September 2009 Newsletter Highlights

The Foxborough Universalist Church is a vibrant and caring congregation that welcomes all. Our mission is to nurture each other along our spiritual paths while working together for the betterment of our community and the world. Our goal is to significantly improve and positively influence conditions which affect the quality of life of our members, our families, and our community. We strive to provide a place for people to explore their own spiritual beliefs as we believe that religious growth and learning is a lifelong journey.


Minister’s Message

Dear Friends,

Our house is quiet this morning as we digest the news of Senator Kennedy's death. It's a respectful quiet, like it is not right to complain or to talk about the day's mundane details in the presence of such a meaning-filled life. Regardless of our political perspectives, we can appreciate the compassion-driven life of this man and learn from his example. What Mr. Kennedy reminded us again and again was that a life lived for a larger purpose can pull a person through grief, disappointment, failure, and mistakes. A life built around a "mission" separates the wheat of our days from the chaff and shelters us from what might discourage, depress, or detour us.

However, lives like Senator Kennedy's do not exist in a vacuum. They depend on the support provided to them by family, community, and institutions. Institutions, especially, like churches. There can be no doubt that our little church serves this vital purpose to many and that it plays a role in creating a more just and loving world.

As we look forward to being together again, let us renew our pledge to buttress efforts to make the world ever more compassionate and to support each other in living lives built with integrity, energized by authentic passions, and tempered with gratitude.

I am looking forward to seeing you all at our first service of the church year. Bring your friends and family to join us in celebrating good company, casting our dearest hopes into the confluence of our combined energies, and renewing our promise to live lives directed by love. See you then!

Faithfully,
Katie



Chairman’s Ramblings
Welcome back! This year we are getting off to a late start because of the Labor Day holiday schedule, but after the Board Of Trustees meeting, everything looks good to go. We have a busy schedule, new directions to take, and plenty of tasks to go around.

For the first time in our long history we are going to work on a five-year plan to define where we want to be in five years, what it should take to get there, and individual steps needed along the way. This is building on the foundation of our Mission Statement and will help keep us focused on all of the myriad tasks needed to help a church grow. My vision is to have this work done by a stand alone group working with the Board Of Trustees and our Minister.

Meantime, RE is getting ready for the new year and we will be working on Katie’s installation, searching for a community social action project to work on, and just coming together as a church community on Sunday mornings. Whether you choose to be on a committee, do coffee hour, or come on Sundays to participate in the services and socialize, we welcome you back. I think this is an exciting time to be a member of this historic church and look forward to seeing you this fall, whenever you can be here.
Dick

Worship Services
September 13: Casting Into The Confluence
Each year we come together in the fall and celebrate our separate journeys and the joy of community. Bring a sample of water from your summer, and we will enjoy a water communion and explore the strength of our common bonds.

September 20: A Month Of Mercy: You Are What You Don't Eat
As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, we explore the meaning and gifts of fasting. During this last month, Muslims have denied themselves not just food, but many things thought to be distracting from the spiritual path. What rituals do we use in our lives to recalibrate them towards a larger purpose and meaning and how do we say sorry and move forward when we fall short?

September 27: Keepers Finders: Broken Beauty
This is the weekend of Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. It's a day when we are asked to reflect on our imperfections and renew our pledge to "begin again in love." At the same time, we acknowledge the value and beauty of imperfection and the spiritual strength that comes from reflecting upon it and ultimately embracing it.


Religious Education - Fall 2009

It's that time again! The Religious Education teachers have begun to plan and strategize for the upcoming church year. We have some exciting events in the works to welcome the kids back to church, so stay tuned for upcoming news. In the meantime, some important dates to remember:

September 13: Our first service and water ceremony. Don't forget to bring your water! For those of you returning for the first time, this is a chance for families to share their summer stories and, often, they include something that includes a body of water. People often bring a small jar of water from that lake, beach, or pool or that symbolic water from your tap will do as well! This service is a favorite among our kids!

September 20: Our first day back in Religious Education Classes. This first class will be an opportunity for the kids to meet their new teacher(s), get acquainted, and get an overview of the upcoming classes.

September 27: Corn Maze Trip

We will be bringing the kids on our annual fall hike to a local corn maze. Details to come.

Volunteers
If you have considered helping out in our program but have not yet done so, we need you! Please feel free to talk to me or one of our teachers about helping out. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. We are open to assistants who just want to help out a few times or in regular teaching positions. Our program cannot run without the wonderful efforts of volunteers!!

I hope everyone has had a fabulous summer and I look forward to seeing all the kids and families!

