Minister’s Meditation Congratulations to one and all for a wonderful 125th Anniversary Celebration! You were creative, diligent and welcoming. Our interior gleamed, our decorations were splendid, our music soared and our food was excellent. We had over 140 guests, including Bob Newton who, with great care, revived our organ. Our visiting dignitaries included State Senator Mark Pacheco and Congressman Bill Keating, who both brought detailed proclamations and resolutions from their respective legislative bodies – and stayed to enjoy the fun. Representative Keiko Orrall, who was unable to attend, nevertheless sent a proclamation from our State House of Representatives. Our clergy guests included Rev. Richard Fewkes and Rev. Patricia Tummino, who served us so well during their tenures here. It was a pleasure to be there with you, and a pleasure to learn even more about our history and progressivism. We have a heritage to be proud of and to celebrate.

On November 9, we will welcome the first members of our new Pastoral Care Team. They are David Kraemer and Susan Curtiss. Dave and Sue will help care for members of our congregation in times of distress or crisis. This lay pastoral ministry will bolster the pastoral support offered by the minister. The work of our Parish Care Team will continue, ably coordinated by Pam Levine (meals), Rev. Tricia Tummino (Minister Emerita, rides), Chris Korben (cards), Juli Gould (prayer shawls and blankets) and Valerie Fontaine (Caring Choir).

Another new group is in the process of forming, and we are very happy to introduce our Hospitality group. They are Jeanne Marks (Coffee Hour), Dave Berman, Evalyn Buczek, Andrea Priest and Sandra Smiley. Our Hospitality and Pastoral Care groups join all the others that make church happen. I am grateful for your commitment, and for your generous gifts.

If you are interested in becoming involved in a group, possibly as a leader, I invite you to join our brown-bag leadership series, the first of which is coming up this fall on November 2, 9 and 16. We’ll meet for an hour over lunch in the Parlor and will cover the best ways to get the most of our experiences in committee work here at the church.

I look forward to seeing you, Rev. Sarah

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS Don’t forget to turn your clocks

back one hour Saturday night, November 1.

THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF MIDDLEBOROUGH

__________

25 South Main Street, Middleborough, MA 02346 www.uumiddleboro.org November, 2014

The theme for the month of November is Soul. Sunday, November 2, at 10:30 a.m.

Rev. Sarah K. Person preaching Remembering Well: a Sermon on Hanging On & Letting Go We look for a sense of continuity as we dwell on the steadfast lights of our lives. How do we strengthen one another while we contemplate our dreams of what could have been, if things had only been different? The Chalice Choir will be singing.

Sunday, November 9, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Sarah K. Person preaching

Every Last Soul How does this faith help this wounded world, and our hearts that cry out in response to it? We gather to thank those who put themselves in harm's way to try and preserve a corner of rightness in the chaos. And we gather to find what preserves us in the face of our fears. Special music will be provided by a vocal ensemble.

Sunday, November 16, at 10:30 a.m. Kimberly French preaching

A Moral Divide Our Principles ask us to accept others and their beliefs. But our moral selves sometimes demand that we take strong stands—implying that people who don’t agree are wrong. The Chalice Choir will be singing. Kimberly French is a Worship chair of this church and a contributing editor of the UU World magazine. Her work has appeared in Nieman Reports, the Boston Sunday Globe Magazine, Salon, Tikkun, Utne Reader, college rhetoric books, and twice been named Notable in Best American Essays.

Sunday, November 23, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Sarah K. Person preaching

The Mind's Eye Consider the soul. We either give too little thought to it, or too much. At the same time, we struggle with this idea of faith; that we have to be certain of everything, agree on everything, and that our convictions should be in things unseen. Join us for our intergenerational Thanksgiving service and a unique Unitarian Universalist perspective on the nature of the soul. Special music will be provided by the IG Choir.

