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October
2003
The
Clarion deadline coincides with the monthly
Friendship Potluck Luncheons on the third Sunday
of the month. Submissions can be in writing, on
disk, faxed (773-5018) or e-mail at newsletter@uugreenfield.org.
Past
issues of The Clarion can be found by clicking here.
October
2003 Clarion
Headlines:
From
the Minister
Sometimes,
life at All Souls seems plunged into one of those
Star Trek episodes where the alarm sirens sound and
the deck gets flooded with reports:
Scotty:
"Captain, the music programs are traveling at
warp 6; the engines are breaking up!" Uhura:
"We're getting beacons from the
Address-Poverty/ Anti-Oppression/Interfaith Council/UUA
Confederation desperate for communication!" Dr.
McCoy: "Captain, a member just morphed into a
two-faced, fanged borg!" Spock: "The
emotional tenor at last week's meeting was
illogical, and I quit!"
Chairman
of the Board David Bigda and I - nominally at the
helm of this rockin' enterprise - can sense the
stresses. What other volunteer organization with a
part-time staff is dedicated to vibrant spiritual
health, active social justice, and multi-programmed
community well being! Thus, credit is due to sectors
of the ship that are running pretty well: the Board,
Religious Education, Worship, Social Action, and
Finance (improved!).
And
there are sectors that are desperate for brand-new
attitudes willing to help, willing to lead, and
willing to challenge, "We've always done it
this way": Membership & Hospitality
Committee, Canvass Committee, Music Committee, and
Property Committee. Maybe you're willing to take on
one job. Maybe you're willing to take on one
committee!
But
realize that captains are only as good as the crew,
at least on this starship. Therefore, check in and
otherwise ... "Engage" (or is it,
"Make it so"?)
Jonathan
Rehmus
(Top
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Board
Notes
Next
meeting date: Tuesday, October 14, 7 p.m. at the
church. The Board meets regularly on the second
Tuesday of each month. Contact any Board member
(listed on the back of The Clarion) with your
concerns or suggestions. Here are some of the
highlights from our September meeting and other
developments.
1.
Margo Campbell's Treasurer's Report, important
enough to be published separately in this issue,
still merits comment in this space. Margo highlights
a long-standing problem concerning church finances
management. Start of the year expenses, principally
salaries, heating oil and expenses, always outrun
our early pledge returns. Consequently, summer
pledge payments are important; and so the constant
reminders for pledge payments should take on a new
significance.
2.
A major upgrade to our office service capabilities
was approved. Marty Ortiz, vice-chair, previously
charged with responsibility, recommended the
purchase of a Sharp AR-M 208 Imager copy machine,
tied directly to our computer. Now, for instance,
the text for The Clarion can move directly to the
copier. Ergo, all outside costs for the production
of The Clarion are eliminated and the savings will
pay for the acquisition of the new copier, all
within the limits of the current budget. Marty's
work was outstanding. Marty provided analysis,
evaluation, and a speedy solution to a vexing
problem. Also, the old copier at this time is
available free to any member.
3.
A report on Financial Management, presented by
Barbara Weeks, addressing the management of the
money flow, especially in regards to expenses, was
accepted. Consequently, the Finance Committee has
been reconstituted. The committee, Marilyn Lee,
Chair, Rocky Perham and John Waite, has met already.
They will meet again on October 6th to begin their
reform program.
4.
Eve Brown-Waite briefly presented an overview of the
R.E. Program for the coming year. This year, more
than ever before, a new emphasis will be given to
the Junior Youth Program. Beginning next year, Eve
will provide end of the year highlights at our
Annual Meeting.
5.
The main topic of the new business was an interim
formulation of a policy regarding Disruptive
Behavior. Disruptive behavior has been highlighted
as a nationwide concern in Inter-Connections, a UU
leadership newsletter. With modifications, and with
a promise of review at the October meeting, an
existing model policy of the First W Church of San
Diego was accepted. Once the Board feels more
certain of its position, our Disruptive Behavior
policy will be published in The Clarion.
6.
Also, credit to the Property Committee on the new
doors to the church sanctuary and the touch painting
on the outside doors, which is now in progress.