In Peace,
Lisa Benoit
Religious Education

Rock Climbing Expedition

At the end of the last church year, the Middle School Group had the opportunity to go rock climbing at Wrentham State Forest. Under the expert eye of FrankF, they donned harnesses, were hooked up to ropes, and climbed cliffs. They finished the day by rappelling down a thirty foot cliff wall. Everyone had a fantastic time and left with a desire to come back and climb again. Thank you Frank!

September 2009 Holidays
1 Ecclesiastical Year begins - Orthodox Christian
8 Nativity of Mary - Christian
14 Elevation of the Life Giving Cross - Christian
16 Lailat al Kadr - Islam
19-20 Rosh Hashanah - Jewish
19-27 Navaratri - Hindu
20 Eid al Fitr - Ramadan ends - Islam
22 Equinox
22 Mabon - Wicca Northern Hemisphere
22 Meskel - Ethiopian/Eritrean Orthodox Christian
28 Yom Kippur - Jewish
28 Dasera - Hindu
29 Michael and All Angels - Christian


Notices

* Sept. 14-15: UUA Fifth Principle Task Force meeting in Boston, Mass.
* Sept. 19: (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) Ballou Channing District Presidents Council Gathering at Unitarian Church Of Barnstable in Barnstable, Mass.
* Sept. 19: (8:00 p.m.) The 5th Annual Belly Dance Karavan fundraiser.
* Sept. 20: (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Doolittle Home Annual Open House.
* Sept. 27: (7:00 p.m.) Board Of Trustees Meeting at the church.
* Oct. 1: Deadline to submit CSAI proposals to UUA Commission On Social Witness.
* Oct. 1: (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigil at the church.
* Oct. 3: BCD Fall Conference “Leading To Become Effective Congregations” at First Parish Church in Brewster, Mass.
* Oct. 7: (7:30 p.m.) Men's Group Meeting at StoneForge Pub in Foxborough.
* Please see the bulletin boards, vestibule, Web site, calendars, and weekly Order of Service for updates.
* Visit rentals.uufoxborough.org for details about holding your event at the church.


5th Annual Belly Dance Karavan
Saturday, September 19, 2009, is the new date of this year's Belly Dance Karavan, a fundraiser I have been organizing for the church for the past several years. This year's theme is "Belly Dance Goes To The Movies". This show features some of the area's best belly dancers, who each year donate their time and talent to help raise funds for our beautiful church. I encourage all of you to attend the show, not only to support the church, but also to watch these beautiful dancers in their art; and, yes, it will be *family-friendly* entertainment. Don't take my word for what a wonderful show this is; ask around to those who have attended in the past and I think you will find that they agree!

As always, since this is a church fundraiser, I would not say “no” to anyone from the church who would want to volunteer their time to help behind the scenes (playing the music, selling tickets at the door, making baked goodies for intermission, setting up intermission refreshments, etc.). If this sounds like something you might want to help with, please e-mail or call me. Thank you and hope to see all of you at the show!!
SusanMorgaine


Fundraising Through Partner Programs
We’re Amazon.com and Powell’s Books Associates. If you click through their links on the homepage of the church Web site (www.uufoxborough.org) and then shop at either of these on-line stores, part of your purchase price comes back to us. Please keep this in mind as you shop during the year!

What Should The Commission On Appraisal Study Next?
To answer this question, take the survey at www.uua.org/coa. The UUA Commission On Appraisal (COA) is charged to "review any function or activity of the Association which in its judgment will benefit from an independent review and report its conclusions to a regular General Assembly."

News From GA 2009
The Unitarian Universalist Association Of Congregations' 2009 General Assembly in Salt Lake City, UT, concluded on June 28, 2009. General Assembly delegates elected Rev. Peter Morales to be the eighth president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Delegates approved a Responsive Resolution which calls for inquiry into African visa denials. Several Actions Of Immediate Witness were passed by delegates, including: a demand for Clean, Honest, and Fair Elections in the United States; to support America's Red Rock Wilderness Act; a commitment to work for U.S. Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; and a Call for a Commission of Inquiry into U.S.-Sponsored Torture. The torture resolution concludes with these words: "Nothing less than the soul of our nation is at stake in confronting U.S.-sponsored torture and completely renouncing its use."

More than 35 events from General Assembly 2009, including worship services, plenary sessions, and talks, are available to watch on-line through www.uua.org/ga (click on "2009 Event Coverage-Video/Audio" link). For more information about General Assembly 2009 and our social action and social justice work, please visit social.uufoxborough.org.

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.