Sunday, November 30, at 10:30 a.m. Cranberry Circle CUUPS leading

Remember to Give Thanks CUUPS will be doing a ritual of Thanksgiving and Remembrance. In this dark time of the year when the earth is sleeping, animals are hibernating and the trees are bare, humans look inside themselves to contemplate their lives and how they are connected to the universe. This ritual will also explain how and why we do what we do for those who do not know who the Cranberry Circle CUUPS is. The Chalice Choir will be singing.

THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF MIDDLEBOROUGH

The church administrative offices are located at 40 North Main Street, Middleborough. The phone number is 508-923-7757.

Chris’s Comments Wow! I hope you were there. The 125th Anniversary Celebration was something to write (and cheer) about. The decorations were outstanding. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the church look better. Because many of the arrangements were dried, you may get to see them - I hope so. The quilt that chronicles the ministry of Rev. John Skeirik and his wife, Betsey, is now mounted on the wall next to the music office. An explanation of the various panels is close by. They arrived in 1976 and are in some ways the creators of our church today. There were other art and historical decorations as well as artfully arranged delicious food. We learned that Middleboro had an early group of Universalists who were meeting before the Unitarians. They were unable to raise enough money for their own building, so some of them began coming to the Unitarian church, perhaps making us the first UU church anywhere. The Unitarians and the Universalists did not officially merge the denominations until 1961. But, back to the great party we had here on Sunday, October 19, to celebrate. We had distinguished visitors, including a state senator and our MA representative to congress. We also had visits from old friends who have moved or not been active lately. We hope we will see them all again soon. Oh, and the music. The music was, as it always is, a delight. It turns out one of the first things our foremothers and fathers did was to establish a music committee and to buy the wonderful Woodberry & Harris organ which has been so recently refurbished. It is fascinating that they spent just under $550 to build the bump-out that houses the organ. In 2014 dollars, that is almost $14,650. So just a few years after the building was built, it was not big enough. We continue to try to find ways to make space for all we want to do. Susan Hotchkiss, our Director of Music, provided us with a historical perspective on the music that we sing - and don’t sing - through the hymnals that have served this church, the Unitarians and the Universalists over the years. Mortimer Barron, our former organist, composed an anthem entitled Sanctuary, which he dedicated to the Society for the occasion. Another former organist, Natsumi Malloy, made wondrous sounds on our new organ, playing two different pieces for us. Jeannie Gagné, our former Director of Music, lent her beautiful voice to our hymn singing and led us all in singing Blue Boat Home. Clergy from the Middleboro area, including our Minster Emerita Rev. Tricia Tummino, joined Rev. Sarah in providing us with a benediction. Rev. Sarah Person took the time to explore the many boxes of documents and pictures in the steeple and, along with Sue Sherman and others, created both a history and a slide show that will remain available to us.

The list of ways this church has donated to the community impressed me - free kindergarten, access for individuals with disabilities and recycling, to name a few. I am grateful to the women and men who donated time, money and talent to build this church, both the building and the community. I am even more grateful for the women, men and children who are here today and make it such a caring community with wonderful music, lively discussion and opportunities for spiritual growth. We have had visionaries here since the beginning, and there are visionaries here now. What are your visions for our future? How can we join together to make them a reality?

Chris Korben, President of the Parish Committee president@uumiddleboro.org

AGING FOR ALL AGES Led by Vi Fairweather & Rev. Sarah Person

Session One: Saturday, November 1 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Parish Hall

With any luck, we’re going to age whether we’re 20 or 80. Join us for the opportunity to gain a new perspective on this natural process. Light refreshments will be provided.

We need a minimum of 8 people to hold this workshop. If you are interested in attending, please let Rev. Sarah or Vi Fairweather know ASAP. There is also a sign-up sheet on the table in the Parlor.

Session Two: Saturday, November 8

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Parish Hall If we could be guaranteed that we would be healthy and vibrant for the rest of our days, we wouldn’t be so concerned about aging. Let go of the fear of getting older, the fear of change, the fear of being alone. We’re all in this together.