David Bigda, Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Get
Your Name in the Church Directory
We
will be reissuing the church directory with new
entries, changes, etc.,
sometime
this fall. Please leave new or corrected information
with All Souls administrator Diane Dix as soon as
you can by e-mailing (administrator@uugreenfield.org)
or phoning the church, putting it in her office
folder, or making the changes directly on the pages
of the directory posted in the Parish Hall. Thanks!
If you are a new person to this community and want
to be listed–feel free to sign up.
(Top
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Wheel of Life
Eleanor
Bell, who signed the membership book in the 1 920s
and therefore was our oldest member, died on
September 24. Her funeral was held at All Souls on
September 28.
We
were about to send a belated thank you to Dorothy
Jorgensen and her relatives for a $600 check sent to
the church in August in honor of Dorothy's 92nd
birthday when we received the sad news that Dorothy
passed away on September 28 at Anchorage Nursing
Home. Her memorial service will be on November 23.
Meg
Baker and Serena Torry's mother, the Rev. Barbara R.
Threet, will be ordained at the First Parish UU
Church in Fitchburg, the first woman to be minister
there in more than 200 years. She is a graduate of
Starr King in California.
An
intern for a year at Historic Deerfield is John
Raible, grandson of the late All Souls minister,
Robert Raible, who served as minister at All Souls
from 1932 to 1942. Ginny Short, who is on the staff
there, sees him quite often. He told her he
remembers his grandfather taking him up to Poet's
Seat when they were visiting Greenfield when he was
a young child.
Jon
Rehmus played a leading role in the memorial service
for September 11, 2001, at Greenfield Community
College. He received good coverage from The
Recorder.
Has
everyone seen the new doors to the sanctuary? They
really add a touch of class to our church and a real
asset to its appearance.
Did
anyone notice Craig Cole, a pitcher, in the Little
League World Series? Craig is getting a big kick out
of his "namesake."
Wasn't
that a wonderful spread in The Recorder that
featured the story of the new piano and concert
series in the "Diversions" section? Great
picture of Bob Cummings and David Bigda on the
cover. (Please help keep the community informed of
significant events affecting our members. If you
have any information you would like included in
Wheel of Life, please contact Diane Dix.)
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Newcomer's
Circle in October
Feeling
new at All Souls? Considering membership in the
church? Join minister Jon Rehmus and members of the
church for introductions and conversation
immediately after the Sunday service on October 26.
This is an opportunity to share a bit about yourself
and your reasons for seeking church community as
well as an opportunity to raise questions about All
Souls Church and UUism. We gather in the Chapman
Room upstairs, just off the church vestibule, and
refreshments will be available.
New
Member Orientation Sessions Begin Sunday, November 2
Contact Jon Rehmus and/or see the November Clarion
for more details!
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First
Community Meal of Church Year,
Wednesday, October 29th
Over
the years, All Souls has built up a reputation for
serving good food when it is our turn to provide the
community meal. This year we can build on our past
successes and "make our better best" with
improvements in two areas:
•
More planning on what specific foods are needed and
in what proportions,
•
More interaction among contributors in specific
areas of the county to share tasks such as shopping
for ingredients, assembling the dishes, and
delivering them to the meal location.
I
have some ideas about how this can be done, and will
be communicating directly with persons who
contributed last year. Anyone who has not joined
this effort in the past who would like to be
involved this time, please drop a line to teaton@crocker.com
(Top
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RE:
Notes from the DRE
"Where
is the Republic of Whichistan, Mommy?" Sierra
asked me after her first day of school several years
ago. "And why do we pledge our license to
it?" Sierra's class stopped saying the Pledge
of Allegiance with any regularity shortly after that
and the whole thing was forgotten. But that was
pre-September 11 and before young American soldiers
began coming home in body bags draped in American
flags. Now, Jeremiah is led by his first grade
teacher in the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of
every school day. I have since learned that this is
a state law.
Politics
aside, I have grave concerns about this. Okay, my
politics are never aside. But as a religious
educator in the Unitarian Universalist faith - a
faith founded on reason and free thought - I have
concerns, not only about the Pledge itself, but
about the requirement that it be said each day in
public schools.
When
teachers require children to repeat by rote
something that has never been explained to them -
that sounds more like brainwashing than education to
me. When children are encouraged to unquestioningly
adhere to a statement of beliefs, this shows them
that someone else can tell them what to believe.
