil, Izzy Tappan deFrees, Bobbie Brown, Michael McCarthy, Patsy Sampson, Sue Sours, Margaret Weis and me. It was a wonderful group effort by everyone. Everyone pitched in to make it a successful day, topped off by a visit to the parsonage to see the new paint job, which has been a major capital expense with the replacement of all the clapboards. A service like this reminds us of how many people it takes to make a community a strong, vital place, but the collective power also spurs us on, stimulating more energy to take us to new heights. Keep on dreaming of what you would like to see our community become.

In October our church year will accelerate with more programs. We have a Games Night sponsored by our Religious Education program, but all ages are invited to attend. Pizza, too! Earlier that day there is a volunteer opportunity at the Boston Food Bank. Later in the month we will have an FPW work day, where we clean up and beautify the grounds. There is an article in this newsletter about a new program of small group suppers sponsored by the Fellowship Committee. What about classes or movies you might like to take or see? Please let me know your ideas for programming.

Worship Services and Sermons

October 7, 2012 10:30am

“Paths of Discovery” by Mark W. Harris

Most of us grew up learning that Columbus discovered America. In fact, his discovery was affirmed by a law that whatever was “discovered” that was not white or Christian was meant to be conquered. In these days of Senate candidate Warren defending her Native American heritage, and groups vying for Casino rights, let’s think about what “discoveries” need to be repudiated, and what discoveries need to be affirmed.

Music : Karen Allendoerfer, violin and ' Guy Urban, piano!Social Hour: Leni and Aaron DushkuGreeters: Peter Cudhea and Natalya ' Klevitsky

continues on next page...

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 2

Electronic Pleas and Please

I have a couple of older news items. Can you help?

Last month I asked members to please “like,” FPW on Facebook. The future is upon us, and we cannot neglect the electronic world at church. Please like us!!

Second, is there a person with some electronic skills who would set up a schedule of meals when someone is in need? We need to have a caring person to do this.

This week I delivered bread to the Food Pantry on Monday morning. As I was about to leave, the priest and I started talking about how to communicate with people these days. All churches have the problem of how to connect to people in meaningful ways in a world transformed by technology. I actually got the idea for an outdoor service from St. Patrick’s which had held an outdoor mass last summer. They did it without a tent! (except they were going to go inside if it rained). Those of us who love the church and the idea of a community of people grounded in a common faith want to see it grow. In 2012 we know the rules must change, the walls must come down and we must find innovative ways to feed people’s spirits and make an impact on Watertown and beyond. You are the foundation for that future. As I asked in the “Rocks, Pebbles, Sand” story on Sunday, please tell us your dreams, so we can rebuild, reimagine and revitalize the foundation rocks of First Parish.

Finally, several people asked for the closing words from my sermon on September 23. Here they are from Corrie Ten Boom : “Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

Mark

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse molestaie cillum. Tia non ob ea soluad incommod quae egen ium improb fugiend.

October 14, 2012 10:30am “Coming Up Short” by Margaret Weis

We live in a competitive world that loves a good success story. But what do we make of the times when we don’t accomplish our goals, get that promotion, or succeed in the way we anticipate? How can we make space for those times when we trip and fall, and be there for others when they do the same?

Music: First Parish ChoirSocial Hour: Sue and Will TwomblyGreeters: Paul and Norah Mulvaney Day

October 21, 2012 10:30am“When We Choose to Die” by Mark W. Harris

This November our ballots will contain a initiative on whether physicians may provide a dying patient with medication to bring about an earlier, more peaceful death. Question 2 on our ballots is called the Death with Dignity Act. This is something the UUA has long supported. How do you feel?

Music: Eric Kamen will be the guest pianist. Social Hour:Victoria Grafflin and Michael " " ConwayGreeters: Lee Pierce and Paul Montesino

October 28, 2012 10:30am“Recovery in Unitarian Universalism” by Mark W. Harris

Kierkeagard once said that he could never call himself a Christian, but instead said that he was always becoming a Christian. Alcoholics or addicts of one kind or another never say they are recovered addicts, but are always in the process of recovering. This is an auction sermon on the heroic journey of freeing ourselves from all the ways we are trapped.

Music: Neil Fairbairn, bassoon, guest " musician.Social Hour: Sue Kuder, Channing Mendelsohn " and Anna KnightGreeters: Kathy and David Warren

WORSHIP SCHEDULE ' from previous page...

CAPTAIN’S LOG continued...

