Welcome Back!!

Welcome back!! This is the 170th year for the Foxborough Universalist Church, and we are looking forward to a very exciting year. I urge you to come meet our new minister, Katie Lawson, who will bring a whole new perspective to us. We will be finishing the last step in the Welcoming Congregation series, as well as many other activities.

Many many thanks to all of you who worked on, in, and around the church during the summer. Things look great, and your efforts are much appreciated. It takes a lot to keep an old building in shape. Thank You!!!

Dick

"The Merging of Waters"

"The Merging of Waters"

Katie Lawson, minister at Foxborough Universalist Church

I spent yesterday properly: on the tip of Cape Cod alternately floating on gentle waves and sunning on the beach like a contented sea lion. Having arrived only last week from Minnesota to begin a ministry at Foxborough Universalist Church and lying there on the edge of the Atlantic, I felt like a drop of water that had made it to the sea. Beginning this ministry I am quite aware of what is unknown - about the Church, about the community, about what joys and challenges are ahead of all of us - but I draw strength from the certainty that I will tumble into companionable waters.

Unitarian Universalist congregations begin each church year with a service dedicated to "The Merging of Waters". That Sunday, each family or individual brings forward water collected from their respective summers - from ponds, from oceans, from hoses out back, from hospital rooms. These waters, variously fresh, salty, polluted, and chlorinated, are poured into a single tureen and blessed. Each year, therefore, we begin with this simple reminder that our lives are continually running into and through each other - that we are all drops in a mighty ocean.

Being a part of the same great body presents us with challenges (my toxins inevitably pollute your water), but it also has the power to ease suffering and transform the world.

The love that holds us in common is a balm, and if we can hold together, stay in conversation, and return to love, we can heal the world. The motion of water, after all, changes the obstacles it encounters. Water working in rivulets, rivers, and thundering waves polish rough stone and round sharp corners while also supporting life.

As we look toward the Democratic and Republican conventions next week, we may find we have to meditate or pray on the truth of our interdependence frequently. The nature of politics can cloud this focus by emphasizing differences over commonalities, and it can become difficult to remember and accept that we are bound to one another. My hope is that in the weeks ahead, we each find ways to remind ourselves to live out of love so that we can continue to soften the hard edges of this world. I invite you to come and participate in the Merging of the Waters at Foxborough Universalist (9/7/08) and look forward to meeting you.

Second Phase Begins & Events

During the second phase of the Foxborough Universalist Church's efforts to become a Unitarian Universalist Association "Welcoming Congregation", Jenn Mason will lead participants in an interactive workshop about stereotypes.

Many times discrimination is subtle and people are unaware that they are doing it. One of our goals is to help increase awareness and reduce discrimination in the church and our communities. Participants in the hour-long workshop beginning at 10:00 a.m. on January 13, will explore the stages of understanding, learning goals, the process, participation guidelines, and some of the psychology behind stereotypes. We'll also discuss our assumptions concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and talk of our fears and gains that we hope to make through the Welcoming Congregation process.

The Foxborough Universalist Church, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, is located at 6 Bird Street (on the common/Route 140); directions and additional information about the church, UUA, and "The Welcoming Congregation" can be found on-line via www.uufoxborough.org.

Some Upcoming Events

• December 2 - SPIRITUALITY IN WHAT?!
• December 2 - Hanging Of The Greens
• December 2 - Trustees Meeting (7:00 PM - ???)
• December 6 - First Thursdays Peace Vigil (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.) - 1^st Anniversary.
• December 9 - Hanukkah Lights
• December 16 - The Mystery of Christmas Past
• December 23 - Winter Solstice Play
• December 24 - Christmas Eve Worship Service at 5:30 p.m.
• December 30 - Poetry Sunday
• January 2 - Men's Group Meeting at Stoneforge (7:30 PM) Newcomers are welcome!
• January 3 - First Thursdays Peace Vigil (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.) Everyone is invited!
• January 6 - Sufi Spirituality
• January 6 - UU 101 (following Worship Service)
• January 10 - Women's Group Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
• January 13 - The Welcoming Congregation
• January 20 - Remembering Dr. King
• January 20 - MSC Meeting - Committee Members and Trustees
• January 27 - The Unitarians And The Universalists
• January 27 - Membership Sunday & Reception Of New Church Members
• January 27 - Trustees Meeting (7:00 PM - ???)

