For Who Might Risk Comfort for Extreme Beauty:
Outdoor Naturalism - Skygazing Tours
Where: The Benson Place Blueberry Farm in Heath
When: Thursday & Saturday, November 7 & 9 (Friday's tours have been canceled)

Sunset/Moon Tour at 5:00 PM; Star/galaxy tour at 7:00 PM; led by Jon Rehmus
Requested donation (supports the Justice/Open Land Preservation work of the Social Action Committee): $5 for adults, $2 for children, $7.50 for families of 3 or more.

Exquisite views and natural setting regardless of season. Watch for clear skies, though early tours take place even with cloud cover (canceled only for rain & snow). Dress for winter conditions with proper hats, gloves, and shoes; the ancient standing stones can be viewed only at a distance this month.

Directions: Take Mohawk Trail/Rte 2 to Shelburne Falls. Follow signs for 112 north. Get on 112 N and from the point of the Rte 2 overpass, go 3.7 mi. Just beyond factory area in Colrain, turn left on Adamsville Rd. (crossing bridge). Go 1.6 mi. (keeping to left at T/Yield signs) to Heath Rd. Turn left, crossing small bridge. Go 3.9 mi. on Heath Rd., staying straight ahead almost entire way (at 1.8 mi. stay on pavement bearing rt.; at 2.7 mi., road turns to dirt). When you cross the pond, you're almost there! Turn left (steep uphill) on Flagg Hill Rd., go almost .5 mi., turn rt. at fork (see sign for ěBenson Placeî on telephone pole). Go 1.3 mi. to the end of the road and park near shed.

Many church members have expressed an interest in this so we are trying it one more time. It hardly seems fair to invite Ellen and then have a low turnout. We have scheduled this for a Sunday afternoon, from 4:30-6:30 PM and hope that the early time on a week-end will make it easier for people to get here. The cost is $10 per person, young children are free. Ellen is a wonderful facilitator who can coordinate a highly satisfactory experience for experienced and novice drummers to share. Ellen brings extra drums and rhythm instruments for those who do not have any or want to experiment with different instruments.

Irmarie and Brud Jones, who have put the tree up for years, are unable to do it anymore. Cassandra Walker has already volunteered, but one or two others will be needed. This is an artificial tree, which is usually put up the first weekend in December. If anyone can help, please call Irmarie.

November 6 - Jamie Goodnow, piano
November 13 - Debra J'Anthony, flute, Judith Dean Kulp, soprano, & Judith Williams, pianist
November 20 - Jean Dowd and Richard Hurlburt, clarinets
November 27 - John Sheldon, guitarist

Jon Rehmus will be out of town from Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 30. Ministry back-up for emergencies is being arranged, and emergency calls during this period can be directed to administrator Diane Dix at the church or the November Caring Coordinator, Ann Lewin.

These orientation programs are open to all, whether you are making the commitment to join All Souls Church or would simply enjoy the refresher. If you are becoming a member, please contact the chair of the Membership Committee (Andrea Griswold) or the minister (Jon Rehmus).

Session 1
Sunday, November 3, 8:30 - 10:00 AM in the Minister's Study

This session will involve introductions, a sharing of our personal journeys to All Souls and Unitarian Universalism, and an overview of our church in terms of community, program, governance, and facility. A light breakfast will be served.

Session 2
Sunday, November 10, 8:30 - 10:00 AM in the Minister's Study

We will examine the history of Unitarian Universalism, current trends in the UU movement, and how these relate to All Souls. We will also discuss programs and governance at the district and national level. Again, light breakfast will be served, and those who cannot attend this session should separately try to read A Chosen Faith by Buehrens and Church (available from Jon at $14 cost).

Sunday, November 17, 10:30 AM – New Member Sunday
Concerned About Employment and Local Opportunities?

Come to an informal lunch on Sunday, November 3 at 12:30 p.m. (probably in the Sunshine Room downstairs). This follows a breakfast and discussion on September 28. We addressed a large range of issues at the breakfast, and those returning are challenged to suggest one concrete plan for changing or improving one's personal or the general employment situation. Newcomers are welcome! Please bring some lunch and something to share.

Prepare for concerns about dead gerbils. And laments about goldfish, puppies and other beloved pets. Prepare for ěHappy to be Me!î joys. And candles lit for a parent's birthday or a best friend who is coming to sleep over. Because once a month, the children will be joining the adults for Joys & Concerns.

I couldn't be happier. I love hearing the joys and concerns - mumbled and jumbled as they often are - of our children. I love the pure joy and the pure sadness children are still capable of feeling. Children don't stop to temper their feelings with vanity or correctness. I love hearing about the simple, precious events that are central in the minds of children. I like their stories because they remind me about what is really important - the loss of love, the addition of love, time spent with a friend, another year on this earth!

I realize, of course, that not everyone feels as I do.

Yes, Joys & Concerns with the children takes a bit longer. The atmosphere can be less meditative and quiet. Some of what is said may even seem silly. And some adults who no longer have small children - or who never did - may feel that they shouldn't have to sit through this.

But I ask you to consider that when we integrate the children into more of our adult services, we are building community. Not talking about building community (as we so often do) - but actually doing the work of building community (the word work implies, of course, that it is not always easy). By giving children the opportunity to speak to all of us and by actively listening to what they have to say, we are building bridges across the divides that separate us. And by listening with concern, compassion and respect, we are modeling how we would like to be treated ourselves.

So, isn't that worth a few extra minutes - and a few extra chuckles - on a Sunday morning once a month? I think it is.

In Peace & Hope -
Eve

Thanks to all who have worked hard and tirelessly to make the Enchanted Kingdom a huge success.

