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March
2004
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.
March
2004 Clarion
Headlines:
The
Caring Coordinator for
March is Ann Lewin
From
the Minister
Based on rough but very conservative estimtes, it's
likely there are 5000 to 50,000 stars in our galaxy
with planets capable of supporting Earth-link life.
There are billions of galaxies.
Thus…somewhere…Spring springs Eternal. Peace.
—
Jonathan Rehmus
Youth,
Young Adult Film Series
Announcing
the debut of the Monthly Youth/Young Adult Movie
Series beginning Sunday, March 7, with the film
"Dogma". Please join us after church for a
fun afternoon. Bring a beverage to share and
suggestions for the future movies. Lunch will be
provided. Call Martha Elliott for more information.
New!
A Record Book of Volunteer
Activities
Every
day of the week at All Souls Church there are
un-witnessed activities going on which are crucial
to the ongoing vitality and functioning of the
church. Ever walk into the kitchen and notice how
much neater it is and wonder, "who did
that?" Or, who brought the beautiful floral
arrangement that greeted you in the foyer one gray
Sunday morning and lifted your spirits? Who
replenishes the candles in the sanctuary? Who put up
the twinkly lights in the Parish Hall? Ever stop to
think about how many hours a volunteer church
treasurer puts in? Or the Board Chair? Who put up
the storm windows in the fall? Who took the air
conditioner out of the office window and stored it
in the closet? How many times have you provided for
coffee hour, brought a dish to share at Friendship
Luncheon, helped to set up or clean up for one of
these events? Who cleaned up the cigarette butts
near the Hope Street door or planted the flowers
outside of the church. Or cleaned the brush and
hauled it away? How many committees have you served
on?
We
intend to begin a "log book" of volunteer
activities. We want you to start from the beginning,
whether it was five weeks or fifty years since your
involvement with All Souls began. We will provide a
loose leaf binder and everyone is welcome to add
their pages or sentences whenever they have time.
We
know there are people in this congregation who have
been giving continuously of their time and talents
for many years. As their lists become longer and
longer, they may feel they are "tooting their
own horns." Not at all. It is a way we can have
a tangible indication of how important volunteer
work is in sustaining this community. Some of us
don't have a long history with All Souls or a lot of
extra time to give. But, did you help by changing a
light bulb that was difficult to access or volunteer
to help run the book table.? How many times have you
brought the tablecloths home to wash? How many
years, past or present, did you teach in Sunday
School or do an activity with the Youth? We will
have the binder on the shelf in the Parish Hall and
encourage everyone to add to it. Go all the way back
to the beginning. We are here today because of your
generosity and talents.
Anyone
dare to place bets on who will log the most hours? -
Craig Cole or Irmarie Jones?
White
Privilege Discussion Group
The
White Privilege Discussion Group will be meeting at
6 p.m. at the church on March 11th and 25th. For
more information, call Molly Chambers.
Music
for All Souls — Twice in March!
On Sunday, March 7th at 3 p.m, pianist Chongyo Shin
will perform works by Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy and
Chopin. Mrs. Shin, born in Seoul, Korea, received
both her Bachelor's and Master's of Music degrees
from the New England Conservatory of Music, where
she continued as a teacher of piano at the
preparatory division after graduation. She has
attended master classes with Alfred Brendel and Paul
Badura-Skoda in Vienna, as well as with French
pianist, Jeanne-Marie Darre. She has been a soloist
with the Boston Pops, the Pioneer Valley Symphony
Orchestra, The New England Conservatory Orchestra,
and the Windham Community Orchestra. She has given
many solo recitals and chamber music concerts
thoughout New England. She currently teaches piano
at Amherst College and is head of the piano
department at the Brattleboro Music School.
Mrs.
Shin will be performing her concert in the sanctuary
of All Souls Church on the concert grand piano the
congregation recently purchased from her. The
sanctuary has become a desired venue for many area
musicians and the piano is considered by musicians
who have performed there to be one of the finest in
Franklin County.
Sunday,
March 21, 3 p.m.- Enjoy the talents of some of the
most gifted students of Pioneer Valley Performing
Arts School in a program directed by Mitch Chakour.
Details will be available soon.
The
concert tickets for both shows are $10 for adults
and half price for seniors over 65 and students
under 18. They will be on sale at World Eye Bookshop
in Greenfield and at the door. Call 413-773-5018 for
more information. A reception for the artists will
follow each performance.
