Newsletter of Foxborough Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist Association
6 Bird Street * On The Common * Foxborough, MA 02035-2301 * 508-543-4002
Worship Service & Religious Education Classes, Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Katie Lawson, Minister * www.uufoxborough.org * All Are Welcome!
A UUA Welcoming Congregation
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.
Minister’s Message
Dear Friends,
Some of you may remember that at the 2009 annual congregational meeting, you voted to ordain me in your church as an expression of confidence in my ministry. This is a real gift and it seems so right to me that this congregation is the one that will ordain me. You will be, in essence, standing in for all the congregations I may serve and offering your blessing on their behalf. It is the day that I fully enter the ministry. Thank you for that honor.
Ordination in our denomination is an interesting process due primarily to the different approaches that the Unitarians and the Universalists historically took to ordination prior to merging. The Unitarians had a 300 year history of having individual congregations ordain ministers, while in Universalism it was seen as a broader denominational responsibility. The typical path to ordination now is a combination of both with special emphasis being placed on an individual congregation. Typically, to be ordained a Unitarian Universalist minister involves three steps: 1. earning a Master’s of Divinity 2. completing the Unitarian Universalist Association’s fellowship process which involves psychological testing, interviews with regional and national committees, and approval from the Ministerial Fellowship Committee 3. congregational vote. In many ways, the third step is the most important, because, no one should be better able to discern my capacity for ministry than you all.
At the completion of this process, I can legitimately use the title “Reverend” and feel the full authority of ministry. Technically, we completed this process with the vote, but in the case of ordination, the ceremony is seen as equally important as the vote. It’s like the difference between obtaining a marriage license and having a wedding.
Like a wedding, ordinations are of all shapes and sizes. However, typically ministers from the area will come to perform different functions in the ceremony, members of the Foxborough community will come to offer blessings, as will some of my friends, colleagues, and family members. It’s a big day for the church.
We have had to post-pone the ceremony a couple of times, but have now tentatively scheduled it for March 6 in the afternoon. I hope that as many of you who can will plan on attending.
Once again, many thank yous for this treasured honor.
Faithfully,
Katie
Our Newest Trustees & Officers
Welcome to the newest members of the Board Of Trustees: April, Leslie, Virginia, and Mike.
Wayside Pulpit
The earth laughs in flowers. ~ e.e. cummings
Religious Education Happenings
Another Church year has begun- Welcome back to another year of RE!
Fall is here and the leaves are already beginning to show their bright colors. Change is in the air! We have so many exciting things brewing this year – where to begin? First off, classes have begun and we have old and new volunteers helping us out – thanks to all of those wonderful parents. The Middle Schoolers are starting their year off in their newly painted room. It’s been refreshing and exciting to have a bright space – many, many huge thanks to the youth and Leah for helping making such a monumental task easy!!
The groups will be meeting for their regular classes and we are working on “extra-curricular” fun get-togethers for the groups in addition to regular Sundays. Parents or anyone who is interested in volunteering to chaperone an event is invited to contact me at any time.
Our next ongoing task is creating a NEW baby/toddler space. We are in the process of designing a space to be welcoming for families of small children and babies. While we have been spurred on by our minister’s upcoming addition – this has been a long time need that has been waiting to be filled and I am so thrilled to see the enthusiasm as everyone participates in helping to create this new space. If you have not been a part of this discussion and have ideas and suggestions, please let me know!
The OWL – Our Whole Lives – program is coming to fruition. Thanks to the Sharon Unitarian Church and First Parish UU Church of Canton, I am privileged to say we are able to offer for the first time this year, the comprehensive sexuality education program known as OWL. We will be offering a 5th-6th grade and 7th-8th grade class. The classes will be run by leaders who are trained in the age appropriate curriculum. If you are interested in learning more or have a child in 5th-8th grade, I am more than happy to speak with you.
This year promises to be a busy one with lots of exciting happenings to come – it’s been exciting and a pleasure to see everyone back at church. I look forward to working with all of you this year.