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 3

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

This summer I discovered something about myself that I didn’t know before. I discovered that if I am very careful and aware of my body and my own limitations, I can run a little bit. It’s not really ‘running,’ this thing I do; sometimes it’s barely ‘jogging’ and it’s almost never faster than my walking pace—but my feet come up off the ground and my knees move differently, and my body feels like it is running rather than walking. I had always thought that my knees and hips and other bits of me would complain too much if I tried to run—but a combination of different shoes and awareness of my posture and learning a few new exercises made it suddenly possible. And joining in with a group of my online friends to start an adventure in taking care of our bodies helped too—suddenly instead of going it alone I am supported by a small crowd. When my motivation falters, they are there to tell me I can do it! And I am at their sideline too, cheering them on.

I muddled through all summer, struggling with a muscle pull that left me limping severely for a couple of weeks, discovering what I can and cannot do on the road (running in heat, for example, is much easier for me than running in chilly weather, because my feet get all crampy if they are too cold, and so I am going to revisit my heretofore rotten relationship with The Treadmill). And here I am in the last moments of September, with two weeks of C25K behind me, contemplating running a road race sometime in the coming months. Sometimes, my friends, we surprise ourselves when we try something we thought we couldn’t do.

To extend the metaphor of a road race to Religious Education at First Parish—we are off to a fine start! We have had three weeks of RE programming (including the Scavenger Hunt during the wonderful outdoor service!) and the children have been settling into their classes

and getting to know their teachers. Our teams of teachers have been exploring their curricula and learning how they work together, and exciting things have been happening as we travel on together toward the finish line.But just as I don’t expect to win my 5K—it’s the personal challenge that’s important!—our RE journey is one of stopping at waysides and developing relationships. It is not a race to the finish line; it is a path we follow together, being there to support each other as we learn new things about ourselves.

This journey is not one that our children take exclusively. The journey they’re on is a lifelong one. When we held our teacher trainings at the beginning of September I asked the teachers to talk about their memories of fine teachers—and what I realized from listening is that each person in this congregation is our children’s best teacher. When you share your skills, your hopes, and your dreams with our children, you show them that The Road goes ever on and on: we never stop traveling, we never stop growing, while we draw breath. And, though we perceive it as filled with bumps and detours, each person’s journey is the right road. Injuries and illness teach us; our relationship with the Divine changes as we grow, sometimes from day to day; we make mistakes and do things of which we’re not proud, and then we do our best to right our wrongs. When we share these with our children, they learn something more valuable than great wisdom from us. They learn about the power of love to conquer all ill, and they learn that mistakes are normal and everyone makes them, and they learn that people—even adults!—are stronger when they don’t try to give wise answers, but rather to ask wise questions.

Joy and love on all your winding journeys!

Lauren

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 4

The Religious Education Committee (REC) welcomes everyone to our first pizza & games

night!Saturday, October 13th

5-8pm (pizza will arrive at 5:30!)

Bring your favorite games or try out a new one!A sign up poster will be in the Social Hall or be

spontaneous and come anyway!

The RE Committee NEEDS YOU!The 4th-6th graders are doing the wonderful Toolbox of Faith curriculum.  In this curriculum, each week we add a tool to our toolbox as a metaphor for a quality of our UU faith.  We need donations and loans of tools for the children to use during class. Tools you want back will be returned unharmed as long as you tell Lauren when you drop them off. Please contact Lauren Strauss at dre.watertown@gmail.com or 617-454-4373 or bring tools to church!

We will, for the most part, use the tools on the dates indicated. 

October 14: CompassOctober 21: Duct Tape (I already have several rolls of colorful duct tape, but more is always better!)October 28: MirrorsNovember 4: Paint Brush (we have tons of these in small sizes)November 25: Chalk (we have this)December 2: Hammer (we have a few but more would be better!)

December 9: CanteenDecember 16: Saddlebags, (panniers for a bicycle or backpacks will work as well)December 30: Listening tools (stethoscopes, large seashells)January 6: SandpaperJanuary 13: GlovesJanuary 27: Flashlight (we have a couple, but more is better! We may also need levels and hardhats.

Do you have a skill or handicraft to share?  An idea for how the children of First

Parish can give back to our community or give to the larger community? 

On several dates this year, we will have “Helping Hands” Sundays, which are all-ages activities that focus on a Social Action theme.  The RE Director is looking for a few good UUs who want to help out with planning and implementing those Sundays. 

Dates are:

October 7 (Sukkot)November 11January 20February 17April 14May 26

Please contact Lauren Strauss at dre.watertown@gmail.com or 617-454-4373 if you have ideas for a Social Action project for our kids, or are willing to help out!