When children are told to pledge themselves to
something that they did not choose (no matter how
high the ideals or how noble the cause) then we take
away their freedom of thought and replace it with
group-think. I also think we disparage the very
meaning of the word pledge, by teaching children
that they can freely make vows that don't come from
their hearts; that promises were never really meant
to be kept; and that their word carries no weight.
My
children and I have talked a lot about the Pledge of
Allegiance and what it means to say it. Jeremiah
chooses not say it. We at home will continue to
affirm his right to choose what he will - and will
not - commit himself to. I worry about how awkward
and difficult it might be for a lone six year old to
swim against the tide of peer - and adult -
pressure. But I worry even more about all of the
other kids who are being taught that what they say
they believe and what they promise to do really
doesn't have to come from their heart at all.
In
Peace and With Hope, Eve
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R.E.
Announcements
The
RE Committee is planning its first ever Fall Swap on
Sunday, October 19 immediately after the Friendship
Luncheon. Bring your children's outgrown coats,
boots, ski pants, skates, etc. and (hopefully) take
away someone else's hand-me-downs that fit your
children. We can also swap Halloween costumes,
children's videos and books. Please only bring
things that are in good condition. Swap items may be
left in the Rainbow Room on the morning of October
l9th only!
Our
annual Enchanted Kingdom is scheduled for October
24th & 25
We
are looking for donations (or loans) of the
following items for this year's Enchanted Kingdom:
–
A large sleigh; cloth (in solid colors); mirrors;
rugs; tinsel and shiny garland; dress-up clothes;
and any other things that would fit into the Castle
room; Ice Princess room; Middle Eastern room; Elf
Forest; The Cosmos; The Wizard Story Telling area.
All items should be labeled (if you want them back)
and left in Eve's office.
Volunteers
are also needed to organize the refreshment stand
and to help out during the event. Please contact
Elizabeth Bonney.
The
Youth Group will no longer be meeting during RE
time. Youth are encouraged to stay upstairs for the
service or talk to Eve about working with the
younger children. The youth room will not be open.
The Youth will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Sundays
of each month from noon to 3 pm as well as alternate
Sundays from 12 to 1:30 Oct 26th through Nov 30th,
while working on the Articulating Your UU Faith
curriculum. Parents are welcome to join us in this
work.
(Top
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Quaker-style
Meetings to Continue
Sue
Blauner organized the Quaker-style meetings that
took place here at All Souls Church during the
summer. There are evening, bi-weekly sessions
planned for the fall. They will be on alternate that
we will meet every other Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
upstairs in the Chapman Room, starting October 15.
Please enter using the main entrance. For
inforrnation call Sue Blauner.
(Top
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All
Souls Bookstore Reopening Sunday, October 5th
Celebrate
the 150th anniversary of Beacon Press! A tangible
and pleasurable way we can benefit ourselves, the
church, and the WA is by supporting the third
incarnation of the All Souls Book Table. Diane Dix
and Renate Goepp will have a display of wonderful
books for you to look over starting on Sunday,
October 5, during Coffee Hour.
The
first All Souls Book Table was run for two years in
the mid-'60s by Irmarie Jones and Ginny Short. Diane
Dix had one set up in the early '90s. Now we will
again be reminded weekly of the great titles
published by Beacon Press, Skinnner House and other
select publishers.
Daniel
Ellsberg stated: "I would go anywhere to pay
tribute to the Unitarian Universalist Church and
Beacon Press. There is a time when courage is simply
necessary and people have courage that they didn't
know they had....The Unitarians and Beacon Press
have consistently shown the kind of civic courage
that we must have for our country to survive as a
democracy." UUA titles cross a broad range of
social and spiritual topics. "Beacon Press
Books affirm and promote justice, equity, and
compassion in human relations; acceptance of one
another and encouragement to spiritual growth; a
free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
the right of conscience and the use of the
democratic process in society; the goal of world
community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
and respect for the interdependent web of all
existence."
According
to Juliet Schor: "Beacon Press is a gem in a
publishing world rendered increasingly impoverished
by global corporatization. Remarkably, it
steadfastly combines serious progressive content
with inspired writing and beautiful design. In a
world where market values have triumphed over most
others, Beacon's moral vision is a treasure."
