One of you recently offered me the fabulous insight that May is the new December. I trust that this refers to the number of commitments that seem to mound up in our weeks during May and early June and the energetic crescendo that seems to precede the end of the school or church year. It does feel suspiciously like the post-Thanksgiving/pre-New Year’s window,
during which it can require every ounce of our Buddha-natures to actually be *present* for the cascade of celebrations and commitments. It is a particularly hard condition under which to say a proper good-bye to each other for the summer. Honoring transitions, however, is one thing that church is good for, and I hope that you all will be able to come to our last
service and the annual meeting to mark the close of our year together.
As we near the end of the year, I am sometimes moved to tears as I reflect upon the small ways in which you have grown the presence of love and kindness in the world. I am thrilled by the efforts that the whole religious education team made on behalf of our children. I am optimistic about your desire to put into place a more integral and intentional approach to social justice and community service. I am energized by your commitment to expand the reach of the church. All this makes it a little hard to say
good-bye to our worship life together for the summer. However, I am comforted knowing that while our doors will be closed, our efforts to stay in community will continue. I hope you find times to reach out to each other through the women’s and men’s groups, impromptu days at the beach, e-mails and phone calls, or days helping out with the maintenance of the property.
This has truly been a tremendous year. I anticipated that being a part of this church would be a blessing, but I had no idea how enormous that blessing would be. I am so grateful to have found you. May days this summer be graced with love, health, and laughter. Please stay in touch.
Faithfully,
Katie
Chairperson’s Ramblings
This is the last newsletter of the year. It seems to have gone by faster than normal, even though I am still anticipating Spring weather. We will soon be gone for the summer doing the usual summer-family activities.
I want to take this time to thank everyone for helping make this an exceptional year. From bringing on board a new minister to the great turnout we had for the recent yard sale, there was a spirit of growth and cooperation that was wonderful to see. And, of course, we will soon have our annual meeting to culminate the fiscal year. Please plan on attending to cast your vote on new Board members, the budget, and anything else that may come before the meeting.
This year we are having the Annual Meeting immediately after a shortened friendship hour on Sunday, June 14. We need a Quorum of members to attend. Please plan on being there.
Dick
Notices
- The 5th Annual Belly Dance Karavan fundraiser has been postponed until September 19, 2009.
- The “Love Makes A Family” photo-text exhibit is still on display.
- June 3: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meeting at Pike’s Peak Mining Company (31 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA).
- June 4: (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigil at the church.
- June 7: (7:00 p.m.) Board Of Trustees Meeting at the church. All are welcome to attend.
- June 14: Our Annual Business Meeting will be held at the church.
- June 14: (2:30 p.m.) Piano recital at the church.
- July 1 & August 5: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meetings at Pike’s Peak Mining Company.
- July 2 & August 6: (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigils outside at the church.
Religious Education
It’s that time again, preparing for the end of the year, looking forward to summer days. Another church year has flown by and we are now busy wrapping up with our annual RE Sunday service and Flower Communion. As the kids prepare the service and get ready to give you a glimpse of what they’ve done over this last year in Religious Education, I encourage parents to talk to their kids about their experiences in class and at church. What do they like about RE? What are their thoughts about the topics or stories? What are their interactions like? I also encourage you to talk about how all their experiences and thoughts relates to our seven UU principles.
What are the seven principles?? If you’ve been with the church a while, you are probably familiar with them, but if you’re fairly new, you might be interested in the version which helped me to remember them - the children’s version called the Rainbow Path - based on the colors of the rainbow:
Red for “Respect all people.”
Orange for “Offer fair and kind treatment to all.”
Yellow for “Yearn to learn throughout life.”
Green for “Grow by exploring ideas & values together.”
Blue for “Believe in your ideas, and act on them.”
Indigo for “Insist on a fair and peaceful world.”
Violet for “Value our connections with all life and nature.”
In simple terms:
1. We believe that each and every person is important.
2. We believe that all people should be treated fairly.
3. We believe that our congregations are places where all people are accepted, and where we keep on learning together.
4. We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.
5. We believe that all people should have a voice and a vote about the things that concern them.
6. We believe that we should work for a peaceful, fair, and free world.
7. We believe that we should care for our planet Earth.
Trying to remember the principles from the “adult” version didn’t work for me - but ROYGBIV? This was something I could handle. When someone asked me what UU was all about - I could start with the rainbow!