Help
Wanted - This emerging multi-cultural music
performance series seeks dedicated and enthusiastic
volunteers to assist in event planning, promotion
and production. You have a love of music and desire
to expand community consciousness through musical
experience. We offer great opportunities for
personal spiritual advancement and great benefits,
including, free live musical performance
experiences, hob-nobbing with the artists and all
the home baked goodies and refreshments you can eat.
Reply in confidence, to Marty Ortiz, Bob Cummings,
Diane Dix. Food contributors in exchange for
admission on a monthly basis are also sought. Let us
know if you can bring something.
Sunday
Morning Discussion Group:
"Jewish
Wisdom and History"
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. in the Minister's Study
Join discussion leaders Dan Tinen and Jon Rehmus for
the weekly adult discussion group. At publication,
we are considering further topics in Jewish history
and thought. Newcomers are welcome!
An
LGBTQ Community Dinner:
Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender-Queer-Questioning
+ Allies!
Enjoy a potluck supper at the church, Sunday, March
28 at 5:00 p.m. (and youth especially, bringing
something is optional; do join us!) This follows a
very successful January dinner attended by nearly 60
people! 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 a GLBTQ person, come and feel the
embrace of good fellowship and food. Discussion will
include the ongoing work of smaller groups focused
on school issues and political organizing. Please
bring a dish to share and feel free to invite others
of the wider community. Also welcome are All Souls
members who feel themselves allies with the LGBT
community. Questions? Give Jon Rehmus a call.
Connect
- Commune - Pray
Wednesdays,
March 10 & 24; 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Meets in the Minister's Study. Join minister Jon
Rehmus and a group of All Souls community members
for a brief period of reflection, sharing, and
prayer every other week. We meet in the minister's
study and all are welcome without regard to
religious belief. One need only bring an open heart!
If you don't wish to attend, but have someone in
mind - perhaps yourself - for whom prayers are
desired, feel free to call or approach Jon in this
regard.
War
Tax Refusal
A
message from Juanita Nelson: Leading up to the April
15 deadline for filing federal income tax returns,
five opportunities are being offered to explore war
tax refusal:
Thursdays,
March 11 & 18; Saturday, March 27, 7 - 9 p.m. at
home of Juanita Nelson (Tuesday, March 16, 5 - 8
p.m., Sunday, March 28, 3 - 5:30 p.m., home of Kip
Moeller
The
discussion facilitators have resisted paying for war
since as far back as 1948, and are members of
Pioneer Valley War Tax Refusers.
Mid-Week
Music Returns
Wednesdays,
12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
March
17 - Rosemary Caine and Jennifer Caine-Natenshon,
Celtic Harps
March 24 - Jerry Noble, piano & Bob Sparkman,
clarinet
March 31 - Lisa Woods, mezzo-soprano
Free
of charge, but donations in support of this program
are gratefully accepted.
Passover
Celebration Meals - Sunday, April 4; 5:00 p.m.
In
prelude to the Jewish Pesach, Jon Rehmus and Suzanne
Gluck-Sosis will be hosting Seder dinners at their
respective homes. We will be using a modification of
the traditional meal-based service. Families are
welcome but space is limited: please RSVP by signing
up in the Parish Hall or calling All Souls
(773-5018). If you would like to help conduct the
dinner, please contact Jon. All are welcome!
UUA
President in Northampton March 13
UUA
President Bill Sinkford will visit the Unitarian
Society of Northampton and Florence on Saturday,
March 13, from 1:30 - 6 p.m. All are invited. From
1:30 - 3 p.m. he will give a speech in Great Hall
"Race, Identity and Changing Demands of
Justice." What would it take for us to call
ourselves and anti-racist congregation? Questions
from the audience after. 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Reception
in the Social Room. 4:30-5:5:30 p.m., Report from
Bill Sinkford: Hat is happening at the UUA. 5:45
p.m. Closing. Child Care will be available. Contact
persons: Shirley Davis Karen Racz (office@uunorthampton.org.
Kitchen
Clean Up
A
few years ago, a small group of members, maybe 6 or
8, thoroughly cleaned the kitchen from top to
bottom. We would like to do that again, once the
church doesn't need to be heated. Already three
people have expressed an interest. Let Irmarie Jones
know if you could help some Saturday morning in late
May.