In a UUA General Assembly Resolution, Denise
Davidoff urges UUs to each buy two Beacon Press
books a year and "continue that spiritual
practice thereafter."
This
is how as a church we can profit financially while
helping Beacon Press and nurturing our minds and
spirits: When we order up to 9 Beacon Press or
Skinner House books, we make a 20% profit. If we
order 10 or more, our profit rises to 40%. There are
books not published by either house in the catalogs
which we will not make a profit from, unless we buy
10 of the same title, but they're worthwhile titles
and it helps the UUA bookstore.
We
have pre-ordered 40 books which you can look at on
Sunday. If there is no interest in them, they can be
returned (in perfect condition) within 30 days.
Meanwhile, the catalogs will also be on display and
people can order books through the book table,
saving on shipping and handling and assuring that a
percentage will profit All Souls.
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You
Are Invited...
to
join the Membership and Hospitality Committee as a
fully participating member or as a partially
participating member. The former meets and plans
monthly as a committee; the latter participates on
an as needed basis. You can help us build and
nurture our All Souls community in any of the
following ways:
–
Welcoming congregants and visitors before Sunday
services
–
Follow-up newcomers with a welcome note (sample
available)
–
Choosing and ordering pamphlets for pew packets and
foyer reading rack
–
Assisting in Coffee Hour process with uninitiated
coffee makers
–
Printing name tags for members and friends
–
Assisting the minister in Newcomer Circles,
Orientation sessions and Membership Sunday
–
Plan and lead social events to help integrate
newcomers with friends and members
--Help
organize and provide a celebratory event for new
members
--Serving
as Caring Coordinator for a month
--Serving
as a visitor to shut-in members who welcome visits
This
committee will meet next on Sunday, October 5, just
after the start of Coffee Hour. If you would like to
join us and/or learn more, please bring your
beverage to the Chapman Room as quickly as possible.
We'll be delighted to answer questions as we plan.
If you have questions about the committee at any
time, please feel free to call Anne Hare, Martha
Elliott or Gloria Bean.
(Top
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Note
from the Treasurer
A
big thanks to everyone who sent in pledge payments
this summer. This really helped.
There
were some problems with the 4th Quarter Pledge
Statements for the 02-03 church year. For the ones I
had problems with, I will send out corrections with
the 1 st Quarter 03-04 statements, probably in mid
to late October. If you still have any questions
concerning your pledge payments for January through
June, please call me.
And
now for some numbers:
Pledges
received to date: $11,854 (Total pledged for year:
$57,147)
Salaries paid to date: $14,964 (Salaries paid per
month: $4,988)
Heating oil prepayments: $5,100
Insurance paid to date: $995
We
still have a few boxes of pledge envelopes from last
year in the office. If you'd like a box, stop in
after the service sometime. The dates will be off by
1 day but we aren't going to order new ones. They're
just too expensive.
–
Margo Campbell, Treasurer
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New
Testament Series Continues
"New Takes on the New
Testament" continues as the fall, Sunday
morning series. It meets in the Parish Hall at 9:00
a.m. and is led by All Souls minister Jon Rehmus and
long-time UU Dan Tinen. The series explores
Christian scripture from two perspectives: (1) What
personal meaning and issues are brought to light by
specific texts? and (2) What historical and critical
context gives fuller understanding and appreciation
to our reading? Bring your Bible, but other books
being read are Buehrens' Understanding the Bible: An
Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious
Liberals) and Spong's Rescuing the Bible from
Fundamentalism. No background in New Testament study
is required, and all are welcome.
(Top
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A
Dinner Welcoming the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Community at All Souls
Join
All Souls minister Jon Rehmus for a potluck dinner
at the church, Saturday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m. If
your sexual orientation differs from
"straight," if you are an adult or
adolescent questioning your sexual orientation, or
if you are a supportive partner, parent, or
grandparent of an LGBT person, come and feel the
embrace of good fellowship and food. Bring a dish to
share (drinks will be provided) and feel free to
invite others of the wider community. Also welcome
are All Souls members who have been actively allied
with the LGBT community through Gay-Straight
Alliance and other involvement. Questions? Give Jon
a call at 624-3025.
(Top
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Cropwalk
October 19th
The Cropwalk will be in
Sunderland this year. Susan Garfield-Wright has
forms for walkers and pledgers.