A Big THANK YOU to David Bigda from the children of the Sunshine Room. The tour of the church was so much fun the children are still talking about it! Perhaps David should offer a tour for the adults.

The first Fifth Friday of this church year falls on November 29 - Thanksgiving weekend. Since many of us will be out of town or hosting guests, we are not planning a Fifth Friday Family Fun Night for November. If you are looking for something fun for the whole family that night, consider going to Shelburne Falls for their annual Moonlight Madness celebration. We are planning a Fifth Friday Family Fun Night for January.

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November 16 Coffee & Soul Concert Cancelled

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the November 16 Coffee & Soul Concert with Robin Lane and the Chartbusters, with Plump opening, has been postponed indefinitely.

Our next concert will be on December 7, with Relative Strangers headlining, Laura Wood and Chris Devine opening, and a half hour open mic. All begins at 7:30 PM.

Coffee & Soul is in the All Souls Unitarian-Universalist Church, 399 Main Street, Greenfield, MA. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, half-price for seniors and under 18. Tickets can be purchased at World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield, Boswell’s Books in Shelburne Falls, or by calling the church (413-773-5018).

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Reminder About GA 2003

Early Bird registrations for General Assembly in Boston, June 26-30, are available in the church office and must be postmarked by November 15th.

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"The Palestinian Story, 2002"
Talk and Slide Presentation by Sherrill Hogen

Sunday November 10, 2002 — Sandwiches & Cider at 12:30 PM Presentation at 1:00 PM
Sherrill, a retired social worker, was in Palestine from July 19-July 29, 2002. She observed the effects of the Israel military occupation on Palestinian civilian life by participating in non-violent actions to protest civilians and living with a Palestinian family. Her slides show the people she met and the conditions she encountered.

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Women's Night Out, Friday, November 1

Celebrate All Souls Day at Women's Night Out
Friday November 1, at Big Kitchen Cafe in Northfield at 6:00 PM. Call Anne Hare for reservations.

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Nominees:
Louisa May Alcott
Susan B. Anthony
Louis Armstrong
Clara Barton
Ruby Bridges
A Child/Children
Noam Chomsky
Frederick Douglas
The Planet Earth
Albert Einstein
Mohandas Gandhi
Thomas Jefferson
Martin Luther King, Jr.
John L. Lewis
Abraham Lincoln
An Oak Tree With Animals In It
Rosa Parks
Sojourner Truth
Harriet Tubman
George Washington

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Church Directory Needs Updating

We probably won't be producing a new directory for a few more months, but it isn't too early to begin adding to it, changing it, or correcting it. A "master copy" will be in the Parish Hall on the shelf under the windows along the alley alongside a sign-up sheet for members and friends who would like to be included in the next directory.

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Wheel of Life

Holly Bell is at home recovering from heart arrhythmia. She appreciates the support extended to her by her friends at All Souls

Leslie DeGraff is also recovering at home after surgery. She is grateful for the help given her through efforts coordinated by All Souls and Sum'wimmin, her women's group.

Eleanor Manwell continues her rehabilitation at Sunbridge and Dorothy Jorgenson is still at the Anchorage Nursing Home in Shelburne. They both appreciate the cards and visits from members of this church.

Diana and Kyle Weaver's son Owen, 23, suffered a broken femur in a car accident two months ago. He is recuperating in his parent's home. Best wishes to him and his parents.

Our deepest sympathy to Michael Herbert whose father, Fred Herbert of Putney, VT, died on October 15. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 2, at the Putney community Center.

Peter Jones of Granby, son of Irmarie and Brud Jones and an alumnus of All Souls Sunday School, has released his fifth CD, playing his original piano music.

Monica Sharp finally made it to a UU church on Sunday, October 27. She has been living in Pacific Palisades since August 2001. Her grandson and his family took her to the UU church in Santa Monica and then for a lovely lunch. Monica enjoyed the service very much but said the wooden pews were very hard after an hour.

Aiden Tanner, a good friend to All Souls, passed away in California.

The attractive chrysanthemums in front of the church were planted by Jean Cummings, bought with money from the Flower Fund. They make the church grounds look so inviting.

Leah Garfield-Wright was on the winning cross-country team from Mohawk which won a big regional meet at Franklin Park in Boston. Congratulations to Leah and her teammates!

John Walters observed that Irmarie Jones had to strain to reach the highest candles in the Joys & Concerns candelabra and on the windowsills to extinguish the flames. He has donated three pewter candle snuffers to the church which make an attractive and useful addition to the sanctuary. Thank you, John.

Meg Baker, who is an accomplished seamstress and quilter, will be putting the finishing touches on the wall hanging created by the women who attended the last women's conference almost three years ago. This large and attractive fabric piece will soon be on display in the sanctuary. Thank you, Meg

Did you know that 55% of the world's people don't get enough to eat every day and that 15% have more than they need? Where do we fit in?

On Sunday, November 24, All Souls will be hosting a "Hunger Banquet" designed to give participants a clearer understanding of the inequitable distribution of food resources. Worldwide, 15 % of the population is high income, 30% middle income, and 55 % low income. The Hunger Banquet is based on the Oxfam model in which participants are randomly assigned to an economic level and are fed according to their economic standing.

Join us for this meal on Sunday, November 24 at 5:00 PM in the Parish Hall (followed by the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in the Sanctuary). Some of us will be well fed. Some of us will go home hungry. But we will all come away with plenty of food for thought.

Tickets to this event will be sold during Coffee Hours in November. Tickets are $5 (sliding scale tickets are available). All proceeds will be donated to Oxfam. This event may be appropriate for older children. Child-care can be arranged for younger children.

For more information contact Eve Brown-Waite.