Design Help Needed 

The RE Committee is working on re-designing the Religious Education brochure.  We would love some design help with this project.  Contact Lauren Strauss at dre.watertown@gmail.com or 617-454-4373 if you can help!

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 5

We all know that Woody Guthrie wrote the great song, This Land is Your Land. Since this year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, I would like to take a moment to focus on Woody through the eyes of a Unitarian Universalist.  Woody Guthrie traveled across America and experienced life with the downtrodden of 20th century life.  Many of his songs reflect his empathy for people down on their luck. He advocated for the inherent worth of the individual, especially those without a voice to speak for themselves. For example, in his song Deportee, he speaks of the injustice to illegal immigrants in our country.  Even in This Land is Your Land, he speaks of class differences and economic injustice.  Although he never actually joined a political organization, he spent years as a leftist folksinger.  He wrote about people’s lives in his songs and did what great writers do for us: he helped us see the world as it is, rather than what we thought it was.  He certainly had a vision for a better world, and that legacy remains: there is hope for our world as we work for justice, equality and compassion for all people. Music was his social action.  He was known to say, “I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and your work.”   No one speaks about his religious life, but he must of been a closet UU!  

As I write this, I am hoping that thoughts of Woody might inspire some of you to help me with a project. As you know, I am in a UUA/UUMN credentialing program, and I am completing a class called Rhythm, Pitch and Timbre: Multicultural Competence. For an assignment, I need a small group of people to stay after church on Oct. 7th to participate in a session that will facilitate a conversation about our ethnic backgrounds using music.  I quote from Dr. Mark Hicks and Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones:

“As with any art form, music can be a connective tissue that harkens the past

while stretching us toward something new.  We are asking you to use music as a vehicle for moving dreams from the realm of a “lofty vision” toward behavioral practices that shift paradigms.”

This will start at 12:30, space TBA, and will last for and hour and a half to two hours long.  I did this exercise with my fellow candidates last summer and found it very moving.  I know that many of you will be away that weekend, but if you are interested and available, please let me know if I can count on you to be part of my study group. I will bring us some treats.  Many thanks in advance!

MUSICALLY SPEAKING

Musical Happenings in October

October 7th: Karen Allendorfer and Guy will be playing some music of Ernest Bloch for violin and piano for this service.  

Also: Musical adventure at 12:30.

October 14th: First Parish choir will be singing a meditative piece called Evening Song by Zoltan Kodaly.  We will also sing The Tree of Peace by Gweneth Walker.

October 21st: Guy and I will be attending Amy’s graduation ceremony from culinary school. Eric Kamen will be the guest pianist that day.

October 28th: Neil Fairbairn, bassoon, will be our guest musician.

See you all in church during this busy month!

Charlyn

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 6

Congratulations to Sachie and Santosh Karmacharya (and big brother Ashwin) at the birth of their son Syrus on Sunday, September 23, 2012.

FROM THE FIRST MATE

Autumn is by far my favorite season. I find myself repeatedly fighting to keep my eyes on the road when driving, because I am so distracted by the brilliant oranges, yellows, and reds on the trees! The cool crisp weather calls me to nature. It is this time of year that I most enjoy walks in the woods, or around town, or sitting somewhere quiet and watching the leaves fall. Of course mulled apple cider always helps to complete the experience!

It seems that the theme for me this fall has been reunion. Returning to First Parish has been abundant with conversations about the summer months, and plans for this year. We gathered together on a rainy Sunday for an outdoor worship service that took on a different tone. Even though it was chilly under that tent, it was warm too as our ideas and hopes and dreams swirled about in the autumn air. I am repeatedly struck by the sense of community at First Parish, and the warmth of all of you. It is exciting to think of what this year might bring!

This month in particular is a time for reunion, as my wife will be returning from her deployment to Afghanistan sometime in mid-October. The past six months brought challenges, celebrations, and growth in our lives, and we are looking forward to being together again. For those of you who know me, you know that I am not designed to be by myself. I think our dogs are particularly looking forward to having her

home, so that I’ll stop having conversations with them! They don’t find me nearly as funny as Susan does! Once Susan is home, we will be going on a meditation and yoga retreat, to reconnect and realign ourselves.

My hope was to be entering into the search process for a settled ministry in a congregation. However, my meeting with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee did not go as well as I hoped, and it turns out I will need to do some more work before I see them again. I am thankful to be serving at a congregation that provides opportunities for growth in my ministry, and to have this year with you all to continue that growth.