(Top
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Anti-Racism/White
Privilege Reading Group Continues
The
next meeting will be on Thursday, October 9, 6:15
p.m. For information about this bi-weekly discussion
group, call Molly Chambers or Angel Russek.
(Top
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Disarming
Realities: October 7th, 7 PM
Traprock
Peace Center's 24th Anniversary Celebration. Keynote
speaker Scott Ritter, former UN Weapons Inspector
who will share crucial insights and lessons to save
lives. Also talks by Randy Kehler and Juanita
Nelson. Frontier High School, 113 North St., S.
Deerfield.
(Top
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Survival
Center Donations Please
Contributions
to the Franklin Area Survival Center are greatly
needed. Please bring warm winter clothes and
non-perishable food items to the church and leave in
the basket in the narthex. The demand has risen
significantly in these times.
(Top
of Page)
All
Souls Church History
This
is a new chapter in the ongoing project of recording
church history by some of our long-time members.
This
chapter was written by Jean Cummings and will be
continued next month.
Union
Teas
"A
Union Tea, to which all members of Greenfield
churches and other interested women are invited,
will be Saturday, Oct. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at All
Souls Church …" begins an article in the
"Recorder" of Oct. 15, 1994. Many of you
may remember this one-time event commemorating an
earlier tradition during the year-long celebration
of our church building's centennial. The article
mentions that the Rev. Holly Bell was the speaker,
Irmarie Jones and Jean Cummings were co-chairs of
the event, Robin Booth and Susan Garfield-Wright
were greeters, Diane Dix and Cynthia Page were
hostesses. Our tables were beautifully set up with
our silver service, candles and flowers and were
loaded with wonderful tea sandwiches and cakes just
like in the old days. My recollection is that we
were disappointed in the attendance from other
churches. Otherwise it was a lovely affair and our
own members ate and ate and ate.
There
are probably just a hand-full of us who remember the
original annual Union Teas which were begun in 1906,
by Mary P. Wells Smith, who was president of the
Alliance at that time. The last one was held in 1980
shortly before the demise of the Alliance, which
occurred for the same reason that there was poor
attendance at the 1994 memory tea. More women were
working full time and were unable to attend
afternoon affairs.
The
only record of the Union Teas that I can find are in
Recorder newspaper articles and a few program
notes I have saved. The first tea recorded in the
"Recorder" was the 45th, held in 1951, by
what was known as the Lend-a-Hand Society at the
time, with Kay Dunton as president. Members of most
of the churches, including the Hebrew Congregation
and the First Baptist were included on a panel which
discussed "The Church and This Changing
World". Among the quotes was "We aren't as
interested in making 10 more good Methodists as we
are in making 10 more good Christians." It was
also stated that one church woman advocated
cooperation embracing all the world religions. It
must have been the Unitarian or the Jewish panelist
who made this observation.
A
gathering of over 100 women was reported at the home
of Mrs. George Sheldon in 1936 under the auspices of
the Elizabeth S Snow group of the Unitarian Church.
A Dr. Galt spoke on Chinese women and their changing
role in society. Tea was served and Mrs. Charles
Schuler, Mrs. Robert Raible and Mrs. Herbert Nichols
poured. This may very well have been one of the
earlier Union Teas, although the article did not
refer to it as such.
In
the spring of 1961 the Alliance entertained 60 women
at its 54~ Union Tea. Mrs. Clifford Allen, assistant
to the president of the Experiment in International
Living, spoke of new beginnings and stated that many
African students are expected to come to the United
States in the next five years. How right she was!
That September a reception was held at our church by
the LRY (Liberal Religious Youth) for two African
students who were attending classes at Greenfield
High School. There is a picture in the paper of
Maruri Laban and Emily Annan with a big cake and
their hosts, LRY officers Steve Plaisted, president;
Leanne Garland, vice president; Don Fillibrown,
secretary: Stan Cummings, Jr., treasurer. The
Africans were staying with the Falconers and the
Garlands and, of course, attended our church and LRY
for the year. In 1962 there was a panel moderated by
Miss Winnifred Curtis discussing the question,
"Is Technological Aid Dangerous to the Culture
of a People?" To quote from a
"Recorder" article, "It was the
opinion of the panel that technological aid does
change cultures and that this may be very dangerous
to the people if the change is too rapid .... They
felt that the Peace Corps and present-day
missionaries have learned a great deal from mistakes
of the past." Ginny Short took the roll which
showed 80 guests from 12 churches. It was either
this year or the preceding one that the Catholic
Church women finally joined our group, although they
had been invited earlier. The Madrigal Singers from
Stoneleigh-Propect School entertained, accompanied
by Isobel Cole on the piano. Refreshments were
served by Jeanette Bartlett and Eleanor Bell. Mrs.