These principles are the foundation from which we derive our Religious Education program. However, an RE program does not just emerge from principles and while there are some great UU curricula available, a great program is built from ideas and creativity and input from the community. I invite you to share with us your thoughts - what do you want to see from RE? What interests your children? What do we want to see coming from our youth? What do you have to share with our young church members? While we will be making choices about curricula to use with our kids, your ideas will help us shape and fine tune our program so that it will be a vibrant place for all kids. I would be happy to share my thoughts and ideas - and I look forward to hearing yours!
Have a happy, safe, healthy, and fantastic summer!
Lisa
Middle School Group Happenings
The middle school class visited the Providence Zen Center in Rhode Island on May 10 as follow up to its recent classes on Buddhism. The Providence Zen Center is a residential and non-residential community of lay persons and monks. Its mission is to provide Zen training for all, through daily practice, regularly scheduled retreats, and an international exchange of teachers and practitioners.
It offers many talks and classes open to the public. The one we attended was an introductory talk and question and answer session. Our students sat on cushions in a beautiful room with a vaulted ceiling, a Buddha statue, and views of the rural surroundings. They asked some great questions (as did our chaperones) and took part in ten minutes of silent meditation.
They did awesome.
The monks invited us to come back and visit any time. They have many talks, meditation classes, retreats, and Zen dinners. Anyone interested can go to their Web site (www.providencezen.org).
Thanks to LeeAnn, Ginger, and Lia for lending a hand as driver and chaperones. And thanks to Virginia who tipped me off to the Providence Zen Center.
Donna
It Takes A Village
The Foxborough Universalist Church religious education program is currently looking for volunteers to staff our Sunday School classes next church year. Teachers commit to six weeks with a class, are encouraged to participate in a teacher training in the fall, and are supplied lesson plans and a curriculum schedule. Please consider supporting this important part of the church’s mission. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Suzanne, Lisa, or Katie Lawson.
Family Focused Historical Trolley Tours
Ride the trolley in the morning parade, then help staff the ticket table and/or hop on board the trolley in the afternoon. Katie Lawson is guiding the tours through the sights of Foxborough and, will be imparting some fun tid-bits of the town’s history! Afterwards, stay in town to watch the fabulous fireworks !
June 2009 Holidays
7 Trinity - Christian
7 Pentecost - Orthodox Christian
9 Saint Columba of Iona - Celtic Christian
11 Corpus Christi - Catholic Christian
14 All Saints - Orthodox Christian
16 Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom - Sikh
19 Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Christian
19 New Church Day - Swedenborgian Christian
21 Solstice
21 Litha - Wicca, Northern Hemisphere
21 Yule - Wicca, Southern Hemisphere
21 First Nations Day - Canadian Native People
24 Saint John the Baptist Birth - Christian
29 Saints Peter and Paul - Christian
Office Of Youth And Young Adult Ministries
The UUA’s Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry and the Youth Office have merged into the Office Of Youth And Young Adult Ministries. The new office will be part of the Lifespan Faith Development Staff Group.
Foxborough Founders’ Day
Foxborough Founders’ Day will be observed on June 13, 2009. This year’s theme is Public Safety and will salute all who contribute to our public safety - police, fire fighters, EMTs, and everyone who keeps the people of Foxborough safe.
Our church is participating in the celebration to show our support for the community and as a fundraiser. As a fundraising activity, all proceeds go towards preserving and maintaining our historic building, not religious programs. We have chartered a trolley to ride in the parade in the morning, then, in the afternoon, we will offer “family focused trolley rides” which will be punctuated with snippets of Foxborough’s history between multiple in town destinations.
Designed mostly for children, the trolley tours will be entertaining and informative for both children and adults. Please let those you know they can take a break from the field activities and enjoy a refreshingly fun ride trough town by hopping on board the trolley! The ticket booth and
departure location is the Igo Building’s South Street parking lot. Tickets prices are: $1 per child (under 12); $2 per adult; and $5 per family. The trolley will depart every 30 minutes between noon and 2:30 p.m.