Some of you might remember the sermon I preached on New Years Day this past year. I spoke about the idea that time does not change us, but rather unfolds us. I’ve been thinking more about that lately, and am even more certain that it is true. Now that I have more time to develop my ministry before being “fellowshipped,” I wonder what will unfold in that time. I wonder also what will unfold for this congregation, through the visioning process, and through the intentional conversations that will happen throughout. It is an exciting time, filled with potential. I am thankful to be sharing that time with you.

Margaret

AMONG US

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 7

Survey

Thank you to all who responded to the Social Action Survey. 98% of those who responded said that it is important for First Parish to engage in social action / social justice work! Over 70% have participated in both the Giving Boxes and the Charitable Offerings, which is quite impressive. The chosen theme for social action work this year is Hunger / Poverty. That is therefore what the task force will center its activities around. (It does not mean that immigration and veteran issues will be ignored, but they will not be the major focus.) Thank you also for your many helpful comments and suggestions.

Cradles to Crayons Collection

The Giving Box for September and October is for Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth to age 12, living in low- income and homeless situations, with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school and at play. We are hoping other local churches will join us in collecting items, so that we can make a dent in what is needed. On Saturday morning, November 10, we will sort the clothing. This is an intergenerational activity, so we hope that many families will be able to help. Although books, toys, arts & crafts, etc. are welcome, the most needed items are:

• children’s clothing (children sizes 0-20): They have an especially high need for long pants in boys sizes 5/6 and 7/8.

• winter coats (children sizes 0-20).

• shoes : Boys: sizes infant/child 7-12, youth/adult 1-5 & 7-8 Girls: sizes infant/child 6-12, youth/adult 1-5

Sorting at the Greater Boston Food Bank October 13

In keeping with the focus on hunger / poverty, on Saturday morning, October 13, First Parish is signed up to sort food at the Greater Boston Food Bank. Volunteers are needed. It is a fun time, and helps greatly to get food out to those who need it. For safety reasons, volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the social hall, or contact the church office if you can volunteer. We will meet at First Parish at 8:30am. Please let us know if you will be meeting us there.

Charitable Offering in October

Once again, in keeping with our theme, we have chosen the Greater Boston Food Bank as the recipient of our first charitable offering, which will be Sunday, October 21. There are many items that the Food Bank needs to purchase, such as meat and fresh fruit and vegetables, to supplement the donated dry and canned goods that we sort.

Task Force Meeting Sunday, October 14

The Social Action Task Force is everybody and anybody interested in social action. All are invited and encouraged to attend a meeting after church on October 14 to plan activities and events for the year. We will discuss educational events and channels for advocacy that relate to Hunger / Poverty, as well as the Giving Boxes, Charitable Offerings and other hands-on activities. More detailed results of the survey will also be available. Please come if you can.

# # # # # SOCIAL ACTION CORNER

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 8

The Buildings and Grounds Committee needs your help. You do not need technical expertise, just your willingness to play a role in maintaining the wonderful facility that we have inherited, or your sense of responsibility for passing it along in good condition to future generations. If you relate to either of those thoughts you can support the committee in one of two ways: 

1. Become a committee member. We meet once a month (usually the second Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM) to get updates on current needs and to plan for both short-term and long-term projects. We also do some of the work ourselves (Sexton David Benson takes the lead) but frequently employ contractors for the implementation. 

2. Become a "Friend of B&G" by letting committee chair Nick Haddad know that you

are available to be called and invited to assume responsibility for a task that suits your skills and interests (e.g., get an estimate; paint a door; prune a bush). We'll send you our meeting notes to keep you in the loop :-). 

Thanks,

Nick Haddad

BUILDING AND GROUNDS NEWS

October 1 Nominating Committee 7:00pmOctober 2 Vision Task Force 7:00pmOctober 3 Parish Committee 7:00pmOctober 4 Choir 6:30pmOctober 9 B&G 7:00pmOctober 10 Parish Council 7:00 to 8:30pmOctober 11 Choir 6:30pmOctober 12 OWL Parents Orientation ! ! ! 7:30pmOctober 13 Greater Boston Food Bank ! ! 9:30am (meet at church 8:30am)

RE Games Night 5:00 to 8:00pmOctober 14! Social Action after churchOctober 15 RE Committee 7:00pmOctober 17! Worship 7:00pm.October 18! Choir 6:30pmOctober 21! HRW 9:00am! ! Vision Task Force after churchOctober 22 Fellowship 7:00pm

October 23 Trustees 7:30pm! ! Green Sanctuary 7:00pmOctober 27 B&G Work Day 9am to 1pmOctober 28 Newcomer Breakfast 9am! !