Cummings, president of the Alliance, and Mrs. Dunton
poured. (2nd installment next month)
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Music
For All Souls
A
new concert series will have its debut on Monday,
October 13, at 3 p.m. "Music for All
Souls" will feature award winning pianist
Noriko Suzuki and Broadway baritone Peter Johl.
Tickets are $ 15. Donors to the Yamaha piano fund
will be receiving complimentary tickets in thanks
for their donations. This event is the kick-off for
a string of monthly concerts through May featuring
fine area musicians on Sunday afternoons.
Pianist
Noriko Suzuki, not yet 30 years old, was a child
prodigy in Japan and holds a MFA from the Manhattan
School of Music. She made her New York debut at
Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in 2001. She has been
performing extensively as a solo recitalist and
chamber musician throughout the United States,
Europe and Japan. She will be performing at the
Carnegie Main Concert Hall in February 2004.
Peter
Johl, Kirsten's father, is a venerable veteran of
the stage, including Broadway, off-Broadway, stock
and dinner theaters. He was most recently in the
role of Poole in Jekyll and Hyde on Broadway.
As a baritone soloist he has sung both religious and
secular works. As he enters his 51 st year in the
profession he says that he enjoys continually
exploring and tackling new pieces of music and
theatrical projects.
Peter
and Noriko have been working together for over a
year now, sharing their expertise and creating a
harmonious duet of voice and piano.
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Midweek
Music (every Wednesday, 12:15 - 12:45 PM)
October
1–Laura Siersama, singer/songwriter
October
8–Gretchen Saathoff, pianist
October
15–Gene Clark, piano & Dick Hurlburt, clarinet
and tenor sax October 22–Michael Nix, classical
guitar
October
29–George Soulos, piano & Robin Stone, violin
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Coffee
and Soul
On
Saturday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m., we'll have the
pleasure of presenting Turkey Hollow. They are an
acoustic trio with a uniquely Maine kind of acoustic
country folk music that combines bluegrass, folk and
country with dashes of blues, Cajun and Celtic. Bass
guitarist Tom Rowe is also a member of Schooner
Fare. Son Dave Rowe and Denny Breau join him on
banjo, mandolin, piano and tin whistle to form
Turkey Hollow. All three are UUs! Open mic begins
the show. $10 tickets, $12 at the door, half-price
seniors, under 18 and open mic performers.
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Drumming
Workshop to Resume
Master
drummer and All Souls member Ellen Clegg will be
conducting drumming workshops at All Souls again.
The first of the season will be on Sunday, October
19, from 4:30–6 PM. All levels of experience are
welcome. Ellen has extra drums. It is recommended
that you call ahead if you need one to reserve it.
Church number: 413-773-5018. $10.
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Clara
Barton District Fall Rally October 25th
The
rally, "Leading From Within," will be held
at the Unitarian Society of New Haven in Hamden, CT.
Registration and Continental Breakfast is 8:30-9
a.m. Workshops will be presented in track
format–each workshop is in two parts, morning and
afternoon. With more time for each topic, we will be
able to explore what "Leading From Within"
means more fully from each of the workshop's
perspectives. Workshops include: Lifespan RE: Ideas,
Resources, and Techniques for Creating a Dynamic
Adult Education Component; NonCompetitive Games
(taught by Martha Elliott); Creating Small Group
Ministries; Creative Spirituality and Spiritual
Creativity; Counting the Beans: Exploring Church
Finances; Start as You Mean to Continue: A Workshop
for New Religious Education Leaders; Information
Technology: Help your Congregation Grow Through
Electronic Media (a.m.) and Taking Our Faith to the
Marker (p.m.); Congregational Presidents–The Ups,
The Downs, and In-Betweens; Membership Development;
and Counseling on Councils: Transitioning from a
Pastoral to a Program Model Church. Complete
information and registration forms will be mailed to
you in the Clara Barton District newsletter
"Call and Response." The workshops end at
4 p.m. A play, "Mother Wove the Morning,"
presented by Queen Bee Productions from Northern
Ohio, will be presented and there is an extra charge
for this. Pre-registration is $30 per attendee, $40
at the door. Please note: There will be child care
provided but this requires pre-registration by
October 1, 2003.