WALKING IN THE WAY OF PEACE First of our Brown Bag Series on Leadership

Led by Rev. Sarah Person Session One: Sunday, November 2, at 12:00 noon in the Parlor

Considering volunteering for committee work, or even running for election to our Parish Committee? All leaders, current and future, are welcome to this series on developing the leadership potential in all of us. The first segment is dedicated to strengthening our communication skills in times of stress. Sessions Two and Three will be held on Sundays, November 9 and November 16. All three sessions will offer hot and cold liquid refreshments, but attendees are asked to bring their own lunches. Please RSVP to Rev. Sarah ASAP. There are also sign-up sheets on the table in the Parlor.

Rocky Meadow Coffeehouse POT LUCK SUPPER and ♫ MUSIC JAM ♫

Saturday, November 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall Bring your own plate, silver and a dish to share. This means token clean-up for the sponsor and you (until you get home). We’ll provide cups and glasses and decaf coffee and tea.

The Pot Luck Supper will be followed by our ♫ MUSIC JAM♫ here at church in the UU Parish Hall. We’ll be playing music, singing, reading short poems and making requests of others in the gathered circle. Come to eat and to perform. Come on along and join us! Rocky Meadow Coffeehouse is an invitation group on Facebook (FB). There will be no newspaper advertising for these JAMS. It is a UU musicians and friends event. UU Updates, our Newsletter, a few emails to friends and Rocky Meadow Coffeehouse on FB will spread the word. We do want help with the clean-up after.

“Come let’s get together, and play!” This is something we have heard others say. We’ll play and sing music just for fun and relaxation. I hope we might motivate an actual movement to a viable coffeehouse some day. But for now – let’s DO THIS! This is just for fun. Questions - contact Susie Sherman.

Next Rocky Meadow Coffeehouse Pot Luck and Music Jam: Friday, January 30, 2015!

CRANBERRY CLUSTER The fall Cranberry Cluster will meet at the First Parish Church UU, Duxbury, on Wednesday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m. The Rev. Catherine Cullen will present Buddha’s Brain: The Neuroscience of Meditation and Why it Works!

Please reserve your tickets by Monday, November 17, by calling 781-934-6532 or emailing uuduxbury@verizon.net. Cost of dinner and the presentation is $6 per person.

Upcoming Community Event MIDDLEBOROUGH HOLIDAY PARADE

POPCORN & HOT CHOCOLATE Saturday, November 29

Our church will be giving out Popcorn and Hot Chocolate during the Middleborough Holiday Parade this year (weather permitting). We want to let our little light shine at the parade. Any youth or adults who would like to help with this fun community event can contact JR Pucillo-Dunphy.

CUUPS IN NOVEMBER This month CUUPS will have open discussions on how we can do more to stave off climate change.

According to renowned Indian environmentalist Vandana Shiva, faith groups will play a crucial role in the effort to stave off climate disaster. “The new economic model is a model that thinks values don't count. Religion can bring values back to human thinking, lives, minds, hearts.”

Pagans have always embraced the idea of protecting the planet, and others will join us in sharing our passion for the world around us. The multi-faith People’s Climate March in September demonstrated that people of many different faiths can work together to achieve mutual goals. After all, we are all connected in this web of life.

On Sunday, November 30, CUUPS will lead the congregation in a ritual of Thanksgiving. This holiday season, from Thanksgiving Day until New Year’s Day, is usually one of vast consumer spending and hectic over-indulgence and stress. This should be the season of reflection and thanks for all bounty we have enjoyed from Mother Earth. Contemplation and sharing of love and gratitude will be the purpose of this Sunday’s service. Laura Stevens

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS The deadline for ordering your poinsettia(s) this year is Sunday, December 7. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, price TBD.