OCTOBER CALENDAR

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN! OCTOBER 2012

! PAGE 9

Membership CoordinatorThe Fellowship Committee is looking for a wonderful, outgoing individual for the part time position (11 hours per month for 7 months), of Membership Coordinator. This person will work closely with the Fellowship Committee and our minister, Mark, to improve our ability to greet visitors and integrate new members as vital parts of our church community. If you are interested in this position, please contact Mark or a member of the Fellowship Committee (Martha Scott – chair) for further information or to apply.

Fall Buildings and Grounds Work DaySaturday October 27, 9:00am to 1:00pmPlease join us for our semi-annual Buildings and Grounds workday. We'll rake leaves, chop down weeds, plant bulbs, and prepare the property for winter. Please bring extra rakes. pruners, etc. No need to arrive at 9:0am or stay until 1:00 pm. Whatever time you can contribute is appreciated. New friends and members are welcome.

Newcomer Breakfast and New UUIf you are new to the church last spring or this fall, we will hold a Newcomer Breakfast on Sunday, October 28 at 9:00 a.m. Most people will be emailed invitations, but If you see this, and we missed you, please come!!!

Bring a Friend Sunday - November 4On November 4 we are having a “Bring a Friend Sunday.” This will be a special opportunity for you to invite that friend or neighbor whom you have always wanted to bring to church, but have never gotten around to doing so. Share our UU gospel with others! It should be a great day for visitors to find out why people of all ages find First Parish a wonderful place to call their church home. Worship that day is a lay service on the topic of why First Parish and Unitarian Universalism make the members dedicated and involved with this community and this faith. The choir will be singing, too. Think about who you could invite. If the person/family wishes to learn more about UUism, there will be a New UU session that morning with Mark Harris at 9:00 a.m. Hope to see some new faces on November 4, if not before.

Service Auction is coming in NovemberIt's time to start thinking about this year's Annual Service Auction, to be held on Sat., November 17. A Service Auction is when members and friends of First Parish donate services or items, such as making a dozen cookies, a pie, gardening help, computer help, knitting a scarf, a sermon of your choice, and then we bid on each

others items! It’s a great way to get to know each other and raise money for the church. More information to follow.

Vision Task ForceThe Vision Task Force wants to continue the visioning conversation that you witnessed at the outdoor service. Everyone is invited to a meeting after church (12:30 p.m.) on Sunday, October 21. Stay to hear what the committee has found out thus far from soliciting your dreams for FPW, plus you will have an opportunity to discuss those ideas and dreams further, ask questions, and offer up any new ideas as we move forward to plan our future. Please join us. The entire Vision Worship Service is posted on the website, as well as all the dreams we have heard thus far. During October you can add any new ideas or dreams to a Vision Task Force folder in the FPW Drop Box, email them to the church (fpwatertown@comcast.net), or write the ideas down on paper and place in the boxes available at church. We want to hear from you!

Hosts/hostesses needed for “Fellowship” potluck dinnersThe Fellowship Committee is committed to providing opportunities for all our members, new and old to come together in many different ways to make friends, and to find a spiritual home here at First Parish. While the larger community gathers together every Sunday, and there are numerous events and activities during the year both at FPW and in service to others, we’ve decided this year to organize some small group get-togethers (6 – 10 people) as monthly potluck dinners at private homes. We will schedule one potluck dinner a month, the first to be on Saturday, Nov. 10 . For this plan to succeed we will need 7 people to volunteer to have one of these dinners at their homes once during the church year from November through May. Food will be provided by the guests, hosts will just need to provide the space and setups for all to dine. Dates can be flexible to suit the hosts. A theme or topic of conversation can be proposed for a dinner, or it could be a purely social get-together.

If you would like to help build our community by hosting a dinner, please contact Martha Scott, Fellowship Committee Chair at mascott33@rcn.com or 617-924-5206.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN!

The Arbella

Minister ■ Mark HarrisMinisterial Intern ■ Margaret Weis

Church Administrator ■ Nancy DuttonReligious Education Director ■ Lauren Strauss

Music Director ■ Charlyn BethellAccompanist ■ Guy Urban Parish Chair ■ Kyle Hart

Co-Treasurers ■ Jean Merkl & Martha ScottSexton ■ David Benson

First Parish of Watertown35 Church StreetWatertown, MA 02472

Newsletter of the First Parish of Watertown

First Parish of Watertown 35 Church Street

Watertown, MA 02472617.924.6143

Fpwatertown@comcast.netwww.fpwatertown.org