There
will be ten separate workshops that will provide
information and resources for us to bring back to
All Souls. Hopefully, we will have at least ten All
Souls members, one per workshop, attend, so we can
fully take advantage of this opportunity. If you
plan to go, please speak to Board Chair David Bigda,
co-Chair Marty Ortiz, Jon Rehmus or Diane Dix.
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Adin
Ballou Bicentennial Conference October 4th in
Mendon, MA
The
New Massachusetts Universalist Convention's annual
conference is moving to the fall, beginning with
"Adin Ballou: American Prophet of Peace"
on Saturday, October 4, 2003 at the Mendon, MA
meeting house of the Unitarian Congregation of
Mendon & Uxbridge.
The
Rev. Adin Ballou (born 1803) was a theorist of
non-violent resistance and founder of the Hopedale
Community, one of the most successful of 1
9th-century "utopian" experiments. His
message is both an inheritance to celebrate and a
challenge to Americans and to the world. The keynote
speaker will be Lynn Gordon Hughes, secretary of
Friends of Adin Ballou and editor of new editions of
two of Ballou's major works. Other presenters will
include the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist
Biography's chief editor, Peter Hughes ("Adin
Ballou: Unitarian Universalist"), Certified
Public Accountant Peter Reilly (speaking on the
economic reasons for the Hopedale Community's
demise), and UU ministerial candidate Jim Sherblom
("Money and Meaning: Thomas Whittemore's
Universalist Solution").
The
day will begin with continental breakfast at 8:30
and end with a tour of Hopedale at 4:00. In between
there will be worship (led by the Rev. Hank Peirce
of the W Church of Medford, MA), lunch, other
events, and plenty of opportunity for conversation.
Mendon
is on route 16, about 5 miles from the Milford exits
on route I-495. The meeting house is just offroute
16 at 13 Maple Street.
Child
care will be available (early registration
required). The building is wheelchair-accessible.
YELLOW
registration fliers are being sent to all New
England UU congregations at the end of August. For
more information go to www.nmuc.uua.org and click on
"Annual Meeting."
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Thank
You, Cynthia Page!
Every
month for several years, Cynthia has faith fully
coordinated the greeters at the door on Sunday
mornings and at special services. She has decided
it is time to retire from this task and Irmarie
Jones willl now be making the calls. Cynthia has
done a wonderful job over the years that added to
the sense of an easy flow of operations at All
Souls.
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Articulating
Your UU Faith
The
Youth Group will be starting a new curriculum,
"Articulating Your UU Faith" and invite
all members of the All Souls Community to join us.
This HS thru adult curriculum, facilitated by Dan
Tinen, runs 5 to 6 weeks and is appropriate for
everyone who has ever been asked "What do W's
believe?" and been unsure how to answer. We
will be meeting each week from Oct 26th till Nov 23
or 30th beginning at 12 noon (to give everyone a
chance to enjoy coffee hour) and finishing approx
1:30. There is a 20 person limit so please let
someone from the youth group know if you plan to
attend.
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Poetry
Workshop for Teens in Memory of Phil Sosis
Calling
all poets ages 11–15! Four Tuesdays in a row,
September 30 to October 21, 3 :30–5 p.m. at
Greenfield Public Library. Teacher and writer Amy
Gordon will use a combination of reading and writing
and even some acting to explore form and imagination
in creating poetry. All levels of experience are
welcome.
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October
Birthdays
Kevin
MacKay 10/1
Dawnelle Cheek 10/3
Geoff Bluh 10/6
Rick Kmetz 10/9
Marilyn Christian 10/11
John Waite 10/10
Kirsten Johl 10/12
Charlene Brown 10/22
Carole Groman 10/22
Jack O'Meara 10/22
Moriah Sterling 10/31
The
Birthday List is posted downstairs in the Parish
Hall. Please add your information to it.
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