You can participate in our Founders’ Day activities this year in few ways:
* Help out on Founder’s Day by selling trolley tour tickets, staffing our information table, etc.
* Ride the trolley in the parade! Arrive at the church by 8:30 a.m. on June
13.
See you on Founders’ Day!
This year’s trolley tour sponsors are: Antonia’s Deli, Aubuchon Hardware, Bright Start Child Care, Lake View Pavilion, Mansfield Eye Center, RE/MAX Real Estate Center, Rodman Ford Lincoln Mercury, Sam’s Stamp Shop, Sandwich Lantern Works, The Learning Experience, and Tree Tech.
New! Antique Car Rides
This year, we’ll be having another fundraising activity during Founders’ Day! Nancy and Dave will be giving rides in their antique car throughout the afternoon. The price, length, and route of the rides will soon be announced. Please spread the word about “Foxborough Universalist Church Antique Car Rides”!
First Thursdays Peace Vigils
Get involved in the ongoing Social Action project hosted from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 pm. at the church the first Thursday of every month. The First Thursdays Peace Vigils community would like you to join them; candles and signs are provided. Stay for as long or as short as your schedule allows.
Summer Programs At Regional UU Camps
UUs looking for a “close-in” vacation may wish to check out the wide range of art, education, personal development, and music conferences and workshops as well as beaches and camp sites at these three New England conference and retreat centers:
* Ferry Beach in Saco on the coast of Southern Maine (www.ferrybeach.org)
* Star Island within the Isles of Shoals off the New Hampshire coast (www.starisland.org)
* Rowe Camp and Conference Center in Rowe, MA in the Berkshire Mountains (www.rowecenter.org)
A Meeting Of Congregations
If you won’t be in Salt Lake City during GA2009, some sessions will be shown on-line via www.uua.org/ga. Log-on to read daily reports and watch events in-progress!
2009 Association Sunday Early Planning
The theme for the third annual Association Sunday is “Grow Our Diversity”. Association Sundays celebrate our common bonds within our religious movement and our Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Funds raised this year will support (1) expanding the “Building the World We Dream About” curriculum and associated resources, (2) congregations that
are working to create a racially, culturally, and economically diverse Unitarian Universalism, and (3) programs that enable congregations and districts to ministers to youth and young adults who identify as people of color. The recommended Sunday is October 4. For more information and to register our congregation as an Association Sunday participant, go to
www.uua.org/giving/associationsunday.
Recycled Paper Product Guide
Greenpeace’s Recycled Toilet and Tissue Paper Guide helps you quickly and easily determine which paper products are recommended, which can do better to be easier on the Earth, and which should be avoided at all costs. Also available for the Android and on any mobile web browser! Download the guide by visiting www.greenpeace.org/tissueguide.
Sandwich Fund Grants
When Sandwich’s First Parish Church ceased existence its endowment was modified to allow the funds to be used for the purpose of providing assistance to Massachusetts societies within the Ballou Channing District. The income from the fund is to be used for the development and extension of Unitarian Universalist purposes and principles. Past approved projects have included media projects, lecture series, community gardens, and a community social action project. The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, June 4, 2009. Please visit www.bcduua.org for details and application forms.
Performances In The Area
* Be sure to attend and listen to Ted sing with the Serenading Seniors! * Check out where Joe and his band, Third Degree, will be appearing through www.myspace.com/thirddegreesite.
* Our musician Kris is performing a lot of free concerts with her band this summer. Check her Web site for dates
and locations: www.krisanthi.com
* Susan Morgaine’s upcoming performance schedule is available on her Web site at home.comcast.net/~susanmorgaine/.
2009 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest
Send in your best photos for a chance to win a National Geographic Expeditions trip for two to the Galápagos Islands! The winning photo will also be featured in National Geographic magazine. This year, Massachusetts residents over 18 can send in your photos, rate contest entries, see how your favorites are doing, and ask award-winning photographer and contest judge Jim Richardson your photography questions. Details and submission forms are available via www.nationalgeographic.com/energizer/. The six photo categories are: Animals/Wildlife, Nature, People/Cultures, Travel,
Weather, and Inspiration/Keep Going. Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2009.