Your beautiful poinsettia(s) will decorate both the sanctuary on Sunday, December 21, and decorate your home for Christmas. Your personal dedication will be printed in the poinsettia bulletin on December 21. Please print your dedication clearly on the sign-up sheet. You may take the plant(s) home with you after the morning worship service on December 21 or after the Christmas Eve service.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM What's been going on in Religious Exploration? During October we've continued to work through our unit on Unitarian Universalism. We've looked at what we stand for (our principles) and where we get our knowledge (our sources). With the help of Thomas Arius and the Council of Nicaea we've discovered what the word "Unitarian" actually means, and this week we'll be meeting one of our Unitarian heroes, William Ellery Channing, and discovering how the Unitarian Church in America was formed. After that we'll take two weeks to talk about Universalism and the foundation of the Universalist Church.

Last week we did some fundraising for UNICEF, which works to improve the lives of children around the world. We made bookmarks, fridge magnets, decorations and decorated cookies and cupcakes for sale after church. We learnt that UNICEF can achieve a lot even with a small amount of money. For $1 UNICEF can provide safe, clean water for a child for 40 days. For $5 they can feed a malnourished child for 5 days. For $10 they can vaccinate 280 children against life threatening illnesses, $100 will protect 100 children from Malaria, and $500 buys a water pump for an entire village so that families have access to safe, clean water. It really is scary how much can be achieved for the cost of a cup of coffee and a donut! Thank you to everyone who so generously donated their money.

After Thanksgiving we will start working on our Christmas pageant, the story of The Grinch. This Dr. Seuss classic reminds us that "Christmas doesn't come in a box!" The story also has another message, though - the Grinch hates Christmas because he sees all the Whos in their village singing, having fun and being in community with each other. It is this that makes him sad and Grinch-like. At the end of the book he joins in and even carves the Roast Beast having been welcomed wholeheartedly into their community. If we know of any Grinches in our lives we could perhaps think about inviting them into our community of UUs.

Our Christmas pageant will take place on Sunday, December 21, and we will be preparing for it during RE on November 30, December 7 and December 14. We will need volunteers to help put it together; so if you like putting on plays or making Christmas crafts or building sets, then please contact me. Juliet Donaldson, Director of Religious Education

These are the glorious days of late fall, celebration of harvest, and preparation for winter. On Sunday, November 23, the Middleborough Music Guild will host its annual Thanksgiving Concert at 3:00 at Sacred Heart Church. Several choirs from churches (including ours) and schools will be joined by other musical “acts,” with a combined choral finale conducted by Murray Kidd. Although there is no charge for this concert, there is a free-will offering; and all proceeds go towards scholarships to support a graduating senior planning to major in music at the college level.

Supporting music in our community is a GREAT thing, and the opportunity for December caroling is just around the corner, starting right in our church at the RE Holiday Decorating Party on November 30. Stay tuned for notices to join the holiday fun as we move out into the community.

CALLING ALL IG SINGERS! Thanksgiving is coming, and the Intergenerational Choir will be singing in the worship service on November 23. Rehearsals will be held at 11:35 (sharp!) on November 9 and November 16. Rehearsals are 20 minutes – quick and fun! See me to sign up! Susan Hotchkiss, Director of Music