Peace and Blessings,
Lisa Benoit
Director of Religious Education
Birth Of The Bab
Siyyid Alí Mu?ammad Shírází (“The Báb”) was born on October 20, 1819, in Shiraz, Persia. He was a descendant from Muhammad through the Imam Husayn through both his parents. The Bab was the Prophet-Herald of the Baha’i Faith and his mission was to proclaim the imminent arrival of “Him Whom God shall make manifest,” namely Baha’u'llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith. On Oct. 20, Baha’is observe this Holy Day by abstaining from work. There are no prescribed ceremonies, but gatherings usually involve prayers, devotional readings, music, and fellowship. Baha’i days begin at sunset so celebrations may begin the evening of Oct 19.
October 2010 Holidays
1 Simchat Torah – Jewish
4 St. Francis Day – Catholic Christian
8-16 Navaratri – Hindu
11 Thanksgiving – Interfaith – Canada
17 Dasera – Hindu
20 Birth of the Báb – Baha’i
28 Milvian Bridge Day – Christian
31 All Hallows Eve – Christian
31 Reformation Day – Protestant Christian
31 Samhain – Pagan/Wiccan
Milestones
Hosea Ballou 2nd, Eliza M. Tupper Wilkes, Frances Dana Barker Gage, e e cummings/Edward Estlin Cummings, Joseph Sill Clark, Weston Edward Vivian, Ida Mabel Folsom, John Adams, and Lucy Hunt Ballou.
Reverse Trick-Or-Treating
October 31 was observed as “Begger’s Night” in England. The middle-class handed out special treats known as Soul Cakes to poor people/beggers who then promised to say a prayer for the dead. This practice was known as going “a-souling”. Over the years, “a-souling” and other end of October celebrations have morphed into Trick-or-Treating for some cultures. Youth can reverse this Halloween tradition and hand out a sample of vegan-friendly, Fair Trade dark chocolate to candy givers by participating in the fourth annual Reverse Trick-Or-Treating event. Free kits are available through Equal Exchange; participants pay for shipping costs. The deadline to request a kit is: October 8 (while supplies last). Visit www.uusc.org/rtot/reverse-trick-or-treating-2010 for details.
Guest At Your Table
Guest at Your Table fosters understanding and awareness of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s (UUSC) human-rights work and has been an important part of UUSC and Unitarian Universalist culture since 1975, when the program first began. Each year, the program strengthens connections to our shared principles and helps challenge injustice throughout the world. We can help make UUSC’s 70th anniversary a banner year for global human rights and help nurture a spirit of gratitude and “justice, equity, and compassion in human relations” by organizing Guest at Your Table for our congregation. November 21, 2010, is thekick-off date for this year’s program. Visit www.uusc.org/guest for information about this year’s guests, Stories Of Hope, and additional resources.
Ordination Fund-raising
If you have ideas about how to raise some funds for Katie Lawson’s ordination, please let Dick and the Ordination Committee know in person, via e-mail or committees.uufoxborough.org/Finance/, or leave a note in the chairman’s box in the church office.
Welcoming Congregation Bylaws Review
A committee has been formed to review the bylaws in order to suggest proposed changes to them so they will reflect the spirit and standing of our status as a UUA Welcoming Congregation. The committee will provide suggestions to the Board Of Trustees, who will then present the final proposal to the congregation for a vote to be taken in the next few months.
Ministerial Search Committee
A Ministerial Search Committee has been formed to seek a replacement for Katie Lawson. The initial steps will be to develop the review and update, if needed, the criteria for a new minister that we used last time and meet with Ballou Channing District (BCD) President Rev. Bill Zelazny and Board Of Trustees in October or November. The first meeting of the committee is being held at 11:15 a.m. on October 3, 2010. The Board Of Trustees will keep everyone appraised of the committee’s progress and seek congregational input as we travel on this path.
Spiritual Nurture
Visit www.uua.org/visitors/spiritualtopics/ for answers to some common questions from newcomers about Unitarian Universalism regarding everything from spiritual practices, to the concept of a higher power, to ideas about life and death, to sources of inspiration and guidance, to the use of sacred texts. Some videos and podcasts for inspiration and reflection are available via www.uua.org/multimedia/inspiration/ and www.uufoxborough.org/Newcomers_Area.htm.