UUA Advocacy And Witness News
June’s Action Of The Month
There will be no new UUA Action of the Month during June as UUA staff and many UUs will be busy preparing for General Assembly in Salt Lake City. So if you didn’t get a chance to promote immigrant justice in May, consider what actions you might be able to take in June, especially since some exciting immigration reform legislation is about to be introduced! If you
chose to continue participating in this Action Of The Month throughout June and beyond, please check May’s newsletter or the Action Center at www.uua.org/socialjustice/actioncenter/index.shtml for ideas and additional resources.
Final Draft Of Statement Of Conscience On Peacemaking
The Commission on Social Witness has released the final draft of the Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking for General Assembly. To read the draft, please visit www.uua.org/peacemaking. We encourage congregations to read and discuss the Statement of Conscience with their delegates in preparation for GA. Comments directed to the UUA on the Statement of
Conscience will be reserved for the GA delegates.
Rev. Sinkford To Speak At Anti-Torture Event
On June 11, Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the UUA, will speak at the Religious Witness Against Torture event hosted by the National Religious Coalition Against Torture (NRCAT) in Washington DC. To join Rev. Sinkford, please visit www.NRCAT.org.
Beacon Press To Publish “The King Legacy”
Beacon Press announced last month that it had formed a partnership with the estate of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to publish new editions of King’s work in a series called “The King Legacy”. The partnership gives Beacon Press the exclusive right to publish new editions of King’s previously published work and to issue new compilations of his sermons, lectures, and
other writings. The first works to be released under this agreement will be published to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2010.
Milestones
Annie Adams Fields, Harriet Martineau, Charles Sinclair Weeks, Eleanor Vendig, Anna Laetitia Aiken Barbauld, Harold Hitz
Burton, Margaret Bowers Barnard, and Celia Laighton Thaxter.
* In June 1877, Clara Barton, a Universalist, wrote to a founder of the International Red Cross and began the creation of the American Red Cross.
* On June 21, 1985, Unitarian Universalists adopted seven unifying Principles.
Our Oceans, Our Responsibility
Following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, many countries have celebrated World Oceans Day. In December 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that 8 June would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day”. The theme of the inaugural observance of the World Oceans Day by the United Nations is “Our Oceans, Our Responsibility”. “The oceans are essential to food security and the health and survival of all life, power our climate and are a critical part of the biosphere. The official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans”.
Need Somewhere To Hold Your Event?
If you’re looking for a place to hold a meeting, wedding, baby shower, recital, birthday party, or other event, check out the Foxborough Universalist Church! Members and non-members are welcome to use the building, so please let your friends and family know the church would make a lovely setting for their events too! The sanctuary has outstanding accoustics and the first level of the church contains a social hall, kitchen, and more. All are invited to tour our treasure and discuss your event needs with our Board Of Trustees. Please contact the Board Of Trustees by phone at 508-543-4002 or by e-mail at rentals@uufoxborough.org. For weddings, child dedications, or other religious ceremonies, please contact our Minister, Katie Lawson, at minister@uufoxborough.org or 508-543-4002. Visit rentals.uufoxborough.org for more information.
Crime
Quincy’s United First Parish Unitarian Church has been vandalized four times in the past nine months. The rainbow flag flying outside the church was stolen last August, and again last September; two months later the flag was burned, and last week it was stolen again. Flying outside the church’s Parish Hall entrance, the flag is a symbol of the congregation’s support for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons. The congregation considers this theft a hate crime, and has reported the incident to the police and filed a complaint with the city human rights commission. The congregation has purchased and hung a new rainbw flag.
Illuminations
Greet the Summer Solstice or sun or moon phases by going to High Rock Hill, F. Gilbert Hills S.F., your garden, Moose Hill, Crystal Springs, Borderland S.P., UMASS Sunwheel, Harold B. Clark T.F., America’s Stonehenge, Foolish Hill, Calendar One, “Hail To The Sunrise” Monument, Watery Hill, Ferry Beach, Robbie’ Hill, or anywhere else. Bid Spring adieu and Welcome Summer in your own special way! Other illuminating events: WaterFire will be ongoing during the next few months in Providence; there will be some fantastic bonfires and fireworks displays during Founders’ Days and 4th of July celebrations in many area cities and towns; and visiting or worshiping at other UU Churches during your travels