The Goddess Within
Women of the Ballou Channing District are invited to the Womensphere Annual Retreat on Oct. 3 & 4, 2009, at Senexet House in Woodstock, CT. Renew your mind, body, and spirit with Marcianna during “The Goddess Within: Discovery of the Spiritual Feminine through Movement and Meditation”. Marcianna is a teacher of Yoga and numerous dance styles, an artist, and the founder/operator of Chrysalis Video. She will gear activities to allow for various physical abilities. All activities are optional. There will be time for craft projects, walks, reading, etc. Join us for a weekend of renewal with UU women. Cost is $125 and the registration deadline is September 25, 2009. For more information or to register, contact Kate Gillis at 401-823-7929 or ksgillis@netzero.net.

UU Radio Programs
A few UUA congregations around the country are trying to get the message out over the airwaves. According to Rev. Thomas Schade of Worcester’s First Unitarian Church “radio broadcasts are an experiment in reaching into the larger community with liberal religious messages”. At 6:00 a.m. each Sunday, people can tune in to WCUW (91.3 FM) and hear the previous week’s service. A few of the churches have also put their programs on-line. Check out some of them at www.lifenowradio.org, www.uucc.us/?q=audio, www.progressiveblendradio.com, and www.uuplink.org.

Men’s Group
The Men’s Group had a pre-Labor Day holiday meeting. Instead of a formal discussion, they participated in the trivia contest being held at the restaurant. A more structured meeting will be held on the first Wednesday of October; topic to be announced.

International Coastal Cleanup
Sign up for the 24th International Coastal Cleanup at a waterway near you this month! Many Unitarian Universalists live within fifty miles of the saltwater and are impacted by flotsam and jetsam. The effort is more than the usual "beach clean-up" activity. Everything collected is carefully recorded and the information is used to monitor environmental conditions and to make improvements in environmental protection programs. During last year’s cleanup, nearly 400,000 volunteers collected more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries and 42 states in the USA - the world's largest volunteer effort of its kind. For more information, visit www.coastalcleanup.org.

UUA Green Sanctuary Program News

* A newly updated Green Sanctuary Manual will be released this month.
* The Fourth Edition of the Green Sanctuary Manual, published in 2007, is now available free-of-charge on the UUA Web site.
* In the Fall, all UUA congregations should check their mailboxes for a copy of the interfaith film “Renewal” and “Renewal: A Guide for Screening and Using the Documentary”.
* Visit www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/greensanctuary for a comprehensive review of environmentally themed books, films, and Web sites. The list is being regularly updated.


Join The March For LGBT Equality!
On National Coming Out Day (October 11) people across the country will be marching, rallying, educating, and otherwise mobilizing support for the full equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Will you and our congregation participate? The Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network hopes so! Whether you go to the UUA sponsored National Equality March & Rally in Washington, D.C. or participate with a solidarity event in our congregation and community, please visit www.uua.org/socialjustice for all the tools we need for a successful action calling for full LGBT equality.

UUSC Values In Action: Guest At Your Table Is Coming!
For more than thirty years, households around the country have welcomed special guests into their homes and lives. This year, meet Daw San of Myanmar, Abdul Khan of Afghanistan, and others. Welcome a Guest at Your Table, and learn more about Unitarian Universalist Service Committee partners around the world. Most congregations will begin the Guest at Your Table program on November 22, 2009 - the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Visit www.uusc.org/guest for additional information and resources.



Wayside Pulpit
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. ~ Albert Einstein

Milestones
Leverett Saltonstall, Phoebe Cary, William Howard Taft, Frank Ernest Gannett, & Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. On Sept. 30, 1770, Rev. John Murray preached his first sermon in America.

The Living Tradition: The Off-Center Cross
Combining a circle, a cross, and empty space, the off-center cross was created by four ministers during the Universalist General Assembly in 1946.

Each of the three elements used in this symbol represent different principles of Universalism:

* The circle represents that which has no beginning or end, infinity, the universe
* The empty space at the center represents the mystery at the heart of the universe that some people call "God"
* The cross represents the Christian roots of Universalism, but was placed off-center to leave room for other points of view and paths towards God

The off-center cross was first used in a public service of worship on September 29, 1946, at the ordination of Earle McKinney in Foxborough, Massachusetts at our church.

In 1947, the off-center cross was officially adopted as a symbol of Universalism in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Universalist Convention.


September’s Global Chalice Lighting

May our coming together be a joyful moment, because we share in the spirit of life.

~ Revs. Nihal A. Attanayake & Elvira Paras Sienes
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines
www.uuphilippines.org