A
Reminder About Pledges from the Finance
Committee
The
Finance Committee is reminding everyone that we are
almost 3/4ths of the way through Fiscal Year '04 and
so people should have paid about 3/4ths of their
pledged amount. We really need the money to operate
and ask that outstanding pledges be paid as soon as
possible. Thank you to those people who have paid in
advance and to those who have are up to date (paid
nearly 3/4ths).
Tag
Sale Scheduled for May 8
May
8 is on the church calendar for a spring tag sale.
We can always us household items, books, children's
toys, games, sports equipment, warm weather
clothing, especially jewelry and collectibles. More
in the April Clarion when it will be time to line up
a crew for May 7 and May 8.
UU
Young Adults
Being
a UU young adult (18-35) can be a little hard --
often we feel both too young and too old. Several of
us have been discussing gathering valley UU young
adults for social activities, worship, outings, and
just plain fun. If this sounds like something you'd
like to be involved in, email Annie Winkler at
winklerar@yahoo.com.
Coming
Monday, March 29!! New!!! Fifth
Monday Parlor Game Night
We
had such a great time at January's Fifth Family Fun
Night - that there were many requests for more
Family Fun Nights. So, the RE Committee has decided
to experiment with a Fifth Monday Parlor Game Night.
This will take place on Monday, March 29, from 6 - 8
p.m. in the Parish Hall. Once again, pizza and
beverages will be provided by the RE Program. Bring
a simple snack or dessert to share and some of your
favorite parlor games (if you'd like). Everyone is
welcome.
Clara
Barton District of the UUA Spring Conference
GIVING LIFE THE SHAPE OF JUSTICE
April
3, 2004, First Parish of Stow & Acton
For more information, check the Clara Barton
District website
http://www.cbd.uua.org/
Registration
Information
Registration forms are available in the church
office. The fee is $30 received on or before March
26. Registration at the door is $40 per person.
Child care requires pre-registration by Friday,
March 19. Carpooling is an option. Please tell Board
Chair David Bigda, vice-Chair Marty Ortiz, Jon
Rehmus, or Diane Dix if you intend to go.
COFFEE
AND SOUL SEEKS CONCERT SPONSORS
The
new Coffee & Soul publicity and marketing
committee is exploring the possibility of concert
sponsorship to help defray some of our
concert-related expenses. If you have a personal
connection with a business or individual who might
be interested in sponsoring a Coffee & Soul
concert for $100, please let us know. We also
welcome sponsorship for an entire concert series at
$500.
WHAT'S
IN IT FOR THEM?
In
return the sponsor gets a tax write-off in addition
to publicity via our posters, advertising, press
releases, and rack cards, which will be placed at
hotels, Chambers of Commerce, visitors' centers,
B&Bs, and more. They will also get a mention at
the show, and an easel at the show displaying their
logo/name.
Please
take time to brainstorm and contact Sue Blauner with
your suggestions.
RE:
Notes from the DRE
I
am continuously being amazed by the energy,
enthusiasm and fabulous ideas of our Sunday School
teachers. Whether it's taking existing curricula and
bringing them to life or creating curricula from
their own ideas and inspirations - the folks who
volunteer in our classrooms are equal part artist
and genius. I am grateful for and awed by these
wonderful and generous members of our community.
I'm
sharing the rest of this column with one of our
teachers, John Walter. John has been working on a
concept that could be quite useful to RE programs
everywhere. I think it's an exciting idea and I
asked him to share it with you all.
In
Peace & Hope,
Eve
The
Story of OSCRE:
When
Eve Brown-Waite, the Director of Religious Education
at All Souls Church asked me to explain OSCRE to the
members and community of All Souls Church, I thought
that I should simply tell my story of how I came to
believe that OSCRE is needed and would be welcome in
the UU Religious Education community. This is
OSCRE's Story.
First
of all, let me say that I am a technologist by
trade. I have been supporting and creating new
technology solutions for years in different areas of
business. As a technologist, I am regularly seeing
things that can be done differently. At the same
time, when I am looking for something, I almost
always use the internet first.