UU Jewish Gathering Being Organized
UUs for Jewish Awareness is organizing a conference, with the theme “Let Us Be Counted!”, the first in over 20 years. The theme is inspired by the Torah portion that coincides with the Shabbat of our gathering, Ki Tisa: Exodus 30:11-34:35: “Let us come together to count our selves, not to wait to be counted but to affirm our belonging together!” The conference will be held on February 18 – 20, 2011, in Atlanta, GA. All UUs wishing to celebrate and explore their Jewish identity within Unitarian Universalism are welcome. Go to www.uuja.org for information about program details and how to register.
Green Sanctuary Program News
- Find information about the 10/10/10 Global Work Party via www.uuministryforearth.org/10-10-10.
- Learn how to become better stewards of your funds & creation; get connected with resources to help our congregation with energy efficiency upgrades at the ENERGY STAR Congregation Event beginning at 9:00 a.m. on October 23, 2010 at The First Parish of Needham, UUA. R.S.V.P. no later than October 9, 2010, to Wadi Muhammad at 617-918-1807 or muhammad.wadi@epa.gov.
- Mass Climate Action Network is holding a conference on October 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Clark University in Worcester, Mass. Register via www.massclimateaction.net.
- Read the UUA’s Green Sanctuary Program blog at greensanctuary.blogs.uua.org.
National Coming Out Day
In 1987, over half a million people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the second national march for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. National Coming Out Day began one year later and is celebrated on October 11 every year. For a candle lighting, a reading, links for social justice opportunities, sample sermons, and other resources to help celebrate and participate in National Coming Out Day, please visit www.uua.org.
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 offcenter 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.
Doolittle Home Support Auction
The seventh annual Doolittle Home Support Auction will be held on Saturday, November 6. The auction proceeds will go towards the purchase of an improved model of whirlpool tub for the nursing unit. Donations are accepted from anyone; please call the home’s office at 508-543-2694 to arrange to donate something. To preview auction items and pre-register for a Speed Bid number, visit www.doolittle-home.org.
Not just the “big green and white house on the corner or across from the Library”, the Doolittle Home has been a planned for retirement haven of U’s and UU’s for over 90 years. Support the Doolittle Home residents, our UU family, friends, and community, and the Home’s treasured UU Heritage!!!
Common Read
At General Assembly 2010, delegates selected “Immigration As A Moral Issue” as the new Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI). The UUA, in partnership with Beacon Press, has initiated a Unitarian Universalist “Common Read” as part of that study. For a 2010-11 Common Read, the UUA offers Margaret Regan’s The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories for the Arizona-MexicoBorderlands. To find out more about how you can participate, please visit www.uua.org/publications/commonread/index.shtml. Study and facilitation guides are available.
UN Sunday
In celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN) on October 24, 1945, the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) invites congregations and individual UUs to deepen our understanding of the United Nations by devoting one service in October to reaffirming the connections between UU principles and vital issues dealt with at the UN. The 2010 United Nation Sunday packet, “Ethical Aspects of Climate Change”, is available on-line at www.uu-uno.org.
A Wish List
Norfolk Advocates for Children (NAC) is a partnership of public and private agencies that work together collaboratively to help children who experience physical, sexual, and domestic abuse. Below is a list of remaining needs for the new facility in town. If you would like to donate any of these items, please call AnnMarie Sullivan at 508-308-0852. On-line at www.norfolkadvocatesforchildren.com.
- Kleenex
- Windex
- Facecloths
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Alcohol wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Liquid Hand soap
- Chlorox bleach
- Mop and bucket
- Towels (for nurse)
- Toilet bowl cleaner/brush
- Laundry detergent- liquid
- Lamps with woodland theme
- Cera Ve hand lotion (scent free)
- Changing Table and Changing Pad
- Water bottles (8 oz. and 16 oz. Sizes)
- Shower curtain for the medical room
- Sample sizes for shampoo, conditioner, soap
- Plastic/wire storage shelves for the closet in the medical room
- Individually wrapped crackers (pretzels, goldfish, animal crackers – no sugary snacks and no peanut butter)
PR News
If you’re a visitor, newcomer, newer member, or long-time member of the church and would like to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter and/or join our e-reminder lists, please let the PR Committee (prcommittee@uufoxborough.org) know. Please also let us know if you have something to include, articles, photos, etc. The newsletter is available via e-mail and surface mail.