THE ELSIE GAUDETTE AWARD - 2014

The Elsie Gaudette Award, established in 1991 to honor Elsie and her contributions, is our church’s version of an unsung hero award. Elsie was a pure example of unselfish service and dedication to her church and its congregation. Elsie would take care of people, see a need and fix it, run an event, work on a committee, cook and create, bake and be a hostess, shop for bargains, get results, motivate people, and did so for many years. The others who share her plaque have also worked to maintain the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro with their image of unselfish service. If the need is within our ability to satisfy, then no one needs ask; it is just attended to. Periodically we add a name to the plaque, because such a person needs recognition. The recognition of this year’s honoree is long past due, and we are happy to include him. He has been here for more than 3 decades, knew and admired Elsie, and knows how to contribute in many different ways. Though not a committee person per se, he has been committed to many of the church’s projects. A thoughtful man, he will always speak out for fairness, common sense, and generosity. He respects others, has definite opinions and will not hesitate to jump in and help, often times anonymously. He is a problem solver, a doer, a worker, a listener, a mentor, a giver, and an approachable man. Some of his contributions have come about because of his know-how: how to take out an engine, get it fixed and reinstalled; working construction with Habitat for Humanity and Build It For Robin’s Children; taking people for airplane rides; teaching driving lessons; designing and helping to install a structure to hold the church building together; building stairs and steps to get into the building safely; retiling the floor; maintaining the lawn mower, the snow blower and any other broken thing. This man can also sing, wait tables, serve a supper, put up a tent, carry and cart things around, mop a floor, wash dishes, teach Religious Education classes, give a sermon, deliver a Moment of Fellowship speech, mentor a child, chauffeur our children, host a bonfire gathering, build a structure of sheet metal, help with minor repairs for safety concerns, or anything else that comes up. His contributions financially have enriched the church as a whole for the future, the gift of land for our eventual growth (though he will always say it is a gift from him and his wife), the purchase of multiple hymnals, the annual canvass visits, his vast knowledge of investments, and setting up the Lewis K. and Jane C. Scott Trust to assist funding for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. He’s always up for a warm, friendly, and personal conversation, or debate with people of any age. He is steadfast, passionate, enthusiastic, faithful and dedicated. He is a son, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. He deserves our recognition. If the committee members present will join me, and the congregation will welcome, the 2014 Recipient of the Elsie Gaudette Award, is Rick Benard.

EXPANSION TASK FORCE - LOOKING AT THE FUTURE

Our Expansion Task Force is looking for your personal ideas on what the Society’s space needs are now and will be in the future. The dates are:

• Saturday, November 1, 5:00 p.m. Pot Luck; 6:00 p.m. Looking at the Future Forum • Sunday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. Looking at the Future Forum (Fruit will be served.) • Wednesday, November 5, 12:30 p.m. Looking at the Future Forum (Soup will be served.)

Come share a meal and your opinions on one of these dates – we’d love to see you. Pam Davis

PEOPLE’S CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH

On Sunday, September 21, 2014, nearly 400,000 people came together in New York City for the People’s Climate March. Worldwide, 2,646 events were organized in 162 countries on the eve of the UN Climate Summit in New York to send a message our world leaders could not ignore: we must act now. The People’s Climate March took months to organize but has been decades in the making as activists have worked to generate an awareness of the challenges we face. As a result of their perseverance, the “Climate Change” movement has finally gained critical mass.

There has been much written about why so little has been done to confront the crisis that climate change presents. Some have questioned whether there is indeed a crisis at all. It is hard to mobilize when the consequences are not immediately apparent. However, the People’s Climate March marks the watershed moment when a coalition of groups and constituencies have joined with the understanding that they must stand together while there is still time. Otherwise, all the other issues that matter to us will become irrelevant. One could feel this unity at 12:58 p.m. during the march when the mass of protesters fell silent with arms stretched overhead in memory of those most affected by Global Warming. At 1:00 p.m., a crescendo of noise filled the streets of Manhattan as voices and instruments roared in unity to demand action.

This event brought together groups that have a stake in the future but ultimately represent all of us: Indigenous Peoples, Environmental Justice Communities, Sandy and other climate-impacted communities, Migrant Justice, Housing Justice, Farmworkers, Domestic Workers, Labor, Unions and Worker Associations, Public Health Advocates, Parents, kids and families, Women’s groups, Elders, Students and Youth, Veterans, LGBTQ, Faith Communities, and many more. The People’s Climate March is ongoing. All those who journeyed to demonstrate have taken the message home with renewed resolve and faith that we can take action; but to change everything, we need everyone.

To learn more, visit <http://peoplesclimate.org>, <http://350ma.org>, or search “people’s climate march” on the web. Amanda Huggon-Mauretti

HEATING THE CHURCH The church will only be heated when needed. All temperature changes will be made by Valarie Ortelt and based on the church calendar. So please be sure your meeting/event is posted on the church calendar.

GREEN TIP - USING WATER WISELY There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you. Kitchen - Part 1 of 3 (Part 2 will appear in the December Newsletter, Part 3 in the January Newsletter) Rate yourself 1 to 5 pts. on each item. Give yourself a in Water Wisdom for 20-25 pts.

1. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one sink or dishpan with wash water and the other with rinse water.

2. Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. New, Energy Star dishwashers save even more water and energy.

3. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones. 4. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on

the number of glasses to wash. 5. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to conserve/?view=list Sue Sherman

SUNDAY MORNINGS Child care for the littlest children begins at 10:15 a.m. in the Nursery Room on Sunday. Large-print hymnals and hearing assistive headsets are available. Our worship services are videotaped and broadcast over local cable television on Comcast channel 95 and Verizon channel 35: Sunday & Monday – 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday & Thursday – 4:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday -7:00 p.m.

PARISH CARE Pastoral Care Help is available to assist with meals, transportation, emergency babysitting, and hospital visits during illnesses or other family emergencies.

We are a diverse, active and caring community; and we welcome your questions and your participation. You are always invited to call or visit our minister to discuss any matter of concern to you.

Meals: Pam Levine Rides: Tricia Tummino Chris Korben: Cards Caring Choir: Valerie Fontaine Prayer Shawls & Blankets: Juli Gould

FOOD PANTRY The Sacred Heart food pantry holiday meals program provides a complete Thanksgiving or Christmas meal for families that might otherwise not have a special meal on those days. The special meal will include fresh vegetables, can goods, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, snacks, a pie and a turkey or a ham.

The Sacred Heart Food Pantry, which is operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, expects to make available some 450 meals for Thanksgiving and, with the inclusion of the previous Christmas Wishes Program, may exceed 500 meals for Christmas.

Donations for these programs are crucial to help the food pantry meet the demands. For those wishing to help prepare the boxes of meals, the setup times are Monday, November 24, 6:30 p.m. for Thanksgiving and Monday, December 22, 6:30 p.m. for the Christmas meals. Through the years the volunteer turnout has been a sight to see, hitting over 100 at times.

Children especially enjoy participating in this wild assembly line effort as nearly 500 boxes are filled in approximately 25 minutes.

Please place your donations in the baskets located in the parlor any time. They will be delivered to the pantry by Evalyn Buczek.

Thank you!

FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR Providing flowers or another kind of altar decoration for a Sunday Service is a wonderful way we

that we honor important life events and people we love or wish to memorialize. The donations are noted in our order of service. Full participation helps us get to know one another better as we share our memories of events

and people that are important in our lives and, at the same time, it keeps our altar table looking fresh, adding a touch of beauty and interest to the week’s service. Please check the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall for a time when you might like to provide flowers for the altar. Thank you.

BALLOU CHANNING, CLARA BARTON & MASSACHUSETTS BAY DISTRICTS of the Unitarian Universalist Association

On July 1, 2014, Ballou Channing, Clara Barton and Massachusetts Bay Districts of UU Congregations began officially sharing staff across all three districts. As part of that collaboration, we started a new website for all three districts: http://www.newenglanduua.org/. We hope you find what you are looking for. If not, or if you discover problems with the site,

please send us an email.

We've also launched the New England Region UUA page. Be sure to like us: https://www.facebook.com/newenglanduua?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark. If you aren't on our email list, we hope you join.

Upcoming Events: Lower The River: Cultivating Systemic Change in Your Congregation (NNED) Sat, 11/01 - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, NH Presenter: Mark Bernstein, a member of the Congregational Life staff in our sister region of the Central East Regional Group (CERG) of our UUA Fee: $130 for team of 3 to 5 people.

OWL Facilitator Training - Grades K-1/4-6 Fri, 11/07 - 6:00 pm - Sun, 11/09 - 3:00 pm at The Walker Center in Newton, MA. For further details about location, fees, schedule, etc. click here.

Love as Practice Sat, 11/15 - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the First Parish Church in Weston, MA Presenters: Meck Groot, Justice Ministries Lead, New England Region and Hilary Allen, Congregational Development Director, Northern New England District Fee: $50 per person / $35 for seminarians.