October & November Events

• October 3: Men's Group Meeting at Stoneforge (7:30 p.m.)
• October 4: First Thursdays Peace Vigil (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.)
• October 7: When Hope Is Hard to Find
• October 12: Potluck Dinner & Family Games Night
• October 14: The Only Measure Of Our Words And Deeds
• October 14: Dads And Kids Afternoon
• October 21: The Magic Of Music with Guest Leader Musician Matt Meyer
• October 21: Potluck Luncheon And Drumming Workshop
• October 28: Samhain Observance
• November 1: First Thursdays Peace Vigil (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.)
• November 4: Giving Up Grumpy
• November 7: Men's Group Meeting at Stoneforge (7:30 p.m.)
• November 11: Our Great Covenant
• November 17: Coffeehouse On The Common Featuring The Firehouse Band (8:00 p.m.)
• November 18: Annual Holiday Breakfast
• November 18: Celebrating Thanksgiving
• November 25: The Spirit's Mayflower
• December 2: Hanging Of The Greens
• December 2: Trustees Meeting (7:00 PM - ???)
• December 2: BEV Deadline

Coffeehouse On The Common Featuring The Firehouse Band

The Firehouse Band is bringing contemporary American folk music to a Coffeehouse On The Common concert at Foxborough Universalist Church at 8:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 17, 2007.

The Firehouse Band consists of Carolyn Hotchkiss (guitar and banjo), Eric Semple (guitar and dobro), Sara Weeks (vocals), and Charlie Weeks (bass). The band performs unique renditions of songs by familiar artists such as: Cat Stevens; Elvis Costello; Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young; and Patti Smith. Their wide range of musical influences and tight harmonies make this group a must see for contemporary folk music fans.

This highly acclaimed band will play two 45 minute sets of popular folk music. Fairly traded Equal Exchange coffee, fresh baked desserts, and other refreshments will be sold during the show.

Tickets cost $10/adults, $7/seniors, $5/children, and $32/families and are available in advance via phone (508-543-4002), and will be available at the door on concert night. Tickets are also available in advance via Brown Paper Tickets by visiting http://events.uufoxborough.org. At this time, Brown Paper Tickets accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

This is a family friendly event so bring the kids and bring your friends. The church is located at 6 Bird Street (on the common), Route 140, in Foxborough. Join us, sing along or listen, and enjoy refreshments as The Firehouse Band kicks off Thanksgiving week with a bang!

Please click here for details, directions, & more!

Welcoming Congregation

Foxborough Church Begins First Step In Receiving 'Welcoming Congregation' Certification

For more than 35 years, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) has adopted policies and Social Justice statements with the particular aim to end all discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation. In 1989, the UUA General Assembly initiated the Welcoming Congregation Program to educate it's members about bisexual, gay, and lesbian people and help people explore their attitudes towards those of different sexual orientations than themselves.

The Welcoming Congregation Program is a completely voluntary program for congregations that want to become more inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender (BGLT) people. This adult religious education curriculum consists of a series of workshops developed by the UUA. The goal of the workshops is to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations. The Foxborough Universalist Church, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, is holding their first "Welcoming Congregation" interactive workshop at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 23. Some of the upcoming workshop titles include: How Homophobia Hurts Heterosexuals; Connections to Other Forms of Oppression; Gender Socialization and Homophobia; and Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality.

While the Foxborough Universalist Church voted to support the signing of the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry's Declaration of Religious Support for Same­Sex Marriage in Massachusetts, Rev. Fayre Stephenson officiates at same gender unions and weddings, and the church welcomes all, becoming a Welcoming Congregation is another step in the church's ongoing commitment to publicly and successfully welcome bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people into their spiritual community. By confronting our prejudices in a non-judgmental, non-threatening group, workshop participants are allowed to explore the origins of their prejudices and offers an opportunity to replace those prejudices with knowledge. Understanding our prejudices leads to individual spiritual growth and congregational unity, and will act as a catalyst to both learn more about ourselves and to end exclusion. Only when we are truly open to the wealth of diversity in our world will the inherent worth and dignity of every person be affirmed with a large voice.

The Foxborough Universalist Church, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, is located at 6 Bird Street (on the common/Route 140); directions and additional information about the church, UUA, and "The Welcoming Congregation" can be found on-line via www.uufoxborough.org.

Some Upcoming Activities - Please Join Us For Worship Service, Religious Education, & More!

September

• 5: Men's Grop Meeting (7:30 p.m.) - Newcomer's welcome!
• 6: First Thursdays Peace Vigil (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.) - Open invitation to community residents; All Are Welcome!
• 9: Annual Intergenerational Ingathering & Water Communion (Worship Service)
• 16: Sacred Anxiety (Worship Service)
• 16: First classes for this year's Religious Education students.
• 23: The Welcoming Congregation (Worship Service)
• 23: Religious Education classes
• 30: The Old Way, The True Way by Guest Minister Rev. Bob Thayer
• 30: Religious Education classes
• 30: Trustees Meeting (7:00 PM - ???) - All are welcome to attend.

October

• 3: Men's Grop Meeting (7:30 p.m.) - Newcomer's welcome!
• 4: First Thursdays Peace Vigil (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.) - Open invitation to community residents; All Are Welcome!