Peace Candles & First Thursdays Peace Vigils
In April, 2003, we lit the Peace Candle that sits in the front window of the church and serves as a symbol of the congregation’s continued prayers for peace, especially in Iraq. In the Fall of 2006, we began the First Thursdays Peace Vigils and the community of vigilers have stood in front of the church with peace candles and signs once a month since then, with the plan to continue until the war in Iraq is over. Even though all combat troops have currently been removed from Iraq, 49,700 U.S. troops remain there. Since the combat troops left Iraq, U.S. forces in Afghanistan have increased to about 100,000. These numbers do not include the roughly 250,000 private contractors working for the Department of Defense in both Iraq and Afghanistan as of May 2010; about 41,000 of them are U.S. citizens. Please support this ongoing effort: LeeAnn has requested a replacement so please sign-up to be the monthly coordinator or join the vigilers from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. any first Thursday.
In The Community
Monday – Friday – Crossroads Children’s Center at the church (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.); Mondays – Belly Dance classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Tuesdays – Yoga classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Oct. 2, 16, 17, 23, & 31 – Games at the stadium; Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays in October – Haunted House at Orpheum Theatre; Oct. 12 & 26 – Board Of Selectmen’s Meetings; Oct. 2: Recommittal of remains from Foxborough State Hospital (11:00 a.m.); Oct. 6 – First Thursdays Peace Vigil at the church (6:00 p.m.); Oct. 11 – No school; Oct. 22 – Reptiles Rock at Chapel Meeting House (7:00 p.m.); Oct. 24 – United Nations Day in town; Oct. 30 – Fall Festival at Igo; Oct. 30 – Halloween observances such as trick-or-treating in town; The Restocking The Shelves collection box for the Foxborough Food Pantry is on the church’s second level – please contribute!
Other Notices And Events
- Oct. 3: (8:00 a.m.) Board Of Trustees Meeting. All are welcome to attend.
- Oct. 3: (11:15 a.m.) Ministerial Search Committee Meeting.
- Oct. 6 and Nov. 3: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meeting at Pike’s Peak Mining Company in Mansfield. Please contact Rick at mensgroup@uufoxborough.org for more information. Newcomers are welcome!
- Oct. 7 and Nov. 4: (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigil at the church. Area residents are invited to join the commnity of vigilers! Details via events.uufoxborough.org.
- Oct. 8 – 10: Second Annual Leaf Peeper Weekend at Starr King Unitarian Fellowship in Plymouth, NH. Call 603-536-1179 or visit www.starrkingfellowship.org for details.
- Oct. 16: (7:30 p.m.) John Flynn returns to The Javawocky Coffeehouse in Brockton. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
- Oct. 23 & 30: “Basic Car Care Maintenance” fund-raiser in Attleboro. Details via www.goodnewsgarage.org.
- Oct. 24: (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Doolitle Home Open House.
- Oct. 25: (7:15 p.m.) Let’s Laugh Today (laughter yoga) at the First Universalist Society in Franklin.
- Oct. 30: Ballou Channing District (BCD) Fall Conference at First Parish Church in Duxbury, Mass.
- Please visit www.uufoxborough.org, www.bcduua.org, BCD In-Brief, the BCD and UUA e-mail lists, and the bulletin boards in the vestibule for more event listings, brochures, and details.
- Contact rentals@uufoxborough.org to reserve the church for your wedding, ceremony, baby shower, bridal shower, group meeting, band rehearsal, or other event. Payments are made through the Treasurer.
- Don’t forget to purchase products through our Amazon.com and Powell’s Book partner programs: click through the links on the church Web site home page (www.uufoxborough.org) and shop!
October Worship Services
All services begin at 10:00 a.m. and are followed by a Friendship Hour.
Oct. 3: You Loved Me Before You Knew Me
Oct. 10: Living With Weeds
Oct. 17: Building A Theological Home
Oct. 24: TBA – Guest Minister Rev. Christana McKnight, Minister of First Unitarian Parish of Norton
Oct. 31: All The Ghosts
Memorial Service for who have preceded us in death. Bring a photo or other contribution for our altar.