So
when Eve Browne-Waite agreed to let me teach Sunday
School with Sue Garfield-Wright and Toni Eaton in
the Nature Room, the first thing I did was try to
think about what we could teach, and the first place
I went for a resource was the internet. I was very
surprised to find how little actual material was
available on the internet. I scoured the internet
for weeks, and found several sites with resources,
most of them were for sale by authors who had
published materials. This meant that if I wanted the
material, I had to purchase it first. The UUA does
have a limited selection of material posted on the
internet, and to their credit, it is very good
material.
Also
the UUA has a marvelous resource called a
'list-serve' for the community of Religious
Educators as part of their REACH services. A
list-serve is where emails get distributed out to
everyone who signs up for them, and if one person
wants to query the group, she can send one email to
the list-serve address whereby her email gets sent
out to all the recipients. It's kind of like an
email bulletin board.
Anyway,
I started to receive these REACH emails and this is
what I found out. There is a lot of really good
information being shared by RE teachers and
directors, about half of which concerns curriculum
material or inquiries, the other half concerns
problems that people need help with, announcements
and other types of conversations.
At
the same time I met with several RE Directors
informally at Ferry Beach and at workshops where I
asked about their curriculum development and how
they went about deciding what to teach. Some
directors are very strict with following prepared
curriculum in all their classes. Another novel
approach which I found very interesting is where the
RE Director chooses a story and creates study
questions each week. All the classes hear the story
and then break up into age groups to consider age
appropriate questions.
This
utilization of story telling as the ground work for
religious education is very interesting to me
because I see it as a kind of 'renaissance' in that
many RE Directors are picking up on this as a fun
and exciting way to spread good teachings, and new
ways are being found to make stories come alive for
children and adults alike. But the internet as a
service to these teachers was very slow in adjusting
and in making available material specifically for RE
Teachers.
With
nearly everyone I spoke to, the internet was used as
a search machine to help find new or current
material. And these efforts were often met with
frustration and disappointment.
So
I put my thinking cap on put a few things together -
1.
the obvious need for current and effective material,
2. the multiple creative sources of material (all
the RE teachers and Directors), 3. the UU community
spirit and a committed willingness to share and help
one another, and 4. new internet technologies and
know-how QED: and I came up with OSCRE (pronounced
Oscar). OSCRE stands for 'Open Source Curriculum for
Religious Educators'. (oscre.net will soon make it's
first appearance on the Internet, currently you can
read more about oscre at www.uugreenfield.org/oscre).
So
what is OSCRE?
(first
I'll tell you and then I'll explain what I told
you.)
OSCRE
is a transparent searchable web site with multiple
download content types built on an open source model
of copy-left contact protection with open standards
for addition, improvement and modification. So what
does all this mean?
1.
"Transparent" means that the user on the
internet will be able to see the curriculum before
she downloads it. This gives the teacher the
complete ability to preview the material before she
decides to use it.
2.
"searchable" means that once in OSCRE,
users will be able to search for curriculum using
words they want to search on, (for example, spring,
Martin Luther King, flowers, third grade, etc.)
3.
"multiple download content types" means
that when a teacher finds something she can use, she
can get it either in browser format, Adobe PDF
format for printing only, or in RTF (rich text
format) for editing in her own word processor.
4.
"open source model of copy-left content
protection" means that the source, (the
curriculum,) is free to use and is available for
anyone (in this case registered RE teachers and
directors) to take to their classrooms to use as
they see fit.
5.
"open standards for addition, improvement and
modification" means that if a user improves on
the material or changes it to make it better, that
she must return the improvements to the source for
others to use.
What
does all of this mean? Well, it means that teachers
will donate material to OSCRE to be used and
improved upon by other teachers. It means that
material does not have to become out of date because
it can be modified and brought current. It means
that any new interests and trends in RE can be
represented quickly in OSCRE as teachers send in new
material. And it means that Unitarian-Universalists
as a whole can say to the world that an open mind
and an open source for learning is the place to
start.
So
where does OSCRE go from here? John Walter is in the
process of getting the word out and he is also
building the web site that will house the curriculum
(with the help of our own Starstruck Design couple,
Don Kruger and Lynn Nichols). At this point, the
search function of the site is not ready yet. John
is looking for input. What do you think? John is
also looking for curriculum material that is can be
sent to him either on disk or CD-ROM, or that can be
emailed to him. He can be reached at johnw@uugreenfield.org
or by calling his home at 259-1882.
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